Gray & Associates Events
We’d like to introduce Gray & Associates Events, a wedding planning company that specializes in making your dream day a reality! Whether it is a Sweet 16, a business grand opening, or a spectacular wedding day reception, Gray & Associates Events has you covered. The company owner, Shaun Gray, is a certified International Wedding & Event Planning Professional, and has the experience necessary to help with any event! To learn more about Gray & Associates Events, check out our interview with Shaun below.
Shaun, what is your background?
I went to college for Marketing. I have a strong sales background, and I was in politics before starting Gray & Associates Events.
Why should a potential customer choose your event planning company?
Our industry is unregulated, and because of that, someone could wake up today and decide to start being an event planner. I think once customers do their research, read reviews that are unique and genuine experience testimonials, and meet other professionals, it’s easy to see how much we actually care about our clients’ vision. That’s what separates us, our ability to take our client’s vision and bring it full circle, we like to call it, being able to make sure our clients “Celebrate Well”.
What was it that made you want to start this business?
I had done a lot of public events and gala planning in my former career. This seemed like a natural next step for me.
What are the advantages that come with owning your business?
Freedom is the biggest one. Being free from a time clock, or having to answer to anyone. I’d say that is the biggest advantage.
Where do you see Gray & Associates in the following years?
The tough question during COVID. I’ll say this, we won’t stop exceeding our client’s expectations, and wherever that takes us around the globe, we’re going to work tirelessly to make sure our clients get to celebrate well.
What is your mission statement?
Our team of certified and insured event professionals work tirelessly to make sure you host a celebration your family will love, your friends will cherish, and one where you get to enjoy it, and not have to work it. We call this the ability to “celebrate well”. We never treat your most important day, like a hobby.
What are the biggest issues that you face?
The answer to this question would have been completely different if you would have asked me a year ago. Now I think the biggest issue I face running this business is because our industry isn’t regulated. It’s never made sense to me that if I go get a $20 haircut, I see proof that my stylist went to school and spent a huge amount of hours practicing their craft, and proven it to a state board. Meanwhile, a client could walk up to me tomorrow and hand me $50,000 to plan their daughters sweet sixteen, and they have to just trust that I’ll deliver. I think that dysregulation is blaring right now during Covid, our industry is essential closed down and there is no lobbying or grassroots effort to get us out of it safely with our teams and clients in mind.
How is your team structured?
It varies seasonally, but it always consists of a mixture of employees, freelancers, and interns. I used to teach wedding and event planning certification at Lone Star College.
Where can people learn more about your business?
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/grayeventshou
