Especially Yours... Thank you!

Dear Friends,

In case you haven't heard,  I sold Especially Yours Chair Covers! Can you believe it? It's been 13 years. (started when I was just 12 years old!) -- Just kidding (to the friends who knew I recently celebrated a birthday). Congratulations to the new owners: Errin Leach and Alicia Falango of Alicia K Designs. I wish them all the best to continue the legacy as the leading Chivari chairs, Chair Covers, Linens Rentals vendor in the SF Bay Area. Please continue to support them!

I've been waiting to make this annoucement for some time since May, but wanted the new owners of EYC to make the annoucement first.

I have A LOT of clients turned friends who's been with me for more than a decade and THANK YOU for supporting our small mom and pop.  EY started from my garage in 2004, where I stored all the chair covers and sashes in our little SF in-law unit. Then, grew to our first warehouse on Jerrold Ave, then Harrison Street, then Talbert Ave and finally (11,000 Square Feet) at 218 Shaw Road. South San Francisco.

A heartfelt thank you to my mentors who motivated me, inspired me and coached me along the way.

My Business Mentors:
Andrew Ly, Sugar Bowl Bakery 
Nancy Liu Chin, Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Albert Chen, Modernist Social Club 

A sincere thank you to my core employees who worked every weekend at our events (Greg, Tuan, Chris, my aunts and uncles). To the Executive Assistants on my team in the past decade, especially Christina Bui Nguyen and Adrienne Lee, I would have never made it this far if it wasn't you who kept me organized. Thank you for being there, keeping the office in order and mostly, putting up with me and my absent-mindedness. Thank you, Dave for helping with me all things "CTO" related, and more tasks, for the last 7 years.  I know you didn't have to, but you did, and you always made sure I adapted to the technology change. You and Bui know me so well.  I'm trying to lessen the hurricanes these days. (trying!) I hope you know how much I appreciate you.

A HUGE thank you to my team of lawyers at Sideman & Bancroft, LLP who made it a smooth transition. *Pro Tip* from my mentors. Hire KICK ASS Lawyers. They are worth every dollar you've ever made.

My AWESOME Clients and Colleagues, please stay in touch, even if you're living in London now, (hint hint) Tamara. If there's anything I can do to assist you, please don't hesitate to reach out me. To the most amazing wedding planners in no particular order: MB, Duncan, Frances, Amy, Laura Little, Tosca, Tony.. and many more --  THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS Supporting our small business! I hope you'll still show the love to the new EYC :) I hear they have ghost and crossback chairs coming soon!!

To National Association of Catering Events (NACE): Thank you for having me serve on your Board of Directors during my term. It was an honor to work besides some of the best event professionals in the industry, especially my co-chair/ partner Duncan Reyes of Duncan Reyes Events, Ranjan with New Delhi, Leslie Wong with Burgundy Fox, Mimi Rodriquez with Creative Designs by Mimi.

To my Promises & Pearls Partner in Crime: Michelle with MB Wedding Designs and Events, You are my sister for life.  We started it, we brought it to the industry and I love you forever. Keep up your amazing work. I am always here, ready to support you.

What's next for me?!? Stay Tuned. It's exciting. and I'm going to share it everyone, very very soon.

With All My Love,
Bev

Honored in 2012. Extremely humbled. Thank you so much.

In November 2011, I received a phone call from Mark Fong, member of the Board of Directors at Cameron House. He told me I have been nominated to be a recipient of the Donaldina Cameron House "Excellence in Community Service" award. I was in total shock! It was like winning the lotto. I've volunteered for this event since its inception, but never thought I'd be one of the honorees in the future. Thank you so much, Cameron House.

For those who you who don't know me personally, I grew up in San Francisco's Chinatown where I attended after school program during the weekdays and every summer, I volunteered as a camp counselor. 

Cameron House Mission  Statement:

Our mission is to empower people to fully participate in and contribute positively toward a healthy society. We create a safe and nurturing environment by providing counseling, group support, and crisis intervention, and we enable active involvement in the community through leadership development, education, and advocacy

Here is a Brief Summary of My Cameron House History

• Fall 1989, Started as a Bi-lingual after school program attendee
• Summer of 1993, 1994, 1995 - Summer Volunteer  
• 1996 -Bi-lingual after school Program Tutor (Staff)
• 1998 - High School Friday Night Leader
• 1998-2000 Member of the Finance Committee, extension of the Board of Directors
• 2000-2007 - Member of the Program  Committee, extension of the Board of  Directors
• Various Years as Cameron Carnival Chairsperson
• 2011 Soul and Elegance Co-Chairsperson 
• 2007-2011 - Member of the Board of Directors

I've never imagined myself getting a recognition award for doing community service to a place I love so much. Cameron House is my 2nd home. I am forever grateful for this wonderful organization who taught me Leadership, Service and Friendship.

