Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Macahia.
Hi Ariana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started En Vogue Event Designers June 2022 at 4 months pregnant. Expecting my second child made me actively think of a way to be home with my 2 boys while also bringing in an income as well. One thing I’ve always been complimented on was the attention to detail and how well I put together events for my 2-year-old such as his gender reveal, baby shower, and birthdays. Also hosting holidays. It’s always been a passion but what I’ve also noticed when I host events is the amount of stress I as a host am put under. I’d often be up all night the night before an event I was hosting, exhausted and probably starving. When hosting there’s so much on your shoulders so I started EVED to take something off the plate of a host. As well as being able to run my business from home so that I can be with my family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as bumps in the road Mother Nature wasn’t always on our side. Heat would often shrink or pop our balloons, wind would blow balloons away, or mess our table linens and runners up, and sometimes knock our equipment over. We’ve definitely had to learn to prepare for the worst, bring more than needed because it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Safe to say we’re prepared for next summer when the outdoor events will be returning. Delegating has been tough as I’ve always been the “If you want it done right you should do it yourself.” type. Planning for all of my clients’ events I actively communicate with them, if not daily, several times a week leading up to the event as it is a goal to not have to bother my client the day of the event just have everything set up as planned. I’ve been able to do this by drawing sketches and doing practice setup. Being the head of communications with the clients, I know how everything is supposed to look. Being a perfectionist it’s difficult to delegate tasks to my team. However, drawing out sketches for them as well has helped improve my delegating plus I always do a last walk-through to check that everything is left pristine. Learning new techniques and skills can be challenging for anyone. I’ll try new techniques or skills with “mock setups.” I’ve had successes and failures, but it’s been helpful in improving my work. Successful mocks also make for great social media content. Last but not least, I am now 8 months pregnant and definitely feeling it. Pregnancy has been my biggest challenge due to my limitations such as lifting, however up until recently if you asked my clients and team, they’d agree that I worked as if I wasn’t in my second or third trimester when working. I climbed ladders, carried whatever I could within my limits, and moved as quickly as I possibly could. It’s been a challenge as I feel like I’ve been working with an arm tied behind my back, however, I can humbly say I’ve been successful, and makes me very excited to be able to do what I love with no limitations.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an event decorator I’ve had the opportunity to decorate wedding receptions, baby showers, gender reveals, birthday parties, a salon grand opening, and a non-profit back-to-school event in just 5 short months. And we still plan on expanding services we offer a mimosa bar set up (alcohol not provided), intimate setups like a small birthday or anniversary surprise for significant others, uniquely packaged gifts, etc. Although we dabble in everything our balloon designs are most popular. We offer balloon garlands, arches, ring, columns, and custom balloon centerpieces. I do take pride in all my work but mastering my balloon art is where I’ve seen the most improvement learning new techniques and unique designs has been the most rewarding.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up my interests were art, fashion, and interior decorating. I was always a Miss fashionista. As a little girl I’d play online games that consisted of dress-up games, room decorating, jewelry making, or make-up games. I even took up painting in my teen years, however, one thing that came before my hobbies and even my social life was my work ethic. I started working part-time at 13 and have been working ever since. For a while, I was content with work over hobbies and a social life. I loved being independent, paying my own bills, and on the rare occasion being able to go out to eat or hang out with friends and have the money to afford it. I was able to move out at 19 and haven’t had to look back. At 21 I had my son Silas, which I adjusted well to since I had a natural maternal instinct; I was the “mom” of the group. That’s when I realized there’s obviously more important things than work, so I slowed down but still made sure to be provider. My life then became work and family. Once my boyfriend and I found out we were expecting our second child I wanted a change. I wanted to be home more and still be able to provide. Thus, I found my way back to my passion and En Vogue Event Designers was born. I’ve always been a fashion icon, passionate, hardworking, independent, and determined.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/envogue_event_designers?igshid=MDE2OWE1N2Q=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083008313310
