Ok, So I F##k and Blind!

Those of you who know me know that if you ask a question, you’ll get the answer. It may not be the answer you like, but you’ll get it. Those who know me know swear like a trooper and can be as rough as sandpaper. But that’s how I am, and I’m moulded from a hard world. I make no excuses. And those who know me know I am honest and work to the highest ethical standards.

I’ll remind you. I paid back 10 thousand pounds of deposits and stand fees immediately the lockdown started. I knew there were many who would need this money in difficult times, even though others failed to support the exhibitors who had provided for them for many years.

I have helped people in financial difficulty and sometimes paid to help people out of my own pocket so they could continue to be part of the Well Being Brand. I am a person who works tirelessly to support and nurture new businesses and ways to succeed in the well-being world. I have given community members hundreds of pounds worth of assets and equipment to help them succeed.

And yes! I’m a rough and foul-mouthed bastard. But do you know? I’m sure there are many who respect my endeavour, ethos and integrity. But my tenacious attitude and dedication to the success of my businesses and those who are my customers make the events and my cafes work and be profitable. And it is the financial stability and clarity which is part of the deal. And the reason the community enjoys excellent facilities and backup.

So, when you read the ‘Wouldn’t Recommend’ LizianEvents Facebook Page statement. I’ll be clear why you as a Community have suffered for my words and actions. And you will suffer because of this statement. I apologise.

The people who stand at a Well Being Event are part of a community Liz and I have built over a decade. And all of you know I can be very tough with those who impinge upon your success.

When you attend an event, you must endure two ten-hour days of setting up, working hard, and travelling. And you have to work hard to return a profit and cover overheads. For my part, the money you pay for the stand includes the building, advertising, administration, and other aspects of promotion. And for your fees also pay for prestige venues and parking. It is an essential aspect of exhibiting at any event.

So, on Sunday, 11th of February 2024, Liz and I arrived to open the Lady Eastwood Centre. Only to be greeted by a large camper van parked across your parking bays. When the owner was asked to move, she smiled and said she hoped we’d have a good day. And walked away. There were numerous other cars parked in YOUR parking bays. Parking bays: you would need to unload and load your goods and equipment. Parking bays you have paid for. When Liz and I explained the situation, the answer was, ‘Well, you should have written a notice.’ Followed by arrogant smiles and no intention of moving the cars. Indeed, these people did not respect Liz’s explanation of why the parking spaces were needed. The arrogance encountered was not surprising.

I’ll take you back to the first event we organised at The Lady Eastwood Centre after the lockdown.
As many of you recall, we worked tirelessly with SAGE and the local council to make the show work. The main aspect we needed to enforce was track and trace. So, all exhibitors and visitors were asked to provide their names and postcodes before entering the building. At the same time, there was a dog show organised and guess what? A few wanted to use YOUR (The Well Being Community’s) facilities without providing track and trace information. IN FACT, the arrogance and sheer disrespect for the law at the time were unbelievable. There were people who were prepared to put your lives at risk. I asked one individual to leave, and he seemed to think he was above the law. ‘You’ll never get a name and postcode from me.’ was his contempt for your safety. Is it any wonder I have a great deal of caution?

I have no interest in allowing others to use the facilities you, as a community, have paid for, especially as these people attend an event with their own facilities. If they have to park on grass, this is what their organiser has paid for. So to choose to use your much-needed and important parking area. And ignore the explanation of why you, as community members need the parking area is pure arrogance. Is it any wonder I dug in my heels?

And yes! I did refuse the woman’s use of the Lady Eastwood facilities. And she is absolutely correct that the reason given was the actions of her friends attending another event. I could also have said that I had not had time to unlock the building due to the time wasted in conflict over YOUR parking spaces. And the FACT that her friends inferred that Liz was lying when giving a reason for them to move their cars, all became very trying indeed. We were, IN FACT, nearly half an hour late in opening the venue due to the arrogant attitude. She couldn’t have used your facilities for at least ten minutes!!!

So the woman continued to gabble on, so I told her to Fuck Off! 

Now, you can all be very clear here. One does not have to be polite or observe social protocols to enter into the well-being ethos. Indeed, as an organiser, it is my absolute commitment to the smooth running of every event. My commitment is to the amazing Community and their endeavour. And you can believe me when I write: I will not allow anyone to affect the smooth running of an event. My priority is YOU the community. I will make the difficult choices, argue the situation and protect your investment in every show. 

This includes car parking areas, immaculately clean toilet facilities, wonderful venues, excellent promotion and many other aspects of the organisation. And if I upset a few people on the way, so be it. But be sure, you are my priority and often the choices require brusk and definitive action.

As to my dedication to well-being and the events we organise, hundreds of people know me and the results achieved. Let them be judge and jury. Not an aggrieved group of individuals who could not get their own way.

I would invite all of you who love your Well-Being Brand Shows to post a review on the LizianEvents Facebook Page.

HERE IS THE LINK

Ian