Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Poarch.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story starts like every little girl’s fantasies to have a beautiful wedding, so in some sense, I’m still that little girl at heart and want to make everyone’s dreams come true. I enjoy bringing joy and happiness to people and I’m honored to be a part of their special day. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to start my own wedding venue, I probably drove my family and friends crazy talking about it, LOL.
I’ve always worked for someone else 9 to 5 job, bringing in that steady secure paycheck, saving our money for that big step of starting owning our own business. As time slipped by year after year, it was time to take the chance and make a move, so with the support of my husband and family, the journey began. So, I quit my job, which scared me to death, but worth it. It’s been crazy for the last two years working so hard physically and mentally, spiritually. We moved here from Jonesborough, TN, to be with our kids and to watch our grandchildren grow up, it was a new world for my husband leaving his job and family, friends a comfortable world for him to follow my dream.
He continues to work an outside job so we may have health insurance. Honestly, I couldn’t have done this beautiful place without my son (Weston), he did a lot of grunt physical work along with my daughter-in-law, Kassie, and my daughter Whitney, So after all the hard work we finally opened in June 2021. We are booking a lot of weddings and making dreams come true. I’ve met so many amazing people booking weddings and meeting their guests. All the hard work paid off.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It seems as it was meant to be, everything has fallen in place. It’s not easy starting a business, a lot legal and financial, back-breaking work, etc. It’s not easy first starting out after you build the place and you’re down to your last dollar, that needs to spread ten different ways LOL. But seriously you have to make sure legal stuff is in order and business tax, zoning in your county, Liability insurance, community concerns, and keeping your neighbors happy.
Make sure your clients are safe. while focusing on their needs. I tried to design the venue in a combination of the past with some rustic feel and a little fancy bling for the glamor of it. My kids always laugh at me because I need my crystal chandeliers in my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Poarch Manor is a venue seat on about nine acres. The facility holds up to 150 people. I have been so blessed to open this beautiful place and I’m very proud of our venue. I will continue adding more beauty to the grounds as we grow. At this time, my only responsibility is making sure the venue grounds are maintained, I do the mowing and land scraping, over 50 hours a month weed eating,( I call it my arm work out).
I do some decorating and keep the venue clean. We rent out the venue and the client is responsible for everything else getting her vendors lined up (caters and DJ, etc). I’m flexible after all its about them and their special day.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m leaning as I go, I’m not that computer or social media savvy, I guess I’m a little old school I like to feel the paper and meet the people in person. As I said, you are down to your last dollar at the end and advertising is one of the most important structures of your business, I’ll be honest, I struggle with networking on my own.
So far I’m glad it’s going at a slower pace, it lets me control the unexpected and newness more effectively. Right now its some social media, our website PoarchManor.com and most of all word of mouth.
Pricing:
- 100-150 guests $2500
- 50-99 guests $2000
- Under 50 $1500
Contact Info:
- Email: poarchmanor@gmail.com
- Website: Poarchmanor.com
- Facebook: The Poarch Manor
Image Credits
Chuck Poarch, Geri Treadway, Weston Hazelhurst, Kassie Hazelurst, and Whitney Ooten
