Alyson Thompson: Leading with Vision and Innovation at Birdcage & Blushers Weddings and Events

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Hi! I'm Alyson Thompson, the founder of Birdcage and Blushers Weddings, a Chicago-based wedding planning company known for planning personal, beautiful, and logistically streamlined weddings. I specialize in full-service and partial planning, as well as 90-day coordination, blending creativity and a warm, people-first approach into every event we touch.

‍

Who are your customers?

The majority of clients are busy professionals who are high-achieving, thoughtful, and style-conscious. They want their wedding to feel intentional, elevated, and personalized to reflect them (no cookie-cutter weddings over here!) Many of them are planning from out of town or navigating full schedules, and really value quality service, clear communication, and a planning partner they can trust.

‍

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before launching Birdcage and Blushers, I spent years in the hospitality industry, working in catering sales and event planning for major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton. That background gave me deep insight into the logistics and behind-the-scenes coordination that make events successful—and the experience taught me how to deliver exceptional service in high-pressure environments.

‍

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

The universe, honestly. Despite the encouragement of friends and colleagues, I was very hesitant to start my own business. Then a friend of a friend reached out to me and asked me to help them coordinate their wedding. Even then, I was treating it as more of a hobby than a business. But then I realized that my level of knowledge and my approach are really valuable and meaningful to a lot of people, and people are putting their trust in me to help them navigate a process that they aren't that knowledgeable about. That's when I committed to really putting my heart into this and treating it as a business.

‍

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Absolutely not. I am risk-averse by nature and love the comfort and reliability of a steady income. But as I progressed in my career in hospitality, I realized that if I wanted to provide the best experience for my clients, I needed the freedom to do it my way. The more I accepted that I didn't fit into the corporate box, the more I embraced being an entrepreneur. 

‍

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Balancing a growing business with a full-time career has been one of the toughest challenges. It’s taught me how to fiercely protect my time, build systems that can work for me (still working on it), and get really clear about where my energy is most impactful. Protecting my time has been GAMECHANGING.

‍

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Raising my prices to reflect my value and expertise and having people hire me at those new rates. Not only was it game changing but financially, but it also attracted more aligned clients that are an absolute joy to work with.

‍

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes! I recently completed a full rebrand of Birdcage and Blushers Weddings to better reflect the elevated experience I offer couples. The process included new visuals, refined messaging, and a more strategic service structure—along with an SEO-forward website overhaul. It was an intentional, months-long effort, but it feels completely aligned. I’m so proud of how far the brand has com,e and the response was incredibly rewarding.

‍

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I’m focused on scaling, taking on fewer, more aligned weddings, and growing B&B Events Group’s (my corporate events arm) reach in the corporate space. Long term, I hope to build a team of trusted planners and deepen my thought leadership, especially around thoughtful, inclusive planning and client experience.

‍

What is your top productivity tip?

Block time to focus! I get up early and use a quiet hour in the morning to tackle big tasks.

‍

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

Protect my time. I started only taking meetings on certain days of the week and not working past 7 pm.

‍

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

Protecting my time, scheduling breaks, and not being afraid to take a day off just because.

‍

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

The success of your business does not reflect your self-worth. 

‍

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Don't judge me: ChatGPT! As a chronic overthinker and a solopreneur, it's great to have a place to organize my thoughts, ideas, and business strategies.

What is your favorite business tool or solution, and why?

Honeybook! I've been using it since day one, and it's improved so much over the years from templates and integrations with other tools, to the automations - I love it!

‍

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

The same advice another Entreprenista told me: Do it scared. That, and find your community, they'll help you grow.

‍

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

‍