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

Hi Lisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After 25+ years in corporate event planning, I realized I had this unique skill set that could serve people during their most meaningful moments, but I was constrained by corporate structures and traditional approaches. The turning point came when I started officiating weddings in 2017 and saw how much impact I could have by being authentically present for couples on their biggest day.

When I left corporate a year ago, I saw gaps in how we support people through life’s major transitions. That’s when I created the title ‘Life Celebration Specialist’ because honestly, this job didn’t exist before I made it. I’m guiding people from wedding vows to final bows and every reason to celebrate in between. Adding end-of-life doula work and developing my PEACE framework was the natural evolution – people need the same level of thoughtful planning and compassionate support for their final chapter as they do for their wedding day.

The business model is really about filling a void in how we honor life’s biggest moments. Instead of bouncing between different vendors who don’t know you, clients get someone who understands the full journey and can bring that high-end, ultra-personalized approach I perfected working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (“UHNWIs”) to every life celebration – whether it’s a $2 million wedding or helping someone create their end-of-life plan.

What should our readers know about your business?
What excites me most right now is the end-of-life doula aspect of my business. Yes, I can support people who are actively dying, providing comfort and guidance during their final journey. But equally important is the proactive side, helping people create comprehensive end-of-life plans before they need them. Without proper planning, we leave our loved ones drowning in chaos. Having a plan in place is honestly the best gift you can give the people you love.

I got here through 25+ years of working with UHNWIs, where being extremely organized and detail-oriented is mandatory! UHNWIs are incredibly demanding, with multiple high-stakes projects happening simultaneously. I’ve juggled overseeing estate staff, massive residential construction projects, and orchestrating events for the VP of the US, A-list celebrities, Grammy winners, and Olympic athletes, sometimes all in the same week.

The margin for error is basically zero. But I’ve learned I actually thrive in that controlled chaos. I keep my cool, maintain my sense of humor, and somehow make the impossible look effortless. The ability to manage multiple moving pieces while staying calm and compassionate translate perfectly to helping families navigate life’s biggest transitions.

What I want the world to know is that death doesn’t have to be scary or chaotic if we plan for it with the same care we put into our weddings or any of life’s major events. My brand is about bringing that same high-end, ultra-personalized approach to every life celebration, because everyone deserves to have their story honored beautifully, whether it’s their beginning or their ending.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start local with my favorite Italian restaurant over the road from my house for their amazing, fun, energized happy hour, I’d take them to breakfast at the super cute, trendy breakfast spot (also over the road) to enjoy a yummy breakfast outside in the sunshine, I’d take them to the famous, hole-in-the-wall biker bar for live music, we’d spend time walking Laguna Beach and Seal Beach to explore all of the many, many unique boutiques and art galleries, we’d go the the Artist District in downtown Santa Ana, we’d take an afternoon to sit on the sand and watch the surfers at the pier in Huntington Beach and then checkout the surfer museum there, we’d go to Downtown Disney for live music and more delicious food and amazing people watching, shopping at South Coast Plaza would be a great adventure, checking out a performance/play at Segerstrom Center is always a joy, I’d take them to my place in Palm Springs to check out the desert landscape, the very cool art museum there, an afternoon architectural tour, a Sunday drag brunch and then back to my home in Orange County where we’d make sure to have time to just relax in my home while enjoying a movie and a nice meal. Phew! That’s a busy week for sure!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh my gosh! SO many – it all started with Marie Forleo, which led to Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, Jen Gottlieb, Lindsey Schwartz, Amy Porterfield, Jamie Kern Lima . . . just to name a few. They’ve all been mentors of mine. Some from a far some from real life. I’ve purchased their books, joined their masterminds, purchased their courses, listen to their podcasts and flown across country multiple times for their events. I’m still active in some of their masterminds.

Website: https://lisagravelle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelisagravelle/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gravelle-profile411/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.