Meet Gina Sands

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Sands and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In January, 2022 We were all still in a covid fog. I had been an unscripted tv producer on the Netflix show Selling Sunset. With all production halted, I thought it would be a great time to finally start my own business. I have always loved events, from planning by daughters elaborate birthday parties to producing tent pole events every weekend for my shows.

I wanted to make it official and start my own event production business. After meeting with my friends to decide on a name, my pal Neil said..well, you always just handle everything..HANDLE IT PRODUCTIONS was born!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always loved a good party! When I think of an event, I always start with a vision of what it will look like when it’s completed. What’s the vibe and energy the client wants to evoke? What kind of music? What food and drinks will be unique and excite the guests?
When I meet with my clients, I try to understand what their goals and objectives are for the event. Who is the audience? How do you want people to feel when they are at the event? How do we make it memorable?
I have been known as “the Swiss Army Knife of problem solving” in the event and production space. HANDLE IT is who you call when you need to produce the launch of a jet breaking the sound barrier OR you need an upscale dinner party for 10 people produced..in under 24 hours!
Budget is always a concern, and I ALWAYS come at or under budget for an event. That means being creative…making things ahead of time, owning a glue gun, always having a steamer in your car and knowing how to source unique items. HANDLE IT has an amazing stable of vendors in and around LA that always go the extra mile and help with last minute needs. AAA rentals are my favorite rental company and my friends at HANDSOME RAM FARMS always supply and help consult on unique floral arrangements!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends are in from out of town I love to take them to Downtown LA. Smorgasburg at the Row is a great start on a Sunday morning. Amazing food vendors that are always changing. This is where I have found food trucks/vendors for my events. After that, I like to check out all the stores at the Row. My favorite store is DYLAN LEX. The most gorgeous jewelry and the best service (and where I bought my fav HANDLE IT middle finger ring!) The arts district is fun to walk around and there is a guided graffiti tour that takes you all around the area and you can also stop into all the boutique art galleries.

I always see if there is a fun concert going on at Pershing Square or check out the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek.
I am a born and raised Angelino and proudly live in the Valley. The best spot for happy Hour is Mirabelle Wine bar in Valley Village.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dear friends and mentors George Leon and Neil Newman helped me come up with the name of my business and we put pen to paper (literally a sharpie and scrap paper) to sketch out what I wanted HANDLE IT PRODUCTIONS to be. HANDLE IT is an event production company, specializing in corporate and upscale events. In addition to conceptualizing and executing the perfect event for a client, HANDLE IT also helps bring in brand partners to offset costs and elevate the event experience. With a corporate background in promotions and partnerships, I am fortunate enough to have a rolodex of brand and retail clients that spans over 20 years.

Website: https://www.handleitproductions.com

Instagram: handleitproductions

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamsands11/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.m.sands

Image Credits
Maddie Cordoba