I am surprised at the number of emails I receive asking if it’s too late to start a career in event planning at age 35 or 45 or even 60 years old. Is there a certain point when you shouldn’t consider going after a dream of starting your own business or a new career?
My emotional side always says you are never too old to go after your dreams. I know wedding and event planners who started their businesses later in life and enjoy much success and happiness from their careers. My logical side says that you need to consider the financial and emotional implication no matter what age you are.
Here are a few questions to help decide if you should start a new career in wedding and event planning:
1) How is your health?
Wedding and event planning is physically and emotionally demanding. Coordinating a wedding day means spending 10-15 hours on your feet and being mentally “on” at the same time. It can be draining for a 25 year old planner who is in good shape. If you have multiple health problems that affect your physical ability or mental capacity, it could be challenging to start and grow a new career as an independent event planner. It’s not impossible but definitely something to consider before making a commitment.
2) What is your financial situation?
If this is a career that you can start on the side while still working in your current job, then it may not have much financial impact. If you currently work in a job with long and unpredictable hours that provides needed income for your family, you may need to plan a slow transition into a new career of wedding and event planning. Perhaps you look for a new regular job with more flexible hours or go part-time at your current work place for a few years until your new business starts making money. We never want to put extra pressure on ourselves by giving up a job that provides for our family without savings and good game plan in place.
3) In 20 years, would you regret not going for your dream?
Imagine yourself in 20 years still working at the same job and knowing that you could have started your own event planning business twenty years prior but didn’t do it. How would it feel to look back on those years and all that time? Would you have regrets? If the answer is yes, you have to at least try it out right now and make it happen. Who wants to live life with regrets?
If you still have a major passion for planning events but aren’t sure you can handle the career change, consider doing it part-time or find work with another event professional as an assistant. Or perhaps, you could work in the office for a planning, decor, rental, floral or design company. You may also want to check out other reasons not to become a wedding planner before you change careers.
How old were you when you started your own event planning business? Was it an easy or difficult transition? Please share your experience in the comments.
