Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Bird.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I spent most of my career (15 years) at my alma mater, Michigan State University, as a major gift development officer, securing 6 and 7 figure commitments from private donors to the University. I met my current business partner and his wife there as I worked with them on their philanthropic giving.
I eventually made the difficult decision to leave MSU to be near my family where I grew up in Davison. My now business partner, became my professional mentor, and when I shared with him I was yearning for professional freedom/joy in my work he encouraged me to take the steps needed to make that happen. I worked with the Small Business Development Center out of Kettering University (a free and fantastic service) to develop my business plan and cash flow projections for a wedding and event center.
During my career at MSU, I loved the relationship building aspect of my job. I have always enjoyed interacting with donors to the University and above all else taking great care of my high profile clients. What I do now is very similar, I take great care of the couples (and their families) that entrust one of the most important days of their life to me. Their wedding day.
I take pride in making sure that every detail of my venue, Paradise Event Center, meets their expectations. I enjoy gardening and have planted upwards of 1000 perennials across the property. I’ve personally assembled thousands of crystals on chandeliers adorning the ballroom and even built sound panels for the space myself to ensure that each event looks, sounds and feels like paradise.
As a proud single mother, I could never have achieved what I have without the constant love, support and encouragement from my children, my parents, my business partner/mentor and the support of the absolutely wonderful community in Metamora and Lapeer County who have welcomed me with open arms. See you in Paradise.
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?
It has been a mostly smooth road. Some of the hurdles were identifying an existing building to renovate, having the property rezoned prior to purchase, managing a major renovation/build out of the existing building, completely reworking several acres of the property to feature extensive gardens as opposed to empty land and initial marketing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We specialize in hosting weddings. Paradise is a 9,000 sq ft building on a 7 acre property. We have 2 spacious salon style suites for the wedding party to utilize on the day-of, a 3,000 square foot ballroom with 18 foot ceilings and 29 chandeliers, a large attached bar area, a large fully gardened outdoor ceremony area, and a paved parking lot. We are just 5 miles north of Oakland County off of M-24.
The aesthetics of Paradise set us apart. It is an upscale, modern facility with high-end finishes. The gardens are also extensive and gorgeous during the summer months.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you are interested in booking a tour please visit us at paradisemetamora.com where you can easily do so. Whether you are interested in hosting a wedding or just curious, we would love to take you through!
Pricing:
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Paradisemetamora.com
- Instagram: Paradise_Event_Center
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ParadiseMetamora
