I have the privilege of knowing some of the top wedding industry professionals in the Bay Area. And what’s even more amazing about that is I don’t just “know” them… I am honored to call them my friends. :) Many, if not ALL of these talented people are entrepreneurs. God blessed me with role models to look up to as I develop and market my own business!
I would love to start a series featuring small business owners. Starting with Miss Beverly Yip:
This incredible woman believed in my success before I even knew what success was. A former pageant queen herself, Bev continued to volunteer her time and energy by training pageant contestants for their time in the spotlight. Enter… me. A very self-conscious high school senior, curious to know what the pageant world was like. I get the type of stage fright where I have to stand backstage wiping the palms of my hands on my clothes because they’re sweaty. Why in the world did I sign up??! (In retrospect, it was probably the allure of those sparkly tiaras. I adore sparkly things.)
Well, that’s where I met Bev. The seventeen contestants of the Miss Teen Chinatown Charity Gala met every Saturday for rehearsals in the middle of Chinatown. It was there in a cold auditorium that she taught us how to walk, talk, and pose with confidence.
All of this happened so long ago that much of it has long since vanished from my memory. But there is one moment that has stayed with me throughout the years. Towards the end of the pageant, the judges announced eight finalists to return to the stage. We all waited in nervous anticipation right behind the platform, crossing our fingers and holding our breaths. One by one the names were called…
… My name was not one of them.
Girls around me wept in disappointment but I was secretly relieved that I hadn’t been summoned for the dreaded Q&A portion. It was then that Bev appeared by my side with shock written all over her face. She leaned over and whispered to me, “I thought for sure you were going to win.”
Awwwwwww.
Who knows if she said that to everyone else! Haha. I guess I’ll never know. :P But I can tell you, it meant a whole lot to me.
Enough about me. Back to Bev!
Bev is currently the President and CEO of Especially Yours Chair Covers and Chivari Chairs. Her company is booked for up to 14 events PER WEEKEND. I have a lot to learn from this woman! ;)
It’s not just about the chair covers (though they are gorgeous and can transform the atmosphere of a room instantly). EY Chair Covers earns its success through impeccable customer service. I know this is beginning to sound like a paid advertisement but I promise you, it’s not. I’m so excited to set higher standards for my own business in terms of client interactions and exceeding expectations. 
I was thrilled when Bev contacted me to update her professional headshots. (Sidenote to other entrepreneurs out there: don’t underestimate the importance of putting your face on your website! It’s a lot easier to connect to a business with a face.) We had a great time chatting and driving around South San Francisco to take these shots. The sun was shining but it was chilly that day, so Bev ended up wearing my jacket. :)
We took these shots inside Ozone Thai Restaurant in San Francisco. I love the soft window light paired with her romantic curls.
So playful! 
Bev changed into this STUNNING sequin dress that I am going to borrow someday.
Thank you for your friendship, encouragement, and most of all, for being YOU! Your enthusiasm is contagious. :)
Hair and Makeup: Joey Cheung
