New Series: Inspiring Women From Our Community

WIBA Online presents a new series; a spotlight on inspiring women from our surrounding community. Read on to hear from Katelyn Hipson, Founder & CEO of Elegant Productions Inc., where she shares her insights on the workplace, entrepreneurship, and success. Katelyn recently spoke at the Rowe Women in Business Association's 4th annual conference and hopes to continue to inspire young individuals to reach their full potential.

1) What advice can you give to young females hoping to start their own business?

You have to have both hustle and patience. Be willing to make the most of your early mornings and late evenings. Chances are, you'll be starting your business as a side-hustle while working a full-time gig to pay the bills. You have 24 hours every day. Even if you spend 10 of those at your full-time job and on your commute, spend another 8 hours sleeping, that still leaves you with 6 full hours to hustle hard for your business (rather than watching Netflix or wasting time on social media). Be willing to put in the work and take the time your business needs (patience) to grow over your first few years. All your efforts will pay off in the end if you can simply stick with it and don't ever quit because you feel clients, customers or accounts aren't coming quick enough.

(2) How do you define success within the workplace?

My definition of success in the workplace is waking up every day inspired by the day's tasks that lie ahead. Success to me looks like clients who truly fuel my creative passions and continue to challenge me to find creative solutions even after owning and operating this business for eight years. It's in creating relationships with work-colleagues that inspire mutually beneficial business opportunities. Success is being part of a growing industry that improves and grows with each passing year and continues to open new employment opportunities for those seeking a fulfilling yet financially stable career in a creative industry.

(3) What woman inspires you the most and why?

The women who I work with each and every day inspire me most. I feel grateful to work with a team of 6 women in our company who wake up every day proud to work for a small business in Halifax (which let's face it, is a lot more risky play than landing a cushy job at a large firm with unlimited job security). These women bring their all to work with them every single day and treat their clients at Elegant Productions as if they are a part of their own family. They work by my side every day in helping to grow the company and are willing to put in just as much blood, sweat and tears as if this was their own business. I feel grateful to have surrounded myself with these women and look forward to what lies ahead for us all as a team.

About Katelyn: Since opening Elegant Productions in 2011, Katelyn has planned over 200 weddings, worked with countless vendors and has just about seen it all when it comes to wedding days, brides and grooms. She also co-owns and manages Elegant Paper Co., a custom stationery business specializing in wedding invitations and paper goods. Elegant Paper Co. started in 2017 when Katelyn recognized the need for a boutique paper company in the Maritime provinces and partnered with two of Halifax’s most talented creatives to bring this company to life. Elegant Productions has been awarded gold in the Coast’s Best-of Weddings category on multiple occasions.