Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Kadwell and Courtney Hopper.
Hi Dana and Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our story/business journey started in a way that many have before us – we saw a hole in the market and thought we could fill it! We were planning Dana’s wedding in 2005 and had a really hard time finding a venue that fit her, 200 people, guest count that wasn’t a hotel ballroom, country club, or a tent in a backyard! After lots of striking out and eventually settling for a country club, we set about planning her wedding!
One day, during the planning process, we were having coffee at a Bear Rock Cafe and we were talking about the venue she chose and what we liked and didn’t like about it and the conversation turned to what our ideal venue would look like. We sketched out a floorplan on a napkin and discussed what would be “amazing” and what we would get rid of to create what we thought would be the perfect venue! I looked at Dana and said – “You know what would be fun?? Opening a venue like this!” We discussed a little further and decided that we needed to do a little market research and gather opinions beyond our own before embarking on our venue journey and the way to do this was to become wedding planners! Thus began C and D Events!
We planned weddings and grew our brand (and team) for about 6 years before we decided to broach the subject of venue ownership again. By this time, we had been at many venues and had lots of opinions and market research surrounding what would be “the perfect venue.” We started our land search and stumbled upon 8 acres in New Hill NC that seemed like it would work and began the rezoning process. That land worked out perfectly in terms of septic requirement, proximity to highways, and re-zoning ability and we were able to open the doors of The Bradford in 2014. We have grown every year in the number and caliber of events – starting with 12 events that the first year to over 110 events in 2021!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Our road has been paved with lots of bumps, twists, and turns! In the beginning, we thought that the hardest part was going to be dealing with the county. We had to apply for re-zoning, sit for an appearance commission, and go to six months of town meetings. We thought FOR SURE this was going to be the biggest struggle and it was actually the easiest part of the whole process. Chatham County was and has been such a huge cheerleader for our business.
With re-zoning and approval out of the way- we quickly found out our biggest struggle – finances. We started construction in 2013 and finished in 2014. We were just coming off of the recession and while that fact allowed us to scoop up the land for an insanely great cost – not a single bank was loaning money. We started construction with a conventional mortgage for the house (which is residential) and were planning to finish with a business loan for the gathering space (which is commercial). Halfway through – the financing fell through and we were left with a half-built ballroom, no money, and no idea how we were going to finish this project.
Luckily, we don’t give up easily. We picked ourselves up, scraped up every single penny we could find (retirement funds, savings, and credit cards), and put in a TON of sweat equity to get the project finished. It was grueling. While the finances were a struggle – the amount of pressure and exhaustion was another struggle. We each had families that needed their moms/wives and it honestly felt like we were failing at every turn. The project finally finished and six months later we found a bank that would refinance it all, get us out of all credit card debt, and take a chance on this business. It was our saving grace.
As we have navigated the last 7 years – our struggles look different. While the finances are no longer front and center – growth and scaling are a bump in the road we are so happy to have. While it is never easy to figure out how to grow responsibly, and how to expand your team – it is where we have found our true passion and love for business. It is what led us to start Hustle and Gather (Podcast, speaking, and training). We understand what it is like to start a business on sheer grit and tenacity (and a little bit of luck) and we love encouraging other entrepreneurs in their journey!
As you know, we’re big fans of The Bradford. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Once we realized back in 2012, when we bought the land, that this venue dream was going to be a reality- we took some time to figure out what we wanted our business to look like. We both quickly agreed that the hardest part of a wedding weekend was feeling like you never really got to see everyone and it all went by so quickly! Our original sketch on a napkin was much more akin to a warehouse-type structure with multiple places to use.
We took that general idea and added a house to the front with sleeping rooms so that brides, grooms, and family members can all stay on-site and have more time to visit, relax, and enjoy the weekend. Our mission statement and overall philosophy is that a wedding is so much more than a single day. We are known for our hospitality. It is the foundation of our company. We love everyone, accept everyone, and want every single person that steps foot on this property to feel like they are not only welcome but welcomed home. We have thoughtfully designed The Bradford to flow easily between spaces and the day (no matter how configured) to feel seamless to all guests.
We pride ourselves on being a team player and the fact that our vendors feel very supported when they work here. No wedding is 100% perfect, there are always small hitches that are unavoidable. For us, we view each event as a team effort – we succeed or fail as a team. We have a can-do attitude and will do everything in our power to make each day perfect for our clients.
There are so many great venues in the area and we love the community of venue owners. We all have our own unique niche and what makes us all stand apart. For The Bradford – what sets us apart is our flexibility. Our property is not pigeonholed into one look. It can be old-world, classic, traditional, rustic, boho, modern, and everything in between. We are also uniquely situated where we are close to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the property feels very secluded and rural even though we are just a short drive to nearby hotels and amenities.
We have poured so much of ourselves into this brand and I can honestly say that we are most proud of our relatability and welcoming environment. We wanted to create a space that celebrates individuality and all of the different paths and experiences that bring us together as people! We can honestly say that all are welcome in our space and we are excited to celebrate everyone who passes through our doors. Our Mission Statement sums up who is so perfectly: The Bradford is nestled on 12 acres in the quaint town of New Hill, North Carolina. It was intentionally designed to embrace the countryside of Europe while incorporating the serenity of home.
A place where effortless elegance meets approachable luxury. We celebrate our clients with a level of unparalleled professionalism. Our service is authentic and unscripted. We strive to create genuine connections to make the wedding process uncomplicated and stress-free. We believe individuality should be celebrated while creating a warm, relaxing, and welcoming environment. An event at The Bradford is not just a day or a single moment. It is a uniquely tailored experience.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
We like to think back on the beginning of our journey – and what was useful and what was not when answering these types of questions! First, surround yourself with people who believe in you and what you are doing – We don’t care who you are and where you are in your business, everyone needs a cheerleader! Energy is easily transferred from person to person – whether it is positive OR negative! Choose to be around people who are putting positive energy into your atmosphere and it will carry you when you aren’t feeling so positive yourself!
Second, we have heard it said many times – Scared money isn’t productive money! And while we are not saying throw caution to the wind, sometimes you have to be bold with your resources to get to where you want to go – and it can be uncomfortable sometimes! We believed so strongly in the product and business that we were creating that we were willing to put much of our personal security on the line to create it. There were definitely some times of evaluation and worry but we knew that it would pay off in the end if we just kept moving forward.
Last, don’t give in to the belief that only you can do what you do! We are not trying to devalue you or your intellectual property, but where business owners get stuck is when they feel like they “have to do it all.” That is patently untrue. Realizing that there are people out there who can do what you do – maybe even better than you can – and want to work for you can be a real confidence boost and great for your business! It allows you to serve more clients and stay out of the fray of the day-to-day – which frees you up to steer your company to new heights and opportunities!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thebradfordnc.com
- Website: www.thebradfordnc.com
- Instagram: www.thebradfordnc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBradfordNC
- Other: www.hustleandgather.com
Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Fabiana Skubic.
