We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Eichenwald Braghin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Being in the events industry is more than a full time job. It is a calling and a passion that one must have. The hours and times are different, the boundaries are different, the involvement is different. Whenever we take on a new client, it is a blossoming relationship that then allows us to bring their moment to life. No matter if it is a wedding, a mitzvah, a gala or a corporate event, we want to create an experience that allows the guests to feel what our clients are feeling. For that we need to give the event a soul, and for that we need to understand our clients, and that is when the relationship develops. I have often thought of what it would be like to have a stable regular job. But just the word regular gives me goosebumps. I can’t imagine not doing what I do and creating with colors and textures that evoke feelings that our clients did not even know where possible. Never a dull moment, no days alike. Not a morsel of regular in this industry. Fun, dynamic, and exciting is what makes me tic.
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
Looking back I think I was born to do this job. Creating experiences is my passion. For as long as I can remember, I would watch my mom and my grandmother set their tables, thing about the menus, add a centerpiece, give thought to the guest lists and how the guests would interact. We would cook together and play with spices just as much as with flowers and plates. I was brought up to anticipate what makes people around me happy and comfortable. It makes me happy to see people around a table, laughing and enjoying, or on a dance floor letting out all of the stress. When I conceptualize an event I take into account that it not only has to be beautiful and fun but functional based on what the client, event, venue and vendors need. We think three steps ahead so we can foresee any possible issues and ensure they never happen. Everything we do at Plan Design is custom and has a thought process so that our guests have a cohesive experience with all their senses. For me this is not a job, it is a lifestyle and a part of who I am, and that is what gives us an edge.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met my business partner, sister, best friend, Arianna Grijalba, about 8 years ago. She was working Free lance for Le Basque as the catering manager on one of our accounts. Alejandro, the owner of Le Basque called me and said :”you and Arianna should partner up. If you do you will take over the world and I will support you!” I had two children and was looking for someone to partner with. It is a very emotional business and it is different having a full partner than employees. I wanted someone to share the business with and that person had to complement what I did. After the event, I saw Ari’s attention to detail, her focus, her thought process. She loved the logistics and the planning and the time lines and schedules and the organizational aspects of the business. I love the design and all over the place atmosphere that my part brings to the table so ying and yang. We did a big event together and instantly knew it was love at first site. She is my rock and I am her and together we are unstoppable!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most amazing part of being a creative is the responsibility of bringing ideas and visions to life in a genuine way. Being able to reflect our clients in the decor and Vybe of the party is amazing. Doing an event and having guests say at every detail how perfectly it represents its host. Also, we are responsible for very high budget events that represent a significant investment for our clients. This is an incredible honor and responsibility, whether a wedding or a product launch, you don’t get another shot so it must be perfect. I am so appreciative of the opportunities being a creative bring me. From being exposed to different materials, to other artists in every area from music, to culinary and design is amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.plandesignevents.com
- Instagram: @plandesignevents
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/plandesignevents
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plan-design-events/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/plandesignevent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_wa7Ui-dpRlr9ayNK7IPSA/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/plan-design-events-miami-2