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

Hi Erica, how does your business help the community?
While we excel in planning weddings and social events, our primary focus has evolved to partnering with athletes to create impactful and purpose-driven philanthropic events. This spans from elegant, intimate fundraising dinners to dynamic basketball camps, thoughtfully designed to inspire and make a difference.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love sharing the story of how I became the CEO of my own company—never did I imagine I’d be planning and producing events across the country! In high school, I believe I discovered my passion for logistics and operations, which I was able to apply in several previous roles. My career journey began in non-profit education and then transitioned into HR before I took the bold step of starting my company in 2017.

It all started with planning my sister’s wedding and brother-in-law’s wedding. That experience sparked a passion for weddings, and despite knowing very little about the industry at the time, I took a leap of faith and committed to becoming one of the best wedding planners in the business. I spent the following years freelancing with other professionals, learning the ins and outs of event planning, and honing my skills in planning weddings at a wide range of venues, from private residences to traditional event spaces.

In 2021, we ventured into producing events beyond weddings, and it was an exciting challenge that opened new doors! Since then, we’ve planned numerous social events for high-profile athletes, including baby showers, birthdays, brand summits, and activations.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. I believe growth is never easy, but the process has been rewarding in ways I could have never anticipated. Even on the toughest days, I’m grateful for the work I do and the incredible people I get to serve.

By constantly reminding myself of my “Why.” This motivation is unique to each person, but for me, writing it down and keeping it visible has been a powerful tool in maintaining my focus and determination, especially during tough times. Having that clear reminder helps me stay aligned with my purpose and push through obstacles with resilience.

What excites me most right now? Our company is now focusing on producing philanthropic events for athletes in the NBA, WNBA, and NFL. It’s an exciting new chapter that combines my passion for events, sports, and giving back to the community in meaningful ways.

When I’m not immersed in event planning, I’m also serving as the Marketing and Creative Director for Mela Vino, a Black-owned, female-owned wine company, and I’m proud to be part of such an incredible team.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the San Fernando Valley near Sherman Oaks, and I absolutely love it here! For coffee, I’m a fan of LaLa Land in Calabasas and M Street Cafe—definitely the best neighborhood spot. When it comes to dinner, Casalena in Woodland Hills is a favorite, and Taisho is my go-to for sushi. Honestly, though, there’s so much more of LA I’m excited to explore!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are countless people I want to shout out! I’m incredibly blessed with an amazing tribe of friends, family, and colleagues who have stood by me, especially in moments when I felt like giving up. I thank God for surrounding me with such unwavering support—people who not only encourage me but continually pour into me with love, wisdom, and inspiration.

Website: https://ericaadamsdesign.com

Instagram: https://erica.adams.design

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaadamsdesign/

Image Credits
Abby Jiu
Aaron James
Nirav Patel

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.