The Challenge of All: Meet HMK Client Stephanie Stevens and Bell Gate Farm

It was a privilege to collaborate with Stephanie Stevens and bring her vision for Bell Gate Farm to life. From navigating significant structural challenges—like a new septic system—to ensuring that the historic property’s charm remained intact, our focus was on creating a one-of-a-kind event venue that would honor Stephanie’s family legacy and inspire all who walk through its doors. Below is the full article from HMK Insurance News.

Original Article: HMK Insurance News

Spring 2017

“If you are faced with a challenge that terrifies you but you know that you can do it, it is the right thing to do.”

That was the advice prominent Allentown attorney Richard F. Stevens offered his daughter, Stephanie, 20 years ago. Those words of wisdom became Stephanie’s personal mantra as she moved through life and challenges presented themselves all too willingly. Additionally, Stephanie’s parents embedded in her an unconditional love for her family, a philanthropic soul, and an unwavering work ethic.

The concept of turning Bell Gate Farm into a state-of-the-art event center came to Stephanie after delivering her Mother’s eulogy. Once she had completed her speech Stephanie stepped outside of what had now become “her barn” for a moment to collect herself. She overheard friends and even family members comment on how she would never be able to financially support the 233 acres of land and the historic buildings she had just inherited. Was her childhood home truly in jeopardy?

At precisely that moment, Stephanie’s unborn baby kicked so hard that it broke her from her self-sabotaging thoughts and she had an epiphany. She had just inherited an amazing space and knew that she could turn it into an extraordinary events venue. She could utilize her 16- year background in the production field when she had created never before done events for clients like American Express, Microsoft, and Verizon, to name a few. She could take that knowledge and experience and truly make Bell Gate Farm a destination for the masses.

In order to better understand Stephanie’s successes, it’s important to look at her failures, of which she admits there were many. In fact, any psychologist’s list of the top five life events known to cause major trauma and potentially put someone over the edge were condensed into six horrific months for Stephanie: the loss of her parents who were both best friends and confidantes, childbirth, divorce, a serious illness, a significant career change and a long-distance move.

Stephanie not only persevered, she prospered. Her father’s mantra kept ringing in her ears, and her mother’s never wavering support of her endeavors gave her the energy and courage needed to put one foot in front of the other and move forward…life must go on.

Stephanie was certainly “challenged” and it was perfectly clear to her what “the right thing to do was.” In February of 2013 she left Pittsburgh, leaving all of her belongings behind, and sought refuge with then five-month-old baby Parker at the family home: Bell Gate Farm, 7081 Bell Gate Road in Coopersburg.

Shortly thereafter, Stevens began making her dream into a reality by notifying the proper channels of her intentions and identifying the best team to execute her plan. That was when she met Joe Landrigan of SAGE Design-Build.

According to Joe, “Stephanie had an incredible yet complex vision for the property. We were in the idea and pricing phase for almost six months. Once building permits were secured in March of 2016 the real fun began! But this was not your run-of-the-mill project by any stretch of the imagination.” Unforeseen challenges including the need for a new septic system and insurance company rejections would have deterred even the heartiest of entrepreneurs but Richard Stevens’ advice about “persevering even when life throws you challenges” helped his daughter anchor herself safely through the storms.

“Having had an attorney as a father is interesting,” says Stephanie. “I learned at a very early age that all actions have consequences. I was even terrified to ever consider having a party in the house. Mom and Dad always told me that if anything were to happen, we could be libel and possibly lose everything we worked so hard to achieve!” Smart tactic. But she smiles at the memory.

As part of the process of lining up all her ducks in a row from a business perspective, Stephanie sought the help of Tim Kurtz, an experienced agent and principal of HMK Insurance. There was a moment when the plug was almost pulled because of a major setback with one of the providers. Remembering her parents’ rules about parties, this particular issue was a deal breaker for Stephanie, but in 24 hours Kurtz went to bat for her and turned the next-to-impossible insurance nightmare into an affordable policy that addressed all of the multifaceted issues on the commercial property.

It is now September 15 and Bell Gate Farm’s first event is scheduled for October 8! “We literally had three weeks to complete the major renovations,” said an astonished Landrigan. “My job, as I saw it, was to make Stephanie’s dream a reality.”

If any one element had not aligned, the October opening would have been in jeopardy. “Vendors like Monarch Precast came through big time. Paul Stein, President, was on site for the concrete septic tank installation and it couldn’t have happened without him,” according to Landrigan.

Not one person dropped the ball.

Landrigan continues, “The Department of Health performed the kitchen inspection within five days from our initial request, which is unheard of these days.” And thanks to Singer Equipment Company and the kitchen operator, Rodale, and their collective extensive experience and professionalism, the kitchen passed 100%! The permit was literally received the day before the Certificate of Occupancy.” Intimate conversation areas are strategically integrated throughout the first and second levels of the beautifully renovated establishment.

Stephanie remained unwavering and steadfast with her vision, even when others mired in the organized chaos couldn’t see as clearly as she.

This is a story about how Stephanie Stevens followed in her father’s footsteps and kept the memory of Richard and his beloved wife, Joanne, alive. It’s a story about a single mother who master minded a phenomenal undertaking…the total transformation of a rural Coopersburg property into a state-of-the-art event venue, impressive enough to draw corporate event planners and brides-to-be from all over the northeast, including New York and Philadelphia!

In the end, Stephanie’s stars were aligned and her father’s advice rang true. The fruits of her labor can be seen in this photo story.