Just The Touch

06/02/2023

Just The Touch tip of the day
Prep/Organization

If you know me personally you know that my house is a warehouse and oftentimes looks a mess because I prep at home. In this business timing is everything and in most cases your time to set up is limited. I personally ask for a minimum of 2 hrs depending on set up and how extensive the transformation is.

Example:
If I am draping full room say 15x30
We are talking about 80-85ft of coverage give or take which in itself can take the 2hrs.

A few things I learned early in this early in the game don’t wait until you get to the venue to unpack your material do that at home to assure correct items/ colors and no damage

I make up I am prepped atleast a week out to assure I am not short or if something is damaged to can come up with a solution this can’t be done in sight

It saves time if everything is counted out and labeled

Easily accessible
This technique can save alot of time and issues,

If you have more questions
Let me know

Signing off for now
Verna Agboola

05/31/2023

Many people ask me why I do not have a venue. I don’t have a venue because my goal is to OWN my venue and not just rent a space

My desire is to completely meet the needs of all my clients, then vendors and Just The Just The Touch

I have been doing this for years and I have witnessed several issues on-site with vendors and those are issues I plan on mot having at my space,

Few issues

30- 1 hr set ups
It is impossible to totally transform a space in that slotted time frame I want to position myself to give 2hrs set/breakdown (clients chose)

Storage: too often I’ve been to venues and the corners were cluttered because they lacked storage space or properly put things away and I have to take my containers back to my vehicle to store because there is no storage space for the venue

And on-site storage so I don’t have to pay for storage or go back and forth to get what is needed for an event

Parking
I want a parking structure so my clients/vendors and guest can be comfortable knowing their vehicles are in a gated space

security
Have a few people to be my eyes and what what’s happening and a camera system

A kitchenette
A small area for proper food storage and prep.

Options
have my storage unit stocked with all things that the client might need of course at an additional cost but accessible

This is what I desire and this is the goal and I am patient enough to wait and not settle for less

Signed
Verna Agboola
Minding my own black owned business

05/24/2023

Verna Agboola

05/24/2023

I want to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who has entrusted me and my team to make your event special. To the people who have stepped up even in the last hour to assist me I am forever grateful
Shamara Gates Yolanda Smith Mary Weatherspoon Dyer Tamara Tamara James Luckes Sr. Victoria Hullum Michael A Barnes Sr. Samuel Dyer Jr. Tremmel Jackson Makilah Barnes, Keesha Vinsonand Delonda Foxx

You guys have been a consent A God sent to me and for me.

Teamwork makes the dream work o you’ve dealt with my OCD’s and understood that on a job site I am not moma, auntie, cousin or friend

I have a tunnel vision and I am there with a purpose “let’s get this done”

Thank you for putting up with me!!
I love you guys

Verna Agboola

03/12/2023

Verna Agboola
Just the touch setup #2 small chill out Stetting for my niece Bianca #30 Birthday shades of Green

The space was completely empty!!

She is so pretty I know her mom is in Heaven smiling hard

03/10/2023

Someone needs to create the black version of this scenario

Cause it went a little different

02/16/2023

Tamara Tamara Terri Dyer Aqua Robins Deborah Cole Shamara Gates Paddy Steele Keyana Steele Renita Davis Jamarrion Tabor Verna Agboola Nicole Brown Nicole ColeyCole Smith Terralyn Simon-Frazier, Andrea Collins
Sadly this is me even when I say I am not I still do

02/14/2023

Verna Agboola

02/14/2023

I guess my nephews didn’t get the memo that I haven’t made Valentine day baskets in years

Wait did I tell you that They just reached out Saturday evening

I made it happened tho
Custom baskets and some gift bags for a classroom of 6yr olds

02/05/2023

My daughter 38th birthday Girls night party this kid always decides within hours that she wants to do something it’s entrapment

Happy 38th Birthday to Terri
Verna Agboola

02/03/2023

masquerade ball loading…… stay tuned
Verna agboola

01/14/2023

Just The Touch Tip if the day by Verna Agboola

This is a very common mistake made by people who reaches out to a designer for decor needs. 1st thing is that you generalize a service when it's a itemized service. Someone said to me "My friend had 75 guest and she only paid XYZ.
First thing you should know is that the quote is not based on the number of guest
That number only determines the amount of tables,chairs, cutlery, etc needed

The additional cost come wotg all the Esty pictures you love and think you must have for your set up

Example
20ft backdrops with Lions, Tigers and Bears "Oh May" yes it sounds humorous but the lion, tiger and bear comes with an additional cost

- Throne chairs - additional
- 5FT L.E.D MARQUEE " B.A.B.Y " your charged per letter "21" per number
- Champagne wall w/Glasses again Addtional
- Red Carpet ..additional
- A full Balloon wall 10ft high × 10ft wide
Did you know that the average balloon artist charges $150 for 10ft.

You response is the balloons only cost $20. Not true. Most artist use quality balloons not the dollar tree also. It take hours of labor to blow up and create your desired look, transport and set up.

