Featured #bloomgirl: Lynda Daring; Wedding Officiant!

This month's featured #bloomgirl is Lynda Daring! We had the pleasure of meeting Lynda at a Six-Top Breakfast at Bing's Bakery in our hometown of Newark, DE! We instantly fell in love with Lynda's energy, optimism, sincerity, passion, and warmth! We are so inspired by Lynda and we know you will be too! Read a little bit more about her below! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your passion!

Even at a young age, I was the kid that always had a plan of action in progress—always an event, a new club, a party or some type of celebration. My pipeline was always full I guess you could say! Around 8 or 9 years old I used my Tom Thumb kids’ typewriter and formed a club on my front porch with blankets around the railings for office walls. I made myself the President, of course, and recruited the block kids to come and listen to me. I have no idea what my S.M.A.R.T. goals were, but boy did I have vision!

High school is where I began to develop my sense of humor—the practical joker—always the class clown. In addition to acquiring my sense of humor, I also soon identified that I had the innate ability to connect with others rather easily. Relationships were important to me in high school as much as they are to me today. Funny, looking back now, I remember that lots of my friends confided in me and looked for my advice. The biggest difference now of course, I come with full life experience, wisdom and discernment.

I hold a B.S. from Wilmington University, New Castle, Delaware, in Behavioral Science. Almost 19 years as a Career Coach and Training Manager, provided me with valuable life lessons in humility, temperance, and dealing with adversity.

In 2008, I was an office manager for a local funeral home. One morning during a service, as I listened to the clergy speak, I became present that I had what it takes to officiate a funeral....only better—much better. And so, it began, my giving back, and my way of helping others express themselves through me.

It wasn’t too long thereafter, that I expanded my officiating to wedding ceremonies. Performing under the tutelage of Rev. Laura C. Cannon of Ellicott City, Maryland, I refined my technique using what I already had—the gift of connecting with people, listening to their hearts and taking appropriate action.

I am inspired by the people in my life!  My natural humorous personality is met with an intense sincerity that is immediately noted by my clients. Couples soon realize that their needs will be met, and their ideas and thoughts will be heard.  My passion lives and breathes—nurture—encourage—serve—humor—enlighten the people in my life!   

How did you start your own business following your passion?

It’s like falling in love, you just know. After performing wedding ceremonies for five years with Rev. Laura, I knew it was time to spread my entrepreneurial wings and build my own nest. My work history and skill sets totally brought me to this point. With the decision to acquire my business license and incorporate (as of March 2, 2016), I made up a checklist to ensure I possessed the critical fundamentals: work ethic, customer satisfaction, marketing, quality & compliance, innovation, production and the LOVE OF LIFE AND HAVING FUN!  The experience felt just like when I created my first club using my Tom Thumb typewriter—except now my S.M.A.R.T. goals are real!

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

I am very fortunate to have several like-minded dear friends, that have known me through many decades. They believe in me, and when I have my low points, like anyone, they are the ones that talk me off the ledge and help me see through my blind-spots. I am even more fortunate to have a son who checks on me frequently, sometimes he overhears me talking to clients or he will approach me after a wedding or funeral service I’ve done and will say, “Hey Mom, how did it go?”...I answer him. “That’s great Mom, good for you!”

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, personally or professionally? How have you overcome it? 

Any small business owner /entrepreneur would probably agree that, financing all the elements to set up business is a huge challenge. Like many, I have had to bootstrap my way through some aspects such as marketing materials; brochures, signage, business cards—the nice stuff! I’m still putting processes and pieces in place, that will take time. But, the bigger challenge is to maintain and juggle all the balls at once. Check back with me next year LOL!

Seriously, I work really-really-really hard to listen to my gut, which by the way is the universe speaking to me. I realize that I am only one person, so I take one day at a time—one task at a time! Business has been growing steadily for me over the last eight months and with additional income, I have learned to spend my earnings wisely, adding on a few enhancements here and there, like wedding industry memberships and print materials, wedding expo vendor costs and more.

If you could talk to yourself 20 years ago, what advice would you give yourself?

I would strongly advise myself not to sweat the small stuff, because here is what I know....I ask myself in tough situations....could I have prevented it? Did it happen because of me? Then I answer myself...NO?? NO!! It’s outta my control sister! NEXT!

What are some key learning experiences that helped shape you/your company?

In my maturity (that’s a really cool way of saying OLD) I desire to be true to myself and with others. In other words, I have learned that when I am authentic and think things through, it results in better clarity, and a good night’s sleep to boot! 

What is your best marriage advice to couples?

I tell my couples not to lose their own individuality along the way. Having lots of interests and hobbies in common is awesome! But, maintaining and nurturing your own self-development is just as important. I think that’s why you still hear people say that opposites attract. It’s easy to know what makes the two of you the same. It’s challenging yet rewarding to know your differences too! Acknowledge and share your growth changes in each as they occur, but maintain your core and be true to yourself as well.

Why do you love the bloom Wedding collection? 

Thanks for asking! When I first saw that bloom had wedding goodies, I about jumped out of my chair! Oh-Em-Gee.....I love the fact that Kaylyn and Michelle used their own weddings to design the current planner. How many times have new computer systems been rolled out to staff without asking the end user any of their input? SCORE for bloom! I love the wedding planning bundle that bloom offers. My favorite little diddy is the HIS/HERS vow books. I’ve already had couples comment how useful they would be. Nice touch—definitely a huge improvement over reading from a piece of paper during the ceremony!

Keep rockin’ it bloom! You are helping busy engaged couples de-stress and enjoy their engagement so much more with fun and easy planning!

We hoped you loved reading about Lynda and her story! You can find out more about Lynda on her website: https://www.daringcc.com/. Do you have a #girlboss story to share? Email us at bloom@bloomplanners.com for a chance to be our next featured bloom girl! Check out all the details on this years 3rd annual cover design contest HERE. 

xoxo,

the bloom team