We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Piel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.

Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful in the event and design business, there are several important things I need. First, I have to always come up with new ideas to use for each client, based on their vision. It is important to showcase something different with each event, even if the theme is similar to a previous one.

Being attentive to details is really important, from quantities of each item, to colors, and materials. This begins with listening to your clients carefully and requires intuition to understand what it will take to bring their ideas to life.

Organizing and planning is crucial for each event. All the required items must be ready and loaded before delivery. Timing is critical in getting everything set up before the event start time. Occasionally, something will not go exactly as planned, and you must be able to think outside the box to find solutions.

Lastly, you have to work to promote your business. This is actually the hardest part of all. I was really lucky to find such great people to work with around Tampa. Early on, I reached out to several businesses, despite my hesitation, and I was surprised that most of them were open to collaborating. We have done several styled shoots together and I’ve become friends with so many of the people that I’ve worked with.

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 was born in Manila, Philippines. I graduated with a degree in computer science, before moving to the USA 16 years ago. After moving here, I started a family, and was a stay-at-home mom for several years, but had a big passion for creating events. I created events for my family and friends on every birthday or holiday.

My husband urged me to start a business doing what I enjoy. First, I created a cupcake business in Iowa in 2014, where I spent an incredible amount of time perfecting my recipes. I was getting a lot of orders, but it was more time consuming than I had anticipated. Sometimes I was up all night filling orders, which was difficult to do while taking care of my young kids. Then in 2019, we relocated to Tampa, FL. I’ve seen so many small businesses thriving and people are very welcoming and supportive, which inspired me to start my own business. It was a natural progression for me to create a company doing what I love. In 2022, I decided to launch my event business. I started with my closest friends and then began to find new clients. My love and determination made my dream into a reality.

I reached out to companies through social media, advertised my work through sponsored ads and eventually a few clients reached out to me about their event. Over time, I was able to get to know more people. I met several important people through collaborations who quickly became my friends. Clients loved my work and thereafter they would ask me to do a full event set up. My dedication, passion, and willingness helped me a lot. Hard work and having GRIT made me realize anything was possible.

I believe that what separates me from others is my Filipino heritage. We have a strong sense of hospitality, and I always treat my clients with respect, going out of my way to make my clients feel valued. I follow the latest international trends, including Filipino designers, for inspiration and incorporate it into my own designs. I was able to build my portfolio from balloons to tablescapes, full event set-ups and am now accepting wedding event planning and design.

What makes me most proud is my ability to create a unique and personalized experience for each client.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect for me being creative is the opportunity to express my ideas and see the smiles and appreciation of my clients. The sense of excitement when they see my work makes me feel fulfilled and rewarded. Also, being able to connect and collaborate with other businesses is a great experience. Networking helps me to gain more confidence each time I’m creating a new event. Being creative helps me to communicate and express myself. It helps me develop new ideas and obtain new techniques. Ultimately, the most rewarding thing is to see something unique which I was able to create.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Building a strong brand is the most effective way to attract new clients. I built my brand by developing my website, my social media accounts, and consistently going above and beyond for my clients.. The positive feedback and reviews I get from clients and their recommendations helped me grow my business. I have also been really fortunate to have a great neighborhood that supports local businesses. I’ve met so many spectacular people in my neighborhood and surrounding communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amoreexquisite.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/amoreexquisite
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Amore-Exquisite-by-Ms-J-Events/100077345408831/

Image Credits
Monique Trevett