Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Saunders.
Carol, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started by creating the decor for my own daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in 1991. The people that videotaped our event began to show our tape to sell their services to prospective clients. One day I got a call from them informing me that they had a number of clients that were interested in talking to me about providing decor for their events and was I interested in speaking with them?
My husband had a company (Grand Events) that provided entertainment for grand openings and rooftop balloons for multi-location companies such as Taco Bell, Thrifty Drug, etc. but he never worked on private events. I asked him to print me up some business cards, and I would try to go after that business and see what happens. That was 26 years ago, and it’s been quite a ride.
Although he left the business in the mid-1990’s, I have continued with Grand Events, initially creating themed decor for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs only and later adding a floral department and branching out to do weddings, anniversaries, non-profit galas, corporate events and holiday decor for hotels and commercial spaces.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was pretty smooth sailing until the 1994 Northridge earthquake hit. I had been working out of my house on my own and was forced to relocate to a commercial space due to the damage that occurred at my home. What had started as a hobby that I did on my own alongside my diet consulting business then became a real business with an overhead that I had to cover. I decided to pursue Grand Events full time and leave my other business behind.
The next challenge was when the economy turned sour in 2008-2009. All of our corporate clients canceled their 2008 holiday parties, and most people downsized their social events both in size and budget. It was a struggle to stay afloat, and we were forced to make significant cutbacks in our overhead.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Grand Events story. Tell us more about the business.
Grand Events is a full-service event design and production company creating spectacular event decor for all occasions. We also provide complete event planning services for some of our clients by coordinating all aspects of their events from venue and vendor selection to full coordination with those vendors and venues to design, production and installation of all decor items.
I am most proud of the diversity of events we are now involved with and the positive feedback we get from our clients. Our company is known for creating themed decor and our attention to detail. We pride ourselves on being able to work within varying budgets and giving our clients more than their money’s worth.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am very fortunate to have been able to pursue Grand Events without the pressure of having to support my family as my husband has always been able to do that.
Contact Info:
- Address: 21818 Lassen Street Suite F Chatsworth, CA 91311
- Website: www.grandeventsla.com
- Phone: 818 885-0566
- Email: csaunders@grandevents.la
- Instagram: grand_events_la
- Facebook: Grand Events @GrandEventsLA
Getting in touch: VoyageLA 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.
