Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Gryglewska.
Hi Anna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I could remember, I was always planning parties, get-togethers, vacations, dinners – you name it. I absolutely loved the concept of researching and organizing a special moment for my friends and family.
Fast forward to college where I studied Business with a focus on sports management & hospitality. Throughout college, I interned for my school’s athletics marketing internship, where I managed multiple ticketed sporting events and got my first official experience of the event planning world! I was hooked!
Upon graduating college, I was very fortunate to get an amazing corporate career which included traveling the world working & managing global sporting events, entertainment galas & hospitality programs. I was living my dream life & job- visiting new countries, meeting amazing people and creating memories through live event experiences… what could be better.
I was taught at a young age the “right” and successful path was to go to college, get a degree, work a corporate job, and climb that corporate ladder.
And that’s exactly what I did.
But somewhere along the way, I had this voice in my head telling me that I was meant for more. I was meant to create a greater impact on the world. And that’s when I started dreaming up the idea of owning my own boutique event company curating transformational experiences for change-makers and visionaries. I never quite believed that I was someone who could make that dream a reality until I experienced my 3rd burnout in my corporate career. This time I knew something had to change.
It was then that I decided to take the leap of faith (after a lot of guidance by my mentors and coaches) and go all in on my dream! It was important to me to build a business that was rooted in community and connection but also curated an “elevated” experience. And that is how ‘The Elevated Collective’ was born!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Entrepreneurship is a journey of many ups & downs, twists & turns– but I think that is what makes it such an adventure! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything! To be honest, my business did not start out as an event business right from the beginning. Juggling the corporate day job and the “side hustle” for a few years was a huge learning opportunity. And during that period, I had many variations of what my business was; from being an online business manager (OBM) to a branding & graphics business and ultimately the event company that we have today!
I am so grateful to have gone through the different variations of this business because it taught me vital business & life skills, connected me with so many other amazing entrepreneurs, and introduced me into a whole new way of thinking and strategizing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Elevated Collective is a woman-owned & operated event company helping visionary businesses worldwide create connections through live event experiences. We offer three incredible services to support businesses at each stage of their event planning journey; 1:1 Full Service Planning, 3-Month Consulting, and VIP Intensives.
We know the true impact a live event experience can have on a person and a community. We pour our hearts into every event and retreat because we know we are helping create change! Our clients have a beautiful vision and we work together to bring that vision to life through collaboration, creativity, and purpose.
Our core mission is to help curate more connections, conversations, communities, and impact in the world.
What are your plans for the future?
Our exciting future plans include growing our team to be able to serve more clients, as well as building a space for aspiring event planners to help build their future businesses!
We are also excited about expanding our recently founded community event series, The Elevated Female.
Our team’s mission is to create the space & ability for more connections, more communities, and more conversations. We can not wait to do so with not only our clients’ events but with our Elevated Female events as well!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theelevatedcollective.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.gryglewska/
Image Credits
Chris Tyre Andrea Villamil Taylor Green Annie Strever Lauren Elizabeth Films