By the time you add all the bells and whistles guess what your 50 guest events cost the same amount or more as the person who had 100 guest

With this being said. PLEASE APPROACH THIS WORLD with a realistic budget

Average Custom banner is $150-175 when someone else creates and prints it that's not including the backdrop stand and side curtain to create the finish beauty.

I hope this helps some of you put this in the proper perspective

There is alot of planning, traveling, laboring,prepping and ex*****on that goes into play to create your jaw dropping event.

Happy planning!

You have a question you need answering
Inbox it to me

12/19/2022

Verna Agboola

Just The Touch Tip of the day
Great day people.
Today's tip is for the up and coming event planners/designers

INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS!
Invest the time and money into getting the necessary knowledge to succeed

When I first started in the business it was really a branch off from my mom's catering Service so I had some knowledge of prepping, orangizing and staging.

I learned through much trial and area.
I would go places with my mom and say " that should be over there and this should he here and of course I started adjusting party for flow. (That's what I called it ) and naturally people started saying "you should start decorating parties"

I started buying material and would only buy what I needed for a particular event ( the exact number) but I learned early on that I did not leave room for error and chance like burning the Satin table cloth and not having an extra cloth ( OH BOY)
or someone saying that they had a 60in round table and I grabbed the 80in round not thinking about that 30in drop and the legs are exposed. The right curtains size length and width. 10ft wide backdrop and grab 2 5ft drapes and the backdrop looked like 2 sheets with no flow ( ALL TRUE) and unfortunately it was too late to do anything and my disappointment was great.

I quickly realized that I needed to prep and stage at home to gage what was needed and the time it would take to execute the look.

It is important that we never have "it is what it is" mentality when we setup an event. Excellence should always be what is on display.

Invest in the proper material to get the desired result. There are more Don't than Do's in this game and it starts from the moment you agree to take on a project

It is your responsibility to hear your client

It is your responsibility to be honest with your client about what you can and can't deliver

It is your responsibility to make sure you keep a time line and checklist to assure no last minute issues

It is your responsibility to assure that you've chosen the right team to execute the project.

Pay your staff, include them in your quote
Thank your staff and so them your appreciation

Don't be afraid to hire other event planners especially when you have a large event

Unpack and inspect your materials off site
Avoiding unpacking on site by doing so

1. You've created another area that needs to be cleaned and removed (time robber)

2. What if The wrong item, wrong color or perhaps detective items was delivered and now you have an additional issue on your hand. THE DAY OF THE EVENT, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!

It becomes more chaotic

Last but not least please stop using tripod for fabric backdrops the are flimsy and limited in weight support.

That's my 5 cents I wish I had someone to help me and teach me these tips!!

Have a wonderful Monday

12/19/2022

Just The Touch Tip of the day
Great day people.
Today's tip is for the up and coming event planners/designers

INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS!
Invest the time and money into getting the necessary knowledge to succeed

When I first started in the business it was really a branch off from my mom's catering Service so I had some knowledge of prepping, orangizing and staging.

I learned through much trial and area.
I would go places with my mom and say " that should be over there and this should he here and of course I started adjusting party for flow. (That's what I called it ) and naturally people started saying "you should start decorating parties"

I started buying material and would only buy what I needed for a particular event ( the exact number) but I learned early on that I did not leave room for error and chance like burning the Satin table cloth and not having an extra cloth ( OH BOY)
or someone saying that they had a 60in round table and I grabbed the 80in round not thinking about that 30in drop and the legs are exposed. The right curtains size length and width. 10ft wide backdrop and grab 2 5ft drapes and the backdrop looked like 2 sheets with no flow ( ALL TRUE) and unfortunately it was too late to do anything and my disappointment was great.

I quickly realized that I needed to prep and stage at home to gage what was needed and the time it would take to execute the look.

It is important that we never have "it is what it is" mentality when we setup an event. Excellence should always be what is on display.

Invest in the proper material to get the desired result. There are more Don't than Do's in this game and it starts from the moment you agree to take on a project

It is your responsibility to hear your client

It is your responsibility to be honest with your client about what you can and can't deliver

It is your responsibility to make sure you keep a time line and checklist to assure no last minute issues

It is your responsibility to assure that you've chosen the right team to execute the project.

Pay your staff, include them in your quote
Thank your staff and so them your appreciation

Don't be afraid to hire other event planners especially when you have a large event

Unpack and inspect your materials off site
Avoiding unpacking on site by doing so

1. You've created another area that needs to be cleaned and removed (time robber)

2. What if The wrong item, wrong color or perhaps detective items was delivered and now you have an additional issue on your hand. THE DAY OF THE EVENT, THIS IS NOT GOOD!!!

It becomes more chaotic

Last but not least please stop using tripod for fabric backdrops the are flimsy and limited in weight support.

That's my 5 cents I wish I had someone to help me and teach me these tips!!

