Episode 368: The Art of Hospitality, High-Stakes Events, & Creating Unforgettable Experiences | Kristin Mitchell | Founder of Gathered In Style
What does it really take to create luxury events for premium brands, high-profile talent, and private clients?
Kristin Mitchell, founder of Gathered In Style, joins Kara Duffy to pull back the curtain on the realities of the event industry - from managing million-dollar expectations and navigating unexpected crises to building a thriving referral-based business.
Together they discuss entrepreneurship, confidence, client relationships, team building, and why kindness, hustle, and adaptability remain some of the most valuable assets in business. Kristin also shares stories from the front lines of event planning, proving that success often comes down to solving problems no one else sees.
“You just never know what’s going to happen with an event, and honestly that’s what makes me love my job.”
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368_Kristin Mitchell
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Kara Duffy: Welcome to the Powerful Ladies Podcast. I'm Kara Duffy, and today's guest is Kristen , the founder of Gathered in Style, a creative agency based in New York throwing the coolest luxury events for brands and private families in the city, across the US, and internationally too. In this episode, we discuss the realities of being a luxury event and experience planner, how she's managing her sales pipeline with premium clients, her philosophy in building her team, and why passion and relationships allow you to carve your own success lane.
Kara Duffy: Welcome to the Powerful Ladies Podcast.
Kristin Mitchell: Thank you. I'm so happy to be here
Kara Duffy: I'm very excited to speak with you. Before we jump in, let's tell everyone your name, where you are in the world, and what you're known for
Kristin Mitchell: Awesome. Um, My name's Kristen Mitchell. I am coming to you live from New York City, and I'm known for being [00:01:00] an event planner in the city. I've been here for 16 years working on the brand side, agency side, and now I have my own business, which I've had for the last five years. So I live and breathe parties. And around the world, yes.
Kara Duffy: and the name of your company is Gathered In Style?
Kristin Mitchell: Yes.
Kara Duffy: You had some pretty prestigious companies that you were working for before you decided to make the leap onto your own business. Was that nerve-wracking? Were you confident? Like, how did you know and how did you feel when you decided to make the leap?
Kristin Mitchell: what a good question. I think, yeah, I mean, I was definitely nervous. I started, I decided to make the leap in COVID. Um, So it was... Which was amazing because we weren't having parties then. But I decided to go off on my own, and I felt like that was the right time for some reason. But yeah, no, I, I think ultimately every single place that I was working at, I was at Thomson Reuters [00:02:00] for five and a half years, and then I was at Corcoran for three, and then I was on the agency side at Wasserman for close to three.
And I felt every single part of my chapter, each chapter and part of my journey was really priming me to start my own business. And it really wasn't until I got on the agency side for that to really come to fruition because I was running, a vertical of business, and I kinda started to see how that could work from my side of things and bringing my own, personal flair to my own business.
And so yeah, I decided to quit in 20... Well, 2020 is when I decided to do it, and I quit in March of '21. And, and then I took a more personal approach, and I did p- a lot of social events and personal parties, which I still to- do to this day. But that's really what was happening in COVID. People were starting to have parties in their [00:03:00] homes, and that's still very much a thing, like out east.
I, I still... My first client is this amazing family that I still work to, work for to this day, and they're just incredible, and they s- they have all these amazing parties in their home. And I really focused on that for a while, and now I'm getting back to the brand side. But I think that, which is really , my bread and butter.
But I think ultimately all of these experiences really laid the foundation for where I am today, and I think that's really what your life and career is all about. You just continue to learn, and um, they kind of prep you for what you really wanna do.
Kara Duffy: yeah. When you were growing up, or if we go back to eight-year-old you, would she have imagined that this is your life today?
Kristin Mitchell: D- I mean, definitely not because I'm from West Virginia originally, and I had never been to New York ever. I came here, when I was a sophomore in [00:04:00] college and my... We went to dinner with my dad's best friend, and he was like, "Oh, if you ever need an internship, like you could come intern for Thomson Reuters."
And I was like, "Okay, cool. Sounds interesting." And then I needed an internship to graduate, and so that's how I came to New York, and I fell in love with the city. I never would have i- I literally never would have imagined being in the city. Now, looking back though, like in high school, I did have parties when my parents were out of town, and I was always throwing parties.
And even in college, like from, from the time I could have a party, I was having parties, so I definitely think that that was always, looking back, in, in my blood. But I, I definitely would have never thought I would have been in New York. Never was in my plan, so
Kara Duffy: threw so many parties in my early 20s, and they were always themed. And one I am most proud of was having an après-ski party in early [00:05:00] January. And I had a very tiny backyard. This was in Boston, like a patio, essentially, not even a, a backyard. And I went around my neighborhood and collected every Christmas tree that was in, on the side of the road, pulled them all in to make an entire landscape in the backyard that felt like we were in the forest. My friends were like, "What did you do?" I'm like, "Well, they were gonna go in the trash anyway, and we're gonna use them for one night, and it makes it look cooler."
Kristin Mitchell: What? Wait, what year was this? Like, when was this?
Kara Duffy: 2005, '06
Kristin Mitchell: That's, I feel like that, that's very forward-thinking of you. Now that's, like, all the rage. I feel like everyone's having upright ski photos now, so you were very ahead of the curve.
