0403: Intentional Growth and Operational Efficiencies with Jenna Mackanich and Jillian Mackey of Lilac and Lace Co. and Courtney Inghram of The Collection

This episode discusses the importance of strategic growth, intentionality and operational efficiency with 2 different rental companies. First is Jenna Mackanich and Jillian Mackey, owners of Lilac and Lace Co. located just outside Philadelphia, PA. The second is with Courtney Inghram, founder of The Collection by Courtney Inghram which services Virginia and North Carolina.

What’s in this episode:  

-Strategically Staying Small

-Creating Operational Efficiencies

-Defining Success Through Intentionality

-The Power of Sisterly Partnership

-Tricks for Managing Tabletop Rentals

Quotations:

"I think that that has become ingrained in a lot of us, the more options you offer people, that's positive... I have found that the less options I offer, but that are more geared towards a specific kind of client that has allowed me to find success in this small niche." — Courtney Inghram

"We were hungry because this was our first couple years in business. So we just took on everything... but we were creating a lifestyle that really wasn't sustainable for our home life." — Jillian Mackey

"I think we as women just want to make sure that we're talking to people in the right way and we don't want to offend anyone. You kind of almost shoot yourself in the foot a little bit... when you don't send those emails and make those calls and just put yourself out there." — Courtney Inghram

"So we've really streamlined our processes... and that's really, really helped us this year to the point where, I don't know if it's okay to say this but we owe way too much in taxes now because we're too efficient." — Jenna Mackanich

“The more instruction you can give people, the better. Because the person who rented it is almost certainly not the person who’s going to be packing it.” — Allison Howell

"It's very fulfilling to see the finished product. This is creating memories. People are sitting around a table together, having this once in a lifetime moment. That makes me feel good and like what we're doing is important and it's not just all frivolous." — Courtney Inghram

“Every year I feel like there’s a new challenge we have to overcome, but when you figure it out, it’s a really good feeling.” — Jenna Mackanich

“If you’re the type of person who needs help right now, send an email to a handful of people, because it might be that they can’t get back to you today but they can get back to you in the future. It’s not personal sometimes when they don’t respond.” — Allison Howell

“We have a very small space for storage, which has caused me to be very intentional both about the pieces that I buy and make an investment in and…sell off the pieces that aren’t doing their job anymore.” — Courtney Inghram

Resources: 

Never overbook or doublebook any in your rental inventory ever again with RW Elephant. 

Organize your warehouse with:

• Item Labels for your Event Rental Warehouse
• 5S Event Rental Warehouse Guide

Platescrape Dishwashing Kit for onsite scullery