Meet Ashleigh Bivins | Event Planner/Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashleigh Bivins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashleigh, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
As a mother of 3 kids, ages 14, 10, and 8; I’d like to think that everything that I do is impactful. I want my kids to see me being successful in all of my roles: a wife, mom, full time teacher, and full time business owner. In parenting everything done takes conscious decision making. And while every time we make a decision, we are prayerfully making the right ones. I want my kids to see me work hard and take on any task that comes my way. I want them to see me consciously work through the process of multitasking and doing it all like a boss. Ultimately it helps me rest confidently in my choices. My goal is to raise confident kids. As with most things, kids imitate what they see most. If they walk boldly in authority and own the day, I think I’ve done well with them. For both adults and children, self-talk is what you say to yourself out loud or what you think to yourself in your head. It can be positive or negative. My kids have often heard me say aloud “WHAT are you thinking?” But they’ve also heard me say “you’ve got this mama”. So to wrap this question, I think it’s important to my children to take pride in their work. Always. That’s my impact!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m an event planner in the Birmingham area, (but I travel)! I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to multitask and do it well. Time management and organization has been engrained in me for many years. I think it helps me stay on top of my game. I’m most proud of seeing myself published. Whether it be online or print. Seeing my work and my name is the ultimate payoff. I would say that my passion has gotten me to where I am today. I take personal ownership of each event and budget as if it were your own and your money. I strive to make sure that every detail is exactly perfect and that every event is better than the last. With that being said, it’s important to say that it is not easy. It’s not easy to juggle “all the things” and do everything well. But I’d like to think that I do that. What ultimately helps me overcome those challenges are my support system. My husband and my family. They all cheer me on and help out in any way they can. Some lessons I’ve learned along the way is to delegate tasks. I’ve hired the people that I have because I trust them. It’s up to me to utilize their strengths and trust that it’ll be done right. That has been hard. But my people have yet to let me down! I want the world to know that Ashleigh Planned It is a brand that cares. My brand cares about our clients and their families and we love for that to show in their events. Once you’re a client, you become family.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I LOVE when friends give me the opportunity to plan! I’d first find the best winery around. There are tons of local wineries in the southwest that I think many people don’t know about. I was one of them until recently. A nice dinner and cocktails are always in order. EastWest Kitchen & Bar has been a fav of mine and my family and friends. We’d HAVE to call up owner, Colby to get us in the upstairs private loft. Since COVID, I’ve loved being able to enjoy movies. I’d definitely go to the local drive-in movie theatre. Lastly, we’d definitely have to have a wind down day. The Spa at Ross Bridge is my favorite yo go to.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Where would I be without my assistant planner, Shevita? Shevita thinks of things before I can even ask her to address them. She supports me when I think I just cannot take on another thing in life. I can recall being called to do an event and I was simply amazed by who the client was. I said to her “oh my, this client can literally afford any event planner in the south and she chose ME?! She’s worked with the best for her wedding, bridal shower, and other life events. But this client chose ME!” To which she replied “why are you surprised? YOU are one of the best. YOU are a boss at what you do”. It’s those words that often play in my mind when I start to think I’m sinking. She makes me feel like we can do anything. When preparing for events, I can count on Shevita to make phone calls, load heavy items, stand on ladders, you name. She IS the hustle behind the brand. She even calls me to tell me “go check your front door, I left you a happy”. Happies are things she knows I LOVE. Wine, candles, all the goodies. I’m very grateful for her and could not do it without her.

Website: Ashleighplannedit.com
Instagram: @ashleighplannedit
Facebook: Ashleigh Planned It

Image Credits
Joshua Bivins- Biv3 photography Nicole Taylor- NicTay Photography Taneisha Tucker- Taneisha Tucker Photography