Name: Catherine Cook, CMP
Age: 29
City: Atlanta, Georgia
Main Hustle: Corporate Meeting Planner
Side Hustle: My own event company, CBC Events. CBC Events works with agencies, brands, & companies on a contract or project basis to plan & execute meetings, events, & hospitality ventures.
How did you get started?: I’ve always loved planning & the craziness that comes with it. Nothing ever goes exactly as planned, & there are always hiccups onsite; but that is what makes my job exciting!
Since graduating college, I’ve held various positions in the event planning field managing and operating events for multiple Fortune 500 companies; with extensive experience across sports entertainment and corporate hospitality disciplines, including launch events, meetings, incentive programs, & customer hosting programs.
Less than a year ago, I decided to start my own company – CBC Events – planning & executing meetings, events, & hospitality ventures.
When/where do you work?: Around the clock, 24/7! This job involves a lot of travel, so I work frequently from coffee shops, hotels, & airplanes.
What are the challenges of your Side Hustle?: Cold calling, email blasting, & LinkedIn stalking.
I’ve always been on the planning & executing side of the business—never in sales. Having recently started CBC Events, I am having to reach out to a lot of agencies, companies, & brands to sell my services, which has been a complete learning experience in & of itself for me.
What are the rewards of your Side Hustle?: Orchestrating an event, meeting, or hospitality venture takes a lot of time & organization, especially when there are a lot of vendors & moving parts. As a planner, I am on-call 24/7 & work a lot of 16-20 hour days.
BUT when the event is over & the client is happy & the attendees enjoyed themselves, it is such a rewarding feeling.
I also get to meet some pretty amazing people & travel around the world!
Who is your greatest supporter?: Friends, family, & former colleagues who have given me amazing advice, connected me with potential clients, & act as references. THANK YOU!
What is your dream for your Side Hustle?: The ultimate dream is to turn the side hustle into a full-time hustle. This is a big year for CBC Events, & I am excited for the future!
Do you have any advice for others working on a Side Hustle?:
Networking is so important! Do not be afraid to reach out to friends, family, & colleagues for connections or advice. You have nothing to lose & everything in the world to gain!
Check out CBC Events online, follow along on Instagram, or reach out to Catherine via email to connect or collaborate!
Logo Design: Michael Ryan Jett
