Thank you for joining the Herd!

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After 5 years of running Alpaca Picnic full-time, I’ve officially traded in my cargo van (pending… anyone interested?)

and approximately 300+ pillow covers to transition back into the corporate meetings and events world.

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In 2020, I moved from San Diego back into my parents’ house in St. Louis during the pandemic.

I had no job and was literally working at a fireworks stand (so hilarious), cleaning houses (less hilarious but so interesting), and ended up managing my friends donut shop in Kansas City (hilarious but not so much). 

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One late wine night, I remembered the beach picnics in San Diego and scoured the internet to see if STL had one..…

negative. the next day, Alpaca Picnic was born. 

(Thanks to Ross Milton for name rights, and to Rich & Blake Mills for housing me during my donut era.)

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It all happened so quick.

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I was featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show (3 months in biz)

Kate Spade (like tthe purse company) flew to St. Louis to host a wedding picnic for a bride.

(The bride sent them an invite to her shower...and Kate Spade + company showed up...in cool NYC clothes to Oak Knoll Park while I'm in Old Navy.)

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Sometimes, I'd have 5 picnics in a single day.

One May, I hosted 46 picnics. In 2021, I completed 290 picnics.

Mostly solo.

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I paid my friends in margaritas, and my parents unknowingly signed up for the worst unpaid internship.

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My dad did all the heavy lifting, giving my cargo van the Noco touch and building picnic tables.

My mom ironed every single napkin and hand-washed every piece of my gold silverware. Mind you, each guest setting had four pieces of silverware and none of the gold-rimmed dessert plates could go in the dishwasher. ​

I completely took over their house.

I paid zero rent.

They never complained and were somehow always proud of me.  

We watched every episode of Saturday Night Live because I was always home on Saturday nights.

 We were all cleaning, packing and prepping for the next day's parties.

 

But Society still made me feel like a loser.

Unmarried, living at home with my parents (on purpose), closer to 40 than 36. 

As I write this reflection, I get it now. 

So lucky to have this time with my parents. 

 

To my interns - Tanks

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To all of my clients:

If you see me in the wild, please say hi!

I promise, I'll remember you, your picnic, the theme or location. 

You've trusted me with some many meaningful moments. Thank you!

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To my vendor friends:

I'll be forever proud of you.

May you always have close parking, full cocktails, and a vendor meal waiting for you.

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Thank you for making my heart so happy.

— Julie

 

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For all inquiries, please email info@alpacapicnic.com.

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Interested in purchasing Alpaca Picnic?

Don’t worry.

I’ll teach you how to picnic, tablescape & igloo + an internship course. 

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