Welcome to the Inspiring Women Series! My intention behind this series is for women of all backgrounds and stages of life to share what makes them love their life. My hope is that, through sharing this, you become inspired to live more of a life that you love. If you are interested in being featured in this series please send me an inquiry at danielle@danielleyeager.com and I will send you more information. I am incredibly excited about this series because I see so many women floating through life not feeling engaged, happy, or loving life. I want everyone to love the life they are living and live to the fullest!

The inspiring woman being featured this month is the wonderful Ruth Lapin, here is her story:

Tell us how you are living a life you love? 

First, I have an amazing marriage. My partner supports everything I do…even when I am out until 2:00 am working an event. My company was born in 2000 and it has slowly grown in a manageable way and I have not regretted moving in this direction for one second. A few years ago, I decided that I would prefer working on gay and lesbian events. It seemed less pressure because my imagined geographic is a couple old enough not to have in laws involved in the planning process. I am slowly but surely moving in that direction. I just did a 30^th birthday party in the Hamptons where the client emerged from a floating clam in a merman costume. It was MUCH more fun than any party I have planned and went seamlessly. I only accept jobs I want and turn down jobs that feel yucky and interfere with travelling with my husband. I have four amazing kids who all respect me and turn to me when facing life choices. I love my huge loft in Brooklyn and my magical house with waterfalls in Woodstock. I have supportive friends and go out of my way to help people which makes me feel wonderful about myself.

What hurdles came up on your way to getting there?

Many, many hurdles. Leaving a bad marriage, crises with the children who fortunately have all made it into healthy adulthood. Deciding what my new career should be…whether to go back into video production or start an entire new business. The hardest was learning to say no!

What has been the biggest help in living a life you love?

Confidence, support from my family and friends and my husband’s love.

What is the best lesson you have learned along your journey?

Be true to yourself and follow your dreams.

What would you say to someone who feels like living a life they love is impossible?

Nothing is impossible.

How are you continuing to ensure you love your life every day?

Not berating myself for mistakes, loving who I am and being strong enough to know when it is time to say, “no.” I also write a blog about my passion, (not my work) which is travel.

Ruth Lapin Events is a boutique event consulting company operating in the greater New York area. We offer unique event planning solutions for individuals and corporate events.  We specialize in LGBTQ events and gay and lesbian weddings. We reduce the stress associated with organizing any type of social or corporate function while saving our clients both time and money.

We pride ourselves in our originality, finding venues, photographers, caterers and designers for your destination wedding, product launch and celebration. Our energy, professionalism and attention to detail ensure flawless execution of your special event every time.

After graduating with a degree in photography and journalism, I began my career as a video producer working primarily in fashion and cosmetics and as the co-owner of Chelsea Garden Center in New York City.

In 2000, I founded Ruth Lapin Events. With experience in video production and the garden industry, it was a logical transition after planning all my children’s Bar Mitzvahs and the weddings of family and friends. Initially, the vast majority were corporate events all over the world including parties in Oslo, Tokyo, New Orleans, Berlin and San Francisco.

Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I traveled to Haiti twice to bring food and supplies, I devoted much of my time raising much needed funds for several organizations including Wings Over Haiti.

Presently, now that all four of my children are off living their own lives, I have more time for  clients and adventures all over the world.  Which is what I love to do! I love planning  events of all kinds but my absolute favorite are gay and lesbian weddings.  I am very connected to New York City and I write a column about New York City for Israel’s largest financial newspaper: (http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1000781568&fid=5086)

I have traveled to every continent and sourced many places for destination weddings.

I am great fun to work with and my expertise is at solving any issue that may arise. But most of all, my clients get more value without incurring outrageous expenses.

http://ruthlapinevents.com

I hope you enjoyed Ruth’s story of following her passion, self belief, and having support. Did you gain any insights from her story? If so, please share them in the comments and if you are looking to connect with other women going after their dreams join Ruth and I in the free facebook group Your Life. Your Way. 

Much love, Danielle