Master Profile Candice Benson, MBC™The Finishing Touch, Millburn, NJEmployees: 2 full-time, 2 part-time, 1 internRevenue Breakdown: 70% consulting, 20% stationary, 10% rentals973.525.5884 • candice@thefinishingtouchevents.comwww.thefinishingtouchevents.comTwitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and FourSquare Family: Husband, Brian, my high school sweetheart, and daughter, Katerina, 1.Education: Bachelor’s degrees in history and political science, Rutgers University, New Jersey; Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute.ABC involvement: New Jersey state coordinator and LNG co-director for four years prior; International Conference 2008-2010; continuing education class presenter.On becoming a MBC™: I was a Professional Bridal Consultant™ for two years prior. In preparing my materials with the new points system, I was able to then go for Master. It’s important to raise the bar of professionalism in our industry. This can only come from continued education for new ABC members and those who enter the industry.The business: Full-service wedding planning and design services for local and destination events; custom, couture invitations and event-related stationery; full design and event-styling services.Getting started: Leaving college, I worked in politics, planning some of the largest campaign events in New Jersey. I later culled my creative, organization, and time-management skills as a project management consultant. My life changed forever when I planned my first wedding in 2003.Mentor: ABC member Christine Figliuolo took me under her wing. She was never afraid of “competition” and was interested in helping me start my business right. Now, she’s a very good friend.Goals: Growing our planning and stationery services and exploring new opportunities to mentor and coach fellow consultants.

Inspiration: Fashion industry; blogs like Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, Bumpsmitten, Aisledash, Godin’s Blog, The Business of Being Creative, Preston Bailey’s and Colin Cowie’s blogs; and magazines like Well Wed, InStyle, Vogue, Glamour, Oprah, Real Simple, and Parenting.

Marketing strategy: Local advertising, mostly online, but also through targeted print ads for key venues in the state. We also position ourselves as media “experts” in publications and style blogs.2011 wedding trends/influencers: Brides look to television wedding shows and Hollywood celebrities for inspiration.In the media: Published monthly on (201) Bride magazine’s website; has been featured in numerous regional publications, including New Jersey Bride, Brides–New Jersey, Contemporary Bride, The Knot, The New York Times, The New York Post; featured on Get Married’s TV in 2010.Favorite wedding: We planned a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic for a couple. It was not my most expensive budget, but the couple and their families were amazing. The bride was adventurous, and we incorporated beautiful colors in reds, oranges, and mustards into the beach ceremony and reception. The cultural ceremony was so touching it had resort guests watching too, and all were in tears—even me.Ideal client: A busy professional who knows what she wants but does not have time to implement it. She would also be open to fun colors and ideas to make her event truly unique.Staying fresh: At year’s end, we hold an annual review meeting to discuss lessons learned and strategies for the coming year.Words of wisdom: Join the ABC and other associations in your area as a way to build your network. Know how to provide good service to a bride before taking on clients.On her bookshelf: Mini Shopaholic, by Sophie Kinsella, and Linchpin, by Seth Godin. I’m also always reading The Success Principles, by Jack Canfield.In her free time: I love to read and spend time with my baby girl.Giving back: As ABC state coordinator, I give back through mentoring and education. Last year, we provided a wedding to a bride who was dying of breast cancer. It was amazing to see our membership work together on such an amazing cause. That made it a no brainer to take on the role of president for Wish Upon a Wedding’s New Jersey chapter.