Who is Carla?
Carla M. Flanders is a West Michigan entrepreneur, wife, and mother with a passion for bringing people together. As the CEO of CMF Marketing & Events, Carla has over 25 years in marketing management, strategic planning and public relations. She specializes in event coordination, producing intimate gatherings to multi-day festivals hosting tens of thousands of guests. Beyond her professional life, Carla is deeply connected to her community, finding inspiration in her family’s journey to write her debut book, On the Day You Graduate.
The Story Behind the Story
I have often been asked, “Why,” I wrote this short story, or what made me decide to take it to the next level….
To understand the “why” you’ll need to understand the “how.” The story started as a letter to my son who was graduating. I had often thought throughout his life, as many parents might, Will we ever be able to leave him alone in a room by himself? Will we ever be able to go out to eat again without this child running all around? How will he manage his first day of school? How will we manage now that he is in middle school? How is it possible that he is now old enough to drive? Will he be safe? Will he be, ok? And so on. Based on these questions and thoughts, the inspiration behind the story was recognizing the growth both with our son and within us as parents. Growing together, hitting milestones, experiencing life, love, laughter, and sorrow throughout the years.
When my second son graduated, I wanted to give him something special. Something that no one had seen before, so I gave him an updated version of this short story. We set the story out at his graduation and asked that people write special notes next to the story; words of wisdom, thoughts of encouragement, memorable times spent together, etc.
As I continued attending other graduation parties, I often wished I had something more to give recent graduates. Something unique and fun. A keepsake that could be given as a gift, either for graduation or given to the child at the beginning of their school years. That way, each school year, teachers or guardians could write down their fun memories, hopes and dreams for the student.
Then the idea was born, after much research, and not seeing anything on the market quite like this, the book On the Day You Graduate came to life. Not only is it a story of a child growing, learning, and experiencing life. It’s a keepsake where a student can add their thoughts. It’s a place where teachers, parents, friends, relatives, and coaches can add their messages for the very special graduate!