We are pleased to announce our 3rd Quarter Chris Lelay Scholarship award winner.  Before we reveal the details of the winner, let me tell you a bit about the program and why she was selected.  Our Scholarship was created by Owner of Savoir Faire Media, Natalie Lambert.  While the vision and dream of the company was always to help young women in business, after donating several websites and helping women launch businesses, Natalie wanted to create a program to find undiscovered talents.   The first few award winners include La Neu Chick, Fays Friends, and most recently Lavender Bakes.  These women were extraordinary, persevering woman and we connected with them instantly.

While we were pouring through entries and selecting our qualified finalists, we received a late entry a few weeks before the quarter closed.  What struck us about her story was her dedication to completing her education, her commitment to learning her industry and her drive and determination.  It was as if her story was shouting as us!  After speaking with her on the phone, it is accurate to say she “blew us away”.  Here is a 21 year old young woman, with two jobs, and a full time student and a plan that is so thought out, so strategic and specific we couldn’t help but feel was what this Scholarship truly exemplifies….a hard working, dedicated and driven, DETERMINED young woman who just lacks the financial and technicial resources to make her dream come to fruition or go to the next level.

Tell us about you:

My name is Cortney Clifford and I am the girl who always strived to not make money but love what she did hoping the money would follow later. I took a few years in junior college to figure out what my true passion was and with the help on a phenomenal guidance counselor, I found out I was already doing it! I had begun planning business events for my mother around the age of 14 but started coordinating them entirely by myself the moment I could drive alone to the linens stores, 16 in California. My passion lies in event and my niche is weddings! I LOVE Weddings! The face on a groom when he forgot to get the bride a gift and I have a back up lined up, usually an amazing bouquet of flowers and the card ready for him to sign, or the brides call the morning after their wedding to let me know my surprise honeymoon decorations absolutely blew them away, or the mother of the brides face when I hand her a printed and framed copy of the bride and groom’s first kiss at the ceremony… that is what I live for.

Once I decided what my passion was for, I wanted to be the most educated and knowledgeable person in the field to help me be competitive with other planners in my area. So I am currently in College, a senior at San Diego State University, driving 2 hours a day back and forth from work to school to make sure my company stays running and my education is completed on time. In the recent months I have also been dedicated to following around other high end wedding professionals, entertainers, photographers and videographers, at their own booked wedding gigs to determine what each position entails. This way I know what mistakes to plan for ahead of time and how to keep every vendor on my good by anticipating what possible problems may arise.

In the beginning of opening up my company I signed a bride and groom to barter my services for the groom to design my website and logos. Little did I know he never would finish the project and not take any of my wants or concerns to heart. So here I am today two years later with a website that’s not functional and a logo I despise.

 

Why do you feel you should be awarded the Scholarship:

I believe I should be granted the scholarship because I am the girl who works two jobs and goes to school full time to make things work. Chris was described as a woman who believed in promoting women in the work place and never stopping short of your potential! Once you think you have reached it, reach farther.

 

What some of her references said:

Cortney is very dedicated to becoming an industry leader in her profession. She just shows up to work with me (Mobile Entertainer) without getting paid just to learn my side of the business.  I am hiring her again for future events.

 

With a background in Marketing, I was shocked after speaking with Cortney about her plans in business.  She spoke like a seasoned marketing veteran rather than a 21 year old young woman. Her ideas are creative, different and totally conceivable.  I think in 5 years, she will be her own brand and doing large scale weddings and destination events.

 

Our interview with Cortney went much further than this, but suffice it to say I am so impressed by this young woman and her well thought through business plan, goals and wish her all the best!!  Look for her re-branding package in the next month.