The Inspirational Woman Project believes that every woman is inspirational. It’s our mission to tell their stories.
Sarah Whitaker and Erin Whitaker are the creative geniuses behind ParkerWhitaker Productions - an Event & Public Relations Company created to serve companies and individual clients in event production, event specific marketing, public relations, and brand campaigns.
Sarah Whitaker’s affinity for events showed through at a very early age. As a child, she produced plays and musicals casting the neighborhood children and of course, her sister Erin, in her first productions. Sarah’s love of entertainment continued into adulthood where she honed her skills studying at Penn State University at University Park. Sarah is widely recognized for her consistency and efficiency in all areas of event production. In 2014, Sarah founded ParkerWhitaker Productions with her partner and sister Erin Whitaker. The powerhouse duo are are rapidly becoming the most sought after event and entertainment producers in the city.
Erin Whitaker moved to Los Angeles after studying Philosophy and Creative Writing at Pacific Lutheran University to pursue a career in writing, PR, and entertainment. She quickly joined the Style Fashion Week team as PR Director. Rapidly building relationships with the top firms and representatives, Erin brought the celebrity factor back to Los Angeles Fashion Week. In 2014, Sarah and Erin founded ParkerWhitaker Productions. The powerhouse duo are rapidly becoming the most sought after event and entertainment producers in the city.
When do you feel most powerful?
{Erin} When we were the Fashion Producers for MadeLA this June, our team got to experience so much because we put in the leg work to give them the opportunity to be there and work on the shows. That was a powerful feeling. To know that they were there because of us. Similarly, when we recently had our BCBGMAXAZRIA show for Make-A-Wish, and we got to share that with the world in Glamour and Harper's Bazaar, that is an incredible feeling. I think it comes down to having an impact.
{Sarah} When we do good work. When the goal is accomplished. When we feel a silent respect. When we help someone or something.
What is your gift? How does being a woman help or influence that?
{Erin} Sarah's gifts and my gifts are very different, and we are lucky for that because we each add something different. Sarah's impeccable at follow through, she is a master organizer and problem solver, she gets it done and never stops working. My brain, on the other hand, does not work that way. I do my best work when I am able to be creative and come up with new ideas. I am able to visualize and articulate our vision and Sarah is able to pursue the steps to make it a reality. Together we are always thinking about the big picture and what is next. Being women, and sisters especially, allows us to lean on each other and trust each other’s instincts about work and people.
Why are you inspirational?
{Erin & Sarah} We are inspired by new projects, by organized people, by productivity and new heights. We feel we can inspire others by the effort we put in; the hard work, the dedication, the attention to detail. We are the first ones there and the last to leave. We are hands on in every aspect of everything we do. We got ourselves here and we will continue to pursue bigger and more influential projects. We maintain a wonderful team and we keep them inspired by creative ideas, making them feel good about what they are doing. We believe in respect, professionalism, positivity, and placing people in the position in which they will do their best and maximize each of their experiences with us.
What's one thing you want to tell the women who will read this?
{Erin} You don't have to be perfect. Everyone has weaknesses and life is not necessarily about getting rid of your weaknesses but focusing on your strengths and what you can do better than anyone.
{Sarah} We all have a place in this world. Find out what you like to do and what you are good at and figure out how you can do that as a career. Every single thing you do leads you to the next project, to the next person, to the next idea. Take every experience and grow from it. Learn from it. Pay attention. Someone once told me "nothing interesting happens in your living room."
How do you deal with your inner naysayer?
{Erin} That's a tough one. Honestly, I think when either of us is having doubts we talk about them. When you are able to vocalize these thoughts it's a way of taking away their power. You can understand where they stem from and break them apart.
{Sarah} I worry a lot. I worry basically all day about everything. I take everything very seriously and am very aware of other people and their feelings, and their potential feelings. Erin will tell me that worrying is not going to help. And it's true. When it comes to mistakes all you can do is deal with the consequences, fix what you can, and move forward. Don't dwell; do better.
What gets you out of bed every morning?
{Erin} My cat COCO!
{Sarah} My cat PRADA!
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