“A thousand fires can be lit from a single torch,” Sasha Bersheild says as she sparks empowerment for women across Nebraska. So, she began a Facebook group in 2021 called “LIT.” The word doesn’t stand for anything – it’s a concept. It’s believing (to the core) that other women deserve a safe platform to learn, grow, and connect.
Her greatest desire is for women to light their own torch from her very flame. She craves a beautiful ripple effect where women no longer consider each other a threat or competition. Instead, they could view other women as a safe place for collaboration, support, and love.
It didn’t take long for the spark to blaze. In June 2021, our women empowerment group caught FIRE. With over 3,000 women joining, we’ve created a safe place for women to come together through conversation, connection, and collaboration.
With monthly coffee meet-ups and in-home get-togethers, the group grew so big that Sasha decided it was time for an event larger-than-life. Thus born, LITfest.
Sidenote: Sasha is a badass. She’s a local legend. LIT means a lot to her, but her main pride and joy is Project Intentional. As seen on Kelly Clarkson Show, her non-profit babe is Project Intentional’s Winter Wonderland Emporium. You might remember this from a previous blog post.
What is LITfest?
As an official non-profit, Sasha opens her home to welcome hundreds of ladies to attend a yearly empowerment festival to raise money for one lucky LIT lady & business owner.
All those who attend or purchase a ticket to LITfest are eligible for the LITfest LIT Lady of the year scholarship. The 2022 scholarship included over $2,250 cash, business branding sessions, logo design, and much more. It’s the boost a babe needs to get her business bustling!
Design Styling for LITfest = Dream Come True
Several months before the event, Sasha and I met at her home (the future spot for LITfest). **** SQUEAL *** You heard that right! She picked The Party Bar to help with event styling in Omaha, Nebraska! So, with googling eyes, we walked her property to daydream about all the magic yet to come. And a side note, she’s got the perfect space for it. She owns a bunch of land, like a whole bunch.
Cookies and cupcakes must be in the kitchen piled high to the ceiling. And remember we’ll need a classy & sassy charcuterie board (for sure).
Shopping will take place on the lawn for women wanting to sell hand-made goodies and services. And the women (my favorite part) will all be owned and operated small businesses.
Oh, and the backyard…
Can you feel my eyes sparkling? I am in design planning heaven right now. Okay, back to it.
We’d need to create a space where women feel safe. It should be a space that opens conversations and hearts and meets minds with magic. Better yet, it’ll be where the magic happens!
Here our new family will listen to badass speakers. They’ll share their stories and inspire the audience to become even more badass. I might be quoting Sasha, but don’t hold me to it. The little lady is contagious!
Of course, I knew that styling the backyard would quickly become my heart and soul. And how could it not? Simply standing on the Earth reassured my existence. But, how would the other hundred women join in if I felt this way? Exactly.
Sasha and I knew what we wanted. And you know what? With the help of coffee and countless hours of planning, we pulled off everything from our vision.
What projects did The Party Bar help design?
- Deliberating colors
- Sourcing balloons
- Coordinating with vendors to match the decor
- Creating fridge (and the fun fringe party)
- Ordering billions of disco balls
- Building a custom bar
- Designing a custom LITfest neon sign
- Sourcing a VW Bus for rental
- Designing and printing of a large coloring book mural activity
Collaboration is a beautiful thing…
From an event designer’s perspective, I had the vision, but I needed the gals. Back to the roots of LIT – community over competition. So, I quickly called my friend Madeline from Jasmine Events and Juli from Balloon Villa to lock arms and join forces. Imagine the “Charlie’s Angel” version of balloon artistry.
Collaboration is a beautiful thing. And the good news is that there is no limit to what we can accomplish (and we’re going to have a great time doing so). Madeline and I (quite literally) filled an entire room with balloons before the event. Cackling, story-telling, and vibing – I thought, “this is what LIT is all about.”
…And **BAM** the weekend arrived.
On Saturday, we knew it was go-time. The Party Bar spent 5 hours jazzin’ up for the festivities – hanging neon signs, disco balls, and fringe galore. The backyard decor came to life, including a giant tent that hugged our guests. Oh, and a Sedona-inspired backdrop. Very Coachella, right?
The Big Day
My heart sunk into my stomach when my alarm clock rang on Sunday. Finally, after all the planning, the morning brought sunshine, warm coffee, and adrenaline to finish the final touches.
Madeline, Juli, and I met on-site to place the final touches for LITfest. Our last project couldn’t be more fitting. We set the stage for the day by placing marquee letters in the front yard spelling “GRL PWR,” and voila – the magic began.
But that’s what LIT is about….
It’s about sistership. It’s sharing good news and being brave enough to fail without fear or judgment. And when you feel alone, allow each other to wrap you up in our arms. You and me? We’re the mission. It’s finding endless possibilities and a whole lot of love.
Thank you, Sasha so much for being an inspiration to me. I love you to pieces and couldn’t thank you enough for letting me be a part of your larger-than-life events.
