Summertime and the living is easy ” especially when Picnic People is planning the party. On any given weekend, there are many yellow and green Picnic People party set-ups in San Diego’s park locations. You may even hear Captain Picnic entertaining the crowds.
So who is behind this colorful company? An energetic, friendly, creative and hardworking woman named Lisa Richards. They call her the “queen of quite a lot,” and that is an understatement. Not only is Richards the president and owner of Picnic People, which she founded in 1984, she runs Festivities Catering, TK&A Catering and Festivities Express.
A party perfectionist, University City resident Richards had lots of experience planning parties since she was in college. She took the concept one step further when creating Picnic People, a company that specializes in corporate picnics, tailgate parties and beach extravaganzas. From choosing a theme and beautiful site, Picnic People handles all the details ” obtaining permits and licenses,insurance, signs, tents, tables, chairs and everything associated with the event.
Clients choose from a variety of menu options, from the All American Celebration, Baja Grill, Longhorn BBQ, Southwest Fest to a Kamaaina Luau. Picnic favorites include freshly popped popcorn, an ice cream sundae bar, a french fry station and games and activities, such as the three-legged sack race, balloon sculptures, airbrushed tattoos, inflatable slides and the opportunity to have superhero Captain Picnic bring joy, fun and excitement to the party.
Longtime client Karen Filamon, of California Bank & Trust, believes she has never met anyone so perfectly suited for a position.
“We used to coordinate our annual picnic and volleyball tournament in-house, so the first year we hired Picnic People, I went out to the site to check things out,” Filamon said. “Not only did Lisa Richards have an amazing eye for detail, she made sure everything was perfect.
“She more than met our expectations ” she exceeded them, and we have worked with her ever since.”
However, Richards has faced some challenges while planning parties ” such as how to entertain 6,000 single sailors for the U.S. Navy on North Island.
“I hired Miss California to entertain them and it worked really well,” she recalled.
As proof that Richards does not sit still, she recently opened Simcha San Diego Kosher Catering. “Simcha” means joyous celebration, and Richards said she is proud to add kosher catering as a service for clients as well as the San Diego community.
“We have to offer lots of choices, to provide one-stop shopping to remain successful,” she said. “It was very exciting to learn about Jewish customs and history and we are thrilled to have this new venue.”
As business practices and competition change, Richards stays ahead of trends and fills the voids she finds in San Diego County. If this isn’t enough for Richards, who partners with her husband Rick, this fall she will open “Catering for Cause,” a company that will offer catering services at cost to nonprofit organizations in San Diego County. For Richards, creating this organization will culminate a well-rounded and fulfilling career.
For information about Picnic People, Festivities Catering, TK&A Catering, or Simcha San Diego Kosher Catering, call (858) 586-1717 or visit www.picnicpeoplesandiego.com.
