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

Alexandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

I strongly believe that a business can not be successful without their team. From what I have seen, in more corporate settings, employees are not given the ability to balance work and home life properly and are eventually burned out from the job, disgruntled, unsatisfied. I think it is important to break out of the hamster wheel mode of the workforce and allow flexibility to employees when able to.

As a small business, we have a small team who works very hard. Especially during season! The hours are long and the job is tiring. Though, I am always sensitive to the fact that people need to live their lives and feel fulfilled to be the best versions of themselves. So, when I can, I always approve time off, etc.

I think corporate America needs to practice more of this.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since pre-college days, I have always found myself in a hospitality setting. I worked in fast paced restaurants in my younger years and eventually moved into the hotel world where I was pulled into weddings and events. Throughout this time, I also completed a makeup artist program and opened my own bridal makeup company. From art shows, to photographing events and everything in between – I became a mini “jack of all trades” in the event industry.

I’ve launched branches of international art organizations, opened a venue form scratch and worked in high level positions directing sales for luxury catering companies. I believe for someone like me, once you’ve experienced as much as I have, opening my own business was the only place left to go!

We are now going into our 3rd year at AM Event Co – a full service event planning and floral design company based in Deerfield Beach! This year we added a flower shop store front to the business and have pivoted a bit to focus more on the floral design side of things. Though, happy to still be providing planning services for a limited number of couples!

Our aim is to be a versatile, boutique vendor that provides unique attention to detail and produces an end product that really speaks to what our clients envisioned. We are transparent and fair. And always provide clear communication and attention to our clients needs.

We are always willing to help and have a ton of knowledge to share!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

We were not fortunate to have capital to start the business. AM Event Co really came to be from hard work and surviving off incoming sales.

When starting out, I kept my overhead low. Said “yes” to every event that came my way (event when I know it did not turn a profit) and worked my butt off to grow our image and our brand.

All income was reinvested into the business ands I held a side marketing job to pay the bills on the personal side. It really is slow and steady wins the race. Growing too quickly can be a recipe for disaster. We went from 18 events our first year to 70 events in our send year, during a pandemic! I always had to be mindful of what investments I made and how I chose to grow in terms of space, vehicles, equipment.

Now, just short of 3 years in, we have a great space for production and storefront. We have brand new refrigeration equipment and our own large sprinter for event delivery.

Sometimes it is not about throwing a ton of money at an idea but rather working hard to slowly grow in the right ways and allow yourself the flexibility to pivot along the way until the recipe for your business is just right!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Our biggest source of new business is through referral, whether from past clients or fellow vendors.

We do believe in focusing on our Google presence in terms of reviews and page ranking. And it does help bring in inquires. Though, building strong relationships with other industry pros and doing an amazing job for past clients has seemed to be the best way to earn new business!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ameventco.com
• Instagram: @ameventco
• Facebook: @ameventco

Image Credits
photo credit to Blink and Company Photo https://blinkandcompanyphoto.com