Kara Duffy: So ahead of the curve, so ahead of the curve. But it was just... it's so... I love excuses for people to kinda like let their guard down and have a good time, and I love connecting people, so anytime there's a container I can put them in, I really [00:06:00] appreciate it. Um, But I'm by no means do I ever think in my wildest imagination that I could pull off what you do because the level of detail, and there's so much pressure when you're working for, in the luxury space with premium clients and premium brands. It's like throwing a, a wedding for every event that you're doing. That's what occurs to me on the outside. Is that how it feels to you doing it?
Kristin Mitchell: What a, I mean, such a good question. I think now, n- no because it's now definitely just it's what I do, and there's, there is so many details that go into it and planning, and you're just constantly reviewing the plans, not only with your team, but with your clients. And I create these elaborate decks that's like- Yeah
there's really no questions in terms of what they're- Yeah ... going to be expecting. But I do remember when I first started, I, I mean, I was, like, 22 and I was, like, [00:07:00] in charge of planning Thomson Reuters' Stanford, Connecticut holiday party. And I thought that that was, like, incredible, and it was incredible.
And but I remember being so nervous. I would always listen to Eminem's to like, Lapse because , it would just like, get me in the zone. And yeah, at the time, I was like, "This is crazy that I'm doing this. Like, how wild." And a- and, and yeah, at the time, I remember feeling like the gravity of what an event was because there are so many details and the guests' expectations and are they gonna have a good time?
And, and now I'm like, "Well, yeah, they're obviously gonna have a good time 'cause I'm gonna be there hosting them." So no. But it's true. I, I mean, I do think as an event planner and your team, you're very much part of the experience, and you have to be able to not fold under pressure and just kind of, if there is something going wrong, you're there with a smile and nobody knows the difference, [00:08:00] so.
' Cause there always is something going wrong, like weather. Weather's a big thing. Oh, yeah. Weather is always the bane of my existence. So-
Kara Duffy: You must look at event planners out here and be like, "They have it so easy."
Kristin Mitchell: No, I do until I did the Grammys in last year, and the wildfires. I was like, "This is the shit I never would have ever thought would happen." I'm like, "Oh, yeah, I'm gonna do the Grammys in LA. It's gonna be awesome. The weather's gonna be perfect. Our brunch is on the roof." Nope, couldn't have it on the, on the roof because of the wildfires, and it was, like, obviously very tragic.
It was actually one of the most um, heartbreaking times that I had as a planner, 'cause it was like, all of my vendors were, like, losing work. People were deciding not to have parties, and it was just like, so insane that this was happening. Um, coming from New York, and I was like, I mean, like...
we were dealing with, like, and, like, I've had, I, like. I'm always dealing with rain [00:09:00] I feel like Um, but, like. with wildfire like, that and, like the and it was just like, I was like, "Wow, that's crazy." But, you know, most of the time in LA it's amazing working there.
Kara Duffy: Yeah. Well, you have another thing to like, check off on your bingo card now. Like wildfires? Yes,
we've done that. We can handle that now too
Kristin Mitchell: I'm like anything can happen. Just, you ju- never know. And that's why I tell everyone, I'm like with events, like you just have no idea what can go wrong. Like your wildest, like even in COVID, like did anyone think there was gonna be a national, you know, worldwide pandemic? No. like nobody ever thought that.
And like I remember at that time I was like coming off the Super Bowl um, in That was 20- like 2019, it was in Miami, and I was like, I mean, we were on cloud nine. It was amazing. That was in February, and then the world shut down like a month later, and I remember being like, "Holy shit, like what if this happened during..."
And then like the Final was going on, like all this, all the, you know, kind of [00:10:00] basketball events were happening, and I was like, "This is insane." When Adam Silver shut down the NBA, I was like, "This is gonna be big." I was like, "This is like insane to me that this is happening." And then it, I mean, I, I genuinely thought it was only gonna be two weeks, but it was obviously years, so
Kara Duffy: Yeah. And, and the ripple effects that we are still feeling in different
ways. absolutely. All, all, all the time, so Potentially controversial opinion, I love New York so much more after COVID.
Kristin Mitchell: Okay. Uh, and I don't know if it's just there's been like a personality shift in the city, which I really appreciate. I'm s- I was sad when I first went back after COVID shutdown, like how many places were empty and like looking for leases.
Kara Duffy: But it's brought back s- this vitality and appreciation where every time I go, and for a while I was going like once a quarter 'cause I have clients there too.
Kristin Mitchell: Mm-hmm. [00:11:00] And being on the East Coa- from the East Coast, I need that fill up, like I need to top up my tank. But there's just... I've appreciated the city so much more since than I think I was beforehand
I, I mean, I, I agree with that. I think... here now, like even through Sandy. Like, I think I don't know, New York is so resilient. like, even in everyone was like, "Financial district is never gonna be the same." And that, you know, that's where I and it's, like, amazing. like, I love it. love it here. Um, like, when COVID was happening, everyone was like, "New York's never gonna bounce back. Like, it's And I was Like, "Yes, it is." like, this is York City. Like, of course, gonna bounce back. Like, gonna wanna come here. And honestly, the worst mistake I feel like I made was maybe not investing in real estate during that time.
But, you know, and that was the one window to do so. Now you can't. Now you can't. buy here now. So it always does bounce back, and I, and I agree. Like, I think when goes through, like, the tur- turmoil, you really do appreciate how special this place is.
Kara Duffy: Well, I think your [00:12:00] home state might be the only place anyone can afford to live at all right now. I keep looking I consider Boston home and okay, what would it look like to live there? What would it look like to live in New York City? The prices are really no different than what we're spending out here either.
