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

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I realized the lack of business and management skills in the venue that I was hired to be a sales manager at. When I was reviewing the models and sales approach all my business skills, hospitality training, the years I spent in sales and marketing, paired with my years of event logistics all collided into an idea that lead me to starting The Venue Assistant. I thought, this would be a way to help small business owners and non-profits really succeed in the venue rental business.

What should our readers know about your business?
We have a different philosophy here at TVA. We teach and cross train in every aspect of the business. This includes management, sales, finance, social media, people skills, and all the little things and big things needed for a business to run. If you want to learn you just ask and someone will show you. We really put the clients needs at the forefront of planning out the model we create for them. Management is not a one size fits all. We really get to know the client and their needs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we JAVA at Cafe Ficelle in Camarillo. We would enjoy a catch up convo over fresh French inspired baked goods and an amazing espresso. Then off to lunch check out the outlet mall and get some designer threads. We would land at the Waypoint Cafe for an amazing lunch and watch the private jets land and take off after that, we might need a nap, but we could relax at the beach only 10 min away. Love Camarillo!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe my gratitude to a myriad of people that I was able to learn from over the years. In some cases, I even learned what not to do. I took a little bit of everyone that I met. The most memorable is my Mother. Her work ethic and people skills is what I lean on everyday. English was her second language and she had to work twice as hard to earn a living, but with her amazing big personality and likability I learned you can relate to just about anyone if you are nice and personable and most business is done over small interactions that lead up to big ones. Just be a good person and listen to what is being asked of you or your service.

Website: The Venue Assistant

Instagram: The Venue Assistant

Linkedin: The Venue Assistant

Twitter: The Venue Assistant

Facebook: The Venue Assistant

Image Credits
Magnolia West Photography
Chris J Evans
Love Rita

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