Karen Patterson

I have a very unique job at The Catering Company of Chapel Hill

as i do not work with the catering side of the business but the Decor side.

I have worked with JW Walton for almost 6 years. It has been an amazing experience being able to transform customers homes, garages and back yards into something like a magical movie scene.

We host Duke's Graduation ceremony and it takes a week and about 10 or more other company's to set everything up that is need to make their day special.

My job has been to assist with the designing of events, building the props needed and overseeing the transportation of and the complete installation at each event.

That involves organizing large delivery trucks so everyone gets in and out safely, checking each vender as they deliver their inventory.

Assisting them if needed.

Just a few examples;

The Stage Company

The Tent Company

The Chairs ,Flowers, Lighting, Pipe and Drapes, Table Linens, Flooring and every Vendor that is at each event.

Meeting all temp employees ( I try to learn everyone's name by day 2 of an event), assigning them their jobs and checking behind them at the end of each day.

Some events are just a few temps, but my larger events like Graduation or a Million Dollar Wedding ( I have done 3) I have 10 to 20 that I work with, doing whatever is necessary to help get the job complete.

My typical day at an event is that I'm there before anyone else and there after everyone leaves. Finishing incomplete jobs.

We have a lot of Decor items that we keep in stock, and I am responsible for cleaning, repairing and packaging them then storing them and knowing what trailer they are in or if stored in Henderson at our overflow warehouse. .

This is a high paced working environment and you have to be clear headed and sharp to keep up.

My husband and I open this Diesel Truck Repair Company in 1999.

From the beginning I handled all the office responsibilities, speaking with all venders, ordering parts and supplies. Setting up the computer programs for Billing and Inventory , Profit & Loss etc.

I customized templates for Taxes.

Oversaw inventory management to help control our cost and efficiency. Handled all the invoices, billing and processed payments.

Dealt with each customer's requests and delivery of services.

Maintained accurate financial records by going over everything at the end of each day/week/month.

My husband still runs the company and I still handle the books on a monthly basis to keep everything straight, but I took a step back in 2020 to work with The Catering Company.