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#bts 🙌 with event planner @bartustaylor and the beautiful @buzzevents team | we love @buzzevents for their never-ending desire to create amazing, unforgettable, epic events from beginning to end possessing a keen (and uber stylish eye) for every single detail ✨#scouted #behindthescenes #buzzeventstyle #epicevents #livelovelocal #tsgnwarkansas #thescoutguide #event #planner #design #style #eventplanner #wedding #eventplanning

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Event planner + designer Bartus Taylor, owner of Buzz Event Planning & Design, talks “a day in the life” with Nikki Spurlock, local blog writer for The Scout Guide Northwest Arkansas.

What’s All the BUZZ: 24 Hours with Bartus Taylor

As I approach the double doors of Buzz Event Planning & Design (21 West Mountain Street, Suite 120, Fayetteville, AR), I hear the beep of a car alarm and turn around to see Bartus Taylor, founder and owner of the biz. Wearing a long caftan, sunglasses, fabulous fringed sandals and a larger than life smile, we hug like old friends. As Bartus unlocks the door to his office he flips the lights on to an event planning haven. Mouth open, eyes wide, I am mesmerized by the layers of fancy that I see…and smell, for that matter. Flowers, statues, columns, greenery, glassware and stringed lights everywhere. Bartus says with a swipe of his arm, “Let’s get outta here! It is a mess!” Apparently, a late weekend event made their typical “clean up” impossible, although I thought I was in a party wonderland! 

So, from Bartus’ office/studio we head back out the door. I was positive we would hit it off, but little did I know how I would walk away from our time together truly inspired by Bartus, his dedication to his business and clients, and his positive outlook on life.

We walk to a nearby local coffee shop and find a spot nestled off to the side. What better way to find out about someone than a fun and invasive round of rapid fire questioning? […which proved to not be rapid at all for the mere fact that between Bartus and myself, there is no lack of conversation.] Without hesitation, Bartus was ready:

Hidden Talent: In his gorgeous African accent, “There is nothing hidden in here! What do I have to hide? If I can’t be myself then I just can’t be at all!” Bartus references his childhood in Africa and then move into the United States at 18. “I’ve been through too much to be ashamed of anything!” His confidence is palpable and moving.  

Biggest Fear: “Letting people down,” which is ironic considering Bartus’ level of assurance. His face melts from this giant smile [eyes and all] to this defeated almost childlike disposition. We dive a little deeper into this topic. This fear is more relevant today in context to his work at Buzz. “I created this business from nothing! I owe it to myself and those that got me where I am today to be the very best I can be.” Event planning changes as quickly as the day. The styles, the cultures, the political influences all effect the way clients place their decisions. For Bartus, he has to stay ahead of these persuasions to ensure he gives the best service possible.

[I am so captivated by this conversation. We are literally finishing each other’s sentences and then laughing hysterically, which I can imagine is the comfort Bartus finds with his clients.]

Fave Day of the Week: “Every day is my favorite. Waking up and knowing that I’m alive is enough for the day. Sometimes when I’m being a brat…giggle…and complaining I realize, it’s really not that bad!” He giggles again.

First Celeb Crush: “What’s his name? ...he’s not a really popular actor…kind of under the radar” …he agrees to let me know the second his name pops into his head. Seven hours later I receive a text…Josh Lucas! Ahhhhh…yep, I get it!

What’s for Dinner Tonight?: “Probably Popeyes”…we laugh! He’s all “I LOVE me some Popeye’s chicken!”

Favorite Word: “Gratitude. I'm just grateful for the people that support me and surround me. My clients, mentors — anyone that has ever trusted and believed in me — I have all the gratitude for them." 

Least Favorite Word: “Curated” with a way dramatic eye roll, literally throwing his head back, he explains how the word is so overused these days, with “experience” being his second least favorite…especially when used together. “oh please [his hand shews it away],” he says. …and I was right there with him.

Guilty Pleasure: With really no guilt at all…” Netflix!” Yes!!! And before I could get the words out…what’s the most binge worthy series? And with both hands on his face he laughs and loudly whispers “Sex in the City!” He giggles in this high pitch tone that makes everyone look and smile. It’s contagious. I giggle. We start the hysterical laughing and he says through his laughter, “right?!” My cheeks are sore and I have tears. Good tears.

When Bartus speaks he lingers on every word, as if each is as significant as the next. He often closes his eyes to find the best way to appropriately communicate his thoughts. His smooth voice accentuates his passion for life. I ask him, “if your hands were tied down, would you be able to talk?” He says YES…because the movement of his whole body and facial gestures would take over. With this we delve into what 24 hours of Bartus Taylor looks like.

24 Hours With Bartus Taylor

4:30 a.m.: Wake up! “I head to a quiet place to set structure to my day.” Bartus looks over his schedule, posts on social media, and plans his execution for the day.  I’m getting the feeling that serenity is a must for this businessman who hits the ground running the second he steps out the door.

Around 6:30 a.m.: Laundry time is imperative. “I iron my sheets every day. I love to have ironed sheets that are crisp and fit perfectly on the bed.” Wait. What? I ask, “you iron your bed sheets?!” I can’t even get the words out and he’s already shaking his head up and down as if to say “absolutely!” Order is of utmost importance, as a career in event planning doesn’t always lend to predictability or outcome.