Um, I think every place is talking about how even Austin, Texas, like pricing's crazy right now. Um, It's just this global phenomenon. Even there's all these um, fol- um, content creators I follow out of Australia, they're also losing their mind about how like no one can buy anything. I'm like, at what point does this bubble burst?
Because we can't have all these people who want
homes and can't afford them. Like
Kristin Mitchell: know. I, I think about that a lot, like what is the American dream in that respect anymore? Like, I don't I don't know. Like, I would always like lo- fantasize of owning a home. I will, I will say like I love renting because I I o- obviously I own a business, and like, joke, I'm like, "I couldn't imagine breaking down all of these bo-" 'Cause I receive like the volumes of like packages I [00:13:00] receive.
I'm like, I couldn't imagine like breaking down all the boxes, like m- all the recycling I have to like sort through I, if it were like coming to my house or my apartment, like I would have to deal with that. Um, but like n- I don't know, my building like handles the receiving of all my packages, and like like I, I actually like love renting from that respect, like running a business here in this city. But, but yeah, I think of, I think about that. I'm like, I don't know like if I'll own a home. I don't know if I can, so.
Kara Duffy: That's very European. Most Europeans don't own their home, so, and most New Yorkers don't either.
So it can-- we can just turn it into, this
chic moment and just go with
Kristin Mitchell: I, that's what looking at the positive for it. I'm like, everyone should start a business and just embrace renting, I guess. I don't know. But, um, fantasized of owning a home and, like, 'cause I love decorating and, and I'm like I can't like drill these lights that I want into the walls here, you know?
'Cause it's like the wires will just be like, hey, I don't know, Like, I just these like [00:14:00] amazing, like these I want like drilled into walls, and I can't have any of them, and that's like tragic, but it's fine. I'll hopefully one of these days.
Kara Duffy: It's, it's something that I'm dealing with at, in my house right now too, because I'm also a renter, and I've been here for a while. I'm like, okay, like it's time to either move or I need to just commit to decorating this place fully the way I want to.
Kristin Mitchell: Mm-hmm.
Kara Duffy: Um, And I've moved so much that there's a part of me that's like, once I do this, as soon as it's done, I'll be like, "Oh, and we are moving." So
that was a fun project. But
Kristin Mitchell: Yeah, I know. And that's... I'm, like, really into like, peel-and-stick wallpaper, and like, I'll just that now. Like, I will just do that. I'm, like, in my little corner over here, my cocktail corner, I'm gonna like, do, um, you know, pick that, in that corner, which will be really cute, but haven't, haven't gotten that far yet.
Kara Duffy: When you look at where you're getting inspiration from, like the events you do are so [00:15:00] varied and so diverse with different clients and different themes and focuses and mood boards, how are you, either in your like digital drive or in your brain, like how are you storing all of the ideas and do you just have huge massive lists and Pinterest boards? There's so much I feel that's like inbound that you have to kind
of contain and hold onto.
Kristin Mitchell: I mean, many Pinterest boards. like, it, 'cause my team makes fun of me. I'm like, "Don't even, like, Pinterest." like, I have so I, like, of ideas of, Like, also, like, manifesting events I wanna do. like, I really wanna, like, US Open, and I have this, like, whole, like, board on, like events. I, I just love, I love Pinterest. Um, but like, how I do find my inspiration is, um, Well, number one, traveling. I, I really do draw a lot of inspiration through travel, and, like, wherever I am doing an event, I do like it to have a sense of place because I think that that, you know, kind a design authentic and carries through.
[00:16:00] But ultimately, it's what the client wants, and a lot of, a lot of my inspiration is drawn from what the client wants, their style, and, like, what they're in, and also the stories that they're trying to tell. You know, a lot of times it's not really, like, my to push. I do have one client who's like, something and, like, just do And, like, I... And that, but a lot of times, like, my do have, like, specific thoughts and like, what they tell and, you know, honor that and bring that to life. And I, and I love it 'cause then that's what makes everything so different. Like, I'm 50th birthday party, um, in the fall for a big client and, like, times some of these things that they're wanting doesn't make sense, but then they'll tell a story about, like, why they want it and it's like, to make sense for it to make sense because it's like, what they and it's their personal story that they're trying to tell. And it's, like, really It's so cool to be able to bring people's personal, you know, kind journeys and, and preferences to life in that way. Um, uh, does make sense because they're the [00:17:00] person that makes it make sense. So, so yeah. So, you know, ultimately draw a lot, inspiration from everywhere and, like, and being in New York is, like, inspiration of it all because everyone here is trying to dial it up, I feel like.
So it's like, everything so interesting. I go out to dinner all the time. I'll be in a cool space. I'm really inspired by uh, beautiful spaces, honestly. That's, like, one of my, one of my biggest inspirations. Um, and in that respect, when I do, uh, at a venue, I always try to, like, make the work for the s- the way the space looks, um, 'cause think it just like, it all together.
So it just, you know, it just depends on a lot of variables. Um, is, it comes from everywhere, honestly.
Kara Duffy: I think a lot of people who have their own agencies and they're doing, kinda client services, would love to have high-profile brands and private clients, and they don't know where to start to kinda break through into those [00:18:00] spaces. How have y- you worked to build your, roster of clients, and what would you recommend to someone starting today?
Kristin Mitchell: question. Um, one, like anyone starting a business should always remember that you never know where your lead is gonna come from. Like, it can literally come from anywhere. Like client for when I started my business was a referral through an assistant that I worked with when I was at Thomson Reuters, and she remembered me from like when I, I worked with her a lot.
