We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I’ve never had a “regular” 9-to-5 job. I grew up in this business as a second-generation owner, so this world is really all I’ve ever known. Sometimes, when things get especially overwhelming—like when I’m putting in long hours, working weekends, or juggling a dozen urgent issues at once—I do wonder what it might be like to have that kind of job. From the outside, it seems like it would come with less stress, more predictable hours, and the comfort of a steady paycheck.

But the truth is, I don’t think I’d like it at all. I’m so used to the rhythm of entrepreneurship—the freedom to make decisions, the challenge of solving problems, and the satisfaction of knowing the results (good or bad) are directly tied to my own effort. The last time I found myself imagining a “regular” job was during one of those chaotic weeks where everything felt like it was happening all at once. I remember being exhausted and thinking how easy it might be if I could just hand the pressure off to someone else.

Then, almost in the same breath, I reminded myself that this is the life I was built for. I love that I can structure my work around my family, that my choices shape the future of the business, and that the potential is unlimited depending on how hard I want to work. Sure, there are moments of stress and exhaustion—but I wouldn’t trade the independence, creativity, and opportunity of owning a business for the certainty of a 9-to-5.

Lauren, 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?

My story really begins with my parents, who founded our business in the early 2000s as a specialty wine and food store. I grew up in it—literally. I started working when I was just 13 years old and over the years, I’ve had a hand in every single part of the business as it evolved. About 18 years ago, we made a major shift into the event industry, beginning with catering and bar services. That evolution continued as we expanded into floral and décor, and eventually full event planning and management. With that transformation came our current name: Michaelis Events and Catering.

Today, we are proud to be the only truly all-inclusive event company in Kentucky and one of the state’s largest caterers. What sets us apart is that we can do it all under one roof—catering, bar service, flowers, décor, rentals, and full-scale event planning. Our clients love that they don’t have to juggle multiple vendors; they can trust us to handle every detail seamlessly.

We also saw a need in the industry for highly trained, professional event staff, so we launched Event Staffers, our own staffing company where we recruit, hire, and train all of our team members. This ensures that every person representing our brand at an event meets the same high standard of service and professionalism that clients expect from Michaelis Events.

What I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built for personalized service, creativity, and flawless execution. We don’t just put on events—we create experiences. Our mission is to take the stress out of planning so our clients can be fully present and enjoy their celebrations, whether that’s a wedding, corporate event, gala, or private gathering.

At the heart of it all, what I want people to know about us is that we’re not just a vendor—we’re a partner in bringing their vision to life. We’ve spent decades building a company that combines the warmth of family ownership with the professionalism and scale of a leading event firm. That combination is what makes us unique, and it’s why so many of our clients return to us for life’s biggest milestones.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of our biggest examples of resilience and pivoting came during COVID. As you know, the event industry essentially shut down for nearly two years. By the time my sister and I became second-generation owners of the business, most of our staff had moved on to other industries, and we had to reimagine how to operate in a completely new landscape.

We saw this challenge as an opportunity to reset and rebuild. We streamlined into a smaller, more efficient, customer-focused team and introduced new internal systems to simplify processes for both clients and staff. We also implemented faster, more consistent training protocols, ensuring new team members could get up to speed quickly.

At the same time, we invested heavily in refining our brand. We made sure our marketing and messaging were consistent across all platforms, positioned ourselves as a forward-thinking company, and elevated the standard of service we deliver. Our mission became not just planning events, but helping clients tell their stories—whether that’s a love story at a wedding, an impact story for a nonprofit, or a success story for a corporate event.

Looking back, that forced pivot has actually made us stronger, more focused, and more innovative as a business.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes—several resources have shaped how we approach management and entrepreneurship. I’ve been highly influenced by the Ramsey brand, especially the EntreLeadership podcast and others from their network. A core takeaway for me has been the importance of running a company debt-free, and that principle has become a foundational pillar in how we make decisions and manage growth.

My sister, on the other hand, draws a lot of inspiration from Disney and their family of brands. She’s particularly influenced by how they build systems, focus on process, and deliver a seamless guest experience. Together, we blend these perspectives—financial discipline and operational excellence on one side, with creativity and a customer-first mindset on the other.

That combination has really helped us shape our business into a sustainable, forward-thinking brand that delivers high-end events while staying true to our values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.EventPlanwithME.com
• Instagram: @eventplanwithme.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EventPlanWithMe/
• Linkedin: @eventplanwithme
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eventplanwithme

Image Credits

Photos by Kelli Lynn Photrography, TimB Photography,