Check Out Debbie Es-Haghian’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Es-Haghian.

Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Where it started I’m not sure… I was getting my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at California State University Northridge with no idea of what I planned to do when I graduated. We were required to do an internship in our last semester, so a friend of mine who was studying hospitality suggested I look into a hotel. I ended up doing an internship with Marriott in their Sales and Catering department which manages the events at the hotel. That was the first thing that set me in the direction of being an event planner.

After I graduated the job market was terrible. So I found another internship in the school listings with an event planner, Ryan Larson of Savoir Flair Events. I remember it so well because Ryan was hesitant to give me the internship, concerned that as a graduate, I would leave as soon as I found a paid job. But I assured her something about the job description clicked for me and I was eager to learn from her. It sounded and felt like everything I was meant to be!

During my internship I admired how Ryan had a work-life balance. Dropping off her kids at school and meeting us in the office after. And if we had meetings she made sure to end them to be on time for carpool. She quickly became a role model and ended up being a mentor for decades do come.

I think event planning started for me way before school and the Internships though. As a child I loved cute notebooks (as I do now) and years later I found pages in one of my notebooks of my 13 year old self planning a surprise anniversary party for my parents. I had it all worked out. The guest list, the menu, the layout, the music, photo, video, hair, makeup. I thought of everything. Of course it never happened because I didn’t have the resources at that age, but in my head, and on paper it was all sorted out. My adult self was shocked when I found that. As if it was something natural in me all along.

In high school, I was also always the one hosting parties like Halloween or New Years. And if I found myself at someone else’s party that I could see needed … help or saving… I was quick to change the music or hop in the kitchen and come out with a tray of drinks. lol It’s always been something in me I just can’t help but do.

Anyway, after my internship with Ryan ended, I had a friend getting married. I offered to help her for free. I told her if you plan on hiring a wedding planner I won’t risk it. But if you’re not getting a wedding planner, then in that case my experience can only help. So, I planned her wedding for publicity.

It was 500 guest at the timeless and historical Millennium Biltmore Hotel! And I did it! I had 3 assistants, printed business cards and it was a total success! It’s been almost 13 years since that first event.

Little by little I started getting referrals and the business just grew! I’ve been designing, planning and coordinating luxury weddings, engagement parties, proposals, Bar/bat Mitzvahs and anything else you can imagine for almost 13 years!

Now I’m a mommy (newly single mommy) of 2 adorable, silly, fun and wild toddlers. My daughter, Naiyah, is 3 and my son, Lior, is 1. After I had my kids I decided to start a sister company called “AmaBella Babies” for all things kids events. Think gender reveals, baby showers, bris’, 1st birthday, … any birthday!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was a very bumpy road. Starting your own business is not easy. You need financial stability, but having another job doesn’t allow you to put your time into growing your business. I had a day job for many years and I would plan my events by texts, on my breaks or after work. Once in a while I had to call in sick or take a day off for site or client meetings which didn’t always go well with whoever my boss was at the time.

I had many, many times when I doubted myself. Wondered if event planning was ever something that could be full time for me. Then there were times when I didn’t know how I can manage a full time job and plan all the events I had on my plate. It was a constant push and pull in opposite directions. Stable job VS my passion and own business!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design, plan and coordinate events for all of life’s special occasions. I’ve always been a creative mind and a social butterfly . I believe my friendly and outgoing personality allows me to connect with people from all types of backgrounds to create an event that is unique to their personality and style.

I’m not a pushy coordinator either. I like to make clients comfortable and take their lead on budget and style.

Events have a deeper meaning to me. It’s not just a party. These are the milestones worth celebrating. I genuinely believe that these occasions that’s define us, are what life is about. We need to make all the stops along the way to acknowledge them and celebrate life’s cherished moments.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Friendly and social because you need to collaborate and work with a lot of different personalities both on the vendor side and on the client side. I’m also kindly assertive. I hate to sound bossy, but I need things done a certain way and I want them done right. I treat everybody involved in the process as a part of a greater team and when I’m managing the project, I treat all the vendors as part of one team. Organized and and the creative/artistic eye for design.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amabellaevents?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
VIP Productions
Interstellar Images
Signature Exposure