Conversations with Olga Falevich

My name is Olga, and I’m the founder of This is Bananas, an event planning company I started after the chaos of my son Darwin’s first birthday party. As first-time parents, we wanted everything to be perfect, but things didn’t go as planned. We set up a balloon arch at the park, only for the wind to blow it all down—my picture-perfect vision flew away with it. Despite the setback, we carried on and had a great time, but when I got home, exhausted and disappointed, I told my husband, “Darwin’s next birthday will be epic.” And that’s when I went bananas.

For his second birthday, I began planning months in advance, learning everything I could about event design. The result was a fun, car-themed party with beautiful décor, a delicious cake, games, and lots of happy moments. It was a huge success, and I realized just how much I enjoyed creating these kinds of experiences.

Now, nearly a year into the business, my husband and I have organized over 90 events—including birthdays, baby showers, and seasonal parties like Easter, Christmas and Halloween. He’s the behind-the-scenes logistics guy and occasionally puts on a mascot costume to entertain the kids at our events! This is Bananas is all about making every party a fun, joyful, and memorable experience, and I couldn’t be more excited to keep creating happy moments for others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

It has been an incredible journey of learning, pivoting, and growing—often on the fly! As a family-operated business, it’s just me and my husband handling everything—from sales and business development to marketing, planning, and execution. It’s a lot of hats to wear, and mistakes are inevitable. But instead of letting them get me down, I’ve learned to see every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Each step has brought new lessons, and I’ve embraced them all as part of the adventure.

One of my biggest struggles is staying consistent with social media and promoting the business. Between planning events, managing clients, and handling day-to-day operations, it’s tough to keep up with posting and staying visible. But I know it’s essential for growing This is Bananas, so I’m constantly finding ways to make it work.

Another challenge has been not having a formal business plan in place. I didn’t start with a blueprint—just a passion for creating memorable experiences and a desire to learn by doing. It’s been a lot of trial and error, but the journey has made me more resourceful and adaptable.

Thankfully, I’m not alone in this! My husband is the backbone of our operation, handling all logistics and the behind-the-scenes work that makes each event run smoothly. Together, we make the perfect team, working side by side to create unforgettable moments for our clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’ve always been a creative person at heart—from dancing and teaching for many years to now creating joyful moments through events. Before I started This is Bananas, I worked in sales and marketing, and what I loved most about that job was connecting with people on a genuine level. I focused on really understanding their needs, and that’s where I honed my passion for exceptional customer service. It taught me a lot about building relationships—and more importantly, about understanding people and making them feel valued.

But deep down, I knew that creativity and connection were where my true passion lay. So, I took the leap, left my corporate job, and decided to follow my dream of running my own event planning business. I knew I was great at two things: being creative and making people feel seen and heard by spreading joy and smiles. And that’s what I bring to every event I create.

In my business, I specialize in bringing events to life from scratch. If a client comes to me with a budget but no idea how to plan or execute, I take care of everything. We work together to create a custom plan, and I handle the details—so the client and their guests can simply enjoy the day. I also design beautiful balloon garlands and create themed décor zones to add that extra special touch to every celebration.

I’ve built a network of amazing vendors and partners in the industry, and I’m always expanding my list to ensure I can offer the best of the best in town. What sets me apart is my ability to communicate openly and honestly, building strong relationships with people from all walks of life. I’m not afraid to reach out and connect, and I pride myself on being sincere and transparent in every interaction.

What truly fills me with pride, though, are the happy moments and the smiles that come from the events we create. The joy I see on clients’ faces, the laughter shared, and the memories made are what keep me going. And the best part? Repeat clients and glowing reviews. That’s the real reward for me—knowing that the work we do is meaningful and brings people closer together.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

For me, success isn’t just about hitting financial milestones or checking off to-do lists. True success lies in building meaningful connections, making a positive difference in people’s lives, and maintaining a sense of balance between my work, family, and personal needs. It’s about creating a business that doesn’t just serve clients, but brings joy and value to everyone I work with—whether it’s a family celebrating a milestone, a business launching a new chapter, or a child’s birthday made unforgettable.

In the world of event planning, every connection counts. I don’t just want to create beautiful events; I want to create experiences that truly resonate with people. That means taking the time to listen, understand, and collaborate with my clients so I can help bring their vision to life in a way that feels personal and meaningful. When I see the smiles on their faces, when I know I’ve delivered exactly what they hoped for—and often more—that’s what success feels like to me.

But beyond the work itself, success also means achieving balance. Running a business is demanding, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. But I’ve learned that in order to do my best work, I need to nourish other parts of my life as well. That means setting aside quality time for my family, especially my son Darwin, and ensuring that I take care of my own personal well-being. I’ve found that when I give myself permission to rest, reflect, and recharge, I can show up as a better business owner, partner, and parent.

I’m proud of the business I’ve built, the connections I’ve made, and the joy I’ve been able to bring to so many lives. But what truly defines success for me is the balance I’ve achieved in my life—creating a space where my passion for my work thrives while I remain present for my family and myself. It’s about finding harmony, doing what I love, and living a life that feels full and meaningful.