THIS DESERVES A CELEBRATION

Fourteen years of event planning and twelve years with my own company!

Since I firmly believe in celebrating everything…this week I am choosing to highlight my 12 years of running my own event planning company, what was once called Green Ribbon Parties is now...Nicole Arena Parties...after all this time I figured I could use my own name. 

I've been reflecting a lot this week and figured I'd share it with you too :) 

Fourteen years ago, I worked my first event for Mindy Weiss after I tracked her down at a Windward High School baseball game and begged her to let me intern for her. Then, on May 15, 2011, I produced my very first wedding for Kristin and Mark at Cicada downtown. It was the most thrilling day of my life. I was able to execute a vision and create something I was proud of…there was no feeling even close to that. 

This last weekend, I was able to produce a star-studded event for a brand, something I could never have even imagined when I first started. Even on days when I don’t like my job, I truly do love my job because of the people I get to meet and the creativity I get to participate in.

I have now planned 189 events at 100 unique venues and I still am learning on every single event. Planning is a stressful job because there are so many stakeholders. Events have a number of factors wrapped up in them, for weddings and social events, you are navigating people’s spending habits and priorities, their feelings about family, and sometimes the blending of cultures and religion…there is immense love and occasionally grief; you see people at their best and worst. And yet some parties and events are about recognition or press and creating something beautiful for business purposes and media, but no matter the event, there are always amazing and talented people who pour a lot of time and effort into these parties. In both instances, I have been fortunate enough to have made life-long vendor friends and life-long client friends…

So, I would remind anyone out there wanting to take a risk and start a business….please do. You will never regret trying, but you will regret not taking a chance. And to the people who never celebrate their birthdays or accomplishments, I want to impress upon you that we live this one life and I have never seen a client tell me that they were sorry they threw a party…even if they do not historically like being the center of attention. To see people you love and care about in the same space gives you an indescribable feeling, to share food and laughter, maybe a toast or a dance… I would highly recommend you take advantage of these moments of bringing people together because relationships are what life is really all about...

I'm beyond grateful to be in this community with you. And I'm so excited for you to see all the newness coming to The Social Arena. A majorrrrr upgrade is debuting in the next month or so :) Stay tuned!