Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Chambers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Diane. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always loved to create, whether painting, crafting, designing or decorating. I love making pretty things and making things pretty. And I’ve always loved parties. I love hosting parties, and I love attending parties. I get excited about weddings and I love every second of a bridal or baby shower, even the dreaded opening of gifts. I love it all.
I’m a native New Yorker, and I’ve been a party planner both personally and professionally most of my adult life. In my 20s, I started planning birthday parties for my four children. We didn’t have a lot of money, but I always managed to create something special on a small budget. I also traveled to children’s homes doing “Fit for Kids” birthday parties. It was the 80s, so think aerobics, leg warmers and batons. Not a pretty picture now, but it was fun then!
In my early 30s, I opened an indoor playground and birthday party establishment for children six and younger. It was a safe and warm place for littles to play during the harsh New York winters. I painted cartoon characters on all the walls, face-painted thousands of little faces and sweated in a Barney costume more times than I can count. After a few years, I sold the business and also went through a divorce. Life got very serious. I began working as an event planner for a couple of prestigious nonprofits, and I also obtained a degree in graphic design. I was basically scrambling to do whatever I could think of within my skill set to provide for my children, whom I was now raising by myself. My 30s were tough years. The toughest. But God got my attention through those hard times and at 38 He saved me and I accepted Christ, which eventually overshadowed even the lowest moments of that decade and catapulted me into a much better life here in Texas. As the saying goes: I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!
At 40, I met and married my wonderful husband Billy, and I relocated from Long Island to Sugar Land to start a new adventure. And what an adventure it’s been! Billy is a fun-loving Cajun from Louisiana, so we blended two families and cultures that couldn’t be more polar opposite. But we were committed. Thankfully he loved hosting parties and entertaining as much as I did. In our 17 years together we’ve thrown countless dinner parties, wine tastings, pool parties, barbecues, football parties, birthday parties, graduation parties, engagements, bridal showers, baby showers—and you better believe the best crawfish boils around! Friends and family never want to miss one of our parties. So I guess you could say parties are my thing. I’ve had a lot of practice.
After moving to Sugar Land, I tried a few different jobs on for size as I explored this new culture and learned how to navigate the Houston traffic. I worked at a charity, a museum, and a church and eventually decided that working in an administrative capacity at a local hospital would be a good fit. I worked there for 11 years, so that became my thing, too. But it also became my daily grind. So in my 50s, I began making decorations and styling parties for friends and family as a creative outlet.
My little hobby began to grow in demand as more and more people asked me to help with one special occasion after another. In October 2017, at the age of 55, I made the decision to retire early from a place and people that no longer suited me. Being a party decorator and celebration stylist has been amazing for my soul. I’m so grateful for the freedom and flexibility this endeavor provides. I get to create more, travel more, spend more time with grandbabies and enjoy people and life more.
My husband tells me I am the happiest when I am creating something or helping and blessing others, and this business journey checks both those boxes. It’s hard work, but it is definitely my happy place. I just thought this would be a fun and interesting thing to do, but it’s been so much more than that. I look forward to doing this well into my 60s, Lord willing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wouldn’t use the word struggle, but it has definitely been one big glorious challenge. Workdays can be long, with a lot more left to do. Not exactly retirement, right? Plus, Billy and I have seven kids and six grandkids, so that keeps our personal lives pretty busy. I really strive to set goals, stay focused and maintain a healthy balance, but that can be challenging depending on what I’m juggling. I’m not great about asking for help or even knowing who to ask for certain things, so I usually default to trying to figure it out myself, which isn’t always quick or easy.
The first year was a lot of trial and error as I figured out how to execute my vision and business plan. Slow and steady became a comfortable mantra to ward off any overwhelm or self-doubt. In 2018, most of the parties we did were custom jobs, since we needed to build our inventory. Custom is more labor-intensive. In 2019, the number of parties doubled, and business included more rentals of existing inventory. Straight rentals are easier. All our clients have been by word of mouth, which is great, but I do want to continue doubling and growing, so that brings me to what I’d say is my biggest challenge area: social media.
I know that having a strong social media presence is important, but I haven’t devoted enough time to it because, frankly, I’m not comfortable with it. It’s not my strength. I like making pretty things, remember? I find social media annoyingly time consuming and distracting! And oftentimes, ingenuine. Every day a new, self-proclaimed expert is saying something different: Facebook is best, no Instagram is best, use Canva, you definitely need a Pinterest page, algorithms are changing again, you need to create videos, post in stories, you need a website, you need a brand, you need filter sets for photos, you need a YouTube channel, etc. etc. And they all claim it’s simple to do. But it’s not that simple for me. I’m creative, not tech savvy. So I have to ignore all the noise, do what I can do for today, and leave the rest until I’m ready to take the next best step, whatever that may be. Again, it’s about setting goals, staying focused and maintaining balance.