These 4 hours from when Bartus wakes up until he leaves his home to head to the office set the tone for his day. Solitude and self-reflection are essential. Bartus says, “I dress how I feel that day. If I feel like wearing hot pink pants, then I wear hot pink pants.” He admits to going through a black and gray phase for a while, but decided that adding color to his wardrobe made him express more accurately how he is feeling. We then get off on a tangent about his over the top obsession with shoes and fabulous shoe collection. “Shoes are everything!” He admits to at least 150 shoes in his closet. I can picture the perfectly aligned rows of shoes, all colors and styles.

8:30 a.m.: Bartus leaves the house to head to his business of 15 years, Buzz Event Planning & Design. This is his last moment alone before he shifts into full Buzz mode!

9:00 a.m.: After about a 30-minute drive from his home in Springdale to his office that sits right on the Fayetteville square, Bartus meets his coworkers, Brandi and Alyssa, who he lovingly refers to (with a giant grin) as his “team” and “family.” With a pot of coffee brewing, they have their morning ritual “kitchen table time,” where they discuss what’s going on in their own lives, what’s on the agenda for the day and the week, what clients they will be serving and what their specific needs and wants may be, what appointments they have for the afternoon, and everything else that puts them on the same page as one another. Bartus speaks so highly of these ladies. “They can learn from me but it’s more important that they know how much I learn from them. I always want to know their thoughts and opinions before a decision is made.”

Around 11:00 a.m.: The Buzz team concludes their “kitchen talk” and spend about an hour scheduling appointment with clients and confirming their afternoon for that day.

Noon – 1:00 p.m.: Away for lunch

After lunch until 5:00 p.m.: This is the time where Bartus meets with clients.”Your job is to give people what they don’t know they want.” I had to repeat this out loud a few times to fully understand. There is an element of mind reading that Bartus has to achieve to fully understand what his client wants. “Many times, they know what they want, but they don’t know how to [he pauses…waves his hands in front of him] …they don’t know how to let me know.” There’s a whole process of listening and offering ideas back and forth until Bartus’ clients are completely satisfied. He won’t settle for less than perfection. Ever.

5:00 p.m.: Hungry from a long day, Bartus leaves the office and stops at either Popeye’s Chicken, Penguin Ed’s barbecue, or the Fresh Market for a rotisserie chicken take-out dinner. I laugh. He laughs. “People are always surprised when they hear I eat at Popeye’s!” He shrugs his shoulders and giggles…loud… “I don’t know why,” with his hands in the air as if to surrender to the judgement.

6:00ish – 11:00ish p.m.: Home. Eat. Tennis. “I have a court in the back yard, so I love to go out and play tennis by myself.” This is the time for Bartus to relax. After getting a little physical activity in, it’s time to chill out in front of the TV, listen to music, decompress the brain…until he succumbs to the sleep gods.

Bartus enjoys the vibrancy and community spirit represented by the Experience Fayetteville art mural during his walk from his office located on the Fayetteville Downtown Square to his favorite local coffee spot Arsaga’s Church & Center. Art mural by local artist Olivia Trimble. 

Bartus Taylor might be one of the most passionate individuals I’ve ever met. His joy is infectious, and his generosity is undoubted. He’s funny. He’s adorable. He loves big. Bartus speaks with intent. During our time together no less than five people come up to say hello to him and give a quick hug. He introduces me to each one and expresses right there how they have influenced his life. It’s clear why he’s so good at what he does. With tears in his eyes, Bartus quotes his grandmother, “You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything.” I pictured him extending his arm and dropping the mic…and shouting “BAM!”

The Scout Guide Northwest Arkansas blog writer, Nikki Spurlock (left), and Bartus Taylor enjoying a selfie moment on the Fayetteville Downtown Square & Gardens.

Plan your wedding of a lifetime or unforgettable special event by connecting with Bartus Taylor of Buzz Event Planning & Design (21 West Mountain Street, Suite 120, Fayetteville, AR) at [phone] or email Bartus at [email protected].

About Nikki Spurlock, local blog writer for The Scout Guide Northwest Arkansas: Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Nikki’s creative expression began from the time she could hold a paint brush. "When I was 10 years old, my mom had my bathroom painted white and allowed me to hand paint the entire room as if I were standing in an aquarium." There were no parameters to Nikki's imagination. Extending the artistic thread through her adulthood, Nikki painted, created, sculpted, and eventually took to writing as a form of expression. Her bold and colorful paintings mimic that of her writing style. “When blogging I love to use humor and brutal honesty to relay a message. I typically just say the things everyone else is thinking! Nikki currently resides in Cave Springs, AR. “Blogging for The Scout Guide has allowed me to extend my writing roots out into our local NWA community that I naturally love to brag on!”

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SCOUTED #stunning | behind the scenes sneak peek of a ‘magical’ bridal session + photoshoot with @bartustaylor of event planning & design firm @buzzevents + event venue @theapolloonemma + contemporary artist @allisonhobbsart + @jasonhudsonphotos | @buzzevents. . .for unforgettable events and evenings, where every single detail exceeds your expectation 📷 @allisonhobbsart #livelovelocal #eventdesign #eventplanning #eventplanner #wedding #venue #buzzeventstyle #buzzevents #art #design #weddings #tablescape #style #floral #tsgnwarkansas #thescoutguide #local #nwarkansas (at The Apollo on Emma)