Advertise on podcast: And I Like Large Parties: Conversations and Cocktails with Influential Women in the Events Industry

In this episode, I talk with Siam Fisaha, owner of Luxe Charcuterie, a Wilmington, Delaware-based catering business creating beautifully curated charcuterie boards, boxes and party platters for everything from intimate gatherings and thoughtful gifts to weddings and corporate events. After being inspired on a trip to Spain, Siam decided to switch careers and follow one of her passions...food! We talk candidly about the challenges of growing a business in a small market, why “old-school” customer service still makes a lasting impression, and how loyal clients can become one of your most valuable sources of new business.  Go visit her website at https://www.luxecharcuterieshop.com/ and give her a follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/luxecharcuteriee/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this interview, I talk with Jessenia Cosme, the owner of JC's Art Designs, a luxury signage and acrylic design studio in New Jersey, whose work has appeared in brand activations for Netflix, Sephora, and Coca-Cola. Jessenia and her team are trusted by their clients because they blend creativity and design with precision and impeccable execution. We talk about the importance of discipline, protecting your peace as a business owner, the reality of mom guilt, and the pressure women face to perform like they have it all figured out. Go visit her website at https://jcsartdesigns.com/ and give her a follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jcsartdesigns Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I chat with Candice Moore, owner of DeCourtcey Events and The Styled Stem. Candice is a Philadelphia-area event planner with over 15 years in the business. DeCourtcey Events is an event planning, design, and production firm specializing in luxury weddings, corporate and nonprofit events, and elevated destination celebrations. Known for intentional design, hospitality-driven service, and detail-minded execution, Candice and her team create events that feel meaningful and beautifully orchestrated. We talk about how Covid gave rise to a major influx of entrepreneurs in the wedding industry, why pricing your services appropriately is essential for long-term profit, and what Gen Z couples are looking for in weddings today. Go visit her website https://decourtceyevents.com/ and give her a follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/decourtceyevents/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I talk to Taylor Smallwood, owner of Taylored Events & Rentals and Loft 441 at Wireworks in York, PA. After working as a venue manager for several years, Taylor started an event rental company that offers event planning services and then opened her own event space. We get into the realities of venue ownership, why hiring employees is a risk worth taking, and how to balance trend cycles with pieces that are timeless. Go visit her site https://www.tayloredeventsandrentals.com/ and go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tayloredeventsandrentals/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I sit down with Nikki Chambers, owner of Petit Social Studio in Delaware. After transitioning from wedding planning, Nikki opened Petit Social to meet the growing demand for intimate, thoughtfully designed spaces for micro-events. Since then, she has expanded the footprint of the studio to support more creative sessions like photography and workshops. We get into the realities of venue ownership, the challenge of building genuine connections in a saturated industry, and why meaningful collaboration is key to long-term growth. Go visit her site https://petitsocialstudio.com/ and go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/petitsocialstudio/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I interviewed Briana DiGregorio, owner of Briana Rene LuxEvents. Based in the Philadelphia area, Briana specializes in custom builds and luxury event design that elevate events and create striking focal moments. Her work has been featured in Modern Luxury Weddings Magazine, and she was recently named one of the Dynamic Women of 2025 by Philadelphia Style Magazine. We talk about the qualities it takes to run a successful business, the realities of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and the behind-the-scenes essentials needed to execute successful installations. Go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brianarene_luxevents/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Byrne, an award-winning artist and owner of Caricatures & Silhouettes by Emily. With more than 25 years in the industry, Emily has delighted guests at countless events with her remarkably lifelike yet playful caricatures, creating keepsakes people treasure long after the party ends. We talk about how the caricature world has evolved over the years, including the growing presence of female artists, why strong organization is essential for running a successful creative business, and what the rise of AI could mean for the future of the industry. Go visit her website https://emilyarts.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emartiste/?hl=en Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I chat with Ryan Lennox, the owner of DJ Lennox: DJ and Photo Booth Services. This podcast usually spotlights women in the events industry, but Ryan has earned honorary gal status. He is a Philadelphia-based DJ with over 25 years in the industry, including a background in radio emceeing. Ryan is known for keeping dance floors packed by blending genres seamlessly and matching the energy of every crowd.  