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About Me

And How You Can Be Where I am Today



Finding the Blessings In Disguise

I quit my job the day my boss decided to keep a gun in his desk.

I always knew my boss was off his rocker. But this was, literally, cold, hard, proof.

I was fresh out of college and excited that I had found a job working as a receptionist at an event planning company. However, my boss was a rather, shall we say, unethical kind of guy when it came to business. He had overcharged a major, international, Fortune 50 company for our services; by about seventy thousand dollars. And they wanted their money back. Their attorneys called every day, attempting to corner my boss and make him rectify the situation.

And so, laughing the entire time, my boss showed me the gun in his desk and encouraged me to remember where the gun was, "in case those pesky lawyers come around."

Chuckling, he left for the day. I walked promptly into my office, packed my things, and left forever.

With no plan, no job, no money in the bank. Not a clue as to what I would do next.

That was fifteen years ago. The following years led me down a path of global travel to nearly 30 countries, while planning amazing meetings and events. And now, I work for myself; without ever having to worry about unstable, gun-toting bosses again!

Nothing Happens Overnight

Of course, no part of my journey was easy. I immediately got a job waiting tables, so I could buy some time and figure out my plan. I decided to try to start a career as a freelance international on-site coordinator (also known as travel director, or TD). I had hired TDs to help with our events at my previous job with Psycho Boss, so I knew all about the job. TDs travel the world helping out with the on-site logistics of meetings and events. I knew it would be a great way to build up my experience in the world of events, so that someday I could be an event planner.

It took almost a year and a half for me to build up my TD business enough to work full time and quit my waitressing job. But, I knew that it takes time to build any career in any field, and I knew that someday it would be worth it.

Being a TD was everything I had hoped for; great travel, amazing friends, and tons of experience in the world of events. But after ten years of living on the road as a TD, I wanted to cut back on the travel; and I knew I had gained plenty of experience in meeting and event planning. So, I become an independent event planner.

By working as an independent contractor, I don't have to go through the hassles of opening my own business (I tried, for awhile, but it's a competitive industry and it's not nearly as much fun as it sounds!). Instead, I work for other meeting and event planning companies on a contract basis, going "in-house" and helping them out when they need extra help.

But, times are tough and work is slow; the event planning industry has been hit hard by the economy. And so while doing some research, I discovered a way to make money simply by running your own website. "Anyone can build a website about anything," this particular system promised me. And my wheels started turning. This seemed to fit in perfectly with my plan of finding a way to bring in extra money while still allowing me to work in event planning.

Paying It Forward

So I decided I wanted to build a website that helps other people break into this exciting business. Someone once helped me, and I wanted to "pay it forward" by helping as many people as possible pursue their dream career too.

Nearly every day of my event planning career, I have had at least one person ask, with breathless envy, “Your job sounds incredible! How in the world did you get started? How can I do this too?”

I see the starry-eyed hopefuls asking for my magic advice that will instantaneously land them a job in this exciting industry.

Unfortunately, there's no single, instant answer. I can't reveal the secrets in just one sentence. There's no magic pill or secret word that will magically open the door to your new career overnight. And there's so much more to event planning than just picking good entertainment and decor; there's a lot to learn.

In the past, I always had to say, "Do you have a couple of hours? I can give you a few pointers..." But, I knew that with a website, I could answer all of the most common questions in one, organized place. All while saving myself a lot of "mentoring" time!

I wanted to teach people what I've learned over the years, in order to help them achieve their goals more quickly and easily.

So, despite the fact that I knew nothing about websites, web hosting, or web design, I knew I needed to build a website. It was the only way to teach everything that needs to be taught to those who are just beginning their path.


"The Journey of a Thousand Miles
Begins with a Single Step"

I mentioned earlier that during some research, I found a system that seemed to be my answer. It seemed almost too good to be true; so for two days, I researched some more. But testimonial after testimonial proved that literally anyone could build a site about anything, and make money doing it. So, backed by the money-back guarantee, I took the plunge. And it was the best decision I ever made!

The system is called Site Build It, or "SBI." SBI is single-handedly the easiest, most user-friendly, helpful, supportive web creation system in existence!

With SBI, anyone can build a website. Anyone! Trust me, if I can do it, you can too. All you need is a topic you're passionate about, and the desire to learn.

SBI helps you pick a topic and a domain name; then guides you, step-by-step, on the entire process of creating your site. SBI teaches you how to drive traffic to your site, how to make money from advertising, affiliate marketing or with eBooks, and how to get your website in the top pages of Google.

Even if you don't know a single thing about website or the internet.

How do you know that I'm telling the truth and this really works? Well, for starters, you found my website, didn't you? :-)

If you would like to learn more about how you could start your own online business (without knowing a single thing about websites or the internet), click here to see just how much money I make and how you can do this too.

To skip my story and go straight to learning more about (or sign up for) SBI, click here to go to SBI's page. And make today the day you finally changed your life!

“The biggest mistake people make in life is not making a living at doing what they most enjoy.” ~Malcom S. Forbes


Go From About Me to Learning How You Can Make Money
from Your Own Website


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"You have one of the best Event Planning sites that I have seen out there online, and I have seen many. You are like having my own personal Event Planner Coach. Thank you for your great newsletters!"

"Sirena, I did what you suggested and volunteered to help at a event. It worked and now the planner wants me to be in charge of getting the vendors for her event! I am so excited. I also have a chance to help out with a big wedding in October. Your help has been so wonderful! I want this and am going after it!"

"I would like to let you know that your website and emails have been a huge help in my journey to becoming a successful event planner. Thank you so much for helping to make my dreams a reality."

"I have been receiving your newsletter for a few weeks now, and had to write you to say that you have a true gift. Your newsletters are inspirational, informative, and motivational. Thank you so much for taking your time to help others like me with a love for this career by providing us such tools.

We all need mentors and professionals in the field that don't forget where they came from and what they had to do to achieve the success they now enjoy. I appreciate your friendly approach and look forward to reading many more newsletters."

"You inspire and motivate me every time I open your mail. Without your authentic guidance, advice, help, encouragement and support I would not be as confident in becoming an event planner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!! I've spent hours upon hours researching event planning on the web, trying to figure out how to get started in this business. Yours is the only site that helps true beginners learn what steps to take. I am so thankful I stumbled upon your site!!!"

"I would like to just thank you for your amazing website. I have always known that I want a career not just a job; and after reading your entire website (which is the only website I can honestly say I have read every single word) I now know that event management is for me. I have even printed your words so I can put them in a folder and use them as guidance for future referencing for starting my career. I look forward to your news letters. Thanks a million!"

"I just wanted to send a quick thank you for all of your time and effort you put into all of these newsletters. They really are such a huge help. As a senior high school student headed to university and hoping to get into the event planning industry, your newsletters keep me motivated to stay on the right track and not back out, especially since there isn't much (useful) information out there about the industry. I would definitely recommend your website to a friend."

"I would like to thank you for a great job on your newsletter. I have been in event planning for 10 years and your weekly emails always give me something new to take away and use, as well as give me new reasons to love my job. Thanks for your hard work!"

"I have in fact read through your whole website and find it amazing. To be honest, I have not found anything as insightful anywhere on the internet. It is very well organized and chock full of information. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"I love your website and in the last couple months I have kept coming back. I have always loved the idea of being an event coordinator, just never took the time to learn more about it until I came across your website. I have read over and over again what it is that a planner does and the skills and attributes you need to have for a job like this. I am always excited to open every newsletter you send, and always read your site to see if you've written more great information. Please keep it coming!"