We recently connected with Ogechi Okwara and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ogechi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success can mean different things to different people, but generally, being successful often comes down to a few key elements: 1. Clarity of Purpose – Knowing what you want and why you want it gives your efforts direction. Without that, it’s easy to drift. 2. Consistency & Discipline – Success rarely comes from short bursts of effort. It’s the result of showing up every day, even when motivation fades. 3. Resilience – Failure, rejection, and setbacks are inevitable. The ability to adapt, learn, and keep going is crucial. 4. Self-awareness – Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and values helps you make better decisions and stay aligned with what success means to you. 5. Strong Relationships – People often underestimate the role of community, mentors, and support systems. No one really does it alone. 6. A Growth Mindset – Believing you can improve, learn, and evolve keeps you open to new ideas and opportunities.

Ogechi , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Founded in 2017, DEServing Events is a certified event planning company based in Houston, Texas. With nearly a decade of experience, we specialize in crafting unforgettable experiences for all types of occasions—from weddings and birthdays to graduations, baby showers, and even surprise proposals. What sets us apart is our passion for planning. We love what we do, and it shows in our work. Our team is made up of six talented women, each bringing unique strengths that help create beautifully coordinated events. Their dedication, creativity, and attention to detail are the heart of DEServing Events. When you choose DEServing Events, you’re not just hiring a planner—you’re gaining a committed partner who will handle every detail so you can truly enjoy your celebration. We aim to bring originality and personal touches to every event, ensuring it reflects your vision and style. We take pride in our professionalism, organizational skills, and client satisfaction. With every event, we learn and grow, using that knowledge to make the next celebration even more successful. While we’re based in Houston, we’re happy to travel to bring your event dreams to life. At DEServing Events, your joy is our priority—and we guarantee a 100% satisfaction experience every step of the way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A Story of Resilience: Navigating Challenges with Professionalism One experience that truly tested my resilience as an event planner involved a couple I initially had a great rapport with. However, tensions arose when I kindly set boundaries around certain responsibilities that fall outside my scope for liability reasons. For instance, they asked me to assign their guests to specific tables. I explained that, not knowing their guests personally, I couldn’t confidently group people without risking discomfort or misplacement. They also asked my team and me to collect money thrown on the floor — a tradition at some celebrations. I respectfully declined, noting the potential liability and suggested they enlist trusted family members or hire additional staff for that task. This created friction, and eventually, they decided to move forward without my coordination services. I was prepared to step away, but after a heartfelt discussion with my team, we chose to show up on their wedding day anyway, knowing how important that moment was for them — and how much was still at stake in terms of execution. When I arrived, the couple was distant and visibly upset. Despite the chilly reception, I remained focused and professional, ensuring every element of their event was handled with care. Midway through the event, I noticed that guest seating hadn’t been set up. The specialty chairs provided by the decorator had been taken away without my knowledge. I quickly contacted the venue and secured the use of their chairs — on the condition that my team and I would set them up ourselves. Even though I could have easily walked away due to how I was treated, I chose to rise above the situation. My commitment to excellence and the overall success of their wedding guided every decision I made that day. This experience reminded me that resilience in event planning isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about showing grace under pressure, staying true to your values, and delivering exceptional service regardless of the circumstances.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What Helped Me Build My Reputation in the Event Planning Market What helped me build my reputation wasn’t just the events I planned — it was how I handled the moments people didn’t see. In this industry, your name becomes your brand, and I’ve always been intentional about building mine on a foundation of integrity, reliability, and clear communication. I stay true to my policies and boundaries, not because I want to limit the experience, but because I want to protect my clients, my team, and the overall success of each event. Word-of-mouth has been a huge driver of my growth. Clients refer me because they know I stay calm under pressure, I find solutions quickly, and I never leave a job halfway done — even when things get tough. I also make sure to build strong relationships with venues, vendors, and other industry professionals, which helps every event run smoothly from start to finish. Ultimately, I believe my reputation was built by being consistent — consistently professional, consistently respectful, and consistently focused on delivering events that feel effortless for my clients, even when a lot of effort is happening behind the scenes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.deservingevents.com
• Instagram: @deserving_events

Image Credits

Stanlo Photography Second Shots Photography Stand By Productions Dee Porter Photography