We talk about his journey in the industry, what he’s learned working alongside so many women in this space, and what it takes to stay relevant and consistently booked, especially in the wedding world.  Go follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/djlennoxdotcom/ and check out his website https://www.djlennox.com/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Nikki Marshall, the owner of Cake to Crumb Sweets. Based in Delaware, Nikki is known for her beautifully intricate cake designs and delicious confections. We chat about how the event industry has shifted over the past few years, the real challenges of marketing as a small business owner, and why a one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship doesn’t actually work for everyone. Go follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caketocrumbsweets/ Check out her earrings for sale https://birdsongclay.bigcartel.com/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I chat with amazing Philadelphia hairstylist Sophia Khan, the talent behind Sophia Scissorhands. With over 15 years in the industry, Sophia has mastered the art of bridal and special-occasion hairstyling, and her work has even been featured in People Magazine. We talk about what it really means to deliver standout customer service, why consistency is key to growing a business, and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Go visit her website https://sophiascissorhands.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophia_scissorhands/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this interview, I talk with Melanie Rash, owner of Cakery Bake Bakery in Smyrna, Delaware. After graduating with a culinary degree specializing in baking and pastry, she decided to follow a passion she’s had since high school and launch her own baking business. Melanie is known for her elegant, bespoke wedding cakes, but she also creates incredible gravity-defying designs in themes ranging from whimsical cartoons to eerie horror. We chat about letting go of imposter syndrome, why supporting fellow local businesses can actually help grow your own, and how to handle the emotions that come with seeing your original designs used to solicit copycat work. Go visit her website https://www.cakerybake.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cakerybakebakery/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I sit down with Corinne Sebesta, the owner of Sebesta Design, a Philadelphia-based floral studio with a national reputation. Her work has been featured in publications like Brides Magazine and spans everything from bold, modern installations to romantic, whimsical designs. Our conversation dives into the power of saying “no” to protect your peace, the non-negotiable importance of delivering excellence to clients, and why grit is one of the most valuable traits an entrepreneur can have. Go visit her website https://sebestadesign.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sebestadesign/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Nunery, founder of Delaware Female Creatives, an organization that provides space for women-owned businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow. Heather wears many hats as the owner of HMV Designs, a graphic design and marketing business, and La Nunery Apothecary, where she crafts organic candles and skincare. We dive into the power of networking, how experience builds resilience and perspective, and why speaking negatively about others can be a costly move in the small business world.  Recorded outdoors on a sunny summer morning, so excuse the faint lawn mower in the background!  Go visit her websites: https://www.delawarefemalecreatives.com/  https://www.hmvdesigns.com/ https://lanuneryapothecary.com/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delawarefemalecreatives/ https://www.instagram.com/hmv_designs/ https://www.instagram.com/lanuneryapothecary/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

I sat down with Theresa Gallagher, owner of Chesterdale Farm, a stunning new 18th-century farmhouse venue in West Chester, PA. Theresa shares the rich history of the property, and the journey of restoring the barn into a one-of-a-kind event space. We dive into the value of building connections in business (even when it means risking a little rejection), and why living without regrets is key to success. And because no good story is complete without a twist, we had a thunderstorm and a power outage, but it couldn’t stop the conversation. We pivoted, pressed on, and made it happen in true entrepreneur style. Go visit her website https://www.chesterdalefarm.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chesterdalefarm/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com

In this episode, I interview Jennifer Gordon, owner of Jennifer Syl Photography. Based in the Philadelphia area, Jen is known for her striking edits, keen eye for detail, and calm, collected presence behind the lens. We get into the good stuff like how to deliver standout client experiences, why venting about clients online might do more harm than good, navigating unexpected hiccups on event day, and what it really takes to thrive in the events industry. Go visit her website https://jennifersylphoto.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennifersylphoto/ Thanks for listening!  Follow us on Instagram @champagnestars1 and check out our site at www.champagneandstarsdecor.com