Um, executive that she worked with like really believed in hosting his clients at all of my events, and so like I did the Super Bowl with him, I did the White House Correspondents Dinner a few times, and it's like, so I worked her very closely. He had like at things, he would have like clients. And so, so it would be like a, he was a really big player in this. Um, was working at my cl- client's company. And so when I launched [00:19:00] my business, she saw it on LinkedIn, and she was like, "Oh, you, I know you guys are struggle with like finding event planner that like you like Like, you should reach out to Kristen. Like, she's the best." And that's how my first client. So it's like I, I really think ultimately, you know, and she was an assistant, like, and I, and I, this is just who I am. I'm like really nice to everyone, and it's like, so I, it's like, you know, everyone the same, and and you, know, you're just to people, and I think it always comes back to you, like no matter what. And that's kinda how I've, that's how I live my life, and I think it, it does. It comes back to you if you're just like a kind person and you work hard, honestly. So
Kara Duffy: Like how much of your business is
referral versus you're doing cold
outreach?
Kristin Mitchell: I am 100% referral. I haven't, marketing. And like uh, except for like on Instagram, which is like I don't even promote my posts. I just like I use to stay top of mind. Um, it's definitely, um, because I'm like, "Wow, if I actually marketed [00:20:00] myself, I'd prob- I'd probably have more clients."
But I like also don't have time, like I don't have time to do that right now. so it's like... my clients, and that's actually, you know, the reason why I really focus on brands and social versus weddings. Um, started my business, I was doing some weddings. Um, love the ongoing client relationship.
Like, I being able to have a client and know who they are, and like they're always my client, and I get to like, I know their preferences, I know how they work, and like I just, love that. Uh, like the client relationship is really like my favorite part about it. Whereas like weddings, it's like it's an amazing one-year relationship and then it's like, you know, it's So yeah, it's like for me it's like it's all referral, and that's, and that's, and I do love it that way right now. I think one of these days, like might, maybe might do marketing, but I don't know. I love being referral because it's awesome. All my clients are so amazing, you know, like from somebody I know, and like it's just, it's truly like I [00:21:00] have the best clients because of that.
Kara Duffy: and such
a amazing reflection on the work that you're doing
Kristin Mitchell: D- I mean, definitely. And like, and I think that's, you know, like, so kind of everyone to, like, refer and I think that, seriously. That's why I started the business. Everyone's like, "You're so serious and professional."
I'm like, "Well, yeah." like, I take... I plan parties, and like, it sounds oh, it's fun. It is fun, but it is a very serious job, and I'm dealing with people's you know, finances, and I, do, and I take that, like, very like I don't, you find my clients, like, the best I like to be transparent about prices. You know, it's like, take it, I take it very seriously,
Kara Duffy: I think the other thing that kind of mystifies people is that there is a way that you can earn money doing what you love, and often more money than you ever expected you could earn. For people who haven't jumped to this dark side that we're on, how would you encourage people to go after what they see as a possibility?
Kristin Mitchell: Gosh, [00:22:00] what a good question I mean Oh, how would I encourage somebody? Honestly like, I my, my friends, like Josie, who's on my team, and, and like, dark side with us. Um, fun side. But like when sh- when I was business five years ago.
I remember being like, "Josie, I know this isn't gonna make sense, but like, you gotta, like, go for I... And just promise me. like, or just, you, like, you make more money." And, and as long as you work hard and believe in yourself. like... W- one of my favorite quotes i- is from Teddy Roosevelt, and it's like, " "Believe you...
and you're halfway there." And I really do believe that that's tr- true. And like, want to, honestly, like, like believe yourself, and you want to be an entrepreneur. You also have to want to be an entrepreneur. I also really don't think everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur.
A lot of times it is like a fantasy, and [00:23:00] people are like, "Oh, that would be cool." Like, there's a lot of great jobs out there. like, I can't... I, I, I shouldn't say like, "Oh yeah, everyone needs to go and be an entrepreneur," because, like maybe don't have the hustle and the grit. Like, you have to like really, like positive. like there's a knocked down a lot. It's not like always glamorous. There's gonna be times where you're gonna think that, especially in the beginning, you might think you're gonna run out of money. "Like, "What am gonna do when I... Like, the coming in. I thought this was gonna lock, it didn't."
Or like, it didn't."
hit when it did," or like, "I got late." It's like, of things to balance and know and, and just... You gotta like just keep going, and you're gonna get knocked down. And I think just believing your... If you wanna do it, you have to be just relentless, and I don't wanna say delusional, but like you just have to be like very delusional in believing in yourself.
And just like know that to work out if you just put in the work and the time. You just like really have to [00:24:00] wanna do it, and you have to be passionate. like if you're not passionate about what you're doing, you're probably not gonna make it. Like, if you're just like I wanna start a business," like no.
You have to be so fucking passionate because like otherwise it's n- I don't Like really probably gonna go as well as you think. Like
Kara Duffy: there's 90%
of it isn't glamorous.
Kristin Mitchell: It is so
hard, and you're constantly dealing with just like, different dynamics at all times.
and I look at myself and my business as like an extension of my client and their team. Whether I Am joining a brand team and, like I'm working at, the Apollo Theater is like one of my biggest clients and I adore them, and it's like I'm joining their marketing team, you know, to help support bring their events to life.
And I plug in from a design and pr- production perspective. That's very different than like when I'm working with my social families, you know? You have to be [00:25:00] adaptable and there's a lot of different personalities on every single side. And like, you know, you just, you have to just be positive.
