March 24, 2009

Spring Has Sprung!!



Goodbye Winter and hello Spring!! The Midwest has been seeing some really gorgeous days lately.

Spring is a time when the world starts to come to life, and Brown Sugar is falling right in line!! There are so many projects that we are working on!! One our biggest tasks right now is the planning of our "official" launch party. We have so many awesome ideas, a plethora of stylish venues to look at, invitations to design, swag bags to create... and the guest list? We don't even want to get to that, just yet!! Check out a pic from our last "power lunch" at BW3's... we might keep the meeting place casual, but we are definitely ABOUT BUSINESS!!

Also check out a pic of me and Kristin scoping out one of our potential venues!!

Other projects in the works are our promotional materials!! We cant make it to the top without marketing and advertisement right? We are currently designing our brochures, postcards, etc. You name it... we have it with BROWN SUGAR on it!! Be on the look out!!

Today, Brown Sugar Affairs will make due on our exclusive invite to attend, Zhou B Art Gallery's "Open House for Chicago's Special Events Industry". The art galley will be showcasing its venue space, preferred vendors; such as caterers, florists, wine/liquor companies, and other necessitates/people needed to make the special events industry thrive. This will be a great opportunity for Brown Sugar to establish new relationships, with Chicago's top vendors, and to mingle with our counterparts in this arena. I am really looking forward to this evening!!

Until next time!!

~brownsugarkv

February 24, 2009

Women of Color Conference 2009

Last Friday Brown Sugar- minus one, attended the Women of Color conference in the "Circle City" (Indianapolis).

The conference was lead by a group of dynamic women, all with one common goal. To recognize, promote and strengthen the advantages and abilities of women of color in the business arena. This was a great opportunity for Brown Sugar to learn new skills in networking, how to land city and federal contracts, and how to best brand ourselves as well as our business. Also the conference afforded us the opportunity to interface with other business owners and seekers, to speak with peers about their various endeavors. We were able to establish new relationships with those, who we may be working side by side within Brown Sugar's future!!

We were able to promote ourselves and our business, we passed out many business cards, and got great feed back!! Brown Sugar garnered many compliments on our beautiful and enticing business cards!!! We were told by other professionals that, just by seeing the concept of our logo, it made them want to find out more of what we were about. That is surely great news to us!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the conference, and will be utilizing all of what we learned and those that we have met, to the advancement and productivity of Brown Sugar...

And if you know the ladies of Brown Sugar, you know that we couldn't end our weekend without a little food, fun, a movie (Madea Goes to Jail... HILARIOUS!!!), and some "chocolate cake"!!! ;)
~brownsugarkv

February 18, 2009

It's Official!!!

Ladies and gentleman!!!! Introducing...Brown Sugar Affairs- the Website!!!

Welcome to the official website of Brown Sugar Affairs!!! You can check us out at http://www.brownsugaraffairs.com/. Now that we are up and running, PLEASE take some time to check us out. On our website you will find, everything that you need to know about Brown Sugar. The website gives our full list of services, how to reach us to book event, event planning Q&A's, quotes from the ladies of Brown Sugar and more!!

We would like to give a very special thank you to Kristin, for ALL of her hard work, and sleepless nites, working on this effort for Brown Sugar. She did an excellent job at making our website, one of a kind and FABULOUS!!! Thank you Sunshine, we LOVE you!!

We are so excited to have reached this milestone in our business venture!! Now it is time for us to share it with you!!! What are you waiting for? Check us out!!!

~brownsugarkv

February 17, 2009

What's New??


Each week, each day even... the goings on of Brown Sugar get more and more exciting!!
First up last week was the delievery of our business cards!! They are super cute, and Kristin gave us the perfect Valentine's gift to accompany them!! Leather business card holders with our initials engaved, and colors chosen to match our personalities. Ordering 1000 business cards a piece was a great deal for the price, but we all have realized that 1000 cards is really a lot of business cards!! To our wonderful friends and family be prepared to have a stack handed over to each of you!!! LOL We thank you in advance for all of your support!!

This Friday Feb. 20th, the three of us will be attending the Indianapolis Women of Color Conference. This will be a great experiance for us to network, learn more about the best business pratices, and really get out feet wet in the business arena.

Some topics that the conference will touch on are:
>City of Indianapolis and the Small Business Administration opportunities.
> Powerful networking tips.
> Insight to issues facing women in the workplace.
> Building the foundation for overcoming women's challenges.
> Valuable information from financial partners, health organizations and community groups
We are very excited to learn from this experience and our even more excited for the three of us to all be in the same city at the same time. Since we aren't the "all work, and no play" types, you can be sure that we will head downtown for some music, drinks and fun, before the weekend comes to a close!!
http://www.brownsugaraffairs.com/ is COMING SOON!!! Kristin is diligently working on Brown Sugar's website. It will be up and running in no time!! We will be sure to give the word, when it is time for the unveiling... Stay tuned!

The planning of our very own launch party is underway as well. We have lots in store for this fabulous event!! As we introduce Brown Sugar's existence to the world, be prepared to be wowed at what we bring to the table. Make sure that you will be in the Chicago area this July!!

