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

Hi Naomi, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Learning the Wedding & Event Industry is different than many other fields and industries since there is no barrier to entry. Being that there is no required formal education or certifications, anybody can identify themself as a “professional” wedding or event planner and a client would know no different. However, the true test on whether someone is a professional comes down to the years of hands–on experience that they have in the industry which ultimately equates to how well they can project manage and problem solve, with a natural calmness to them.

Personally, I felt it necessary to have both hands-on experience and certification experience since both avenues would aide me learn the industry from various angles. Though the certification experience has helped, especially in the early years, I have learned the most through my hands-on experience. I truly do view every event that we plan as a learning experience – it’s an opportunity for reflection, even after 17 years of experience.

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.

To be honest, I stumbled upon the Event Industry. Most children have big dreams of what they want to do and what they want to be when they grow up, but I didn’t necessarily have that level of passion for any one specific thing. Instead, I felt passionate about everything I did, as if I could be a Jane of all trades.

Being of Caribbean descent, we were always hosting family get-togethers and parties – there was a party for everything. It wasn’t until my mid-teens, after one of our family parties, a family member commended me on how I organized the party so seamlessly – they were surprised to learn that I, at such a young age, had successfully coordinated such a large party, and done it so effortlessly. That was all I needed to hear for a seed to be planted.

I completed high school and continued with the traditional path of going to college, but I knew that while pursuing my college career, I wanted to obtain hands-on experience working in the event industry to see if it was something that would truly spark a passion and resonate with me. During my freshman year of college, I was given the opportunity to intern at a very high-end venue and I immediately fell in love with the industry. After that single experience, I knew that was it and I wanted to pursue a career in events.

My parents are business owners and I was raised in a household that taught me to work hard & pursue my dreams, with the sky being the limit. Being raised in an entrepreneurial environment meant that it was very natural for me to venture out on my own by starting my own business, which is exactly what I did. With a lot of love, passion, patience, and hard work, Naomi Zora Events was born.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think honesty and transparency helped to build my reputation. When someone is entrusting you with the biggest day of their life and access to allocate hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them have their dream day, there is a lot on the line. By showing relatability and always being as forthcoming as possible, I have been able to create a reputation synonymous with trust and it helps future couples and clients to trust in be a bit easier. The first clients that took a chance on me will always hold a special place in my heart because they had no reviews to go on, only trusting their instinct.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of this creative industry will always be seeing a concept that you envisioned, fully executed, and knowing how much hard work went into it. Each event I’m able to part of is different from the other, so the gratitude is a constant emotion. It’s even more rewarding to see my clients’ reactions to when their vision is fully executed, especially since I know I was a main team player in making that happen – the joy and excitement that they feel is immeasurable!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naomizoraevents.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomizoraevents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomizoraevents
• Other: The Knot: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/naomi-zora-events-palm-beach-gardens-fl-242321

  Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/mr-and-mrs-wedding-west-palm-beach/bed401273974a94e.html

Image Credits

Dani Parada Photography
Stephanie Lynn Studios
Zai Laffitte
Madison Aycoth
PS Photography & Films
Erica J Photography