Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Marie.
Hi Carly Marie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to create. Making something special to gift to a friend or to hang in my home has been a constant source of joy for me and I couldn’t imagine my life without it. After working in the medical field for a few years, I realized it wasn’t for me and that I needed to make a serious change. This change didn’t happen overnight though. It took some time for me to accept that the plan I had for myself since I was a freshman in high school just wasn’t making me happy. I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do in the beginning but I knew I loved to build things and I knew that people liked what I built. So I started a rental business. It’s been quite the journey with lots of ups and downs, uncertainty and adjustments but I’ve finally found my place in the events industry building custom backdrops and furniture for special occasions in people’s lives. I seriously LOVE it!! Seeing all the moving parts come together the day of an event and feeling proud of something that I’ve made has me smiling for days. And the cherry on top is that I get the opportunity to work with some of the most talented creatives in the industry. What a sweet gig!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Well, it’s been a journey! In the beginning, I had a tremendous amount of guilt leaving a steady, well-paying job that I worked so hard to get to pursue a more creative path. I dove in without having any sort of plan which is so unlike me! I’ve had many “Oh no! What. Have. I. Done.” moments along the way for sure! There have been a ton of learning curves and the business has changed over the years. It took a while to figure it all out but being open to new opportunities and being patient with myself helped me find what I really love to do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design and build custom backdrops/installations as well as unique furniture pieces for special events and styled shoots. I work closely with clients and vendors to bring their vision to life while putting my own unique spin on it. I’m not afraid to be funky and different with my builds and love when I can find someone who’s down to think outside the box with the design! I was recently included in a vow renewal and was asked to incorporate cds into the backdrop. We didn’t know how exactly, but I loved the challenge and was so happy to have the opportunity to get funky with it! I was so proud of that piece! Those are the types of projects that I love and hope to continue to find clients that feel the same way. While the backdrops are what keep me busy most of the time, smaller pieces that I create for people’s homes have really taken off. And what a blessing during lockdown while events were on pause!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Taking risks can be scary! Leaving the comfort of a stable career that I invested so much into was a pretty big risk for me! While I finally feel like things are coming together, it by no means came easily and I often wondered if it was all worth it. I can confidently say now that it was. I’ve learned a lot about myself along the way that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. And while it doesn’t always work out, there’s a lesson in every misstep and I personally never want to wonder “what if”.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.westandrose.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westandrose
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/westandrose
Image Credits:
Mel Rey Photo Jasmine Jeanette Photography