Here are some photos from the event last year.  

With my Mom and Dad.  (Missing my brother Warren. He was on vacation).

My friends who came out to support the event. Thank you,  Darren, Alex, Kelly, Cynthia, Kim, Josh, Dave, Carlos,  Michiko and Wayne!

John Anderson,  President of the Board of Directors presenting me with a Plaque.
My parents presenting me with a gold Steve Jobs "Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry"

I am deeply humbled and THANK YOU everyone who believed in my work and I accept this honor, and will continue to serve the community. 

Lastly, this post isn't really about me, but I am asking all of you, my friends and family, if you can donate to this Fundraiser. 

The 2013 event is coming up March 2, 2013 at the South San Francisco Conference Center. Like I said earlier, Cameron House is my second home. It truly help me become the person I am today.

I'd like to ask anyone if I ever helped you, did you a favor -or just because you're my friend :), I would love for you to assist in the following:

• Attend the Event! (I'll be there!) and Buy a Ticket here (Cameron House link) 
• Donate to our Silent Auction (Anything, vacation stays, airline tickets, we'll take it)
• Buy a book of Raffle Tickets for $20. Click here to Donate or Email Me.  

For my Wedding Industry friends, I've emailed you personally and I hope you can donate a One Night complimentary stay.

For my friends in the Restaurant Industry, I'd be grateful if you can donate a  Dinner or Lunch for 2. 

For my working friends who are unable to donate, I'd be happy if you can share the Invitation to your friends on Facebook or Twitter. If I can get all my Facebook friends to donate $1, we'll get them $2000! 

For Business owners, anything you can donate of Value or Time, we can definitely use it.

Really....ANYTHING helps! I rarely ever ask for favors from anyone. This one is the Only One I reach out to all of you for your help. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for the Bottom of my Heart. 

Here is a photo of me delivering my acceptance speech last year :)

My friend and Supervisor David  Chiu delivering a welcome speech to our VIP  Guests. 

San Francisco Giants Legend Mr. Willie McCovey and I  :) ...  I know!!!

To learn more about my Cameron House Life, 

Please take a look at this Video they made for me. 

With all my Love,

Bev

Being the Bridesmaid in 2013

I am honored and beyond excited that I’ve been asked to be a Bridesmaid this July.  Before I tell you who this amazing person is, allow me to introduce you to my role model.

She truly embodies “inner beauty and outer beauty”. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I admire and adore this girl. I tell everyone she is every Asian parents "dream daughter". She was Valedictorian in high school, Master Pianist, received numerous academic awards, 2nd Runner up to Miss America, well traveled and a gorgeous-almost-6feet-tall-asian-female! (come on! can we get more perfect here? :)  Here's what Wikipedia has to say about her: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Ng

We met at the Miss Los Altos pageant in 2000, where she was crowned Miss Los Altos.  Later that year in June,  we both competed at the Miss California Pageant. Let me tell you – when you compete in a pageant – you are the only person YOU want to win in the pageant. Yes,  that’s true for me too, but I wanted her to win. When her name was announced  as the winner, I cried as if I (she did) win. Can you find me? 

Fresno, CA

52 Contestants of the Miss California Pageant

Here’s the story of our lives:

In 2000, I was happy and proud to be Miss San Jose Regional -  She became Miss  California.

In 2002, I graduated from San Francisco State University – She already graduated from Stanford University.

In 2003, I entered in the world of medical sales – She's finishing Medical  School.

In 2004 – I started my own business and became an entrepreneur, She became a doctor.

In 2012 – She bought a home  and got engaged – I’m happy with my living situation :)

There are no words to describe how much I love this girl.  She lights up the room with her smile, she gives the best hugs, and on her bedroom wall, there’s a quote that says “Always Kiss me, before we say Good Night”. I love that because it’s so true. I look up to her in so many ways, even the smallest way.

Last week she text me to ask me a FAVOR. I thought it would be Wedding Planning advice.  Instead she called me and  asked ME to be her bridesmaid.  Tears of Joy!  of course, I said YES!

Dearest Rita,

You are amazing and I am your biggest fan! (Can you tell?) I am honored to be your bridesmaid and can't wait to you on your Wedding Day! I love your family and I love you! 

Congratulations Rita & Carson! Let the wedding planning fun begin!

With All My Love,
Bev