Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Kennedy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Erica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?
One of the best things I’ve ever done to show a client I appreciate them was during a particularly stressful time for a couple I was working with. They had signed a contract with a venue before hiring me, and as we got deeper into the planning process, they realized they were really unhappy with their choice. Issues with catering, food offerings, and a completely unresponsive venue manager made things even worse. They ultimately made the tough decision to walk away from the venue, just three months before their wedding.
I knew how hard this was for them, not just emotionally but financially. They risked losing their deposit and had to scramble to secure a new venue. We carefully weighed pros and cons, and I helped them navigate conversations with the original venue, making sure we were clear and direct about why they were backing out. To my surprise, after weeks of back-and-forth, they received a full refund, something I wasn’t sure would happen but was so relieved when it did.
They ended up finding a new venue, Imperia Lake Union, and the transformation in their energy was night and day. Visiting that space for the first time felt like a fresh start. They could finally enjoy the process again. After our site visit, they mentioned they were heading to dinner at Canlis with the bride’s mother, who had just flown in. I called ahead and had glasses of champagne waiting for them at their table with a note that simply said, “Congratulations!”
Later, I got a message from the bride that said, “Great, now I’m sobbing all this makeup off in the middle of Canlis 🥹 Thank you so much for making tonight so special 😭😭😭😭😭”
For me, going above and beyond isn’t just about logistics, It’s about creating moments that remind my clients they’re cared for, supported, and celebrated. Seeing them finally feel happy and excited again after such a stressful ordeal was everything. Being able to give them that moment of joy and surprise is exactly why I love what I do.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Erica, the founder of Z Creative + Design Co. and ZCDC Events + Weddings—two businesses that were built on creativity, collaboration, and a deep love for supporting small businesses. My background is in hospitality, culinary arts, and design, and while I’ve always been drawn to bringing ideas to life in a meaningful way, I never imagined I’d be running my own company. But life has a way of pushing you exactly where you need to be.
My journey to entrepreneurship wasn’t planned, it was a result of trusting my instincts, taking risks, and prioritizing what truly mattered. After spending years working in the restaurant and hospitality industry, I found myself in a corporate role at Microsoft, where I enjoyed my work but ultimately faced the reality of mass layoffs just months into my contract. At the same time, my husband and I were on a challenging fertility journey. We had experienced loss, sought medical help, and ultimately welcomed our daughter in early February. Through all of these changes, I realized I needed to create a career that worked for me and my family, not the other way around.
That’s when I turned to what I knew best, helping businesses grow through creative storytelling, design, and strategic marketing. It started with a few friends asking for support with their social media, and before I knew it, I had built a small agency. I loved working behind the scenes, developing brand strategies, and crafting content that truly represented the heart of a business. That passion grew into Z Creative + Design Co., which specializes in marketing, branding, social media management, logo design, creative consulting, and business strategy.
Soon after, my love for hospitality and event planning naturally expanded into ZCDC Events + Weddings, where we now offer wedding planning, private event coordination, and corporate event design. Whether it’s a beautifully executed wedding, a thoughtfully branded marketing campaign, or a seamless social media presence, everything we do is rooted in intention, authenticity, and a commitment to making our clients feel seen and supported.
We’re not just another marketing agency or event planning company – we’re storytellers, problem-solvers, and visionaries who genuinely care about the people we work with. Every brand has a story, and every event has a purpose, and we take the time to deeply understand our clients so we can bring their vision to life in the most meaningful way.
What sets us apart is our ability to combine creativity with strategy. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Whether we’re curating an event, building a brand identity, or crafting a content strategy, our work is deeply personalized and designed to help businesses and individuals stand out.
February 1st marked the one-year anniversary of ZCDC Events + Weddings, and June 1st will be two years since launching Z Creative + Design Co. Growing these businesses while navigating motherhood, life’s uncertainties, and the realities of entrepreneurship has been an incredible journey. I’m proud of the relationships we’ve built, the businesses we’ve helped grow, and the experiences we’ve been able to create.
More than anything, I want people to know that I care deeply about the success of my clients. Whether it’s a small business looking to establish its brand, a couple planning the biggest day of their lives, or a company needing support with marketing and creative strategy, I approach every project with thoughtfulness, passion, and a commitment to excellence.
My philosophy? Trust your instincts, surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, and take the leap, even when it’s scary. That’s exactly what I did, and it’s what drives me to help others do the same.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Setting the table by Dany Meyer!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My entire journey has been about pivoting, adapting, and learning and while it hasn’t always been easy, it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. If I had to pick one moment that really illustrates my resilience, it would be the time I walked away from my job without a backup plan, knowing it was what I needed to do for my health and future.
At the time, I had been struggling with fertility issues and, after a miscarriage, sought medical help. My doctor told me that my body was under too much stress to sustain a pregnancy and that if I truly wanted to have a baby, something needed to change. Around that same time, I had a conversation with a friend who asked, “What would have to happen for you to leave your job?” Without thinking too much about it, I responded, “If something happened with my health or my family, I would leave.” Two days later, I was diagnosed with a microadenoma on my pituitary gland, which could have been a major factor in my fertility struggles.
That was my sign. I put in my notice that week.
I had never left a job without something else lined up before, and it was terrifying, but at the same time, I felt this deep sense of relief. It was as if I was finally making a decision that aligned with what I truly wanted instead of what I thought I should do. My husband was incredibly supportive, reminding me that we would figure things out together. My plan was to take a short break before looking for new work, but life had other plans.
At a game night, I told a friend about what had just happened, and he immediately said, “You should apply to work on my team at Microsoft.” I sent over my resume, went through several rounds of interviews, and landed a contract role as a Talent Sourcer—a completely new field for me. The craziest part? The first week I started my new job, I found out I was pregnant.
It was exciting but also terrifying. As a woman, balancing personal and professional goals isn’t always easy, and I suddenly found myself in a brand-new job while also thinking about maternity leave. And then, just three months in, the tech layoffs hit. I was let go, and I was devastated. I had finally found a job I loved, was part of an incredible team, and was looking forward to growing in this new field—only to have it ripped away. To make matters even more complicated, I was pregnant. Job searching while visibly pregnant is a different kind of challenge, and for the first time in my life, I had to go on unemployment, which was an entirely new and humbling experience.
Then, another pivot.
During my pregnancy, I started to feel this deep pull toward working for myself. With years of experience in hospitality, culinary arts, and design, I wanted to create something of my own that would allow me to work remotely and be home with my baby. Friends started asking for help with their social media, and before I knew it, I had built a small agency from scratch. That’s how Z Creative + Design Co. was born, out of a need to reinvent myself, embrace new skills, and create a career that aligned with my life, not the other way around.
Since then, my business has expanded into marketing, branding, social media management, logo design, event planning, and creative consulting. I never imagined I would be here, but every challenge I’ve faced, whether it was leaving my job for my health, getting laid off while pregnant, or starting something completely new, has led me to exactly where I need to be.
For me, resilience isn’t just about pushing through hard times, it’s about being open to change, trusting yourself, and knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. I’ve had to self-educate, adapt, and pivot constantly, and while it’s been scary at times, it’s also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.zcreativedesignco.com
- Instagram: @zcreativedesignco
- Facebook: @zcreativedesignco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericamkennedy?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Photo of me and Betty, groom’s grandmother – Erin Aasland Photography
Wedding ceremony seating – Erin Aasland Photography
Groom and mother of the groom.