Meet Sam Kavan, part-owner and the manager of Calvert Venue.
Tell us a little about your business. – Calvert Venue (calvertvenue.com), previously LoveLand Dance Hall, is a unique venue in a beautiful and quiet residential area. We are a stunning fit for those smaller gathering needs: smaller weddings and receptions, baby showers, graduation parties, and much more! We offer catering services through Doorstep Diner Catering and even linen rentals if you need!
How did you get started in the business? – I have been in the event planning business for about five years now, but it’s been mostly fundraising or community based. Honestly, I got started by volunteering for community events and it just grew from there into an opportunity to become profitable at space/event managing.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Learning to balance work and life outside of work.
Tell us a little about your family. – My husband Adam and I have been married for 11 years and we have four kids: Gabe (10), Nikki (8), Dinah (6), and Izzy (4). The kids keep us busy with school, sports, and family movie nights at home. Adam and I own and operate Kavan Custom Construction here in town, focusing on remodeling projects. We’ve seen an insane amount of growth with the company in the last two years.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When my oldest went to kindergarten, I made the decision to stay home. It made a lot of sense for us financially, and I was already spending more time in the evenings on the construction company’s needs. Having the ability for our household to be completely self-employed and have a 100% flexible schedule was an eye-opening moment.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – House projects! There are very few things as rewarding as accomplishing something on the to-do list. I also enjoy reading a good book on my front porch swing with a beverage in my hand.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I went to college at a small university in Iowa on a track and cross-country scholarship.
Who inspires you? – My kids! Especially throughout the pandemic, our kids watched so many things, outside of their control, change and then change again. They’ve been handling it so well. They have had no problem asking us questions, standing up for their concerns, and talking through what’s going on.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – We have a saying in our family, “It could always be worse!” It’s not meant to be negative in any way, but rather a reminder to take a moment, assess whatever is happening at the time, and re-focus on what really matters.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Speaking any language.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Something to do with large animals. My husband grew up on a dairy farm and I grew up in a small farming community. Our girls ride horses. I’ve always enjoyed my experiences with livestock.
What is your favorite TV show? – Friends. My sisters and I are known to speak in quotes from the show all the time—just ask our husbands and kids!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 202-8304; events@calvertvenue.com; calvertvenue.com.