Archive for the ‘About Us’ Category

Giving Back Comes In Many Forms

February 28th, 2013

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Giving back comes in many forms! February remains the month associated with love. Our CEO Ilana Goldstone paid a visit to her hairdresser as usual, however this time she felt like she needed a change and so she requested to have 5 inches cut off.  Her hairdresser found that to be quite drastic! But then Ilana had an even better idea and decided to donate 12 inches to a non-profit organization called LOCKS OF LOVE who use the hair to make wigs for children with cancer!   So you may do a double take, next time you see her!

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WHAT IS LOCKS OF LOVE?

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

The possibilities of how you can help people in need are virtually endless because how you spend your resources or time giving back is completely up to you. What other non-conventional ways have you giving back to help someone?

2012 BizBash Florida Expo & Awards Recap

April 27th, 2012

Last week I attended the 2012 BizBash Florida Expo & Awards in Fort Lauderdale.  This one-day event is the Florida’s largest gathering of event and meeting professionals, with over 1,500 attendees and 130 exhibiting vendors.

This was our third year exhibiting and it was an exceptional expo for our company. Our main objective was to generate sales leads and raise awareness of Backdrops Beautiful in the event industry.  To help achieve these goals, we purchased a 20’x10’ booth in the exhibit hall to showcase our hand-painted backdrop.  “Seeing is believing,” which is why we always display the actual product our customers can expect to receive when renting from our company. This gives attendees an opportunity to see, touch and feel our backdrops and we’re able to answer any questions they might have.  Our backdrops tend to attract attendees into our booth and sometimes line up to take photographs with their colleagues.

Within the first hour of the show, I observed quite a bit. Most notable was that trade show exhibitors appear to all fall somewhere along one of these two categories:  exhibitors sitting behind their booths, not making eye contact with anyone, texting on their cell phones and waiting for attendees to approach them or exhibitors approaching attendees with open-ended questions related to their pitch!  Many exhibitors offered giveaways to help attract attendee’s interest or provided a unique experience at their booth. We offered a free Kindle Fire and enhanced our booth with some of AFR’s Crystal Collection furniture pieces (thank you Tricia).  Some exhibitors gave away an excess amount of swag, whether it was pens or eco friendly tote bags while others hired great looking models.   However, I can see how certain attendees might find this patronizing or otherwise offensive.

BizBash provides a playground for networking amongst the other exhibitors.  I have been able to meet the most amazing people in the event industry and establish strong business relationships.  Last year I was fortunate enough to be across from Quest Drape and had the opportunity to meet Jackie Becker and her team.  This year I was in need of some pipe and base and some black drape.  At the last minute I reached out to Jackie and without hesitation she had my back.  A big shout out to Jackie Becker from Quest Drape!

In addition to generating sales leads, there are many benefits to participating in the BizBash Florida Expo & Awards. We increase brand awareness, strengthen our relationships with existing customers and are able to keep up-to-date with emerging trends and event technologies. And after all, “seeing is believing” and BizBash provides an engaging platform where attendees can experience firsthand what vendors have to offer!

 

A Few Words From Backdrops Beautiful President

January 19th, 2012

It was a thrilling challenge and accomplishment launching Backdrops Beautiful less than 4 years ago. I myself was taken aback at the rate of growth in the first year alone. Luckily, I’m a “sporty” individual as I mastered jumping hurdles during these formative years!

We pride our company on both product and service, surpassing the expectation of our customers. We will go above and beyond creating the ultimate customer experience.

Our success has enabled us to reach out to the less fortunate and support various charitable organizations.  Giving back to the community and the military is a significant part of our company.  We have new ideas planned for 2012 and believe it is going to be an exciting year. That said, I wish everyone a Happy New Year, with only good health, joy and success in all your endeavors.

~Ilana Goldstone

 

NACE / ISES San Diego Annual Holiday Party 2010

December 9th, 2010

It is definitely OKAY in my book to let loose once in a while. Attending the NACE / ISES San Diego Annual Holiday Party on December 7, 2010 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego gave us all the opportunity to unwind and have fun. And when it comes to photo booths, our sales team at Backdrops Beautiful is definitely not shy! Our co-workers Peter Armado, Donna Gonzales, Angelie Cavitt and myself (Jose D. Ramirez) had a blast with Classy Photobooth.

I decided to do a quick photo compilation of our best work. We pride ourselves on working hard, but we definitely know how to rock an event! Happy Holidays Everyone!