I'm, I am overly positive. All my friends, I don't wanna say make fun of me, but like they're always like, "Oh, Kristen's being positive." Like, I'm like, "But you do. You have to." Like it is really hard. Like, and, and, and you just have to know that and, and stay positive
Kara Duffy: How have you changed since you've had your business?
Kristin Mitchell: How have I changed? I have become so much more confident. Um, I think when I first started, I was always like, you know, everyone that I would work with, like, before I started my own business would be like, "Kristen, you're the best. Like, you are the best." And I'm like,
Kara Duffy: Mm-hmm.
Kristin Mitchell: "Uh, okay, that's awesome.
That's so nice of them to say." And it's like, I believed it, but it's like, when I started, like, going out there and, like, you know, really kind of nurturing the, my client relationships and, like, really putting myself out there and... I do feel like it gave me a [00:26:00] lot of, like a lot of confidence that I, I didn't necessarily completely have.
Um, it's like I, you know, like I said, I believed in myself, but it's like, I, I definitely am more confident and I'm like, you know, am I the best? No. But, like, I do think I'm, like, one of the best, and I don't think anyone is the best though. Like, I, I really don't think that. I think that you are in a, um, a lot of great company, um, in being the best, so
Kara Duffy: Well, and I think this is what leads to there being so much room for everyone's business and perspective, because you might be the best for the Apollo Theater, but you might not be the best for something else because it's not aligned with you, it's different teams. There's so much space. There... even w- in a, in a industry with so many competitors, there's still so much room for you to be you and make those relationships and make magic together that couldn't have been made if it was a different assortment
of people.
Kristin Mitchell: That
[00:27:00] is so true, and I say this all the time. That's what's amazing about entrepreneurship. So many of these people who are my peers and, like, they also work on events with me as well. Like, my- one of my best friends in the industry, Raquel, she's a- an amazing wedding planner, and, like, she works with me on the Apollo, and it's like there is so much, there is so much room for people to, like, carve out a niche for themselves, go and, like, work over...
It's just like... I don't know. It's just, it's a really, it's a beautiful space that everyone can just, like, go and, like, find their people, uh, whether it's the client or, like, people to work with. And, and I think that that's what, yeah, makes it so exciting is 'cause you do find your personal space, um, in, in the work
Kara Duffy: What is one example of where you're really proud of pulling out your magic wand and making something happen that probably shouldn't have happened?
Kristin Mitchell: this is a small Example, we deal with a lot of talent, and last summer this [00:28:00] um, artist, I was talking to manager, and I was like, "Okay, well, what's h- what is his hospitality rider? Like, what does he need?"
And I think he said he wanted fish, sugar-free gum, like coconut water, he liked fruit and vegetables, very particular things that they like.
he was like, "Whatever you're serving at the venue is cool." I'm at the event, and one of the staff comes up to me and was like, "Oh, like so and so isn't, like, pleased with his dinner." And I was like, "What do you mean?"
And they're like, "Well, he doesn't like halibut." And I was like, "Well, his manager said that fish was fine." And I guess he like, grilled salmon, and the, the manager didn't, I, I don't know, didn't clarify this. Anyway, so I'm like, "Oh, holy shit." And so I go up to my teammate Jeremy.
I'm like, "Jeremy, give me your keys." I like... 'Cause I, like we drove to the venue that day. I'm like, "Give me your keys." I drive to IGA, and like I, run to the back of the, the store, and I, like get [00:29:00] all the filets.
There's this, like, man here being like, "How did you, like, know that I was about to buy all these filets? like, I'm having over tonight. Like, I need sa- this salmon." I was like, "I need the salmon actually way more than you." So, like, I run like, check out, give it to the, the captain and we give this artist his grilled salmon, and I was like... And that's just, you know, you go and beyond for everyone because, like, I just Well, I take hospitality very seriously, and I just like want everyone to be happy no matter who it is.
and obviously, like, I want my artist to be happy. that, that was like one, one story of like where I just was like, "Okay, I guess I'm, I'm gonna just go get this salmon now for us to prepare for-"
Kara Duffy: Well, and, and such a great example of often whoever's in charge ends up being the one that's doing the randomest tasks in a day 'cause everyone else has their thing. So you're like, "Oh, we need white shoelaces. Okay, I guess I'll figure that out because
Kristin Mitchell: exactly right. [00:30:00] like, my, mom always asks me,
she's like, "What is, like, your, what's your day-to-day like?" And I'm like, "I don't even know." Like, it varies every day. Like, one time, one time I was in Ibiza, and this was when I was working for Corcoran, and, like, an agent, like, had lost his phone the night before.
And, like, I was, like, out... I was, like, down in the lobby, like, seeing people off for the optional activities, like, on their buses, and I see, like, him, like, in the lobby with, like, his computer. And I'm like, "Are you okay?" Like, "Can I help you?" And he was like, "I lost my phone. Like, I don't know where it is." And, like, he said, "But I see it's here." And, like, we go to, we go to the concierge, and, like, we call the phone, and somebody who's German picks up. And, and luckily the concierge, like, spoke German. And he was like, "They're at this beach club." And we're like, "Okay, cool." Meanwhile, like, we had been going to, like, the best beach clubs in Ibiza.
And so, like, I was expecting it to be, like, real posh. No. We get out of the taxi, and it smells like [00:31:00] fried chicken and cigarettes. And I was like, "What?" Like, "Where are we?" Like, "What is happening?" And I'm like, "This is hilarious." And we ended up getting the phone.
