
Founders' Forum From Babysitting to 40,000 Workers: Fearless Grit with Renee Patrone Rhinehart
She was babysitting to pay rent while building a business. But that 27-year-old had something her 44-year-old self admires—fearless grit.
Renee Patrone Rhinehart, founder and CEO of Events by Renee and Party Host Helpers, started event planning in 2007 when the economy crashed. Working part-time jobs for eight years, she went full-time in 2015. When clients kept asking for bartenders and servers, Renee launched Party Host Helpers in 2013, expanding nationwide within two years. Today, 40,000 gig workers power events from birthday parties to PGA tournaments.
COVID hit hard. With zero events, Renee worked at a wine store while pregnant and buying a house. Post-COVID demand skyrocketed her business. Now managing 10 employees nationwide, she builds her brand, streamlines technology, and expands internationally while serving on EO and NAWBO boards. Her secret? Show up, get involved, and ask "what can I do for you?"
Key Takeaways:
- Grit over perfection: Side jobs teach resilience you can't learn elsewhere
- Spot the pattern: Client requests reveal opportunities
- Get involved: Networking and service build business naturally
- Tech aids, doesn't solve: Streamline but expect new challenges
- Vision boards work: Write it down, visualize it, make it happen
About Renee Patrone Rhinehart:
Renee Patrone Rhinehart is the founder and CEO of Party Host Helpers, a nationwide event-staffing company, and Events by Renee, an award-winning wedding and corporate event planning firm. A natural connector and leader, she’s known for making hosts feel like guests at their own parties while empowering her team across the country to deliver exceptional hospitality. Renee frequently appears on TV and speaks at industry events, inspiring others through her passion for people, leadership, and celebration.
Connect:
Website partyhosthelper.com, eventsbyrenee.net
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/reneepatronerhinehart/
Instagram @partyhosthelpers, @events_byrenee, @reneepatronerhinehart
This episode is brought to you by The Satell Institute; the leading CEO organization dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Go to satellinstitute.org to learn more.
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