Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Schaefer.
Hi Abigail, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in Saint Louis, I stayed through college and pursued a BA in Commercial Photography. I assisted predominantly on ConAgra and Budweiser shoots before transitioning to live music with the team deploying Best Ring POS in its initial iteration. Traveling to events of all sizes, from the 35,000-person King William Fair in San Antonio to the 120,000-attendee Lollapalooza in Chicago, became routine. The company was based in Austin so I moved there and as a team we began introducing the festival industry to credit card transactions one event at a time. Initially combining cash and credit, deployments eventually became entirely cashless, thanks to RFID technology in wristbands and credentials.
By the time the pandemic hit, I was the Director of Operations at Best Ring, managing everything from sales and invoicing to on-site logistics and deployment. I was also deeply involved in product interface, hardware feature development, branding, and marketing. The pandemic halted events, ending my role at Best Ring. Though heartbroken, this shift allowed me to envision a new future for myself. I began taking contract work when the world opened back up. The freelance side of the industry now appealed to me due to the potential for significant earnings and large amounts of time off. I really loved the variety of new departments I could take on, including Gate Operations and Security, Access Control and Ticketing, Transportation and Energy Services, and Artist and Festival Merchandise.
The path I was on pre-pandemic was leading to serious burnout, but this period of self-growth allowed me to reset and re-evaluate my priorities. Now, I aim to refine my skills rather than accumulate varied experiences, leading me to sign on full-time with Front Gate Tickets. I chose this team because they prioritize people and relationships over existing skills and experience, which, while important, mean nothing without the former.
This work has taken me around the world to different countries, and I look forward to where they will take me next. I’m excited to continue growing in the event management space and building meaningful connections along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Navigating my career path hasn’t been smooth, but the challenges have shaped my journey. Transitioning from photography to event production and technology was a significant leap, requiring quick adaptation to environments with established knowledge bases like AWS and MySQL, as well as proprietary systems with no written documentation. This period involved intense lessons, especially in properly handling large amounts of money. Each challenge expanded my skill set and developed my problem-solving skills, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field where proving my competence was an additional, unspoken challenge.
Starting any company is challenging, and the festival industry is no exception. Introducing the concept of digital transactions to new users while simultaneously developing a new product was a demanding task. It required countless hours of on-site logistics, troubleshooting, and continuous iteration based on real-time feedback. There were occasions when I worked for 36 hours straight to resolve system errors, catching only brief moments of rest before returning to the site. At times, I even slept there to save commuting time, a valuable lesson learned with a toothbrush always packed in my bag.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Specializing in event production and technology, I develop, deploy and manage RFID-based systems for large-scale events. I’ve worked at events ranging from neighborhood block parties with 1,000 attendees to parades with 500,000 spectators. Notably, I’ve contributed to inaugural sporting events like F1 in Las Vegas and helped set up a theme park on a freshly built island in Doha, Qatar.
While professional achievements hold significance, one of my proudest moments arises from overcoming personal fears, drawing inspiration from the Dune saga. Confronting my fear of flying, which was a hurdle I faced before every event, I recited the mantra from the books,
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
Over time, I conquered not just the fear of flying, but a broader spectrum of apprehensions, including fear of failure and the unknown. Each triumph bolstered my confidence, reinforcing the understanding that challenges are opportunities for growth and transformation.
What sets me apart is my ability to simplify complex topics, transforming them into easily digestible information. As a designer, I excel in crafting visually compelling presentations that convey key messages with clarity and impact. I leverage my skills to effectively communicate to a broad range of audiences. Whether it’s training a large group on equipment usage or persuading shareholders to invest in new technology.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck, both good and bad, has undeniably shaped my life significantly. I believe in constant learning and improvement, as opportunity doesn’t wait. While it’s easy to dwell on missed chances due to timing or other reasons, I see them as part of life’s ever-flowing river, with new opportunities always ahead. Maintaining forward focus has led to a fulfilling life, brimming with experiences in both my career and personal life. Fortunate circumstances have opened doors to unimaginable possibilities, like an extended contract in Qatar. Despite initial apprehensions, I took the opportunity and met the love of my life, proving that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Conversely, I’ve also encountered setbacks and challenges due to bad luck. However, I usually find a silver lining in these situations, which makes them feel less daunting. Just last week, I asked my roommate to drive my car because I was tired from a road trip. We got into a wreck, and my vehicle was totaled. While this was a material setback, I was genuinely happy that we all walked away with only minor scrapes. Perception is everything. While I cannot control every outcome, I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty
Contact Info:
- Website: abigailschaefer.com
- Instagram: @sassyabigirl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailschaefer/
