We recently connected with Zoari Brown and have shared our conversation below.

Zoari, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea for my luxury picnic business after seeing beautiful setups on TikTok and Instagram shortly after COVID. It seemed to be popular up north and in Florida, but I didn’t see many people offering it here in Myrtle Beach. Even though there were already a couple of businesses doing it, I didn’t let that stop me from chasing my vision and bringing my own unique flair to the experience.

Zoari, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Zaria Brown, and I’m the founder of Luxury Mirage Picnics, a Myrtle Beach-based event business that specializes in curated luxury picnic experiences and balloon installations. I started this journey shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic when I was inspired by beautiful, intimate picnic setups I came across on TikTok and Instagram. While luxury picnics seemed to be trending in places like Florida and up north, I noticed there weren’t many people offering the experience locally. At the time, only 2–3 businesses were dabbling in it here — but that didn’t discourage me. I had a clear vision of what I wanted to create, and I stepped out on faith to build something that felt meaningful and memorable.

Luxury Mirage Picnics offers tiered packages designed to turn ordinary moments into unforgettable celebrations. Whether it’s a romantic date night, birthday celebration, bridal shower, or just a relaxing sunset gathering, our setups are carefully curated with stylish decor, charcuterie boards, wine, cozy pillows, ambient lighting, and thoughtful complimentary items like bug spray, hand sanitizer, and Bluetooth speakers. We also offer balloon arches and décor add-ons that elevate the visual experience and make every event feel one of a kind.

What sets us apart is our intentionality. I don’t just set up picnics — I create atmospheres. I take pride in the small details, the custom touches, and the emotional moments we help bring to life. My clients know they can trust me to deliver not just a service, but an experience that feels luxurious, stress-free, and personal.

I’m most proud of how far the brand has come and the joy I see on my clients’ faces. Being trusted to help people celebrate life’s special moments is such a blessing. I also take pride in being a self-taught, Black woman entrepreneur who built this from the ground up, fueled by vision, creativity, and the courage to take risks.

For anyone new to Luxury Mirage Picnics, I want you to know that this brand is built with love, passion, and purpose. Whether you’re booking a romantic setup or a full-blown event celebration, I’m here to make sure your moment feels magical and memorable.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that everything had to be perfect before I started.

In the beginning of my journey with Luxury Mirage Picnics, I kept putting things off because I felt like I needed the best equipment, the perfect setup, the right camera, a huge following — basically everything lined up before launching. I spent so much time trying to make everything flawless behind the scenes that I was delaying my own progress.

But the truth is, perfection is a form of procrastination. I had to unlearn that mindset and realize that starting with what you have is not only enough — it’s powerful. Once I actually stepped out and launched, even with limited resources, I saw that people weren’t focused on perfection. They were drawn to the vibe, the experience, and the heart behind the brand.

That shift in mindset taught me to trust my vision and take messy action. Every step has been a learning experience, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come because I didn’t wait to be “perfect” — I just stayed consistent and kept improving.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I first started Luxury Mirage Picnics, I didn’t have a huge loan, investor, or savings account to fall back on. I bootstrapped everything from the ground up using my own money — mostly from my 9-to-5 job and side hustles.

It started with small, intentional steps. I would buy a few decor items here and there when I got paid — a couple of pillows, a table, some thrifted pieces, or a clearance find. I prioritized what I absolutely needed to bring my first vision to life, and I reinvested any money I made right back into the business. There were no shortcuts — just consistency, sacrifice, and faith.

Sometimes that meant skipping personal luxuries, budgeting strictly, or saying no to things so I could say yes to my business. I’d also do things myself — from building my own picnic tables to creating DIY decor — because I couldn’t afford to outsource early on.

Looking back, I’m proud that every part of Luxury Mirage Picnics was built with heart, hustle, and intention. Funding my business wasn’t easy, but it taught me discipline, creativity, and how to truly stretch a dollar without sacrificing quality.

Now, when people experience my setups, they’re seeing the result of that grind — every investment, every late night, and every dollar I poured into making this dream real.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luxurymiragepicnics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxury_mirage_picnics?igsh=NGJleXozYWh0OWI3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AsEc5Lw8w/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Taken by Zaria Brown