Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Trent.
Hi Roger, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve spent over 25 years in Property Management. I started as a groundskeeper and worked my way up to managing properties. Often we were given a budget to do events for the residents. I would put these events together and often solicit my wife and friends’ help. Outside work, my wife and I were already doing stage plays at major venues, including Nashville’s own TPAC. We did our shows but were also hired to produce and direct other shows. We would have to rent venues, hire staff, bring in professional actors and singers, decorate the ticket area, and order food for the team; depending on the venue, we would sometimes have to bring concessions and PA Systems. It was a major undertaking. In the office, I was getting tired of the politics and ready for a change. I wanted to start a property management business but needed to know what my niche would be. I would pull out my budget every Monday morning, go down the list of everything we were budgeted for, and ask myself, “do I want to paint? Offer a cleaning service? Carpet service?” One day I was reprimanded by my Regional manager for not having our monthly event.
I explained to her that we were understaffed and I was overwhelmed with paperwork, inspections, and interviews. I put an exclamation point on what I was saying by telling her, “If I could hire someone to do it, I would!” When I hung up the phone, I thought Hmm, that’s a good idea—an event business. I pulled out my budget and saw a line item called Community Functions. That was when I came up with the idea to start my event company. I later lost my job and searched for another property manager job. After several interviews and being offered less money or lower positions, I decided to take a swing at my business idea. On my first day out of marketing, I signed my first contract, and we’ve been in business ever since.
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a challenging road. Property Management is a small community that uses the same people’s platforms and ideas over and over. For instance, when I started as a maintenance tech, I cleaned the carpets because the perception was that maintenance should do everything at that time. Why would you hire an outside person to clean carpets if you’re paying for a maintenance tech? But not just clean carpets, paint, do drywall, etc. The business had to evolve and understand there was value in using a professional to do that particular area of expertise. Likewise, today most companies have been handling events one way. They are having a tough time coming out of the old mindset and seeing the value in having someone come in and take care of everything for them so they can have the freedom to do things pertaining to leasing. Another big hurdle was the 2020 pandemic. Of course, personal events were canceled, and suddenly we were looking at being out of business. Through all of that, we birthed our online event services, which was the bridge to help us overcome such a difficult time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
We are an all-inclusive events team. We handle everything from inception to execution. We come up with ideas, send out the flyer, order food, bring in vendors set up for the party, and tear down. This keeps the property management team from having to work a full day and then stay after work to set up and throw a party., which often means tearing down all equipment, locking up, and getting home late at night. Most of our monthly properties give us a key, and we come in every month, do our events, lock up and send them pictures of the party. I’m proud of the fact that we are a part of building a community. A couple moved in from the United Kingdom at one of our properties. They didn’t know anyone in the States but came to every event. We introduced them to other residents and advised them on places to visit, and they became a part of the Nashville Community. The year they moved here, there was a major Tornado, a bomb went off downtown not far from their apartment complex, and a pandemic hit. Imagine going through all of that away from your family.
We could be their family and walk them through it till it was time for them to return home. What sets us apart is number 1 we are family owned and operated. We approach our work with purpose and bring the intangible energy you get from a loving family. Number 2 I spent my career in Property Management and I understand what you can and cannot say to residents, the value of resident retention, and the need to do everything excellently. These are the things that I instill in everyone who works with and for us. And lastly, we don’t ask for an apartment. Some companies will do your events, but not only do they want a hefty fee, but they want a free apartment. With this hot market, you want to have as many apartments as possible. We come in, throw a fun party, and then go home.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We also service corporate and private events. Look out for our podcast entitled By the 5th.
Contact Info:
- Website: Apartmentcommunityfunctions.com
- Instagram: @apartmentcommunityfunctions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACFevent/
Image Credits
Monique Gentry
