We love good desserts and southern hospitality at #Black Southern Belle. Shauna Bernard of Canvis Events has embraced these values as well. Learn more about her love of the south and her entrepreneurial journey now!
Your Name:
Shauna Bernard
Business Name:
CanVis Events
Story of Your Business:
As a child, I loved cooking, helping around the kitchen, and being involved with family holiday parties. My bubbly personality and bringing others joy is how I got my nickname
“Smiley”. You will see there there is also a hidden smiley face in my business logo. My grown-up dream is to just be myself doing what I did throughout my youth: crafting, creating, planning, and designing events that celebrate life. In my former near decade career working with at-risk youth, I worked on small and large-scale events locally, regionally, and nationally. Now as a small business owner of CANVIS Events, I CAN bring VISions to life and deliver cherishable experiences through planning, design, and production. Based in sunny South
Florida, my event services are accompanied with a smile and endless uber creative, detailed, and personalized touches ranging from custom themes, invitations, decorations, and favors to
scrapbooking, day of coordinating, on-site hosting, baking deliciously addictive cake pops for dessert tables and candy buffets and making select gourmet hors d’oeuvres (cheers to a brief stint in culinary school). Whether it’s an intimate meal for two, away rendezvous, girl’s night party for the crew or an occasion even corporate event for a hundred or two, CanVis Events will get it done for you.
What is your favorite client story?
As mentioned, I mentored youth in my previous career. I recently set up and arranged a surprise marriage proposal for one of my teens who is now in his early twenties. It was so surreal setting up every intimate detail, as the bride-to-be had no idea. It was such a wonderful feeling to be able to do what I love for someone who I watched grow from a boy into a young man.
What is your website?
CanVisEvents@Shutterfly.com or Facebook.com/CanVisEvents. The majority of my clientele find me through my social media platforms, mainly Instagram @CanVisEvents
Who are some of your business idols?
I do have a few select people in my industry who I am inspired by, but honestly, I work to set myself apart from others.
Do you have any mentors?
My business mentors would be my fellow industry folks who I have met throughout this journey. Talking to people “like me” provides a wonderful support system and people who I can call on and vice versa when I have questions or need advice.
What is your favorite thing about being southern?
I am ALL ABOUT southern hospitality, especially with me being a part of the service industry. This is demonstrated much in the planning services that I provide: sit back, relax, and enjoy the festivities.
What is your favorite southern dish?
My favorite southern dish is Red Velvet Cake – I distinctly remember the first time I tasted Cake Man Raven’s famous Red Velvet Cake and how happy it made me feel.
This is the reason why my red Velvet cupcakes are one of my most popular dessert table items – I want my clients to experience that same feeling.
What is the most important thing you have done to build your business?
The most important thing I have done (and do) to build my business is talk to everyone! I love meeting people and hearing their stories and sharing my own personal experiences from my own professional journey.
What are your favorite southern brands?
Some of my favorite southern brands to use are Dukes and Old Bay. I put love and soul in EVERY item that I prepare and truly believe that the brands you use make a difference. Being Jamaican born but raised in the South, flavor, spice, and “pretty food” have always been a top priority in the household.
What is your favorite item or piece of clothing to wear/use while doing business?
My favorite item or piece of clothing to wear while doing business are my CanVis t-shirts and aprons or my business colors, specifically; gold. My business colors are black and gold because I LOVE Smiley faces and I feel that gold is a more fancy version of yellow. Yellow is a color of joy and happiness, CanVis Events, me doing what I absolutely love, makes me happy.
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
