Nathan Zucker
There’s no denying Nashville is a town filled with success stories, and we’re celebrating the business- women who are writing their own. Whether they’re running the numbers, creating and capturing content, or building something from the ground up, here is one of the women that is running this town.
Becki Annastas
Owner and Chief Manager, Dream Events and Catering
THE DAILY HUSTLE
Dream is a 32-year-old event planning and catering company with a long history of executing incredible and memorable events—small and large, casual and elegant. My role as an owner has really become one of leading and facilitating. We have such a high level of talent on our team that I am not the one handling the details or logistics nearly as much as I used to. I really feel my value is in the history of knowing what we have done that works or didn’t work and why, so we can use that information to become even better day to day. I am focused on how our teams are developing individually and how we are developing as a whole, making sure we are staying aligned with our goals for our company and clients, and how it relates to our community.
CHALLENGES FACED
The biggest challenge was being a woman in a man’s world. I spent so much time trying to earn my way because it was assumed that I wouldn’t be able to do certain things. What should have taken me months took me several years to convince people that, not only could I do it, but I could improve it and then sustain it. Today’s challenges are more in adapting to all the change we have experienced over the last few years. We are better than before but also different. We have seen a lot and grown so much.
THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
Success is defined in so many ways. I think it is individual and from the heart. It is setting goals and moving the needle to get there. I think of it as being comfortable in your own skin. Creating a product or company that people are proud to invite into their lives, their families, and their intimate celebrations, is a true honor.
ADVICE FOR OTHERS
Be persistent and get out of your own way. Do not let imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or self-doubt set up house inside your heart and mind. Surround yourself with people who are different and maybe even better than you in certain areas and absorb it all. Check in with yourself to make sure your goals are still your goals and that you are on track.