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

Alright, Lori thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Starting The Riviere Agency was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, but also the most rewarding. At the time, I was living between Miami and NYC, working full-time as a litigation attorney. From the outside, it looked like I had it all together, but I felt creatively stifled and out of place in a male-dominated field where I didn’t feel seen.

I knew I needed a change, but the transition wasn’t obvious. I didn’t have a background in PR or event production — just a deep love for fashion, beauty, and storytelling, and I knew most agencies wouldn’t take me seriously with a resumé full of legal experience. But I also knew that being strategic, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure were my secret weapons. I believed those traits could translate, and give me an edge.

I started moonlighting, taking on small gigs, bouncing between events in both cities, and saying yes to anything that felt aligned. Eventually, I landed a client with a retainer big enough for me to quit my legal job. I gave my two weeks’ notice, and literally the day after my last day, the client emailed to say they were insolvent.

At that point, I had no safety net. My mom lives in another country, and I didn’t have anything to fall back on. But instead of panicking, I decided to bet on myself. I knew that if I worked harder than anyone else and stayed focused, I could make it happen. That leap, and that moment of having no option but to figure it out — was what shaped me into the business owner I am today.

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 own and run a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle PR and production agency, The Riviere Agency, based in NYC, with a footprint in Miami, London, and Paris. We work with brands across those industries to create meaningful moments, from influencer campaigns and product launches to immersive event activations that drive real results.

Our sweet spot is helping brands translate their identity into experiences, whether it’s a New York Fashion Week moment, an intimate press dinner, or a buzzy launch that earns five times its value in organic coverage and social impressions. We’re strategic, creative, and very results-driven.

My team has been together for over eight years. We’re a tight-knit group that genuinely loves working together. What makes us different is that we don’t operate like a typical big agency. There’s no assembly line here. Everyone touches every project, which means we bring a lot of heart, perspective, and intentionality to every detail.

I’m most proud of the reputation we’ve built, not just for the quality of the work, but for how we work: creatively, collaboratively, and with integrity.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Three things:
1. Being honest…always.

2. Saying no to work that doesn’t align with our strengths or values.

3. Building and retaining the right team. People who are not only talented, but genuinely care about the work and each other.

When you lead with integrity and put results first, word travels.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

That moment when my first big client backed out….the day after I left my law career was the ultimate test. I could’ve crumbled, but I didn’t. I had no backup plan, no cushion, and no family nearby. I just had this belief that if I stayed focused and gave it everything I had, it would work out. And it did. That moment shaped my mindset: no matter what happens, I’ll figure it out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theriviereagency.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riviereagency

Image Credits

The Riviere Agency