Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nirjary Desai. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nirjary, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

The most important lesson I learned was that every day is different and brings new challenges. How you perform in adversity and how you take on those challenges is what’s going to make you successful. Don’t let what others say about you influence you. You have to take your emotions out of business. It has to be run on facts and logic.

Nirjary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the Chief Experience Officer and Founder of KIS (cubed) Events, specializing in one of a kind event experiences with serious wow factor for some of the top brands, celebrities and personalities across the US and globally. I believe that every moment is unique, the experiences should be memorable, and when you walk into a space, your style should stand out and be unforgettable. I was born in Zambia, raised in South Carolina and educated in London, so I have a poly-cultural upbringing which instilled a passion for global travel, socially conscious businesses, and inclusive community building. My life has always been a battle between my eastern culture versus my western lifestyle. Those experiences make me want to advocate for a more socially inclusive world.

I earned my MBA in International Marketing & Management in London and worked within the hospitality and travel sector with American Airlines, IHG Hotels, and Starwood Hotels & Resort. I went on to found several brands and businesses designed to serve the travel and hospitality industry including a S3 Catering, Glam Squad, Bridal Elements, KIS (cubed) Events, and Leave Her Mark, a conference series to help educate, elevate and inspire women to find their passion and achieve their goals. I am is also a culinary expert, focusing on anything global in flare but nostalgic in flavor. I love teaching others that Indian food, or any food for that matter, is not complicated. I donate time to combating childhood hunger by partnering with Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry, and dedicate ,y time to fundraising, community education, and meal packing. I also work with women nationally and internationally and devotes some of my free time to community building and mentorship. Ultimately, I want to ensure that all human beings have access to opportunities and a community that truly understands them. And I believe each one of us has the power to influence the world around us by creating our version of change.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I really had to pivot once Covid hit and remind myself why I started. Sometimes you have to take yourself back to the basics of why you started and what your “why” is. If you as a business owner can remember why you started you can find ways to continue on your journey. When Covid hit I went back to the basics, and looked at how I can continue contributing to the industry while events are at a halt to help our community and build a better industry moving forward. I was forced to confront manufacturing and supply chain issues and the largest event/wedding numbers in years which has been challenging but extremely rewarding as things have begun to evolve to a moment where ultimately people want to have experiences and celebrations they will remember.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I really had to unlearn some of my business pricing structure and models. The operation would’ve been different from the ground up. I would’ve hired people that are passionate about this business and not just people who had good resumes but couldn’t execute on it. You think your network wishes you well, but don’t always listen to the noise. You have to focus on the vibrations. For me, it’s never been about competing. It’s always about collaborating. Building a community and alliances. I kept her head down and worked toward my goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kiscubedevents.com
• Instagram: kiscubed & nirjarymdesai
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiscubed/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kis3-event-planning/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kiscubed

Image Credits
Photo credit: Nadia D Photography Location: The Whitley Hotel