Shoutout Atlanta
https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-elissa-onda-owner-of-sweet-dream-sleepovers/
We had the good fortune of connecting with Elissa Onda and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Elissa, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I first started out, I was willing to take on just about any opportunity thrown my way. As I have grown over the years, I value my time above all else and I am much more selective about accepting work. It’s so easy when you’re just starting out to justify working extremely long hours or running yourself into the ground but there comes a point in your business where as the old proverb goes “ you need to check yourself, before you wreck yourself”. To help keep everything in check, it is so important to set up clear boundaries in the beginning of each job so that your clients know exactly what they can expect from you.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is a unique, event business called Sweet Dream Sleepovers. We specialize in Slumber Parties, Glamping, Tea Parties, Picnics and Movie Nights. What sets us aside from others is our knowledge of hospitality, our creative design ideas and our ability to make the process fun. I am very proud of the way the company and our team have grown since we opened. We started out doing small events, trying to convince people to give us a try; and now our books remain full and we have to turn away more clients than accept. It wasn’t always easy, it took a lot of discipline and dedication but because I love what I do the journey has been incredible.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oooh I love this question! One of the first stops would be Fellows Cafe, tucked away on a quiet street in Roswell. Under a perfectly tree shaded patio, we would sip on espresso and dive into their lemon ricotta hotcakes. Next up would be the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. While winding our way through the garden we would grab a seat on the patio at Longleaf restaurant to take in some of the gorgeous sights and sounds, and with a delicious cocktail in hand continue our leisurely stroll through the Garden. Lastly, but definitely not least we make a stop at Gunshow. Where we would allow the ever so talented Kevin Gillespie and his team surprises us with their ever changing menu choices and delight in cocktails that change flavors as you drink them!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a particularly special shoutout to Sophie Flemming, a wonderful addition to our Sweet Dream Team who has quickly and seamlessly become my righthand woman. It is not lost on me, that none of what I have been able to achieve would be without the support from my family and the wonderful team that I have built around me. From eager “all-in”, talented staff, to wildly-creative collaborators, and even competitors who always push me to do my best work, there are countless people who have been integral parts of Sweet Dreams’ Success. Above all, a big shoutout goes to our clients, who have entrusted us to make a beautiful and memorable events for them
Website: https://www.sweetdreamsleepovers.com