Check Out Miranda Dallas-Campbell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miranda Dallas-Campbell.

Hi Miranda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up on the Southwest Side of Grand Rapids with my younger siblings and my mom, but eventually moved to the Kentwood area where I graduated High School. When I turned 15, my mom handed me a newspaper clipping that read OPEN INTERVIEWS! Saturday 11AM-2PM, or something to that effect. She told me to put on something nice and get in the car. That day I had my first interview at a local seafood restaurant. I had no experience with interviewing let alone a job, but I got hired and immediately fell in love with the industry.

Being in the restaurant industry takes a certain type of person. You rarely make it to family events, you are always late to the party, and you pray your birthday falls on a Monday. The late nights and early mornings eventually began to weigh on me, and 18 years later I was finally going to be done with the industry!

I had been on maternity leave for what felt like a few weeks, but realistically was closer to 72 hours before I started getting the itch to do something with my “free” time. Going from a high volume bar, 55+ hours a week to being home and waiting for the baby felt daunting. I combed through various ideas and researched stay at home jobs relentlessly, Real Estate agent, no. Daycare provider, absolutely not! Reseller, maybe?

By now a few months had actually gone by and the idea of setting up boujee picnics for people kept dancing around me. I have a love for good wine, aged cheese, and cured meats which became the sole premise for a picnic in both, my mind and stomach. The picnic idea seemed to check most of my boxes for a new hobby. I have a deep obsession for connecting with people, I loved the idea of being outside, and with my years of experience in the restaurant industry behind me I began to speak my dreams into existence. Thus the idea for The Grand Rapids Picnic Chick was born.

I began collecting decor, candles, plates, glassware, and pillows. SO. MANY. PILLOWS! My step dad helped me build low picnic tables and my living room began to overflow with boho decor and bright colored blankets stacked floor to ceiling. This quickly took over not only my house, but my every move.

I started out setting up strictly in my backyard to get an overall idea of what a picnic truly entailed. With my 3 month old, Ivy, in one arm, my free hand would continue organizing decor and glassware. My oldest daughter, Stella, loved to help and would load up her barbie jeep with pillows and blankets, driving them to me out back. What now takes me a little over an hour to two, then easily took me 4 or 5 hours. I would take breaks to feed the kids, change the diapers, and get back out there to practice. It was fun, and kept me busy, but I was lacking clients.

My first paid picnic was on what felt like the hottest day of the year in 2022, It was 92 degrees and humid outside with not a cloud in sight to offer reprieve from the sun (lesson number 1). A storm had come through the previous week knocking down half of the trees at the park, meaning a huge mess and little to no shade for me or my guests (lesson no. 2) To top it off, I had double booked myself for birthday party to attend in a few hours (lesson no. 3). And after setting up I realized I didn’t take any photos and had nothing to show for my hard work (lesson no. 4 for the day). As you can see, I learned a lot by error. I was so frustrated it wasn’t perfect, I began to doubt myself but eventually realized that day was a stepping stone and am forever grateful to my first client! I had to remind myself I started a business from scratch with no playbook, no mentors, really no knowledge of how to run a business at all. I was anxious, sun burnt, and tired, but I was so excited! I DID IT! I actually did it!

I continued to navigate through owning a pop up picnic company, making connections and networking at any chance I could get. I went to meetings where I felt so out place, so young, SO GREEN! I had spent the last 6 months with two kids and Cocomelon what could I possibly talk about? I’d spend hours overthinking, days stressing about something I said or did and finally everything just clicked. One day I woke up and realized I deserve to be here too! All the lessons I have learned over the last few years have landed me exactly where I need to be today! Each little hiccup taught me a more valuable lesson than the last.

Although I am still fresh in the events world I am excited to continue to grow and take on more clients each and every year as I expand!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Could the road have been smoother? Absolutely! But hey, we live in Michigan, right? You can’t let the potholes in this town destroy you! Every set back is a lesson that shapes you and helps curate the story, behind your story. They make us tougher, wiser, and a little more resilient.

Some of my greatest struggles include navigating social media to gain clients, not knowing who to go to for help, and being a little too hard on myself. Technology has always been my weak spot, what seemingly takes other people 20 minutes to figure out, takes me an eternity. I can recount the long nights trying to build my website, or draw up designs for my logo and business cards. I would get so frustrated with myself! I would cry in the kitchen with the baby on my hip while making dinner, just trying to survive. I know now the importance of networking, because you cannot be great at everything! However, someone always knows someone else who is a pro and they would be happy to help you! You just have to ask!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Grand Rapids Picnic Chick, GRPC, is known for creating intimate events from date nights to micro weddings. We specialize in finding hand picked items down to the smallest detail to ensure every possible piece fits seamlessly into our clients vision. We believe that you don’t need a reason to celebrate because with the right people and atmosphere you can have fun anywhere!

We provide everything from the blankets, pillows, tables, decor, and place settings so our clients can simply show up basically empty handed and experience dining al fresco with elegant decor and their favorite people. We love bringing friends together creating everlasting memories over a bottle of wine or charcuterie!

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Working in the events industry, I believe I am often directly affected by economic output, but we’re not going ANYWHERE! Living in a post covid world, we know the true value of connection and strive to encourage meaningful relations at every single event. I am constantly looking for ways to reinvent GRPC and continue to stay relevant in uncertain times. My hope is that intimate gatherings continue to trend as we provide elegant setups for micro events and weddings alike, up to 50 guests.

Pricing:

• Date nights
• Bachelorette parties
• Micro Weddings
• Picnics start st $249

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grpicnicchick
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grpicnicchick
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grpicnicchick