For me staying balanced (and sane) also means stepping away sometimes. I intentionally carve out time on a regular basis to pray, catch up with friends and volunteer in my community. These are non-negotiables. They clear my head and get me out of the isolation that working at home can sometimes create. I also travel to New York quite often to see family and do parties there. I learn and do the necessary business stuff, of course, but I’m careful not to lose my joy and creativity from anything that feels like drudgery.
Recently I had the opportunity to help students at our local elementary school paint their windows for the holiday season, and I had so much fun with them! Could I have gotten a lot of work done that day instead? Yes. But connecting with others and giving back is important, and I’m in no rush with this business. I like having the freedom to do things on my own terms and at my own pace. Slow and steady is still my mantra.
Please tell us about Classic Party Decor & Rentals.
Classic Party Decor & Rentals is a unique party decoration and styling service. We offer an alternative solution to party decorating by providing decorations as rentals. This means our clients don’t have to scavenge the internet, handpick from multiple sites or stores, figure out the perfect combination of items, and then store or throw everything away once the party is over. People are so busy these days and don’t always know where to start. We save our clients valuable time and money by removing the guesswork and making party decorating a hassle-free process.
We specialize in small to medium-sized celebrations—the more intimate gatherings typically held at a home or small venue. Our most popular celebrations have been birthday parties (for both kids and adults), baby showers, bridal showers and graduation parties, but we’ve also done quite a few weddings. The wedding industry can be so expensive, so we love to help our DIY and budget-conscious brides with affordable options.
We have a growing number of themed party collections or á la carte items available, and we also make custom creations. Whether your style is classic, rustic, boho, shabby chic, vintage, organic or modern, we do it all. We cover all the bases with customized signs and banners, assorted hanging décor, tabletop décor, decorative tablescapes for food, drink and dessert stations, fun photo backdrops, props, games/activities and goody bag/favor tables. No detail is overlooked. Clients can either pick up the party items and take care of setup, or we can deliver and handle all setup and styling for you.
Here’s the thing. All parties have three basic components to address: welcome, nourish, entertain your guests. Good food and drinks are important, right? But welcoming and entertaining your guests are equally important. Ambiance matters. We like to wow guests, evoke emotions and make people feel special. Our decorations take parties to that next level. They are an immediate mood booster and conversation starter, and they instantly infuse fun—not in an over- the- top or obnoxious manner but with a tasteful, cohesive vibe. Decorations don’t have to be overly elaborate or expensive to do this. Many of our items are handmade, for that personal touch. I think this is what sets us apart.
What I’m most proud of is that in a short period of time our decorations have already been used for more than 50 celebrations in over a dozen cities in and around the Greater Houston area, as well as in New York, Georgia and Louisiana. We’ve loaded up U-Hauls to be driven and duffel bags to be flown to out- of- town destinations. It’s been such a privilege to play a part in so many celebrations. We may not be saving any lives here, but we sure are touching a lot of lives.
Life is a gift. Our stories, accomplishments and milestones need to be celebrated— and celebrated often. Why not do it with fun decorations? It’s so much better that way!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband Billy, our friends and family have been my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. I had a lot of self-doubt at first, but with strong faith and so much encouragement from everyone in my life, I pushed past it.
Billy works full time in the oil and gas industry, but he partners with me whenever he’s available. He and some of our friends have helped build whatever I needed, no questions asked, and they are always willing to help with delivery or setup. Billy also pulls inventory for clients when I am out of town.
We have a lot of loyal, repeat clients that also refer and recommend Classic Party Decor to their friends, family and colleagues. And someone is always thinking of us and giving me something cool to add to our already enormous inventory. (Our storage unit is bursting at the seams!) Our church family has been incredible, and I also joined the Sugar Land chapter of Tuesdays Together, a networking group for creative professionals. I’ve learned a lot from an amazing group of creative women. I’m very thankful.
But mostly I’m grateful that God chose to give me a creative spirit, birthed this idea in me and cleared a path to make it happen. I love what I do. Not everyone can say that. I couldn’t always say that. I feel very blessed.
Pricing:
- A la carte rentals range from $1-$150 per item
- Themed collections and party packages range from $150-$750
- Custom created themes not already in inventory start at $500
Contact Info:
- Phone: 281-384-0621
- Email: classicpartydecor@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classicpartydecor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicpartydecor
Image Credit:
Logo by Capella Creative Design
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