ICYMI: Framingham Small Business Profile: Without A Hitch

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Without A Hitch, which works all over New England but is based in Framingham, is a day-of event coordination service for the hands-on bride, groom, or celebrant.

"You spent months (probably years, even decades) planning your event and making sure every detail is in place," said Sarah Basch, founder. "You've planned, you've tasted and tested, you've booked, and you're ready. Too often, celebrants rely on friends and family to carry out the plans on the big day. Leave it to the professionals."

Basch, a Boston native, has been planning events of all sizes for more than 12 years. Her background in planning events started in the nonprofit industry in 2004, when she was responsible for coordinating the annual Shake it for Shelter fundraising event at COMPASS for Kids for several years, according to her bio.

At Cradles to Crayons for more than three years, she oversaw all of the organization's signature events, including the 700-person annual Backpack-a-thon and the largest fundraiser of the year, the "Un-Gala.

Basch also worked at Facing History and Ourselves, where she planned its annual 900-person benefit dinner and advised their ten regional offices on event strategy and execution.

Basch says she is proud to serve as a founding board member of the Andrew Graham Semper Fi Fund, overseeing the event planning and logistics for their annual nonprofit fundraiser, the Boston River Run 5K, for five consecutive years. In its fifth year in 2016, the Boston River Run raised over $35,000 and hosted 1,000 participants. Since founding Without A Hitch, Sarah has worked with more than 100 celebrants and their families. Her energy and enthusiasm are matched only by her love of logistics, teamwork, and day-of event coordination.

When did you open/launch? I started the company in March 2013 in Boston.

What made you decide to open this type of business? And why this location? I had been planning fundraising and community events for more than ten years, and simultaneously have always been a bit wedding obsessed. I reached a point where friends were getting married, and I saw a niche market, a need that wasn’t being filled: a reasonably-priced, highly-competent wedding coordinator solely focused on day-of services. I resisted the idea for a while (I already had a full-time job! And I was in school! And there were lots of wedding planning companies in Boston!), until I came up with the company name. The next day, I had built the website and social media profiles, and Without A Hitch was born and the team continues to grow.

What do you like best about it? We are in a service-based business and the best part, by far, is the people. The clients, their families, the vendor connections, my amazing team, and supportive family and friends. That extended network is how the business thrives. As a day-of coordinator, we're often hired 3-4 months out from the big day when a couple or celebrant realizes they just can’t (or don’t want to) do it all themselves. I recently shared this story: "I love heading to an initial client meeting or venue walkthrough when I do a lot of listening and responding to the client’s needs. I recently was hired by a couple just 6 weeks out from their wedding day. They were fairly quiet on the walkthrough as we talked about the different options, and I shared my experiences and recommendations. As we were departing, not to see each other in person again until the wedding day, the bride turned and threw her arms around me, exclaiming 'I am just so glad you’re here!'"

Biggest struggle? The biggest challenges for me is managing the growth of the business and balancing that with my life. As with many entrepreneurs, I have my hand in every part of the business: sales, hiring, client management, finances, business development, etc. We have seen a tremendous response to our business model and I'm constantly seeking qualified associates to join my team. At the same time, I'm trying to balance my personal life - spending time with my husband and our new puppy, work on our new house - with running the business. That can be hard to do when I work out of a home office since there's little separation.

What do you see for the future? I see the business continuing on this trajectory but, to be honest, I never could have predicted a few years ago that we'd be where we are now. So I'm continuing to work hard and meet as many people as I can every day to spread the word about what we do, and who knows where we'll end up!

Do you have or know of a small business in Framingham that deserves to be in the spotlight? Tell us about it at charlene.arsenault@patch.com.