Today we’d like to introduce you to Dinai Yelverton.
Dinai, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
July 2011, two months post grad school and two months shy of beginning my career as a public accountant, I found out I was pregnant! I was told that my life was over, that every dream and aspiration I’ve ever had, would not come to fruition. (And these comments came from family!) I was afraid, nervous and didn’t want to fall into the stereotype of a “young unwed mother” who gave up on her life. I was not going to accept this narrative for my life. In February of 2012, one month before giving birth to my beautiful daughter, I started the Young Workin’ Mommies blog as I sat on the bus heading home from the office. The blog highlighted the highs and lows of becoming a mother while juggling a new (predominately white male) career. At the time, my then boyfriend, now husband – lived in Georgia and for the 1st four months of my daughter’s life, I was alone! Before I knew it, I had developed a following from the blog that I was not expecting! I would get texts and calls from people asking for breastfeeding tips, questions for potential day cares, and the list goes on!
Fast forward to March of 2016, I decided to leave the corporate arena and focus on what truly made my heart smile – event planning. At three months pregnant with my son and two months from closing on our first home, I did what most people considered to be INSANE – I took that leap of faith! Not too soon after, I launched Mommies & Mixers, an event that not only provides a casual environment for women and mothers to just be but also a platform to support women and families in need. It’s been my mission to encourage young women and mothers that the birth of a child does not equal the death of dreams. Once we are clear about what our purpose is and focus on our God-given gifts and strengths, anything is possible!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has NOT been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it! I’ll be honest when I left my job, looking back, I can say I was not prepared. I just knew I wanted to plan events. I knew nothing else. I’ve had to figure it out along the way. My biggest piece of advice is to spend some time with your self and figure out what brings you the most joy and why. I had to take a step back and take inventory of my life goals. What I found was that I love to be apart of experiences. I love to see people having a good time. My strengths don’t lie in creating a fabulous tablescape or fabricating event decor. But I am strong instrategy development, logistics, project management & execution. Find out what you are good in and do that! Build on that! And DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO SOCIAL MEDIA. I fell into this; following other event planners and entrepreneurs and feeling like I was not adequate enough because my work didn’t look like theirs. But I had to realize its not supposed to! Lastly, do not compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. You have no idea how many failed businesses, “no’s”, bankruptcies, etc, that person/business had to go through to get to where they are. Trust YOUR process and allow it to be your story of success!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with unDINAIable Events – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
So, presently, I create experiences for clients! I’ve planned weddings, product launches, non-profit networking events, fundraisers, holiday parties, book launches, birthday parties – you name it! One of my weddings last year was featured in Essence Magazine! However, I’m at the point of my career where I am, yet again, making some changes. The great thing about life is that you are forever evolving. I am presently transitioning into the experiential and sporting arena. So, think large sporting events and consumer engagement events such as brand activations. Recently, I’ve assisted the Nike Tournament of Champions, the 60th Special Olympics, and the Laver Cup events in Chicago. I want nothing more than for people to enjoy moments, so I make it my priority to ensure their experience is memorable. I work my butt off for my clients (sometimes to my own detriment) but every client knows I will give all that I have!
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Can I just say, I HATE “networking events,” LOL. I prefer to connect with people organically where it doesn’t seem forced. But to that end, getting yourself out there and going to events or participating in community projects or volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people. I have two mentors. One just happened; she basically took me under her wing. We worked together at my last job and she was just that person who was so committed to supporting women and reminding women of their worth, so naturally, I gravitated towards her and a mutual relationship developed. My other mentor was assigned to me through a more formal mentorship program. Both have been and are super helpful and provide very different perspectives. I think its incredibly beneficial to seek a mentor that “looks like you” and one that doesn’t! Be open! Find people that possess skills you lack. Ask questions. Be available and look at the mentorship relationship as a two-way street. Don’t just take, be able to provide something valuable as well. And be genuine!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dinaiyelverton.
com - Email: events@dinaiyelverton.
com - Instagram: www.instagram.com/u
ndinaiable_events - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
undinaiableevents
Image Credit:
John Klad, Dion Jefferies and Janelle Jaqueline Photography
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