Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sylvia Ibrahim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sylvia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Growing up, I was incredibly fortunate to have a clear vision of my desired career path. I always expressed my passion for either interior design or event planning, as I held an equal love for both fields. To pursue my aspirations, I enrolled in the Interior Decorating program at Sheridan College. Additionally, I took on the role of President of the Student Union, granting me extensive involvement in the planning process for on-campus events.
As my fascination with wedding planning grew, I actively sought opportunities to work alongside experienced wedding planners, dedicating three years to gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the field. During this time, I also obtained certification in Home Staging.
However, I soon realized that I didn’t want to limit myself to a choice between wedding planning or home staging. I wanted to utilize my talent and passion for both areas, leading to the creation of Le Petit House—a culmination of my expertise and aspirations.
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 I started Le Petit House, my goal was to break free from being a specialized planner catering exclusively to certain types of weddings. Having moved to Canada just 10 years ago, I was fortunate to grow up in a vibrant and diverse environment, which instilled in me a deep appreciation for the richness of various cultures. I wanted my business to be a reflection of this, attracting clients from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique stories, and creating designs that truly capture their essence.
I take immense pride in achieving this goal and being an integral part of beautiful Fusion events that celebrate culture. To date, we have had the privilege of planning weddings from over 10 different cultural backgrounds. Each experience has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn something new and exquisite about that particular culture, and I ensure that its beauty is faithfully represented in our designs.
Furthermore, leveraging my background in interior design, I go beyond assisting my clients solely with the planning process and extend my expertise to encompass the overall design. Together, we craft intricate mood boards that vividly illustrate how their vision can come to life. We meticulously outline every element, from the captivating tablescape, elegant draping, optimal furniture arrangement, mesmerizing centerpieces, to the exquisite stationery, ensuring a cohesive and enchanting ambiance throughout the event.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I launched my business in January 2020, only to face an unexpected turn of events as the world was engulfed by the pandemic just two months later. The wedding industry suffered a severe blow, and even when restrictions eased, we, as wedding planners, encountered significant challenges in supporting our clients through these unprecedented times.
In 2020, recognizing the desires of couples who still wished to celebrate their love despite the circumstances, we collaborated closely with other vendors to create a special micro package. This comprehensive package encompassed everything from the venue and decor to the cake, officiant, musicians, and even to-go cake boxes. Our primary objective was to alleviate the stress of planning during a pandemic while ensuring we could provide a tailored service for couples who did not want to postpone their special day.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
One of the most impactful decisions I made for my business was to invest in a comprehensive brand refresh. Collaborating with a professional, I embarked on a journey to create a new logo and an overarching brand identity. By ensuring consistency in my logos, colours, and templates, I established a strong visual presence that enables my audience to easily recognize my work and messaging amidst the multitude of social media posts they encounter.
This cohesive brand identity has played a pivotal role in attracting clients who resonate with my style, serving as a magnet for my target audience. By presenting a unified and distinctive brand, I am able to effectively communicate my unique offerings and foster connections with clients who align with my artistic vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lepetithouse.ca/
- Instagram: @lepetithouse
- Other: Tik Tok: @lepetithouse
Image Credits
Purple Tree Photography, Shotlife studios, Laura Amendola, & Mango Studios