But it's just like, I mean, I, I never know what happens with me. I'm like, it just, this is what I do in my life, in
Kara Duffy: it's part of what I love about being an entrepreneur is that while I have a calendar that I live and die by, and I... Everything's scheduled and, and I have all the to-do lists, every day could change. And it's why I have buffer times all through my calendar and my week. It's why I tell my clients to, because, I think something that people don't do when they're pricing out projects a lot is they don't put the buffer in for the, "I don't know what's gonna happen."
Kristin Mitchell: Absolutely
Kara Duffy: I think like hospitality, when you're in service in general, I... I want myself and my clients to be able to say yes and not resent that they just changed their whole schedule or spent five hours going to a, [00:32:00] a club smelling like cigarettes and fried chicken, and be like, "Well, we lost profit on this event now." So th- we have to build in the, the profit for the being able to say yes and go above and beyond when... If that's in our personality types. Other people don't like doing those things. Um, but like, building that in and knowing chances are something ridiculous is gonna happen, so is that built into the budget?
Kristin Mitchell: No, absolutely. Oh my gosh, and this actually
makes me think of, like, one more story of, like, last year. And this was crazy actually. So like, I would do this annual harvest party at one of my client's houses every year in Rumson. And lash- and last year, she was having, like, a lot of landscaping done, and she had, like, a lot of stuff done to her house, and, like, she wanted it done before the party.
Well, I guess, like, her landscaper decides to resod the lawn, like, the day we were installing the tent. [00:33:00] And so I'm telling you, like, there was... it was dirt. There was literal dirt everywhere. And I don't know, like, I mean, for people who are listening, I didn't know this, 'cause I don't have a lawn, but, like, when you sod a lawn, like, you have to, like, let it sit for, like, weeks for it to, like, take root.
So they were, like, literally, like, rolling out this grass, like, carpet. And I'm like, "When..." I'm like, "This landscaper," I was like, "You're gonna have to, like, take a hit on this, 'cause this tent is going in, and I need to know, like, when this grass is gonna be laid."
And like, so I, I wasn't even supposed to, like, be there physically that day, because like I said, I have been doing this event for her for, like, now five years. And so, we have this down to a science. Sperry Tent knows what they're doing. We've put the tent in the same place every year. Yes, the theme is different, but the tent is always where it goes.
And so I was like, "I don't need to be there." No, I, like, just, I drive down to Rumson. I'm, like, [00:34:00] overseeing, micromanaging this, like, sod situation, and Josie and I are like, "What is happening?" Like, this is the shit you just, like, can't make up. Like, if, again, if we weren't there, the sod, who knows what would have happened to the sod, given this, like, landscaper was so rogue.
But it was, like, just ridiculous. You know? And I'm just like, but honestly, I know it's, like, crazy, but, like, this is the type of stuff that, like, honestly makes me love my job. 'Cause it keeps it, like, really interesting. I'm like, I mean, you just never know what's gonna happen, ever.
Kara Duffy: now you know all about sod
Kristin Mitchell: I know a lot about Saad
Kara Duffy: Meanwhile, you're like, "I just wanna
go on Pinterest and make boards and make things look
pretty."
Kristin Mitchell: I
Kara Duffy: come
Kristin Mitchell: Yeah, and that's, honestly, I have an amazing team, 'cause they like, how I'm like trying to like keep myself like higher level and making things look pretty, but like they like, yeah. But sometimes, you gotta get involved, and I love getting involved.
And I'm like, "Okay, this is what we're doing today. Like, this is what I've been born to do, so here we are."
Kara Duffy: you bring up like the having a team component, and [00:35:00] I'm such an advocate for entrepreneurs need people, whether they are contractors or they are employees, like we need people. We should not do business or life alone. How did you... How quickly did you start having team members that weren't like vendor partnerships, and how have you been at like delegating and kind of going out of the doing to the CEO-ing in your own process?
Kristin Mitchell: That's, that's a great question. Josie's been working with me since I started, even, like, when she was at Wasserman, like, when I started. But she left, I think, when I was two years into my business. So she's been working now for three years. I 1099 everyone. Um, I'm the only full-time employee of my business, but I, I look at my contractors as my teammates. I treat them as my team. Now that we're, like, growing, I like to look at them, uh, like, across many projects, like playing the [00:36:00] same type of role across, like, many projects, so it's like, it doesn't feel as, like, disjointed, and, like, it just feels like a more core, like a core team.
That's, like, how I've been structuring it lately, like, in the past, like, year and a half, and it's w- I think it's really been working well. Um, because also too, you know, clients like consistency, and when I was starting out, I could handle the clients I had, and it was me, and I could do that.
But, as you grow, like, I can't be everywhere at all times. I can't be on every call. Hiring people that you trust and that they know their expectation, or, like, your expectations and, um, that... It, it's definitely something I have struggled with. I can't say that I'm perfect.
Um, but it's really kind of empowering them to, do the work and, and trusting them, and, and I think that that is really what it's all about. And you , have them work on things that they like. Some people on my team don't like working on, like, design, so it's like I'm not gonna put, my tech producer on [00:37:00] design with me, you know?
So it's like I have to, like... I carve out specific focus roles for people. And a lot of people that I'm now, like, I have started to bring even more into the fold. I can see, if I'm not there one day, this person can, like, step in to do this. I think that it's putting the right people in the right seats is the most important, and that's, like, what makes me feel comfortable with it all going well. Um, and especially if they're having fun. Like, if they're having fun and they, like, love to do it, that's how you ensure success, I think.
