Balancing a 9-to-5 with a full-time business is no small feat — but for Colleen Bauer, owner of Fairy Godmother Events, it was a journey of passion, strategy, and persistence. Her story offers a roadmap for anyone looking to transition from employee to entrepreneur without losing their stability or sanity.
💼 From Banking to Ballrooms
Before Fairy Godmother Events, Colleen worked as a Treasury Services Division Manager at a major international bank. Her world was structured, rule-driven, and precise — everything the creative, fast-paced world of event planning was not.
But after chairing the Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference, vendors saw her natural talent for organizing and said, “You should be doing events.” What began as a side hobby quickly became a calling.
Colleen soon found herself balancing two careers — managing financial services by day and creating magical weddings by night.
✨ The Transition Moment: When Passion Meets Opportunity
Her bank president discovered her side business — but instead of reprimanding her, he embraced it. He gave her permission to handle the bank’s corporate events and even encouraged her growth.
That opportunity allowed her to sharpen both skill sets:
- Banking gave her budgeting and organizational discipline.
- Event planning allowed her creative freedom and emotional connection with clients.
The combination became her secret formula for success.
💡 The Profit Formula: How to Build While You Work
Balancing a 9-to-5 job and a full-time business requires discipline — and Colleen developed a system anyone can follow:
- Save First, Then Leap.
Before leaving her corporate job, she saved six months’ worth of expenses. Many entrepreneurs underestimate how long it takes to replace their income — financial preparation buys freedom and peace of mind. - Full Transparency with Your Employer.
Be honest about your side business. Colleen’s openness not only protected her from conflicts of interest — it created opportunities for growth. - Set Daily, Actionable Goals.
Every evening, she’d write down three business-related actions for the next day — a small but consistent habit that built long-term momentum. - Network with Intention.
She carried business cards everywhere and made it her goal to hand out all of them by Friday. Whether through lunch breaks or local events, she treated every connection as an opportunity to learn what others needed — not just to promote herself.
🌸 Budgeting Brilliance: The Banker’s Touch in Event Planning
At Fairy Godmother Events, budgeting is a superpower. Colleen and her team are known for helping clients stay realistic and organized.
She advises every bride — and business owner — to:
- Add a 10% “miscellaneous” line for unexpected costs.
- Be clear about financial priorities.
- Get creative within constraints rather than cutting corners.
This mindset mirrors what business owners must do: budget strategically, not fearfully.
👑 Building a Legacy Brand
What separates Fairy Godmother Events from the rest?
- A strong, cohesive team that communicates through cloud-based systems — ensuring no event misses a beat, even if someone falls ill.
- Powerful industry relationships. Colleen’s deep network helps her pull off last-minute miracles (like securing tents and restrooms overnight for rain-soaked events).
- A reputation of integrity and collaboration. Her team refuses to bad-mouth competitors — they focus on community and professionalism.
These values created legacy clients — people who come back again and again, and refer others to her business.
🧭 Approaching Legacy Clients & Expanding into Corporate
When Colleen left banking, her first step was leveraging existing relationships. She reached out to corporate contacts who already trusted her and let them know she was “open for business.”
Her advice for other entrepreneurs:
- Ask for referrals. Don’t assume clients will automatically think of you.
- Be visible. Use TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and local networking to stay top-of-mind.
- Stay relevant. Even established businesses must evolve and show up — not disappear after success.
☕ Staying Motivated When Time Is Tight
Between balancing a 9-to-5 and entrepreneurship, burnout can feel inevitable. Colleen emphasizes the importance of routine and mentorship.
- Set micro-goals you can actually accomplish.
- Meet regularly with your team or mentors — her Fairy Godmother team meets monthly for training and connection.
- Stay humble and curious. Take time to learn from others doing well and ask how they’re succeeding.
As Colleen says, “Reach out to someone who’s doing well. Treat them to coffee. Ask questions. People want to help — we just don’t ask enough.”
🌟 The Takeaway: From Side Hustle to Sustainable Success
Colleen Bower’s journey from banker to full-time event coordinator proves that discipline and creativity can coexist.
Balancing a 9-to-5 while building your dream business isn’t about working harder — it’s about working strategically:
- Use your day job to fund your future.
- Learn from your current environment.
- Build relationships before you need them.
- Lead with gratitude and excellence.
Because when you do, your business doesn’t just grow — it transforms into something magical.
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Reach out to our guest’s website: Fairy Godmother Events