We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Baida and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’ve taken 2 large risks in my life and both of those were starting businesses. Over the past 10 years, I’ve started 2 companies that were the first of their kind in the market. When I started my social media marketing company 10 years ago, I received a lot of doubt from friends, family and co-workers at the time. ‘Social media is a fad’, ‘You can’t make money doing social media’, etc. Today, I run a successful agency working with companies all across the U.S. When I started my luxury picnic company, no one else in the state of Colorado was offering luxury picnics. I had no idea if the company would be a success, if it was an experience anyone wanted or if I could even run such a business in our local parks. After a lot of research, testing and feedback, I developed a Instagram-worthy outdoor event planning company that now has several businesses mimicking my concept. Without taking these risks, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Without investing my time and energy into ideas that could fail, I wouldn’t have been able to be my own boss, create my own hours and go to work every day with satisfaction knowing I created my careers. Taking risks can lead to failures, and of course I failed many times in my course of business, but the wins are so much more satisfying knowing you risked so much to get there. Taking calculated risks has certainly paid off for me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Plated Picnics is unlike any picnic experience! I was inspired after a few trips to Australia where luxury picnics are a common way to celebrate. It was exciting to be the first to bring this tradition to Colorado. At one point of my business, I got into catering as well, offering grazing boards, boxes and full grazing tables for special events. After several months, I found my heart just wasn’t in food service and I refocused my business to just make out picnic experiences above and beyond what they had been before. After partnering with several female-owned local businesses for floral design, baked goods, lemonade and charcuterie boards, we are able to offer a uniquely crafted experience while also supporting multiple local businesses. There’s something so nostalgic about a picnic. We take that to the next level with rugs, pillows, tables, china, glassware and flatware. You won’t find plastic anything at our picnics. We’ve really fine-tuned our offerings for the 2021 season including a ton of fun upgrades and we’ve identified some great locations that showcase the best views of Colorado Springs. From proposals, birthdays and anniversaries to elopements, bridal showers and bachelorette parties, our picnics are a unique and memorable way to celebrate.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We are fortunate to partner with so many great, locally owned businesses! For dining, check out The Bar at Almagre in Colorado Springs. We also love Coati Uprise, Almbli Global, The Garden, the Grand View Dining Room at Garden of the Gods Resort and Colorado Craft Social/The Archives for great cocktails. There are so many hip places popping up in Colorado Springs, you can’t go wrong. For hiking, check out Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park and Red Rocks Open Space. Great views and interesting rock formations along the way. Shopping? Check out The Local Honey Collective in downtown Colorado Springs and Simple Body Products in Old Colorado City. There are great shops in these locations.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my husband. Cliche, I know but he has supported me in each of my businesses, been my sounding board when I needed advice, my therapist when everything was going wrong, and my biggest support as I work every day to achieve greater things. When my daughter was born, I was back working about 1 1/2 weeks after I gave birth. The months that followed were full of long hours, stress and lots of sleep. I was trying to balance two businesses and be a new mother. Being a wife fell down the priority list but he never complained nor did he discourage me. He let me find my way and find my work-life balance. He has been the person I look to most for support and he does it without hesitation. From helping me navigate difficult client situations to helping me setup picnics for large events, he’s there by my side each and every day. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have such an amazing partner in life.

Aside from his support, I’ve found a lot of great support from local women-owned businesses. We have our own little collective that supports one another and I love it. Red Earth Knots, Local Honey Collective, Bloom Bar, the Bar at Almagre, Simple Body Products, Ten Thousand Cookies, Pikes Peak Lemonade, Butter + Milk, Happy Hour Donuts, Kisa Conrad Photography, Sarah Arnold Photography, The Flour Shop and so many others have been such a support to me as I grow Plated Picnics. It’s made me want to shop and support local more than ever before… and you should too!

Website: www.platedpicnics.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/platedpicnics

Facebook: www.facebook.com/platedpicnics

Image Credits
Kisa Conrad Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.