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

Andrew, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

I wish I could say I had a team since day one. That’s not my story and I certainly won’t lie to you. When I started it was all me learning, struggling, failing and growing. Honestly I don’t believe a team would have prevented that anyway as they would have traversed through those stages of my business right with me. I didn’t build my team the traditional way by asking for resumes and screening them via an interview. It was by circumstance while working in the fashion industry that I noticed Dalonte and Frederick who just seemed like natural fits and knew what they were doing. It was a Facebook post asking for day of support for a 600 person holiday party that I met Danielle who had all the characteristics of a great planner that caused me to bring her on and very similar to Dana who was looking for a mentor. My team was built on the ground at an event which honestly is the best method for me to see how they handle an event environment which is much harder than being in the office under a more controlled environment. As I look at our team today, I wouldn’t change that process. Many may not have the skills of an event planner but I only need the desire to be great. If you have that, we can then work with you and train you along the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a purpose-driven event strategist whose work is rooted in storytelling, service, and social impact. A proud U.S. Army veteran, I brings a unique blend of discipline, empathy, and creativity to every event he produces. My journey from military service to event planning was fueled by a desire to create spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and connected—especially those working to uplift their communities.

My approach is deeply personal and community-focused. I believes that events are more than just gatherings—they are platforms for change, celebration, and connection. Whether working with a nonprofit championing equity or a mission-based company launching a new initiative, my team and I ensure every event reflects the heart of the organization and the people it serves.
⸻
What is Andrew Roby Events?
Andrew Roby Events is a boutique event planning and production company that specializes in creating experiences with purpose. While we’re known for our elegant weddings and high-profile social events, our true passion lies in partnering with mission-based organizations and socially conscious brands that are making a difference.
We understand that for many of our clients, an event isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about impact. That’s why we work closely with nonprofits, foundations, and corporate teams to design events that not only inspire but also drive meaningful outcomes. From fundraising galas and community activations to awareness campaigns and brand launches, we help our clients tell their stories in ways that resonate and mobilize.
⸻
Our Commitment to Community and Impact

At the core of Andrew Roby Events is a commitment to community. We are proud to support organizations that are tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time—racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, education equity, public health, and more. Our role is to amplify their missions through thoughtful, strategic event design that brings people together and moves them to action.

We believe that every event is an opportunity to build relationships, spark dialogue, and create lasting change. Whether it’s a nonprofit celebrating a milestone, a foundation hosting a summit, or a company launching a CSR initiative, we bring the same level of care, creativity, and logistical excellence to every project.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Being an Army Veteran provided me with years of experience working with a trained team. We worked on weekly drills ranging from breaching a building to placing a tourniquet on a limb. These drills not only prepared us for military deployments and worse scenarios situations but it also built us to be a solid team that understood each other and knew how to operate under pressure.

When I left the military I had to have a mindset shift. No longer was I working with a team of experienced people who spent months running through drills for deployments. I had to work with civilians while experienced in their craft, didn’t operate like the team I had in the Army. Our teams were given orders and carried them out without question or hesitation. In the civilian world, it was the first time I saw push back and people having a voice to provide a different alternative to meeting a goal. It was weird because all I knew was you were either the one giving the order or carrying out the order. The civilian world was much different.

While neither is better than the other, being a Veteran showed me a different way of doing things and factoring in alternatives from other people. I had to unlearn the do as I say mentality and allow for group discussions because I wasn’t always the smartest person in the room.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My goal with my team is to always give people a voice. To always allow them to pitch ideas, lead efforts and be at the forefront of events.

Most times business owners want to be in charge of everything. I’ve leaned you simply can’t do it all. You need your team to help carry the load. The more they feel empowered to do that and to also share ideas and see those ideas through, the more invested they are in seeing the business grow. I don’t micromanage my team. During an event, I check on them from time to time but my check in are mainly to ensure they take breaks, are eating and are not stressed. I trust my team enough to tell me when something is going wrong or when I need to step in. I also celebrate my team and reward them for hard work they do throughout the year.

No person is an island and the more you treat yourself as the only valuable person at your company, the harder it will be to retain great talent and grow your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andrewrobyevents.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewrobyevents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewRobyEvents/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/andrew-roby-events/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@andrewrobyevents?

Image Credits

Ron Blunt
Trene Forbes Photography
Corey Reese Photography