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

Hi Melissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I started my event planning business, Paige Creative, after spending years as a corporate event planner. What I loved most about event planning was the process of building an event from an initial idea and watching it blossom into a successful reality. I knew that I wanted to focus on leveraging my creativity and building strong personal relationships with my clients and owning my own business would give me the flexibility to do that.

I also appreciated the opportunity to have ownership over my decisions and the autonomy to set my own schedule. After all, being an event planner often means working long hours and on weekends, so having control over my schedule was a significant factor.

With my varied experience working across different departments and types of events, I felt confident that I could handle all aspects of running my own company. I had developed a range of skills, from budgeting to marketing, that would serve me well as a sole business owner. In the end, the thought of building something from scratch, taking ownership of my work, and having the freedom to create strong relationships with my clients all contributed to my decision to start my own business. It’s been a challenging journey, but I’m proud of what I’ve built and excited for what’s to come.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Initially, I was on track to become an American Sign Language interpreter, and while that can be a rewarding career path, I realized that it wasn’t fulfilling me in the way that I wanted.

Event planning, on the other hand, allowed me to combine my passion and my strengths into a career that energizes me to give my best to my clients. When you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it inspires and motivates you every day. The hours may be long, but pursuing a path that aligns with my personal passion inspires me to keep pushing.

What sets myself and my brand apart is accountability. When I commit to something, whether it’s a project deadline, a budget, or a specific deliverable, my clients know that they can count on me to follow through.

In the event planning industry, building strong relationships with clients is paramount. Our clients trust us to bring their visions to life and to deliver exceptional experiences that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. Accountability is a key factor in building that trust.

When our clients know that we are accountable, that we will take ownership of our commitments and see them through to the end, it builds confidence in our abilities and strengthens the relationship. It’s not just about delivering great events, it’s about doing so with a level of professionalism and reliability that clients can count on time and time again.

While the events industry is often perceived as glamorous and exciting, there’s one thing that outsiders may not be aware of–the significant toll it can take on your mental health. The pressure to execute flawless events within tight deadlines and budgets can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of working long hours and sacrificing personal time to meet those demands.

Last year was particularly tough in my career, but I’m grateful for the experience because it taught me the importance of setting boundaries for myself. I’ve learned that taking care of your own mental health is essential for success in this industry. That means setting realistic expectations for yourself and your clients, prioritizing self-care, and being willing to say no when necessary. By prioritizing our well-being and advocating for healthy work practices, we can create a more sustainable and fulfilling future for ourselves and our industry.

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?

Being the event planner in my friend group, I’m always coordinating the trips, especially ones in SoCal!

I’m a huge foodie! Believe it or not, my favorite cuisine is Persian. Whenever I’m in a new city, I always add a Persian restaurant to the itinerary. In SD, Sufi is a must. The ambiance is authentic and the food is unbelievable. My other recommendation is Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad. The vibe, the food, the staff, it’s all amazing.

For drinks, you’ll find me at Kove, a brewery with hard kombucha. The guys who run it are visionaries and a great addition to the bar in SD. I’ve hired them for event activations and guests convert to frequent brewery customers.

For some focused work hours, Downtown Works is my go to Coworking space. They have day passes which makes it super easy to just drop in. No day is ever the same in event planning so their flexibility is perfect for me.

Glider point for the sunset always. There are a few secret trails leading from the parking lot with the best views of the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Lisa Rivera at Bleu Sparrow Events

Website: https://thepaigecreative.com/

Instagram: paigecreative_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-lee-50aa385a/

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.