CHS Creative Productions: Meet Carolyn Horton {Exclusive Interview}

Carolyn Horton of CHS Creative Productions is an incredibly experienced, successful and brilliant event planner in Southern California. The children's parties that Carolyn designs are in an entirely different league--they are just as her business name says: "Creative Productions", not just ordinary celebrations. She does everything on a dramatically large scale, and I am in such awe of the incredible parties she not only designs but also executes, often with just a few weeks notice!!!

Carolyn is a truly wonderful person to know, I admire her greatly as a mentor to look up to in the children's party planning industry. Her focus is spot on: exceeding her clients' expectations.  She has MUCH to teach us, and I always feel I have much to learn!

It brings me great pleasure to share with you this interview I conducted with her recently. {And the stunning photos of her events--purple, a regal color you haven't seen much of on this blog--are utterly spectacular. Those white tiger cubs are melting my heart! Beautiful photography by Richard Kelley}
 

 
 
{Question} Please tell us about about yourself, and how CHS Creative Productions came about, how long you have been in business, and how it got to where it is today?!?!
 
 
I have always loved planning parties and events, it is just a part of who I am. Before I became a party planner I was the one who planned all the parties, showers and business functions for friends and family. CHS Creative Productions came about really because of my two children and my love of throwing them over the top birthday parties. At that time I was a stay at home Mom and was feeling like I needed to do something for myself, some sort of creative outlet. A friend told me I should do children’s parties for clients, my first reaction to that suggestion was “Who is going to pay me to do that?” As it turns out people were very happy to pay someone else to do their children’s parties so that they could enjoy the party and not have to be in charge.
 
 

 

I placed an ad in a local children’s magazine, a feeler if you will to see what the response would be and next thing I know the first client I booked was a First Birthday party for 150 guests, baptism by fire was how it all began. From doing children’s parties, I had wonderful opportunities from repeat clients and referrals for showers, weddings, adult parties, business functions and holiday decorating which has enabled me to expand my business and experience into all types of events. I am so blessed to be doing what I love and have the support of my family. CHS Creative Productions is celebrating its 15th year in business and I couldn’t be prouder, it has certainly been a dream come true, even if I didn’t know it 15 years ago.

{Question} With your tremendous experience and more parties than you can count, what does CHS Creative Productions always offer their clients, or strive to (your business motto, what you are all about)?



CHS Creative Productions always strives to execute and deliver an event that exceeds their Clients expectations. My favorite business motto would be there are no do-overs in event planning so you had better bring you’re A game every time. I am a firm believer that it is a privilege and honor to be chosen by my clients to help them celebrate some of the most important moments of their lives. What I do is very personal and I am always humbled by my clients openness and appreciation of what I create for them.

{Question} We would love to get to know more about you!


I have been married to the most wonderful and supportive husband for the last 17 years and have two wonderful children Chase 15 and Jessica 20. They are all 3 the loves of my life and I am grateful that I have my own business that allows me to be there for them whenever they need me. I used to have a ton of hobbies, decorating, shopping, designing, gardening, scrapbooking and creating something from nothing but they are all now my work, I am so fortunate to be able to do what I love every day. Now when I do get a chance to relax I love to read a good book, it allows me not to think too much. I am a workaholic, even when I’m not working I am thinking about work and there never seems to be enough hours in the day so a good book allows my mind to relax. My style and taste is all over the board and I guess for what I do that is a good thing, since every event and client is looking for something different. I appreciate good design, motivational quotes and inspiring stories about people who are living their dreams.

{Question} You are incredibly well-established, but I know most businesses do look to innovate and keep everything current to offer the clients the absolute best possible service. What goals do you have for CHS Creative Productions in 2011?



I have been very lucky with my business and have worked for some fabulous clients. I am not one to rest on my laurels and am always looking for ways to be more creative and expand my business, I guess you could say I am my own worst critic. This is my 15th year in business and I love what I do more each time I work. This year my goal is to network with other talented party ladies, like you Kate and expose my clients to some of the awesome handmade and custom items that are available to them. Of course, that would mean I would need more than two weeks’ notice.
 
 
 

 
 
Some details {not outside of the norm for CHS!} from a lavish purple party that Carolyn recently did for a client {all in less than 2 weeks!!!}:

-Custom printed products from Paper & Pigtails
 
-A guest list of 50 children and 70 adults
 
-1 and 1/2 days of set up
 
- Entertainment of a juggler on ball and stilts, photo booth, face painters, caricature artists, balloon twisters, dj and white tiger cub interaction
 
-Golf cart shuttle service throughout the party
 
-Catering by Ruth Chris
 
-Drink fountains, purple party props for everyone to wear
 
-Custom purple outdoor lighting at night
 



A tremendous thank you to Carolyn for this wonderful interview and glimpse into her life and events from CHS Creative Productions.


You can find Carolyn on her website here, or facebook here!

Preferred Planners & Vendors At Kate Landers Events, LLC

You may have noted my mention of this concept several weeks back, and then recently mentioned how I had a partial solution to not being able to fulfill the demands for my work...well, here it is, the big reveal!

I have been working for months now on creating a preferred planner and vendor list that would allow you, my beloved clients and friends, to be able to locate the very best children's party planners and vendors worldwide to help you with your children's celebrations (yes, I need to add a globe to the page!)

I am so blessed to have the most amazing clients and look forward to adding to my client list as I can. However, because I am so detailed in each event I design taking much time I am therefore limited as to how many fabulous custom events I can create.  I wanted to be able to continue to work toward my goal: celebrating the lives of each and every child, one party at a time!

Thus, I felt it was in the best interest of this goal, to reach out to the absolute most talented and extraordinary children's party planners, photographers, cake designers & bakery boutiques; floral stylists, dessert table masters, exquisite rental companies--everyone to help make your event as stylish as possible. I know how important referrals are to me, and they mean even more when they come from someone with a style and taste I adore, and who I can trust.

{In many cases, I may be able to collaborate with these preferred planners and vendors, giving you the best of both worlds! }

I have hand-picked those you see on the list, and there are several more lined up to join this elite group. I am corresponding with each and every preferred planner and vendor personally, building a professional relationship and partnership, and have found the experience to be enlightening and a great joy!

 I have gone to great lengths to find the absolute best around the world, often referred to or featured by others, bringing them to the limelight. I have worked with some of the preferred planners and vendors already, and hope to have the opportunity to do so with each and every one in the future!

The extraordinary talent, passion and creativity is what I find the uniting factor among everyone on the list. Everyone I have spoken to absolutely loves what they do, and feels grateful to have turned their passion into their career.

I hope you will be able to take a moment and visit the websites of some of those on the list thus far. You will continue to see me feature them and add new and fresh talent as I discover them.

It is an absolute honor and privilege to have been given the opportunity to connect with each and every preferred planner and vendor, and I am thrilled to share them with you!



{Side Note: I cannot endorse nor represent in any way shape or form, any of the preferred planners or vendors on my list; their actions, policies, liabilities are not the responsibility of nor are they associated in any way with Kate Landers Events, LLC.}

***A special thank you to Abby of Style Me Pretty, for being the inspiration for this idea. She has the most spectacular "Little Black Book" of preferred vendors for weddings, and it was part of my inspiration for creating my own preferred planner and vendor list specifically pertaining to those who I believe do extraordinary work for children's events.***