Lots of companies will tell you that their attention to customer service is what they hang their hat on. Well, the nominator of Magical Memories Wedding & Event Planning of Benton Harbor contends that “Spectacular customer service is what sets them apart from other companies in that business.” They add, “They have a unique style and are always giving back to the community,” noting, “It’s just about money with them, they really care about their clients.” Apollonia Williams launched Magical Memories to be ultimately a wedding and event company, but she “has such a big heart that she is always giving back to the community in a number of different capacities.” In fact, during the pandemic they partnered with Benton Harbor High School to donate their services to assure that junior and senior students had a prom. Each year they also donate services to the Miss Benton Harbor Blossomtime Pageant by assisting with decorations and other needs. If you read on you will find multiple such instances where Magical Memories has contributed to the betterment of the Benton Harbor community on a variety of fronts. Tabbed as compassionate, professional and experienced, Magical Memories crew members love working for the team, and their ability to transform the impossible into the possible. See why Magical Memories Wedding & Event Planning is truly “where the Magic Happens,” by reading on about their addition to the roster of the 20 Best Places to Work in Southwest Michigan for 2022.
What is the name of the business you are nominating?
Magical Memories Wedding & Event Planning LLC
Who are the owner(s) and/or principals in this company?
Apollonia Williams
Business Contact Information
Magical Memories Wedding & Event Planning LLC, 721 Nate Wells Sr Drive, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
How many people work at the company you are nominating?
6
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
Magical Memories is a Wedding and event company, they design and plan all kinds of events such as weddings, baby showers, Birthday Parties, Corporate events, Church events and so much more.
What sets them apart from other companies is their Spectacular Customer Service. The owner and the staff make sure that everyone’s experience exceeds their expectations. They have a unique style and are always giving back to the community. It’s not just about money with them, they really care about their clients.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?
Magical Memories is ultimately a Wedding and event company, but the owner Apollonia Williams has such a big heart and they are always giving back to the community in a number of different capacities. During the pandemic they partnered with the Benton Harbor High School and donated their services to make sure the Junior and Senior students had a prom. Each year they donate their services to the Miss Benton Harbor Pageant by assisting with the decorations and other needs.
Magical Memories always host events that affect the people of our community in a very positive way. They have a program for young girls called “Pretty Is As Pretty Does” that teaches young girls about etiquette. They also host FREE dinners for the young men of our community called “How to Tie a Tie” wherein at the end of the program they teach each young man how to tie a tie and they all go home with a new one.
Magical Memories also hosts bi-annually a program called “Black Girls Rock BH” where they honor the “Unsung Heroes” of our community by giving them nice awards and serving them a nice dinner.
They have done numerous back to school events, Christmas giveaways and are just always giving back to our community in some way.
They have appreciation dinners for their staff and the owner is always showing them love and that she really appreciates them!
The owner is my close friend and she has a big heart and is always willing to help. She loves our community and it shows through the way she make sure she gives back.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
The employees that I know who work there always says that she includes them in everything. Although she is the boss, she still treats them like they are on top as well. She always shows them appreciation in various ways, one time she even surprised them with a professional photo shoot! It was really nice, and they were very happy.
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Yelp! or Trip Advisor. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
Magical Memories is not just about decorating and planning, they love to learn and grow with the families and make sure that every experience is the best! Their clients are like their family, and it shows! Apollonia, the owner has such a contagious sweet and fun spirit!
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
- Compassionate
- Professional
- Experienced
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Super Power One: Make any event dream literally come to life.
Super Power Two: Make the impossible, POSSIBLE.
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? — They give appreciation awards and acknowledge the “Employee of the Month.”
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? — She is always taking courses and attending seminars to stay up-to-date in the industry.
C] Keep communications open? — Networking within the community, Keeping an open mind.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
When they hosted the first “Black Girl’s Rock BH” Award show and honored a number of women from our community that don’t usually get any recognition, they all were dressed up and looked so beautiful and the older ladies were very appreciative because some said it was the first time they received an honor as such. So far, they have honored over 100 women of the community.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? — Certificates, Dinners
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? — Monthly meetings and outings
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? — Volunteering and donating services
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? — By hosting splendid events!
Write a brief, but compelling, recruitment ad telling people about why they should come and work there, too.
You would want to work for Magical Memories because they are compassionate, they are kind to their employees and very understanding.
They always are having fun and learning and growing together! The team is a great team to be a part of.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
They donate a free “Open House” Graduation Celebration for a senior each year.
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
- Traveling
- Employee Appreciation
- Learning abilities
If this is your company and you win, write the best headline ever for your company newsletter describing your successful selection to the list, and be as specific as you can about how you would celebrate the win if money were no object.
Magical Memories is named the BEST PLACE TO WORK, It’s where all the MAGIC HAPPENS!
I would buy each employee a new vehicle!
Tell us anything else you want about this company that you suddenly realize we haven’t asked you about, but you’re sure will be the thing that puts you squarely into the winner’s circle! (Wait a minute! Can you put a square in a circle?)
Last year they sponsored a Sweet 16 party for a young girl because the original party had to be canceled. Later on, the foster mom of the young girl passed away and it was really a blessing that she was able to witness her baby celebrate her Sweet 16, not knowing that would be her last time. I think that meant a lot to the company owner.
