We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Solange Abreu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Solange, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I actually started my business while I was still in college. I was fortunate to have a great support system, I had great faculty and a business professor helped me build my first business plan and understand the fundamentals. Even before that, I had been in the event industry since high school, planning community events and even my own prom! I always knew what I wanted to name my business, and the passion and commitment were already there. That part came naturally.

What took more time was building the confidence to go full-time and really defining my niche. Throughout my career, I’ve had some amazing experiences working in different roles that helped me grow my skills and confidence. I’ve worked with incredible organizations like Points of Light, CARE, the Atlanta Football Host Committee, and the Super Bowl LIII Host Committee. Each role taught me something new and brought me closer to the work I love.

In 2020, while I was still running my business more as a side hustle, freelance planning, marketing consulting, wearing many hats, I coordinated a wedding for a family friend. That moment sparked something deeper. It wasn’t an instant “the rest is history” moment, but it definitely set something in motion. I eventually became a wedding director with a respected company here in Atlanta, all while still working full-time elsewhere. That’s when I truly started to see my purpose more clearly. The pull toward weddings became stronger, and over time, it became apparent what my niche was.

After nearly three years of balancing both worlds, I finally took the leap and went full-time. I like to take credit for the leap, but God gave me the final push! Now, I’m proud to be a full-time wedding planner and business owner, and it’s an honor to create and manage such special moments in my clients’ lives.

So to answer your question, I don’t think I wish I had started sooner. I believe I’m exactly where I need to be, and so are the clients I get to serve. The timing aligned perfectly for both of us.

Solange, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m the founder and lead planner of Events by SCA, a wedding and event planning company.. My journey into this industry started long before I officially launched my business. I’ve been passionate about events since high school, from the day I was placed on a stage and asked “who do you want to be” and frighteningly answering “an event planner.” The journal led me to planning community give back events, relief efforts, and even my own prom. That passion followed me into college, where I wrote my first business plan with the support of incredible faculty mentors and a business professor who really believed in my vision.

While building my company, I also gained invaluable experience working in roles that sharpened my skills and shaped my approach, at organizations like Points of Light, CARE, the Atlanta Football Host Committee, and the Super Bowl LIII Host Committee. Those opportunities taught me how to manage large-scale logistics, create experiences with impact, and lead with empathy and intention.

In 2020, I coordinated a wedding for a family friend, and something clicked. I had already been operating as a freelance planner and marketing consultant, but that wedding showed me that serving couples on one of the most important days of their lives was where I was truly meant to be. From there, I began working as a wedding director for a company in Atlanta while continuing to build my own brand behind the scenes. It took nearly three years of listening to my calling, but I finally went full-time as a wedding planner, and I haven’t looked back.

At Events by SCA, I offer full-service planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, elopement/microwedding packages, and custom event design. I specialize in creating heartfelt, and elevated experiences that reflect each client’s unique story and vision. Whether it’s an intimate backyard ceremony or a large-scale celebration, I focus on the details so my clients can focus on being present, and saying “I do”.

What sets me apart is the level of care and intention I bring to each event. I don’t just plan timelines and manage vendors, I create emotional ease for my clients, helping them feel grounded, supported, and seen throughout the entire planning process. I also speak Spanish, which allows me to connect with a broader range of couples and families in a more personal and inclusive way.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built, both with my clients and within the industry. I’ve been honored to plan events that hold deep meaning and cultural significance, and it means the world to know that my work has helped create lasting memories and connections in each of my clients’ lives.

More than anything, I just want people to know that Events by SCA is rooted in passion, purpose, and personalized service. This is not just a job for me, it’s a calling, and I believe every event is a reflection of that.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Putting myself out there and having real conversations has been incredibly impactful! Whether I’m talking with someone at a coffee shop, meeting couples at expos, or connecting through mutual interests, I’ve found that simply being present and open often sparks curiosity about what I do. I don’t always lead with “I’m a wedding planner”- sometimes we’re just talking about life, travel, or events we’ve attended, and that turns into “wait! you’re a wedding planner?”

To me, that natural connection builds trust. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you do. From there, word-of-mouth has been huge for me. Past clients, vendors, and even wedding guests have referred me just based on how I showed up and handled an event.

Posting on social media has led to great exposure, and going to wedding expos as well as networking events has also helped me build visibility, but I’ve found the most meaningful growth happens when I authentically connect with people one-on-one. That’s what has built my business-relationships over sales tactics.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I had to do everything on my own to prove I was capable. For a long time, I believed that if I wanted to be taken seriously, especially as a young woman in business, I had to wear every hat, never ask for help, and constantly “hustle” to show my worth. Unfortunately, I tied success to how much I could carry alone.

The backstory? In the early stages of building my business, I was juggling a full-time job, planning special events and weddings, consulting, and doing everything from admin to event setup solo. I rarely asked for support, even when I needed it, because I felt like I had to prove that I could do it all. But I was running on fumes.

Over time, I realized that strength isn’t just in doing everything yourself, it’s in knowing when to delegate, collaborate, and give yourself space to grow. The moment I started building a support system, trusting others with pieces of my business, and investing in partnerships, everything began to shift. My work got better, my energy returned, and most importantly, I didn’t feel so alone in the process.

That unlearning has held a huge impact in my life. I see asking for help not as a weakness, but as a wise and strategic move that allows me to show up as my best self, for my clients, my business, and myself. And when I feel myself rescinding back into that old pattern of trying to carry it all alone, I remind myself, you’re not meant to do this by yourself. Resting, delegating, and leaning on support doesn’t make you less capable, it makes you sustainable. That reminder keeps me grounded, especially in the busiest seasons!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eventsbysca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbysca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EventsBySCA/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventsbysca

Image Credits

I haven’t received photos from the recent wedding yet, but if I do receive in the next day, I will submit those and provide credit.