Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Madhere.
Celeste Madhere began her career in New York. Having a passion for utilizing her creativity she immersed herself in the city of fashion. Celeste studied at Parsons School of Design and quickly launched her swimwear line, Johnny Vincent.
Johnny Vincent was a hit! Rihanna, a favorite of the brand, sported multiple pieces created by Celeste. This landed the designer on the pages of ELLE UK, featured on Access Hollywood and presentations during New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week. Celeste’s work has appeared in ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire.
As a designer, Celeste hosted fashion events and parties all over New York. She quickly found her second love, planning events! Her themed events developed a huge following entertaining over hundreds of partygoers at her annual Halloween party.
In her recent move to the city of Houston, Celeste is brought her passion to plan and entertain to the Bayou City. From Champagne Brunch parties to destination events, Celeste is creating an “Experience” for the people of Houston!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh My! Was it a smooth road?? Absolutely not. When I started in the swimwear business, it seemed a natural fit for me. I loved it, I was traveling all of the time. When Rihanna started wearing the pieces, my world blew up. My website crashed, I was trying to fill orders from my kitchen table in my small NY brownstone apartment. I was being invited to do shows, picking out fabric, booking events and trying to answer customer concerns by myself. I won’t lie, with all of the chaos I loved it all!
There was so much I didn’t know about the business. While at Parsons I focused so much on design and construction, but not the business of fashion and to be honest you need that more than anything.
Even when starting the event planning business in a completely new city there are challenges. In NY I knew what my audience expected, I knew how they partied, the experience they wanted and I had a following. In relocating to Houston, I am learning about the city and the people that live here. I am starting from the ground up and that’s always hard.
If there is one thing I would advise, learn the business side of any field you enter. I was so focused on creativity that I knew nothing about the “numbers”. You want to understand valuations when sitting across a table of investors. If anyone ever asks what I would do differently, I always say, study business!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Experience – what should we know?
The Experience is an event planning firm. We specialize in destination events, weddings, and kids’ birthday parties. We also do a summer series of popup Champagne Brunch Parties. This series promotes new restaurants or venues in the Bayou City.
My specialty is in selecting venues. My goal is to always select venues that are fresh to my followers or clients. In NY I had the ability to find the sexiest newest venues around the city and here in Houston, I’ve done the same. Over the years, during my travels around the world, I have accumulated a list of properties for clients to host the most romantic weddings with jaw-dropping views. From Parties in Mexico to Curacao or Dubai, we have our clients covered.
Since moving to Houston, we have grown on the Kids’ party circuit. It fits because I love themed events and these parties allow me the opportunity to bring fantasies to life. How often do we wish we were young again??? These parties allow me an opportunity to do that every weekend.
I have to be honest, the hug from my client once it’s all over, is the most rewarding party of what I do.
I think what sets The Experience apart from other companies is our ability to offer an experience to our clients. In essence, our goal is to always make our clients feel they checked their reality at the door and stepped into an experience.
We never want our guests to leave an event we planned and say, oh it was the typical wedding or party. Our goal is to always hear, “That was the best kids’ party ever!” or “This was the best destination wedding I’ve ever attended, I want you to plan mine!”
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Knowing people in the business is important. Having someone take you under their wing and show you the in’s and out’s is probably the most valuable experience you can gain outside of the classroom.
If you don’t have a mentor, I always say you can’t find customers at home. Promote, promote, promote. I believe in general we are raised not to self promote, but that thought process will not grow your business. Every person you meet, tell them about your business. You never know who will need your service. I’ve been booked for weddings, brand launches, Kids’ parties, family reunions, you name it. All by WORD OF MOUTH! Evaluate your market and determine where you can fit in and take over! Use social media to your advantage and stick to your dream!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theexperience-events.com
- Phone: 3475648080
- Email: info@theexperience-events.com
- Instagram: live_the_experience_events
- Facebook: @livetheexperienceevents
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
