Emily Hartstone, a visionary leader in the events and management industry, possesses a decade of invaluable experience. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her own company, where she has curated a team of exceptional talents.
In a testament to her unwavering pursuit of excellence, Emily’s remarkable achievements earned her a well-deserved promotion to vice president in 2020. Her commitment to professional growth was further exemplified by her completion of prestigious credentials, including the CNE, CDE, and CNC from NANOE.
Today, as CEO of her own company, Emily is committed to delivering exceptional service and creating remarkable experiences. With a hand-picked team, she is set to redefine the industry and make a lasting impact.
Finding a New Path
Emily’s upbringing revolved entirely around her passion for horses. Riding and training them consumed her life at that time. However, when she was diagnosed with leukemia, she sadly had to let go of her dreams and explore new possibilities. It was during this uncertain period that either luck or fate (perhaps a combination of both) intervened. A friend of hers informed her about an opportunity to work as an assistant for someone organizing a massive convention in Las Vegas, expected to host 3,000 people. This became a turning point for Emily as she found herself fully immersed in the exhilarating whirlwind of event management.
Embracing the role, Emily thrived amidst the beautiful chaos that accompanied running such a large-scale event. There were constant challenges to overcome, unforeseen issues to resolve, and a need to maintain composure among the attendees. Yet, she relished the vibrant atmosphere and the swift thinking required to bring the event’s vision to life. Additionally, her second event proved to be particularly memorable, as it involved a convention where she was in the midst of 10,000 firefighters. Emily found herself looking around and thinking, “Yeah, I could see myself doing this again!” The idea of always planning for new industries was very exciting for Emily.
Transformative Leadership Journey
Emily’s journey has completely transformed her mindset and her approach to leadership. She has come to realize that it is impossible to separate “who we are” from “what we do.” Being a survivor of a rare disease has been an arduous and isolating experience, often overwhelming. However, this challenging journey has provided Emily with immense clarity. She now knows precisely what she is fighting for and the kind of lasting impact she wants to make.
Surviving such a difficult ordeal has also taught Emily the value of partnerships. Despite our strength, intelligence, and capabilities as individuals, we cannot accomplish everything on our own. She has learned that seeking and nurturing partnerships is essential for success. Additionally, Emily spends a significant amount of time mentoring young entrepreneurs, emphasizing the idea that failure is not a personal reflection but rather a learning opportunity. From failures, one gains valuable knowledge about what doesn’t work, allowing for adjustments and the eventual discovery of a solution. In fact, failures often provide more profound lessons than success itself.
Building Strong Foundations
In both business and life, Emily places great importance on relationships, loyalty, and the presence of quality individuals with a strong work ethic. These qualities hold significant value to her. Additionally, Emily finds working with smaller companies particularly rewarding because such vendors tend to appreciate and remember the unwavering support provided during challenging times. In an era where customer service seems to be diminishing, even in the hospitality industry, Emily places great emphasis on delivering exceptional customer service. This commitment not only sets her apart from competitors but also aims to raise the standards of service within the industry as a whole. Every company, client, and project Emily is involved with has to lead to something good. This idea is more than just the founding principal of her business, it’s the core belief that keeps her grounded in her truth.
Also, Emily longs for a revival of manners and, dare she say, chivalry. She believes in the power of genuine human kindness and feels that the world could greatly benefit from its resurgence. These old-fashioned values hold a special place in her heart, and she recognizes the need for more compassion and consideration in today’s society.
Adapting to Unprecedented Times
COVID-19 had a profound impact on the hospitality industry, and Emily acknowledges that it was a make-or-break situation for many businesses. Since conferences and tradeshows served as their nonprofit client’s primary source of income, they had to find a way to ensure financial stability. Cancelling the events was not an option, so they had to get creative in their approach. Emily and her team implemented various measures to adapt to the new circumstances. For instance, they capped the number of attendees, implemented a green check mark verification process, and marked the floors with tape to maintain social distancing regulations.
Despite the difficulties brought about by COVID-19, Emily and her team embraced the chance to adapt and find creative solutions, turning challenges into opportunities for progress and innovation. She also took this time and opportunity to complete her Pandemic Compliance Advisor (PCA) credential for the events industry, and her COVID-19 Compliance Officer (CCO) credential for the film industry.
Comprehensive Excellence
From The Hart Management offers comprehensive services, including association and business management, consulting, event management and production, and marketing. It specializes in managing non-profit organizations’ day-to-day operations, handling tasks such as accounting, publications, membership management, education programs, and legislative affairs.
In terms of event management, the company excels in planning and executing conferences, trade shows, festivals, and sporting events. The team oversees all aspects of event production, starting from the initial concept and venue selection, until successful completion. From The Hart Management also has a dedicated marketing and graphic design team that primarily focuses on promoting and managing the social media presence of its existing clients. While it occasionally assists with brand identity, its main marketing efforts are directed towards serving its current client base.
Emily believes that the company distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results. Unlike “puppy mill” companies, From The Hart Management takes a selective approach, prioritizing the quality of service for current clients. If necessary, they are willing to decline new clients if it compromises the level of attention they can provide. The company takes pride in its zero-employee turnover and values the happiness of team members and longstanding clients who are treated like family.
Beyond Heroics
Modern organizations vary in their reliance on individual heroics or team processes. However, Emily believes that giving credit where it is due is essential. Great accomplishments are rarely achieved in isolation, and it is important to acknowledge the collaborative nature of success.
In today’s world, there seems to be a shift in the definition of achievement. Some online platforms glorify sleep deprivation and burnout as indicators of success. However, Emily believes this narrative is misleading. Modern organizations require leaders who understand the true essence of achievement, which involves identifying and nurturing the unique strengths of every team member.
Emily emphasizes the need for leaders who prioritize building a cohesive team and creating an environment that allows everyone to thrive. By shifting the focus from individual heroics to team dynamics, organizations can foster a culture of collaboration and sustainable success.
Becoming a Leader Not a Boss
Emily’s advice to someone entering a leadership position for the first time is to reflect on their own experiences before becoming a leader. It’s essential to remember how it felt to be annoyed, disappointed, or betrayed by senior leadership. Drawing a clear line between a leader and a boss, she suggests starting by asking oneself what kind of leader they want to be. If the intention is to engage in a power trip to fulfill personal ego, this mindset will likely create a negative company culture that undermines any attempts to build something meaningful.
Emily stresses the importance of humility, taking ownership of mistakes, and seeking opportunities to empower the team. Treating the team well and maintaining clear lines of communication are key factors in ensuring their continued dedication and hard work. By demonstrating respect, humility, and a willingness to listen, leaders can create a positive work environment and foster a strong sense of teamwork.
Website: https://fromthehartllc.com/