Kara Duffy: What do you, how would you define a powerful lady?
Kristin Mitchell: define a powerful lady? Um, Someone who is kind and listens, but also stands up for herself. I think you have to be confident in your ideas and, and your approach. And, um, not everything is gonna go perfect, and you have to also give yourself grace and, and know that, maybe this event didn't go perfect [00:38:00] because, like, of something outside of your control.
Like, you know, and you can't hold onto that. Like, there's been a lot of times where I, like, I have imagined an event a certain way because of, uh, beautiful weather. And then the rain backup plan happens, and you're like, "Okay, that..." And that's hard for me because I understand what the event was gonna be, but the guest doesn't know.
The guest had no idea, what you had planned in your mind. That's the thing, like, with the client, like, when you're planning at the beginning, you have to, tell them. Like, you have to be as comfortable with your backup plan as your, number one plan because, it might not happen.
And, like, you have to, like, not be attached to that. You can't just, like, be so attached to things that you, like, let it ruin your whole world. Just being confident in your ideas and, and just knowing that, things don't always go according to plan, but everything happens for a reason, I guess,
Kara Duffy: when you're not running your business and running to [00:39:00] get salmon for important guests, how are you spending your time? How are you filling your cup?
Kristin Mitchell: Um, work out a lot. I real- I love going to classes and the gym. Working out it's more than just vanity, it's al- honestly for mental health. Um, that's really what it started out as at the beginning, years ago. Um, but yeah, it's like that. I just find working out very therapeutic. Um, and recently I've gotten back into, uh, boxing and barre classes, um, which has been really fun.
Um, but also just hanging out with friends. I love going to restaurants and, like, having a great dinner with, with my friends and just catching up and learning about, like, their lives and what they're up to. I think a lot of times, I definitely get, like, really consumed with work, so I've been trying to, , find time to, carve out to, be with my friends.
And honestly, my family too. Now there's a direct flight back to West Virginia from [00:40:00] Newark on Breeze Airlines. Thank you, Breeze. Yeah. And so now I can get home in an hour in an hour and a half, which is incredible. I'm from Charleston, West Virginia, and I haven't had a direct flight since I, probably 2015.
So it's been a, it's been a long time, and now I can go home easy instead of having to connect through Atlanta, you know? So it's nice.
Kara Duffy: It, it really is like so, such a difference when a trip goes from an eight-hour ordeal to an hour and a half.
Kristin Mitchell: Such a big difference. I mean, it is a game changer.
Kara Duffy: One of the things that we've been asking everyone is, what do you need? How can we help? What's on your wish list, your manifest list? How can we help you?
Kristin Mitchell: I guess spreading the word. That's such a good question. Like, nobody ever asks to help me. I feel like that's so funny. Yeah, like spreading the word. I'm al- I'm constantly trying to grow my following, um, because I'm not an influencer.
I think when I first started my, [00:41:00] When I first started my business, I was like obsessed with like having a larger following. And like now I just hit 3,000 and I'm like, "Okay, that's, that's fine. Like, thank God, like I made it to 3,000." But like, I just don't have time to make content and like I def- but I definitely do love, demystifying what events is all about, because I think a lot of times people just don't understand.
Um, and especially like, they're like, "Oh, okay, like, well, why do I need to pay this much money?" And it's like, well, okay, who's like gonna do all this work? It's like, and this goes back to our earlier point with like, you're not always the right fit for some people. And like people who like truly understand events and like what goes into it, and like, having a premium event is a luxury. Like, not everyone can throw them. Yeah. And like not everyone can afford an event planner. When you hire a premium event planner, like they're, they are doing so much that you just don't even see. I just said, like learning about [00:42:00] sod, going to get salmon.
There's just like shit that just goes down that like you just don't even know because like they don't tell you. Like, why, I'm not gonna tell my client that I ran out and got salmon for this artist. I'm not gonna say that. Like, but like, I did it. Yeah, I'm not like looking for, glory or anything.
It's just like, this is what I do. And it's like, you know, we are an insurance policy, so I think it's just like demystifying what events is, and like the random shit that happens. It's just like, it's funny and it's what we do. And it's... And yeah, so I think just spreading that word and, letting the people know.
Kara Duffy: And then on the personal side, is there anything that you need or want?
Kristin Mitchell: No. Honestly, like on the personal side, no. I'm in my cooking era, so I'm trying to learn how to like, you know, cook a little bit better. Um, but I think personally, no. I think if there's any amazing event planners that wanna work hard and... I hate to say this and I don't wanna [00:43:00] hate on Gen Z, but it's like I need people to work hard, you know?
Like, I need you to show up to work. I can't have lame excuses. And if there's anyone who wants to, you know, join a fun team and work hard and has a positive attitude, send me your resume. That would be great.
Kara Duffy: Yeah.
yeah. I mean, this, the, the conversation about the work ethic
around Gen Z has been really interesting. It's come up on quite a
Kristin Mitchell: Oh, really?
Kara Duffy: podcasts. Yeah, because
Kristin Mitchell: It's rough out there. it, It's And I, and I've been pulled into some companies to coach all generations about different styles and what does it mean to work hard and different reasons and what is expected.
Kara Duffy: And one of my clients re- recently said that she thinks her summary for kind of the Gen Z work thing is that they don't tie their value to their output.
