We were lucky to catch up with Olha Barabash recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Olha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

The inception of my company, “Sense of Moment”, along with its name, came from an unexpected source. While managing a corporate event at my previous job, I was tasked with creating a ‘wow’ effect for the client and all attendees. The opening became the pivotal moment of the evening – much like naming a boat, where the right choice leads to success, and a misstep could spell disaster.
We designed an immersive show featuring a novel approach to creating custom art using fluorescent light. The guests were completely in the dark about the final piece they’d witness. As an event manager, even I felt the weight of anticipation and experimentation.
The moment when the crowd erupted into wild applause upon seeing the final result was transformative. It crystallized the significance of my work and validated all our efforts. Right then, I had an epiphany: these moments of collective awe and joy were what I was born to create. It wasn’t just about planning events; it was about crafting unforgettable experiences that resonate with people.
This realization became the foundation of my company, driving our mission to consistently deliver such powerful, memorable moments in every event we create.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When people ask me what I did before managing events, I laugh and say, “Managed other events.” But in all seriousness, I stepped into event planning during college, initially working for a company and slowly transitioning to opening my own business. I was gaining experience, taking on more clients, and diving deeper into various projects.
Originally from Ukraine, I was born and raised there. At a point when everything seemed like a smooth scenario, my life took an unexpected turn. I challenged myself to move across the globe to the United States. Moving to New York was both the best and most challenging decision of my life. Of course, I had to start over from scratch. Despite having years of experience, the market was different, and I had to build my network and connections from the ground up.

Sense of Moment isn’t just an event planning company—it’s a creative laboratory where we transform ordinary celebrations into extraordinary experiences. We’re not event planners; we’re experience architects.
Our philosophy is simple yet revolutionary: We don’t just organize events. We craft stories.
We don’t ask couples what they want—we dive deep into who they are. Every wedding, every event is a unique narrative waiting to be told. We’re not interested in generic solutions or template designs. We want to understand your love story, your dreams, your essence.
Behind the scenes, we’re meticulous orchestrators. Imagine an interactive theater where you’re the star, and we’re the invisible directors ensuring every moment is magical. We don’t just manage events; we create memories that will be whispered about for generations.
Our team doesn’t see clients. We see stories waiting to be beautifully told.

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

My first significant professional pivot was my move to New York, which represented a complete career reset. Despite being an experienced event professional, I found myself starting from zero in a highly competitive market. No established reputation, no existing network – just a blank canvas and unwavering determination.
This transition wasn’t about convenience; it was a strategic career decision. While many would have been discouraged by the challenging landscape, I viewed it as an extraordinary opportunity for professional reinvention. The New York market demanded not just skills, but resilience, innovation, and an exceptional approach to event planning.
The journey was far from smooth, however, my profound belief in my professional mission became my primary driving force. I approached each challenge as a learning opportunity, systematically building connections, understanding the local market nuances, and demonstrating my unique value proposition.

And of course, as a wedding planner, one of the most significant pivots I experienced was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Adapting to this new reality required quick thinking and innovative solutions. I shifted my focus to smaller, intimate events that could be safely executed within the evolving health guidelines. This included designing and managing in-house outdoor celebrations, which became increasingly popular as restrictions began to ease. These smaller-scale events allowed me to maintain my business while providing clients with meaningful alternatives to their original plans.
I also expanded my services to include virtual event planning. This was particularly well-received by my non-wedding clients who still needed to engage with their audiences despite physical distancing measures.
Throughout this period, my role evolved beyond traditional event planning. I became a crisis manager, a digital strategist, and a source of calm for my clients. This experience not only allowed my business to stay afloat during challenging times but also expanded my skill set and service offerings.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Referrals are the cornerstone of our business strategy, transforming what could be a one-time service into a long-lasting professional relationship.
The wedding planning industry is unique – typically, you work with a client for one significant event that won’t repeat itself. However, I’ve discovered that when you approach each wedding with genuine passion, meticulous attention to detail, and heartfelt commitment, you create more than just an event. You build a meaningful connection that extends far beyond the wedding day.
Our approach goes beyond transactional service. We invest in understanding each couple’s story, dreams, and future aspirations. This depth of connection means that when we deliver an extraordinary wedding experience, we’re not just closing a project – we’re opening a door to continued collaboration.
The most rewarding aspect of our business model is witnessing how these initial relationships evolve. Many of our wedding clients have become long-term partners, returning for various life milestones. We’ve planned birthday celebrations, baby showers, children’s parties, and other significant events that mark their personal journeys.
This strategy isn’t just about generating additional business; it’s about creating a community of clients who see us as trusted partners in their most important moments. By consistently delivering exceptional experiences and maintaining genuine connections, we’ve transformed what could be a single-transaction service into a comprehensive, relationship-driven business.
Referrals, therefore, are not just a marketing strategy – they’re a reflection of the trust, quality, and emotional investment we bring to every single event we create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.senseofmoment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senseofmoment.ny/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senseofmomentweddings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgabarabash/

Image Credits

Photo credits (chronological order): Chi-Chi Ari, Rafal Ostrowski, Jaymo James, Jenny Fu Studio, Joseph Lin Photography, Rafal Ostrowski, Haseok Chung Studio, Chi-Chi Ari, Jaymo James