March 14, 2018

Meet Kelsey O’Malley, Sayli Oramas of Carpe Diem Events & Weddings in Central Houston

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey O’Malley, Sayli Oramas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started coordinating a variety of events, including weddings, when I was 18 while working at the Hilton in College Station while I was attending university, and eventually led to helping in the planning process about a year later. I absolutely loved it- communicating with vendors, putting the different aspects of an event together, adding the tiny details that make it unique, and even the stress of it all as it builds up closer to the final date. I love bringing people together and being a part of creating an experience for them, and with over a decade of experience in the hospitality and restaurant industry, it just came natural to make event planning a permanent part of that. I ended up asking one of my closest friends, Sayli Oramas, at work one day, nearly out of the blue, “Hey, do you want to start an event planning business with me?”. Two months later, we created the LLC.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, life itself isn’t a smooth road, and I believe anything worth holding on to is never easy, as cliche as that sounds. We didn’t have a client for the first 6 months of starting, and as often as you tell yourself that’s to be expected, it is still discouraging. One of the biggest struggles is getting our name out there and then proving to people that we are good at what we do. Our business primarily relies on word of mouth, and social media and marketing are basically just visual effects. It’s also a business based on experience and trust, and once you do finally book a client, the relationship you build with them is vital to the success of the event.

Carpe Diem Events & Weddings – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We offer full-service planning for any type of event, whether it be doing everything from ground zero or just coordinating the day of. We offer as much or as little for our clients’ special day as they need. We are extremely personable, and strive to work with any client’s budget and/or situation. If at all possible, we don’t say no. If a client comes to us unable to afford what most other event planners in Houston charge, we do our very best to meet them where they are. We are also bilingual, which has been great for us. Sayli immigrated from Cuba, so with her first language being Spanish, she is able to cater to clients who
sometimes don’t speak English at all, which gives the immediate opportunity to build a relationship with them.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As an event planner, success is exemplified through creating the client’s event far better than they could have imagine it to be, but also building a genuine and trusting relationship with them along the way. Make their idealistic Pinterest board come to life, create that “remember when” moment, showing them through our events that seizing the day not only means making the most out of the present moment, but making the most out of their lives.

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