An Interview with Monica C. Dowe: Author & Entrepreneur

Sylvia: Welcome Monica. So pleased to interview you. Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Photo Credit: Monica C. Dowe

 Monica: Hi Sylvia. My name is Monica C. Dowe and I am the owner & Event Director of the event management firm The Dowe Event Agency. My firm helps small businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs market, brand and position their business through special events. Therefore, I create customized special events based on a company’s specific goal in order to maximize the success of their business. I have a Master’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Administration with over 12 years of event planning experience. I’ve always loved watching people come together through events and I’ve know how effective they are in building trust, communication and unity.

The name of my book is “The Event Equation: 25 Ways Special Events Can Build & Strengthen Corporate Relationships”. It is written for businesses that are looking for a new marketing strategy to gain new clients, retain existing customers and/or to maintain a happy and loyal workforce. My book covers the history of special events, why they are essential in any business and why every business, no matter how big or small, needs to host their own special event. Regardless of the size of your business, special events will help build your business and strengthen relationships with clients and employees.

Sylvia: Very interesting Monica. What inspired you to write your first book?

Monica: Actually, the book came about when I was thinking of rebranding my own business in May 2012. At the time I was planning all types of events from weddings to birthday parties, yet I wasn’t passionate about the emotional aspect of those kinds of occasions. Also, I was meeting a lot of business owners who were spending so much money on traditional marketing and still weren’t bringing in new business. I realized that no relationships were being built. People are the common denominator of all events. Events are all about people who are connected and who want to stay connected. So I decided to focus on business and corporate events, and I began doing more research on this particular niche. As a result, I took all that I had observed and researched and began writing this book.

Image Credit: Monica C Howe

Sylvia: Ahhhh, relationship nurturing is paramount in building your business. The ole saying rings true… ‘People buy from those they know, like and trust’! Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Monica: Yes, I want my readers to grasp that business is all about relationships. As a business you must build and strengthen the relationships of those that keep you in business.No matter how big or small your special events the event itself can have a huge impact on your target audience. People like to work and buy from people they feel like they know. There is no better way to get to your customer than during a special event. I also want readers to understand that special events vary in size and scope, so any business can benefit from event marketing even if they are not huge corporations.

Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Monica: Just do it! If you have an idea for a book on your heart go for it. Don’t look for perfection in the first draft. Just write it and edit it later. Give yourself a time goal too. If you don’t then you will never finish.

Sylvia: Good advice! What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Monica: I believe in what I’m preaching, so I market my book through special events! I do lots of speaking engagements and I host my own seminars. I do market via social media, but I believe that once I have an opportunity to interact with my audience in person they are more apt to purchase my book. So, personally, live events have been more successful. And I encourage authors, new and seasoned, to get in front of people as much as possible!

Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?

Monica: If you are not using special events as a marketing tool then as a business you are leaving money on the table. Special events are “special” because it makes you “stand out”. It decreases a lot of the other marketing noise your target audience hears day in and day out because the event allows your attendees to focus only on you. In my book readers will find out that there are 6 remarkable reasons why they must host their own business event! So, if you have a product or service then you need to buy my book.

Sylvia: You are so right and I really need to talk to you about a project that I want to start this year. Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Monica: I write on my couch! I’ve had my red couch for over 10 years and I have my spot where I am most comfortable—so that’s my special place.

Sylvia: Too funny! As I read thru our interview and make some edits, I am doing so on my 15 year old brown leather couch which is in my cozy bedroom. It is the most comfortable place for me to work and frankly, watch TV. Funny, I have a really nice office that gets little usage.  What projects are you currently working on?

Monica: Currently, my team and I are working on our two free seminars, named after our motto “From unknown to Unforgettable” and we are also working on our big June workshop, the Event Discovery. I am also creating a five-week program for business owners who want to learn how to host their own business event. I am also working with on a few private events and speaking to as many organizations as possible about adding special events to their marketing plan.

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word?

Monica: My power word is UNFORGETTABLE! That’s what I want my clients to become to their customers—unforgettable! Again, my company’s motto is “Let us take your business from unknown to unforgettable”. So I want everyone to get out there—face to face—and get noticed!!

Sylvia: Love it! Monica, it’s been a pleasure… thank you!  Please share your social media and book contact information.

Monica: Thank you for having me! I would love to stay connected with everyone.

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/MonicaCDowe or www.twitter.com/DoweEventAgency

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDoweEventAgency

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/monica-c-dowe/18/292/930

• Email: info@thedoweeventagency.com

Sylvia Browder

Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.