It's All in the Details

Woodstock resident Helena Paschal launched her latest venture entitled Helena’s Planners. The red carpet affair was held at the Cobb Galleria this past weekend and had a large turn out.

Helena trains small business owners on the essential soft skills they need to develop their businesses such as public relations, event planning, public speaking, marketing as well as other areas.

Twelve years ago, Helena began planning events as a means of public relations to promote her seminars and events.

“I honestly feel like I’ve been planning events since I was a child,” she said.

Correlations, Helena’s umbrella business, which stands for communication and relationships, started in her mother’s kitchen right after she graduated from college.

“I wanted to teach, but I knew I wanted to do it on my own terms,” Helena explained.

She teaches a two-day Event Planning Certificate Course, but her students said they wanted more training and resources and to see Helena in action. As a result of this demand, Red Velvet was formed. However, because of trademark issues, the company's name was changed to Helena’s Planners.

Helena said she is branding the company with her favorite treat, red velvet cupcakes and everything sweet about event planning. Small business owners, customer service representatives and stay-at-home moms are just a sampling of who is seeking her training and event services because of the pricing and conveniency.

Ameriprise Financial, AT&T and Cephalon as well as other related event planning businesses have sought Helena’s expertise and attention to detail. Helena’s tablescapes take this to heart are a real treat to the eye.

From jars filled with strawberry Whoppers to her secret recipe cupcakes to hand made napkin rings, wandering eyes never know where to look next. Everything about her tables appear to be meticulous and thought out to the most minute detail. She said she can put together any theme to perfection for her customers.

“My competition doesn’t exist to me," Helena said. "In the world of event planning, relationships are the key to success. I focus on building relationships not becoming bigger or better than someone else.”

So, what exactly does Helena offer for event planning? Her niche is planning small upscale theme events from cupcake tasting parties, gummy bear baby showers and papas networking events.

"I love training and event planning and so unlike most event planning businesses, I do both and to them both equally well," she explained.

Helena said her vision for her company is to dominate Atlanta by training and mentoring as many people as she can in order to raise the standards of excellence for small businesses.

In her spare time, Helena gives back to the community by volunteering for non-profit events, especially events centered around helping women and children.

Helena has clients across the nation and enjoys taking a trip to Los Angeles or Boston to train others on the art of event planning. Over 60 percent of her clients end up being new brides who decided to turn their wedding planning experience into a business, she said.

You can find out more about parties, consultations, seminars and children's events at Helena's Planner's website.