About - Event Planning Blueprint

Hey There, It's Nice to Meet You!

I’m Melanie

I’m Melanie, and I want to share my story with you.

Not because I’m super special or have some amazing story or anything.

Quite the opposite.

I want to share my story with you because I get it.

I’m originally a small town girl (now living in the big city) with a passion for seeing people succeed, I’m honored to help thousands of event planners in our online event courses fulfill their dreams.

Through our blog and videos, top-notch courses and students from around the world, I help people like you get results, have more freedom and do what you’re passionate about – planning events.

In 2004, I started my event business and created Event Planning Blueprint in 2013, and I believe focusing on your unique set of strengths is what really sets you apart as an event planner…

This is the short version of my story! For the full version and to meet your event mentors, keep reading…

Now, for the long version of my story...

Before I dive into the long version of my story, you may want to join our community. I’ll also send you a free video training showing you a simple strategy that’ll give you clarity so you know how to charge properly for your events.

In 2004, I launched my own event business from my kitchen table with less than $500, and if I’m really honest, I had no business starting a business but I knew I couldn’t ignore the passion I felt for planning events.

I knew making a name for myself in the industry would be tough, especially since I had no connections, no website and only a stack of business cards to get me started.

But you know what? I got amazing results.

And pretty soon I was planning fundraisers, corporate events and large festivals with over 30,000 attendees and working with brands like Honda, Young Entrepreneurs’ Association and HGTV.

I’ve even had the honor of planning celebrity events for TV personalities and Hollywood actors including Mike Holmes, Rob Rainford and Shaun Majumder.

I’ve travelled the world planning events and bringing people together – from local fundraisers to Fortune 500 promotional events – I’ve seen and done it all. And now, I want to help you do the same.

Your Success

At Event Planning Blueprint™ we’ll teach you how to make progress and achieve results so you’re succeeding in the event planning industry.

I’ve run events for everyone from large national festivals, such as Junofest and Grey Cup Festival to celebrity clients in Hollywood and the NHL to events with global brands including Honda, CanWest Global Communications, The National post, HGTV, and Young presidents’ Organization.

I’ve also gained invaluable experience at Strategic Coach, where I worked closely with high income entrepreneurs to help them achieve greater success in their business.

And as a result of my diverse skills, I’ve been a guest speaker on-air and online, as well as a regular contributor and event expert for About.com and Eventbrite UK (to name a few).

If you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and like possibilities seem out of reach, we’ll point you in the right direction – and have fun in the process. At EPB, we’re all about connecting you with tools and online event planning courses to help you do what you’re passionate about.

Meet Your Event Mentors!

Hi, I’m Sandra!

Hi, I’m Sandra! Your Boost Your Event Business mentor. I wasn’t always an entrepreneur. For years I worked in government, which left me unfulfilled and feeling trapped. I moved around a lot, trying to find the job that would “click” but it never came. I wanted out, but didn’t really know where to turn…

Left Government Life

Eventually I was offered a contract doing management consulting overseas. Travel… adventure… naturally, I jumped at the opportunity! For a couple of years, the change of scenery felt great. But I was still working for somebody else… doing stuff I didn’t really love. That same old feeling of discontent starting to sink in.

I Fell In Love

I headed home for Christmas one year and ran into my old high school sweetheart. We fell in love all over again, and when the time came for me to leave, I just couldn’t do it. Instead, I stayed and finally set about building my dream business. As a mid-life entrepreneur, I had to really learn about business. Nothing in my background had prepared me for this, but since those early days, I’ve worked with dozens and dozens of business owners and look forward to coaching you in Boost Your Event Business.

Hi, I’m Daniel.

Hi, I’m Daniel. Your Boost Your Event Business mentor. 17 years ago I was pressured to buy something I wanted but couldn’t afford. And I never wanted that to happen again. This experience lead me to learn the art of sales and I started my career as a sales professional. I started selling conference sponsorships for legal and financial conferences. Getting banks and lawyers to part from their money was a talent of mine, and I closed $300,000 in my first year.

Then something big happened.

At the start of my second year I received a call from Janet, my biggest client. She needed my help buying $150,000 worth of sponsorship deals on behalf of her employer. I asked her, “If I could teach you how to evaluate any sponsorship opportunity you wanted to explore would that be valuable to you”?

She said YES…

…and this lightbulb moment prompted me to develop a marketing course that I taught over the phone. Doing this allowed me to go from selling $300K to $1.4 Million in sponsorship sales in one year and I sold (a total of) $5 Million in sponsorship deals during my time in that role. My GIVING FIRST model of sales, which I’ve refined for the past 17 years, is called the ‘Offer to Serve Methodology’ and it’s the cornerstone of how I have closed over $20 Million in deals across every industry, working with hundreds of clients. I am looking forward to sharing my energy and experience with you in Boost Your Event Business!

Success Stories

Elaine Wellman

“After being an event planner for 15 years, it was time to start my own event business. And since enrolling, I feel more confident about pitching my services and pricing my services.”

Nicholas Hatten

“Before I took the course, I was discounting my rates. Now, I understand the value I provide, what makes me different from other event planners and I’m able to confidently communicate that to clients. As a result, I’ve doubled my business!”

Dayna Davis

“ I received my first PAID wedding contract. Thank you so much! I seriously would never have had the confidence or skills to do this without your course and this group!”

Nina Kokolj