Have a wonderful Monday

12/18/2022

More pics from last night

12/18/2022

JTT Tip of the day

Be clear of your role
When I take on a project I am always clear about my role and what I am willing to do or what the additional cost would be.

As a client when you specify what you want and a price is quoted that quote is for that specified list.

Ex.
8 table clothes
80 chair covers etc
= $$$$
As a client when you start adding additional things like. Oh can you bring centerpieces, it doesn't have to be fancy.

There is a additional cost attached to your additional request unless I specify I can do that for no extra charge.

100% of the time I add something extra in my set up, I come up with a new ideal or have new material that I want to put out there. I will do that at no additional charge because it was my ideal and I am fine with that.

Every little detail of an event requires some form of labor rather driving to pick it up, look it up and order, gathering the materials to create it.

Don't devalue the labor that goes into the finish product. 1 tablescape could have required a visit to 20 different stores.

You see the beauty
Respect the labor of love.

12/18/2022

About last night
Thank you to Phil and Tasha Collins for entrusting me and my team with Aliah's
"SWEETEST 16" Masquerade ball.
It was loving and so was she

11/14/2022

JTT Tips for the day!

A small reminder to business owners
Be careful of the content that you put out there, your complaints, ranting, and your personal social stuff (habits on display) avoid profanity and inappropriate things. I don't care how good you are, how good your product is
There are some people who still cares about the character you portray and display.

Professionalism, integrity, reliability, and accountability still matters and rather you believe it or not it can affect the TYPE of clients you draw.

11/14/2022

This event world is not for the weak at heart. It is up and down. You have those that want champagne but don't want to pay you for your material, labor or time.

I am not going to be moved by your budget
Whatever your budget is realistic or not I am going to politely inform you what I can do, What I won't do and still love you.

It's just business

10/30/2022

SPsweets

10/26/2022

JTT Tips
Don't panic is things are not going as planned leave from for error and solution solving

I did a set up In Sunday "babyshower" the place serves as a dual space so Items had to be moved out in order to accomplish the goal
Saturday the owner said I could come in later that day 8pm and do my backdrops (I had 3 areas of backdrop) 20ft fabric, 7ft circle and 3pc Chaira stands.

When I get there the space was not ready impossible to accomplish anything so I just cleaned a corner and place my load there.

So I was suppose to return at 12 next day
Owner called and apologized and of course all did not fail It was one step that I didn't have to face the next day (unloading)

Next day I called to assure all was well and the cleaned out and we were showing up ready to work. Owner said I could come he was there
Showed up at 11:30 my crew was there by 11:40-11:45am but The tables/chairs were not there so we begin to work on the backdrops

We were told that tables will be there by 12 at 12:15 no tables, 12:30 no tables 12:45 no tables finally about 12:50 the tables/chairs arrive. 6rounds 5 recs.
By 1:25 pm my girls were completely done with the setup and cleaned up space, removed and or stored empty container and ready to walk out the door

at 2:10pm I was walking out after setting up the food area/ drinks that the client had dropped off.
My crew is the best

The Owner asked how is it possible that we were completely done in such a short time.

*Preparation
*Organization
*Communication (staff)
*Ex*****on
*Passion

When we show up
Everything is separated and ready to pop up
Chair covers already separated by the number of chairs per table

-7 tables /7 pre-counted stacks of chair covers and chair bands.
-11 clothes separated by type and labeled

*Guest
*Food
*Dessert
*Guest etc

- Centerpieces are assembled at home and ready for placement

- napkins, Chargers, cutlery, and Glasses (sorted at home)

-signage: added to frame at home

- Balloons assembled at home event by 5ins in separate bag to add were visually needed.

Most importantly 3 To Do list

1.What's needed for prep and pack

2 Packing for transportation to assure everything is in vehicle.

3. Ex*****on at venue
- Who is doing what?
- what need to be done first to last items
Finally I set time line on phone on vibrate 30mins, 1hour, 1.5hrs, and finally1hr 45mins

My crew put on music, they Laugh and talk but never stop moving and working. They know we have a goal, we are on a mission. They know we are a team and have freedom to give suggestion and making necessary adjustment to accommodate what we need to do.

We can be great at crafting but that is only a fraction of our responsibility as planners, designers and decorators we must plan,organize, communicate with venues, vendors and event team

They these together makes dreams a reality and clients who are beyond satisfied with the finish product.

Happy planning
Tips from Just The Touch

10/24/2022

Which one of my friends live in Boilingbrook

10/24/2022

I was absolutely obsessed with these centerpieces.

6 new items · Memory by VERNA STEELE - AGBOOLA

10/21/2022

In the black community we have been taught to state that someone is "The backbone of the family" that is a heavy burden and unrealistic expectation to assume that a person rather male/Female doesn't get tired of shouldering everyone all the time they assist numerous of people and only a few come back to say Thank you.

Don't be that person who treat kindness as a common thing. Take a moment to celebrate those you have been kind, take a moment to say Thank you, take a moment to remind them that what they do/don't do has truly made an impact on your life.

Be grateful and thankful