Meet Michelle Loretta | Speaker & Strategist for Event Business Owners

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

Hi Michelle, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I used to think balance was a 50/50 equation early in my career. In fact, I started my first business as a stationery designer thinking that I would be able to have all this free time for yet-to-be-born-children by dictating my own schedule. I didn’t realize as a young entrepreneur that I would often end up working crazier hours than I did working for someone else.

What I realize now is that there are seasons in life and nothing is forever. So, there are seasons when I had young kids and I felt like I was pulled by their needs and dropping the ball on my business. And, at the same time, I felt like I was working too much and not spending enough time with my kids. I felt like I was constantly letting someone down. The reality is that the people in my life were OK. It was ME that I was letting down. I was being SQUEEZED to the maximum. But, that was a season in my life. And, it passed.

Seasons, like busy work seasons, or family-focused seasons, all pass. There are ebbs and flows of time. And, no one phase in life lasts forever. So, if I’m super busy servicing clients from December through March, so be it. My summers are light and I can then spend more time with my kids and take time off from June through August.

It’s never a 50/50 equation. It’s push and pull, give and take, plus and minus. I’ve learned that as long as I feel satisfied in the work that I’m doing, happy in my relationships, and healthy in my mind and body, then that ‘state of peace’ is the magic feeling that I once thought was called ‘balance’.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m really proud of the business that I’ve created. When I was a wedding stationery designer 13 years ago I noticed that all of the events industry education was very focused on the creative side. There was nobody speaking or coaching on how to be better at the business side of things – how to successfully run a business. And given my corporate background working for companies like Coach and Deloitte, I would always get asked for advice by colleagues and peers. So, in 2009 I started a business blog for the events industry sharing some of my insights from the ‘corporate world’. Those articles would make way for the consulting business that I have today: Be Sage Consulting.

This isn’t a career path that naturally existed. And, that’s what is so neat! I carved out this job based on my different career paths and what I do fills an important need in my industry. I consult people on how to make more money doing what they love in events. I made this job for myself based on my varied talents in finance, business planning, marketing, and with a deep understanding of the events industry. And I think it’s pretty cool that I get to improve people’s lives while at the same time melding my diverse skill set.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I live in Coral Way neighborhood which, to me, is the center of Miami – right smack between the Gables, the Grove, Brickell, and Little Havana. We’ve got Doggi’s Venezuelan arepas down the block. And, some of the best steak you’ll find at The Wagyu Bar. Just up 17th Avenue, my favorite empanadas are at Bariloche Bakery, a tiny little Argentine hole-in-the-wall that supplies my addiction to dulce de leche, alfajores, and the best facturas. And, west of us, across from Miracle Marketplace, 305 Peruvian has outstanding ceviche and their lomo saltado is divine. Coral Way has so many little hidden gems!

From my home, I can walk up to Calle Ocho in Little Havana for the best Cuban sandwiches at El Sanguich, the cafe con leche ice cream at Azucar, and croquetas and a mojito in the garden oasis patio of Doce Provisions. You’ve got to patiently wait in line, but the Nicaraguan food at Yambo is tops and such a great deal. Make sure to pop into kcüll for great jewelry made by local artists.

I’m just a quick bike ride from Coconut Grove where my kids sail with the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The coaches, hailing from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and all over have taken us in as their own family. Just up the road from the bay, you can grab Miami’s best coffee at Panther. And, Books & Books next door never disappoints with a good read. Chug Diner is Cuban-American comfort food that fills your soul with goodness. Ariete and Navé are standouts that really put the Grove’s fine dining on the map. Leave room for pie at Fireman Derek’s!

For me, what I love most about Miami is the things you only experience living here. It’s the afilador with his little whistling truck, slowly making his way through the neighborhood, sharpening abuelitas’ knives. It’s the thick smell of pork from the backyard Caja Chinas that permeate the air at Christmas and most Miami holidays – including Superbowl. Miami is hearing parrots and roosters in my backyard. It’s the sound of bongo drums, with the occasional reggaeton, on a random Sunday night. As we like to say here: Miami es un pueblo.

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?
I dedicate my shout-out to my husband Andy. He is a TRUE partner in every sense of the word. I think in many hetero marriages women feel the need to ask ‘permission’ to travel for work, move forward in business, and attend events. I’m very fortunate that as a true partner I don’t have to beg Andy to take care of the kids or make dinner when business calls because he already does those things. He’s not stepping into my role as a mother, because his role as a father is to fully participate in those things year-round, not just when I have a late meeting or a work event. Having this strong partnership ensures that our family is fully functional as our works pull us in and out of the daily needs of our kids.

Website: www.besageconsulting.com

Instagram: business: @besagealways / personal: @mmloretta

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleloretta/

Twitter: @besagealways

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sageweddingpros

Image Credits
Jessica Lopez, Be You Images Barbie Hull, Barbie Hull Photography