They're like, I just show up and I'm worth this." And you're like, "No,
that's not how it
Kristin Mitchell: okay, I agree with [00:44:00] this. Yes. I agree 'Cause it's like, I mean, like I said, like every job that I've had has laid the foundation, like, for where I am now, and it's like, what has happened to this generation where they just, like, just don't care? They think that they deserve it. I'm like, "Did you work for this? Did you put in the blood, sweat, and tears to get to this point? No, you didn't." And until I see some initiative here, like, I don't know. Like I, I can't... I don't feel comfortable. It's like I will literally pay more so I don't have to deal with that. Like I, I will like pay a more experienced person because I just, like, cannot handle,
Kara Duffy: And, and I do think there's some things that we should expect. Should we expect to have healthcare from ourselves or the government or our job? Y- yeah humans deserve healthcare. And should we expect to be treated well? Yes. There's a lot of, I think, stuff that the millennial generation has been in this funky position [00:45:00] of we can work hard, but wait, should we be dealing with that at the same time?
And I feel like there's a little bit of the baby thrown out with the bathwater for the, we'll call it the d- the current Gen Z condition, which does not apply to everyone. I know lots of people who are in that generation who kick some butt. But there is this idea of we have ... There's a level don't you wanna prove yourself?
Don't you want to have that confidence in yourself from doing the work and producing the outcome and seeing how far you can push yourself and seeing what magic you can create versus just clocking in and clocking out?
Kristin Mitchell: I agree. And, and, you know,
not everyone in that generation is that way, but it's like I just have been seeing it more and more. 'Cause I am, you know, looking for younger people to, you know... I'm not, I'm not 22 anymore. And, and like I would like to, you know, have some younger people to coach, but it's like they don't, it's almost like they don't want to be coached.
They, they like already think that they're really great. [00:46:00] It's like, well, yeah, like maybe you are great in your own way, but like you still have to learn how things are done. And it's like I like, I like to learn from them, too. I like to learn from you. Mm-hmm. I'm always looking for young people, but like they also have to like work hard, 'cause it's like there is a level- Yeah
of service and expectation that I have that like a lot of times I don't see. And I'm like, "Well, this is just sad." I'm like, "I don't know what's gonna happen."
Kara Duffy: I do think at a broader level it's happening in, like, different generations, different socioeconomic groups, different genders. Like, the r- there's a huge conversation, right, about the gap between men and women, and, like, who's getting degrees, who's rising the corporate ladder.
Like, there's all this weird stuff. And, um, everyone I know who I would put in, like, the awesome and up to something category, like all my favorite humans, people who are doing really cool things, no matter what their demographic assortment is, they're all [00:47:00] working hard. They're all focused. They all equally know how to... Like, they have a balance of working hard and taking care of themselves, and wanting to produce greatness both in work and in life. And, um,
Kristin Mitchell: absolutely
Kara Duffy: chasing that, I think adds, it, it adds parts to your personality, but it also proves that you can do it.
Kristin Mitchell: A- absolutely. I mean, 100%. I think that... it goes back to just, like, feeling confident, right? Like, for me, like, working hard and, like, doing, like, actually participating in work and life, it does make me... It just makes me more confident. And I think that, ultimately, that's what, life is all about.
And you learn. I love lear- I love learning. I feel like that's the other thing. Like, I've noticed, like, even with this, this generation, it's like lear- like, they don't really want to, learn a lot. And it's like, I feel like I'm always learning. I never wanna stop learning. And, like, you know, even with AI, I love, I love learning about AI.
People are like, "Are you [00:48:00] threatened by AI?" I'm like, "Not at all." Like, I, I... Like, I need AI in my business actually. It keeps me-
Kara Duffy: AI can never go and run and get salmon,
Kristin Mitchell: No, like literally, I know and I'm like, I'm genuinely not threatened at it at all, like with my business, but it's like it actually makes me more efficient and like I like learning about ways to become more efficient and like adapting to the technology and like, you know, the way things are moving.
It's like I'm not gonna be over here just being like, "No, that's not how it's done." It's like, I don't know, there might be a... There's probably a better way that things can be done. And so I l- I am always stay open-minded to that and I just, you know, hope that's not lost in the, in the future.
Kara Duffy: No. Well, it has been such a pleasure to get to know you and have this conversation today. Thank you for the incredible events and the beautiful experiences that you're putting together for people. I enjoy your Instagram just strictly for inspiration for myself, being like, ooh. even just some of the photography that's, on your page is, is stunning. But thank you. Thank you for creating these cool events. Thank you for creating this [00:49:00] space where you wanna coach other people. It's nice to know that there's another incredible entrepreneur out there kicking butt too
Kristin Mitchell: Yes, absolutely. Well, thank you for the time. This was so much fun.
Kara Duffy: For everybody who wants to hire you, work for you, send you their resume, where can they do all those things?
Kristin Mitchell: Um, they can go to my website gatheredinstyle.com, and my email's there, so just send me an email. I actually, I prefer email versus, like, going through the contact form. So just hit me up and let me know. Or you could DM me on Instagram, too. I'm not precious about that either, so
Kara Duffy: Amazing. Well, thank you so much for your time today
Kristin Mitchell: Yes. Thank you so much. You too
Kara Duffy: Thanks for listening to the Powerful Ladies podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave us a review, or share it with a friend. Head to thepowerfulladies.com where you can find all the links to connect with today's guest, show notes, discover [00:50:00] like episodes, enjoy bonus content, and more.
We'll be back next week with a brand-new episode and new amazing guest. Make sure you're following us on Instagram or Substack @powerfulladies to get the first preview of next week's episode. You can find me on all my socials @karaduffy.com. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life.
Go be awesome and up to something you love
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Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
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