Today we’d like to introduce you to Peace Adebanjo.
Hi Peace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Picnics by Peace in 2021 by styling a luxury picnic for my own birthday. I posted the photos, my DMs blew up, and what was supposed to be a cute weekend idea turned into real bookings. I was still working in federal accounting (Towson University—Accounting & Finance), so I spent nights and lunch breaks setting tables, layering textures, and learning how to run a creative business on the fly. Very quickly I realized picnics alone were too seasonal and weather-dependent, and my clients wanted more than a blanket moment—they wanted full environments. So I expanded. I trained in floral design with The Floral Guru and Sophie Felts, brought florals in-house, learned draping and large-scale installs, invested in rentals, and built a small but mighty team with real systems.
From there, the doors opened. We’ve served over 600+ clients, and grown into full-service event and floral design. Highlights include our first 350-guest wedding, a fly-out to Chicago to decorate for Pinterest, an activation at AfroPlus Fest (20,000 attendees), a custom backdrop for Modern Luxury, and a luxury picnic setup inside the Orioles Stadium box room. We’ve partnered with brands like AstraZeneca, EY, Pinterest, and Vistaprint, and I spent a year in the Vistaprint Ambassador Program, which helped me strengthen my branding. I was also a finalist in the USG Incubator Program last May. We’ve been featured by ESSENCE and Good Morning Washington—that live TV moment was surreal. Through Petals by Peace, we launched our Bloom Bar, where guests build their own arrangements—a beautiful way to blend luxury, creativity, and community.
Today, Picnics by Peace is a luxury event and floral design studio serving the DMV and traveling nationwide. We create lush, elevated décor that feels personal—custom focal points, refined tablescapes, draping/backdrops, and florals (silk or fresh)—plus our Bloom Bar experience and curated rentals. My goal is simple: make it beautiful and make it easy, so clients can be fully present for their moments. Along the way I’ve learned to welcome help—my team, friends, and family are everything—and many clients have become like family. One client has booked us six times in four years for life’s biggest milestones. I’ve balanced this business alongside my 9–5 for years, and being let go (twice) became the nudge to go all in. Through every high and slow season, God has been my anchor. I’m committed to putting 100% into growing this vision—scaling weddings, corporate activations, and rentals—while keeping the heart the same: joy, sisterhood, and unforgettable memories.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges with running an event design business is making it profitable. Every event has expenses, and the overhead in this industry is huge. From florals to décor to rentals to labor — everything adds up — so you have to be very intentional with both money and time. On top of that, there are ongoing costs like multiple storage units to hold inventory, which makes managing overhead even more of a balancing act.
Another struggle was realizing early on that picnics are seasonal. My first winter was painfully slow, and I knew I couldn’t sustain the business if it stayed weather-dependent. That pushed me to expand into proposals, weddings, florals, corporate activations, and rentals.
I also launched The Picnic Suite (our indoor picnic experience) to solve seasonality — and that came with its own lessons. It was beautiful, but it was hard: higher fixed costs, staffing and laundry turnarounds, marketing to fill weekday hours, and the constant reset/maintenance. We learned a lot about operations and profitability, and eventually decided to pause and rework the model so we can relaunch smarter.
There’s the pressure to stay on top of trends and keep learning, too. I’ve invested in floral training, draping, and large-scale installs — and those trainings come with costs. With all of that, burnout is real. The behind-the-scenes workload piles up: cleaning, packing, inventory, emails, social, design, deliveries. I’ve had to learn to protect my energy, lean on my team, and be smarter about where I put my time so I can serve clients well without burning out.
My main struggle now is still profitability — being intentional about time, energy, and spend while executing clients’ visions at a high level. I’m committed to creating unforgettable experiences, but I’ve learned the business also has to be healthy to keep growing and thriving.
We’ve been impressed with Picnics by Peace , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Picnics by Peace is a luxury event and floral design studio based in the DMV, with work that also travels nationwide. What started with styling luxury picnics has expanded into full-service event design — proposals, weddings, corporate activations, brand experiences, floral design, draping/backdrops, rentals, and our signature Bloom Bar where guests build their own arrangements.
We’re known for creating environments that feel personal, lush, and elevated — from intimate 2-person setups to large-scale installations for 350+ guests. Our clients come to us for refined tablescapes, statement florals (fresh or silk), and creative focal points that transform spaces. One week that might look like a birthday picnic, the next a corporate activation for brands like Pinterest, EY, or AstraZeneca, or a community event with Black-owned partners like Shuga & Ice or Grl Getter.
What sets us apart is our focus on experience and connection. To us, it’s never just about décor — it’s about creating unforgettable memories, whether that’s a surprise proposal, women celebrating sisterhood, or families gathering for milestones. We’re most proud of the trust clients place in us to show up for life’s biggest moments. One client has booked us six times in four years for everything from her 35th birthday to her baby shower and child’s first birthday. That kind of loyalty shows that what we’re building feels like family.
What I want readers to know is this: our goal is to make it beautiful and make it easy, so you can be fully present in your moment. We provide full-service events, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re booking a picnic, wedding, or corporate event — with Picnics by Peace, you’re getting thoughtful design, seamless execution, and a brand rooted in joy, community, and creating memories that last.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes! My advice is to start by investing in yourself through classes. For me, floral design classes with The Floral Guru and Sophie Felts were game changers. Not only did I learn new skills, but I also got to meet other creatives and business owners who became part of my network.
I also recommend following people you look up to on Instagram and actually building relationships with them. Engage with their content, send a DM, or even email them. You’d be surprised how many people are open to helping or offering advice if you just reach out.
Another great resource is SCORE Mentors — it’s a free program where you can get connected with experienced business mentors. That was huge for me when I needed guidance.
Networking, for me, has also looked like connecting with fellow business friends, hosting collaborative events, and reaching out to influencers. I also make it a point to check Eventbrite for upcoming events in the DMV — those in-person moments create real relationships that go beyond just social media.
Overall, my approach is a mix of learning, showing up, and reaching out. That combination has helped me build a network of mentors, peers, and collaborators who continue to pour into me and my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Picnicsbypeace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picnicsbypeace/