Until next time!! Smooches!!
~brownsugarkv

January 28, 2009

Faces of Brown Sugar

the women...

Kristin Bright-
Kristin has been involved with event coordinating since early 2002. She's done everything from comedy shows featuring Comedy Central and Bet Comedians like The Rat Pack, to Personal Development and Motivational Speaking programs with former professional athletes like Ray McElroy (NFL) and Steve Grant (NFL).

After planning her joint B'Day Soiree in 2007, with now business partner Kira Valentine, she realized that even though she enjoyed doing everything that went into it, actually planning your own event can take away from the fun and the experience you set out to have on the day of. "After dealing with all of the details of the party in the months leading up to it, I was kind of exhausted with it once the big day came. Having to make sure everything was going according to plan and that all of our guests were accommodated made it difficult to actually celebrate our birthday. Most people don't realize that planning and hosting are two very different things, and it's difficult to do both at the same time. But that's the beauty of our business…with Brown Sugar, people won't have to [do both]. We have taken the things that we love to do and have been doing for our friends, schools and jobs for years, and created an amazing service for people who can appreciate it. Our clients get to put the details of their desires in trusted hands, so that they can actually enjoy hosting their event, and I get to make decisions and fulfill a vision with two of the most creative women I know, which happen to be my best friends…How hot is that!"

With a Bachelors Degree in Political Science (Chicago State University, 2005) and a Masters Degree in Sports Management (Indiana State University, 2007), Kristin works in the Student Affairs Division of the University of Indianapolis. As the Residence Life Coordinator for UIndy, she is responsible for planning and coordinating the University's' Diversity Lecture Series and campus wide Wellness and Personal Development Programming. In addition, she coordinates various aspects of the Residence Life Department, including staff hiring, training and development. Kristin's educational and professional background allows her to confidently interact with people from all walks and conduct business in multiple arenas. "I can go from politics to athletics and not miss a beat. I enjoy working with an eclectic mix of people and ideas because together, they make for great experiences".

As for fun, Kristin enjoys shopping, playing cards, reading, having cocktails with friends and traveling. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, IL, but now resides in Indianapolis, IN with her three fish (t-rex, shades & reno) and large collection of lip gloss, stiletto pumps and designer handbags =)

Prior Employers Include: Chicago State University, Indiana State University and The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Robyn Johnson- Over the past 7 years Robyn Johnson has managed to turn her passion for entertaining into purpose. With a keen eye for uniqueness and an attention to detail that has the ability to make any event magical Robyn's purpose is to enthusiastically plan dynamic events that leave the host and guest with a lasting impression. After receiving her Event Planning Certification from Indiana University Northwest, Robyn developed her own personal style that can be defined as traditional with a twist! Robyn's goal is to work with the client to provide exactly the experience they've dreamed of! She believes that no event is too large or too small and all are given the same devotion and hard work that makes events memorable! Her 7 years of experience planning weddings, birthdays, banquets, and much more illustrates the level of excellence she delivers.

Kira Valentine-Kira Valentine, Event Specialist, has been planning various social events since 2001. Using her creativity and imagination has always been at the forefront of her everyday life, so to be able to bring her creative side into the limelight; she knew that she had to display it for others to see. Always wanting to host social gatherings, and entertain down to the detail, led Kira to her dream of event planning. As a teen working on the catering staff of a family friend along side her mother, she knew then this would grow to be her passion.

Kira was born and raised in Southern California’s “South Bay” and moved to Chicago in 2001 to attend college at Chicago State University, where she earned her Bachelors in Marketing. Upon graduating Kira returned home to California, leaving behind a city in which she fell in love with. In 2008 Kira returned to Chicago’s South side, to reunite with the city’s thriving culture, people and lifestyle.

Kira has spent many years in the event planning arena, from planning and catering events for Honda Corporation, the Los Angeles Museum of Art and Science, Western States Junior Golf Association, American Golf, and Chicago State University

To the vision of Brown Sugar and to their clientele, Kira brings flair, spontaneous ideas, a hip sense of style and class and most of all designs events and fabulous affairs with client’s dreams in mind.

How They Met: Attending college at Chicago State University

Where are they now: Indianapolis, IN, Gary, IN, and Chicago, IL (respectively)

What they like to do together: Going to Red's, enjoying cocktails, shopping, eating, nites on the town, just hanging out with each other

Common Goal: To provide an upscale, classy, chic, flourishing event planning company for years to come...

~brownsugarkv

Its Just the Beginning...

Introducing Brown Sugar Affairs!!!

A hip, classy, chic, event planning company, who will bring you stylish affairs!!! Join in on the journey... three best friends; a "Cali" girl, a "Windy City" chic, and "G.I." lady, as they make their dreams become a reality. They'll be planning affairs of all kinds; weddings, parties, corporate and sporting events, showers, engagements... you name it and Brown Sugar will be there!!

Through our blog you will be able to keep up with all things Brown Sugar... what we are working on, upcoming events, event photos, who we meet, and more. Also you can find helpful event planning tips, the "Drink of the Week", our favorite blogs to read, etc.

We are so excited to get started!!! Stay tuned!!!
~brownsugarkv