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Inspired by My Story Featured in Delta Gamma’s Anchora Magazine

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I LOVE being a part of the Delta Gamma fraternity. Being a DG has brought me so much strength, encouragement and confidence, and I wouldn’t be where I am without my sisters! It’s all about supporting one another, and I’ve had the honor of sharing some of my fellow DG sister’s weddings (here and here) on Inspired by This! Needless to say I was incredibly honored when Delta Gamma’s quarterly magazine, The Anchora, asked to include me in their “Cool Jobs” section.

They invited me to share my story of how I got to where I am today. You can read the article below or read the whole magazine here! Many of my readers may or may not know my personal family struggles that actually led me to what I am doing today. This article shares just that.

Two weeks after my college graduation, I received news no one wants to hear:  My mom, only 50 years old had been diagnosed with a rare form of dementia and was given 2-5 years to live. Being the oldest of five children, I felt an ocean of responsibility wash over me. But the priority shift led me to where I am today: in my dream job and honoring my mother. My carefree, post-graduation plans were to stay in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I knew my family needed me. Before I knew it I moved back to Los Angeles with my family, living the life of a caretaker. I spent the summer accompanying my mom from one doctor’s appointment to the next.

I eventually settled into my first job at a small business trade magazine. It wouldn’t last forever, but unbeknownst to me, the work was setting me on a path toward my dream career. I got my first taste of event production when I planned and executed an 800 person award show dinner for the company. After that night I knew my passion was not in corporate life but in working with people.
I knew it was time to redirect.

I had always had a knack for style and design as well as a passion for giving to others. “What a better way to combine the two,”  I thought , “than by helping people plan one of the most important moments in their life – their weddings!” Wedding planning brought me so much joy, but I again felt that need for something more. As a planner, I discovered a void in the wedding market. And, I felt compelled to fill it.

In 2007, five years after I graduated from Santa Clara’s business school, I created Be Inspired PR, a full-service public relations agency, dedicated to giving wedding planners, dress and jewelry designers, florists, cake bakers, photographers, stationery companies, and other vendors their deserved places in the spotlight. I unified my industry knowledge with media proficiency to open the first-of-its-kind firm. My modest staff and I create positive images and foster brand recognition to ignite vendors’ growth and sustain momentum. In four years, Be Inspired PR (beinspiredpr.com) has grown by 300 percent in revenue and has worked with more than 100 clients, including some of the industry’s most well-known vendors.

It’s been an expectantly bumpy journey but I discovered my true calling. As fate would have it, this endeavor allows me to channel my dad’s entrepreneurial spirit and pay homage to my mom’s life work as a floral and décor designer.
In life, there’s reason for everything. If I hadn’t pledged Delta Gamma, I would have never met the sisters who helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. If I hadn’t moved right back to LA, I would have never gotten to where I am today. If my mom hadn’t become ill, I might not be as introspective and as appreciative of all I have.

Last year, with my wedding all set for a weekend in May, I later realized it would coincide with Mother’s Day. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Nine years after Mom’s diagnosis, she’s still with us – physically, at least. Her memory is gone, but her presence is a constant source of inspiration and strength. She reminds me that the future is what you make of it.
Now I get to help others make the best of what they have, for in the words of Lorrin Lee, “Your life is your message to the world. Make it inspiring”

0 responses to “Inspired by My Story Featured in Delta Gamma’s Anchora Magazine”

  12. What a lovely article! I’ve been reading Inspired by This for a while now but I’d never heard the background of how it came to be. You’re such a business rock star! And agreed about how great it is to be part of a sisterhood.

  15. This gives me tears. What a story. I’m a DG too. Thank you for inspiring us all!

  17. How lovely that you get to honor your mother like this, she is your angel that will always watch over you, as you succeed in life and while inspiring others!

  18. Leila, I’m proud to have you as my daughter-in-law. You are so gifted and talented. Your parents did a great job and all of your hard work is paying off.

  19. Congrats on all of your accomplishments, Leila!

    I, too, am a Delta Gamma alum (Delta Lambda, Mississippi State). I had the opportunity to visit Zeta Epsilon, Santa Clara when I traveled as a CDC in 2003… have to say it was one of my favorite chapters!!

    If you are ever in need of imprintable invitations and/or other paper products, I invite you to visit my line, Address to Impress – https://www.facebook.com/AddressToImpress or view our catalogs here: http://www.issuu.com/addresstoimpress/docs/2011catalog

    Best of luck in the future… and ‘hope’ for many more years with your Mom!!

    ITB,
    Hillary Phillips Jordan
    Delta Lambda ’99-’03

  20. leila, thank you for sharing your story! it is so wonderful how life changes and pushes us to our paths that we wouldn’t have otherwise known to do! i am proud to call you a friend and fellow sister in dg! itb!!!

  27. What a beautiful story Lei…..so touched to have been a part of your journey with you!!!

  28. Leila, you deserve ALL of the success that has come your way. Congrats to you my sweet sister! You are a radiant example of living life beautifully! XOXO & ITB

  29. What a wonder artivle Lei! I loved reading it! You are so blessed to have your family – and they are even more blessed to have you in their lives!

  30. Love your article! I’m so fortunate to have you in my life. You constantly inspire me 🙂 x

  32. So proud of you and how far you’ve come. Your success and character is an ongoing tribute to both parents and the example that they set…

    Marlo and I are both lucky to have you in our lives 🙂

  33. What a wonderful tribute to your journey – and it’s far from over. I am so grateful to have you as an inspiration in my life.

  45. Dearest cousin, I have never doubted your potentials or your ability to become the person you are today. You deserve alllll the BEST and may God bless you and your family :))))))

  48. Leila – Thanks for sharing your story. It was beautiful! My mom has had breast cancer for the last 6 years and she had a brain tumor last year so I can relate to your struggle. Her strength has been so inspirational to me. Best of luck in the future.

  49. Leila, you are truly an inspiration! Not only of your dedication and love for those most important in your life, but also for following the events in your life with such a grace…and working hard to make your dreams come true! Such an inspiration!

  51. Leila, this was so touching- loved this article! I am so incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished and the phenomenal woman that you are. You truly are an inspiration!

  53. Leila, Congratulations on being featured in Anchora and for following your dreams. I also have recently followed my dream of becoming a wedding photographer and it’s been amazing to do something I love. I wish you the best of luck. ITB, Gen

  66. Hi Leila! You inspired me more than you can imagine! I have a bachelor degree in Public Relations and I am organizing my own wedding. I discovered I love weddings and I am starting to believe I can do it!!! I am from Argentina but I live in New Zealand! Maybe one day I will be like you for other like me!
    Cheers!

  68. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

  69. Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking
    about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Cheers

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