Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Davenport Martens.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started my journey as an Event Planner at 18 years-old while planning my senior prom for Crosby High School. I remember my teacher, Mrs. Conner, drove me into downtown Houston to meet with the hotel’s Social Event Manager to iron out the details. As we talked, the event manager asked me all of the logistical questions that come with planning an event: where do you want the dance floor? where should we place your buffet? what food do you want to serve? I remember sitting there thinking, I want to do this one day!
With that planning experience piquing my interest, following high school I pursued a degree in Communication Studies from Texas State University. I researched events all over the country and decided that becoming a Walt Disney World Wedding Planner was my dream job. To help build my experience in applying for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings department, I accepted a number of part-time jobs. I created floral arrangements for a florist in San Marcos, I assisted a caterer on a number of big events, I worked in event promotions for a radio station in Austin, and I landed an internship with a wedding planner in Round Top, TX, where I manage 17 weddings with her in two years. All of these jobs led me to my interview with Walt Disney Fairy Tale Weddings.
That was my chance! I received and accepted the offer to be an intern on my dream team for the mouse! I packed up my car and moved to Orlando after graduation. I loved my job. I loved every minute. It was everything I ever wanted it to be. I couldn’t wait to get to work every morning, and I stayed hours after my time card was punched just to absorb every detail of the weddings at Disney. But alas, my semester-long opportunity came to an end. Luckily, I was able to stay within the events realm and move to the Park Event Operations team, where I managed corporate parties, bar mitzvahs, student travel parties, galas, massive park buyouts for conventions, and the best part, weddings inside the theme parks!! I worked my way up from a front line cast member to a coordinator, then to a manager over the course of eight years. I met my husband, bought a house, and watched Magic Kingdom fireworks from my front lawn every night. It was a dream.
In 2013, my husband and I made the decision to move closer to my family in Houston. From my time at Disney, I had learned that although I loved my job, I was always disappointed for my clients to leave me after planning their event with them for an entire year. I focused on finding a job at a country club knowing that my clients would become more like family. It just so happened that the most prestigious club in Houston was hiring the same time my husband and relocated. I was offered the job as the Event Manager at River Oaks Country Club and found myself at home very quickly. After two years of executing and planning weddings with various third party wedding and event planners at the country club, Christine Hoffer, owner of Belle of the Ball, asked me to coffee and offered me a job as a planner on her team. It was a very tough decision because I genuinely loved my job, but I felt the opportunity was too good to let go. I joined Belle of the Ball in February of 2015.
After four years with Belle of the Ball, it became very clear to me that running my own events company was a goal that I truly had never considered. In speaking with Christine, she shared that her goals and passion had also shifted to making her family the first priority for this season of her life. After several months of discussions, we signed the final paperwork making me the owner of Belle of the Ball. Christine remains on the team as a planner and mentor for me. It could not have been a more perfect scenario for a transition.
So, at 36, here I am with a dream team of nine planners and endless opportunity in Houston for us to continue growing!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always going to be bumps. It is how we handle those situations that is the most important. I try to approach everything with honesty, grace, and patience. When I first took over the company, I made some minor changes and at every turn, there was a hiccup with the transition. It was easy to feel defeated and deflated but I kept reminding myself that I had spent the previous 15 years building my career for this opportunity. I had friends and family encouraging me the whole way and reminding me that I was going to survive and that the challenges would ultimately make me a better business owner and leader.
Belle Events | Belle of the Ball – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The founder of Belle of the Ball, Christine Hoffer, wanted a business where she could help people bring their dream events to life. She set out to provide a luxury service where her clients felt completely confident and well taken care of with all of their needs throughout the entire planning process. She wanted to not only create a vision for the events but also help clients feel they had an emotional support system. For her team, she wanted the planners to have the freedom to prioritize their work/life balance however they needed – whether they wanted to raise a family, travel frequently, or focus on their career.
With the company based on these principles, it shapes a team that is happy in their work environment. In turn, this creates an honest and genuine relationship between our clients and our planners. We work hard to match our clients with a planner (Belle) through an interview process based on personality, budget, and style. As the planning process can last over a year, we truly want to get to know our clients so that we ensure that we are providing a truly collaborative experience. We care for each and every one of our brides and never want them to feel that we are simply providing a service. We personally want to help them make their wedding dreams come true!
Our services include every part of the event planning process from beginning to end, which consist of conceptualization, budgeting, organizing, and execution. Whether it is a wedding, a non-profit gala, a social events, or a corporate party, we want to provide outstanding services for every major milestone in your life. We would love to celebrate with you!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is the moment after the bride’s last dance when she is overwhelmed with emotion, gratefulness, and joy. Success is getting together for drinks when the wedding photos come in and reliving the wonderful memories created. Success is receiving an invitation to a baby shower two years after the wedding. Success is planning a company’s holiday party six years in a row because the relationship is so strong. Success is forming a true friendship that will last years after a wedding or event. Above all, success is having a great team of Belles, knowing that our clients entrust us to make their dreams come true!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4010 Blue Bonnet Blvd.
Suite 103 – Houston, TX 77025 - Website: www.belleevents.com
- Phone: 713-528-9966
- Email: info@belleevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belleevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belleevents/
Image Credit:
Kelly Hornberger Photography, Joseph West Photography, Akil Bennett Photography, and my husband Faisal Suleman
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