Reflections of a Successful Wallflower: Lessons in Business; Lessons in Life

"This book is a life lesson, a success road map and a laugh-out-loud look into one of the great business and creative minds working today." -John Klymshyn, Author of How to Sell Without Being A JERK! and The Ultimate Sales Managers' Guide

Andrea Michaels is literally one of the backbones of the special events industry. Launching her business when there was no formalized or defined marketplace, she was and still is a trailblazer, pioneering the way for others to follow. Always on the cutting edge of the business, she has stacked up a pile of firsts (and 50 prestigious awards) in her legendary career - from initiating corporate branding and messaging into events and interactive themes that create experiences for guests to entering the international market ahead of her colleagues and incorporating never-before-used technology into her events, just to name a few. That alone should make her extraordinary, but she runs much deeper. Noted as one of the most caring and giving educators of our time, she has traveled the world to teach others not just her art and craft but to help them learn from her own mistakes. How did this genius evolve? Why is she so revered by all her peers? What does she know that we don't?

Reflections of a Successful Wallflower can only be compared to reading Andrea's diaries. This first inductee into the industry Hall of Fame shares, openly and candidly, not only the public wunderkind but the inner woman. Discover the workings of one of the foremost event producers in the world. You'll laugh; you'll cry; you'll be in disbelief and fascinated at the same time. She is a storyteller, and her stories and her life are great lessons for everyone.

Never one to miss an opportunity, this book shares the behind-the-scenes stories that relate to not just her life but her life in events and answers the multitude of questions she's asked. How did she keep it together with all of the personal and business challenges that are a part of everyone's life? How did she deal with the stress? How did she venture out globally? How did she manage to raise a child along with a 24/7 career? What about working effectively with different cultures and values? What did she do when nothing went right? Unions? Missteps? The weather? Dealing with inexperienced and difficult clients? Developing trust? What about new and current trends like "Going Green" and "Sustainability" and "Social Responsibility"? This book tells all.

What Her Peers Are Saying ...

"She is a leader, mentor and educator to virtually the entire industry. Andrea Michaels has set the extraordinary standard against which all special event professionals strive to be measured!" -Steve Kemble, America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru

"Meet Andrea Michaels and enjoy, laugh, learn and sometimes marvel at the stories she tells from her more than 30 years in the event production business. Her stories are entertaining at their surface, but read deeply and find the lessons to be learned ... By the end of this fun read, it will be apparent how it is that Andrea Michaels seems to have never met a sow's ear she couldn't make into a silk purse. It's that special talent that has made her such a sought-after producer and guest speaker at event conferences worldwide. " -Robert Abbot, Director - Corporate Marketing Communication, Mueller Co.

"Andrea has such fascinating stories to tell ... this will be essential reading for anyone who is in the business and can relate to all her experiences and how she lived and laughed through them." -James D. Murphy, Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations, George P. Johnson

"While Andrea is imitated by many, she is equaled by few." -Sally Webb, Managing Director, The Special Event Company, London, England

Author Bio:

Andrea Michaels, an international meeting and event producer, is the President/Founder of Extraordinary Events. In a few words, she sets the trends; others follow.