Conversations with Joelle Zomebot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joelle Zomebot.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Bougie Eventals was founded in 2021 by four partners — Joelle, Nadine, Yves, and William — with a simple idea rooted in a clear need. We noticed a shortage of quality event furniture rentals in our area and decided to start small by offering just 50 chairs. What began as a modest idea quickly gained traction, and demand grew faster than we anticipated.

Encouraged by the strong response, we expanded in 2022, adding more chairs, tables, and décor pieces to our inventory. As the market continued to be highly receptive, we took a bigger leap and sourced additional items from China, effectively doubling our inventory. By the end of 2022, we had grown to nearly ten times the inventory we started with.

With the event industry thriving, we broadened our operations by launching a venue rental business under a three-year contract from April 2022 to August 2025, while also moving into a larger warehouse in early 2023 to support our growth.

In 2024, as the market shifted, we experienced a slowdown—particularly in the venue rental side of the business. This prompted a strategic decision not to renew the venue contract beyond 2025 and to refocus on our core strength: party and event rentals.

Today, Bougie Eventals stands as a well-established event planning, décor, and rental company with a strong foundation and a curated inventory of over 1,000 chairs, along with sofas, flower walls, backdrops, luxury tables, centerpieces, and more. Our journey has been shaped by adaptability, market awareness, and a commitment to elevating every event we serve.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like many growing businesses, our challenges have shifted as we’ve grown. During our busiest periods, one of our biggest struggles was finding reliable and trustworthy labor to support inventory management, logistics, and deliveries. Managing a rapidly expanding inventory while maintaining service quality required constant hands-on involvement from the partners.

As the market slowed, the challenges evolved. With reduced demand, it became more difficult to balance operating costs, time availability, and long-term planning while still being ready to scale when opportunities arise. These moments tested our adaptability and resilience as business owners.

What has kept Bougie Eventals moving forward is our partnership. As four dedicated, hard-working individuals who are deeply passionate about what we do, we have consistently shown up, supported one another, and made the necessary adjustments to keep the business running. We remain confident in our vision and excited about the future, knowing that the lessons we’ve learned along the way have made us stronger, more focused, and better prepared for what’s next.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Bougie Eventals is an event planning, décor, and rental company specializing in elevated party and event experiences. Our core focus is furniture and décor rentals, offering a curated inventory that includes over 1,000 chairs, luxury tables, sofas, flower walls, backdrops, centerpieces, and custom décor elements. We support a wide range of events—from intimate celebrations to large-scale gatherings—by providing both the pieces and the expertise needed to bring a vision to life.

We are known for our ability to grow with our clients’ needs, our attention to detail, and our hands-on approach. From the very beginning, we built this business by identifying a gap in the market and responding quickly, intentionally, and creatively. As our inventory and operations expanded, we developed a deep understanding of logistics, space management, and event execution—skills that continue to set us apart today.

What we are most proud of is the resilience behind the brand. Bougie Eventals was built from the ground up by four partners who have personally handled everything from inventory sourcing and warehouse management to deliveries and event setup. Navigating rapid growth, labor challenges, and market shifts has strengthened our partnership and sharpened our focus. Rather than slowing us down, these experiences pushed us to become more adaptable, disciplined, and strategic.

What truly sets us apart is our combination of scale, flexibility, and passion. We offer a large, high-quality inventory while remaining deeply involved in each event we serve. As a partner-led company, we care deeply about execution, relationships, and consistency. We don’t just rent items—we help create memorable experiences, and we are proud of the foundation we’ve built and excited about what the future holds.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up in Cameroon with my two older sisters. We spent so much of our time playing together—creating games, laughing endlessly, and turning the simplest moments into something special. Whether we were playing outside or making up our own little worlds, those moments taught me the value of togetherness, creativity, and joy. Looking back, that sense of family, collaboration, and making the most of what you have has stayed with me and continues to shape who I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bougieeventals.com
• Instagram: @bougieeventals
• Facebook: @bougieeventals