Meet Mollie Bennett | Owner & Chief Operating Officer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mollie Bennett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mollie, what do you attribute your success to?
Hoopla! is a team, 100%. I may be the owner and face of the company, but installations of this size cannot happen without a large group of people working together to make sure every detail is achieved. We make magic happen for our clients, and I am constantly amazed by the creativity and dedication of the people who work with me.

Alright, so let’s move on to what keeps you busy professionally?

You mean “what’s all the hoopla!”?
Holidays and celebrations are our business year-round. You can find us decking miles of halls in hotels and resorts at Christmastime, helping a corporation launch a new product with custom branding and decor, designing and installing parade floats for Long Beach City College, or even creating a baby shower around a client’s set of Peter Rabbit china. Our team is always turning visions into reality!

I have always loved design, decor and entertaining. Early in my life, I loved the parties my family would throw, creating spaces and themes that celebrated our love of food, laughter, and each other. My grandpa and my mom were huge influences for me, and I was always by their side, planning recipes, decorating tables, and organizing my little cousins to perform skits and songs. I saw how THE warmth, humor and hospitality OF MY FAMILY drew people in and made them feel welcome and valued. My mom is still the queen… the dinners and parties at her house are pretty legendary! I truly believe that people will mostly remember how you made them feel, and that there is always something to celebrate. Hoopla! is a reflection of that in tangible form – we create experiences and environments that make people feel something, and help them celebrate life’s important moments.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Long Beach is where I live, and where my family has lived for 4
generations. So first on the list would be to host our guest, probably at my mom’s, and definitely with an extended cocktail hour and great meal! We love to celebrate this city. Long Beach is so diverse, and offerS endless ethnic and cultural experiences. The LB Museum of Art is beautiful, and has a lovely restaurant that sits up on the cliff overlooking the ocean. The Performing Arts Center features music and shows of all kinds – I still remember going to the symphony with my aunt and uncle as a kid. Our large immigrant communities give us delicious dining options – especially Vietnamese & Cambodian food. Our beach bike and walking paths are a great way to enjoy the waterfront, and a drive over the Vincent Thomas & International Gateway Bridges is one of my favorite ways to see the massiveness of our port – the huge cranes and thousands of colorful shipping containers always make me smile. With scenic drives to both the north and south, Long Beach is a very attractive and accessible place not only to visit, but to live and run a business.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Twice in my life I’ve been fortunate to have people believe in me enough to invest, sell, or partner with me to grow my business. In 2007, I purchased an existing event production business from a mentor and someone I had worked with in the industry. At that time, my best friend was my business partner, and family members generously stepped in and offered small loans. Their help made it possible for me to get started. Then again in 2019, I was able to acquire some larger accounts from another vendor who had been in the holiday industry for years, and continues to give me help and advice. So I send a shout out to Jill and to Marcus, who both had faith in me, offering mentorship and opportunities to grow. And a big shout out to my family, all day every day! I can’t explain exactly why I’ve been this fortunate, but I think that so often, life is about relationships. When you do quality work, communicate well, and try to lead with gratitude and positivity, people take notice and wonderful things happen!

To see some Hoopla! holiday sparkle this season, stop by Hotel Maya inLong Beach, Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach, Vea Newport Beach at Fashion Island, or Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.

Website: www.whatsallthehoopla.com

Instagram: @hoopla_holidayhomeevents

Facebook: Hoopla Events & Decor