Meet Hylah White of Hylah White Special Events in Studio City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hylah White.

Hylah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father is a family law forensic account and I grew up hearing about the different divorce cases he worked on. After graduating college with a major in Business Management and Operations Management and with a minor in Accounting, my father asked me to join his firm. Since I was already familiar with family law forensic accounting, I promised him one year, which turned into five years! One of the most important experiences that came as a result of working as a family law staff accountant was that I was exposed to all kinds of different professional and social events. It took me very little time to recognize the difference between well-staged events and those that were lacking. I began to recognize within myself that a seed had been planted.

During my time as a family law staff accountant, my passion for the events industry grew. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to assist a wedding planner for a few years on the side while still working for my father. I found so much joy working in the wedding industry because I was a part of something that brought happiness into people’s lives instead of stress and sadness.

In 2010, I made the decision to jump feet first into starting my own business instead of sitting for the CPA exam. Coming from a line of entrepreneurs, both my grandfathers owned their own businesses, as did my father, I felt as if it was in my DNA to follow in their footsteps and manifest my dream of being a business owner. It’s now seven years later, and my business has continued to grow. It has been one of the most exciting journeys of my life!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No it has not been a smooth road and as cliché as it might sound, I have learned that nothing worth having in life comes easy… it takes hard work, time, and dedication. I have learned to be patient with the growth of my business. I’ve come to understand that sometimes it takes a little longer for some of the seeds we plant early on to blossom and bloom.

Being a business owner, I’ve found that each day brings new and different challenges. It can oftentimes be a challenge to strike the right balance between work time and the time I need for my own wellbeing. I often have to remind myself to simply take a day off and allow myself to just ‘unplug’ from the world and recharge, which can be difficult because I have some big dreams that I plan on achieving.

A major struggle that many small business owners face is that feeling of not being able to take some personal time off without feeling guilty. We tend to have this mindset that if we’re not working all of the time that our businesses won’t grow. And sometime we are simply unable to take time away from work because we have commitments that we must see through to their natural endpoint. And although these instances can be trying for me at times, they have also taught me some of the most important lessons for both a sense of personal growth, as well as in regards to the growth of my business.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned being a business owner is that people are going to act in ways, be it intentional or not, that will negatively impact myself as well as my business. So when I’m faced with such a situation, I’ve come to a place in my personal growth experience where I realize I’m never going to stop being me, regardless of the actions of others, and in the face of adversity or negativity, I will always do my best to come from a place of gratitude and compassion. That is the key for me… to know my own intentions and to live my truths. I simply recognize that each and every situation is an opportunity for me to learn and grow.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hylah White Special Events – what should we know?
Hylah White Special Events specializes in luxury wedding planning and event styling. I am the lead planner of a diverse and growing team! We accept a limited number of bookings each year so that we are able to give our clients the attention and care they deserve.

My passion for helping my couple create a beautiful wedding is the inspiration that excites me and wakes me up every morning with a sense of purpose and joy. Because of my love for and dedication to my couples, I consider my business experience, my eye for luxurious design details, and my deep commitment to the vision of my clients, as some my best qualities. I can say with humility, but also pride and excitement, that I have produced some extraordinary events. I am deeply inspired by love and the romance that my couples express towards each other. My singular goal is to bring every couple a one-of-a-kind vision and then do everything necessary to turn it into a gorgeous and breathtaking reality.

That is why selecting the right planner is vital. You want to know you are in good hands throughout the planning process and you want to be confident that your planner has your best interest in mind at all times, especially on your special day. It’s important to me that my clients feel assured throughout the planning process that their wedding or event day will be everything they envisioned and more. A person’s wedding day should be a beautiful celebration of love and it is such an honor for me to be a part of it!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Well, one person that comes to mind is my good friend and colleague, Jasmin Sabău of Jasmin Michelle Designs, who I met in 2014 She is fellow creative female business owner, and we have both been in business now for about the same number of years. The beauty of our bond is that we understand each other’s business hurtles and are able to support each other as we continue the journey of chasing our dreams together. She has pushed me creatively and has continued to support my business over the years.

But more than anyone else, I would have to say that my father has influenced and supported me more than anyone else. He has really been a pillar of support and mentorship during my business journey. He is 82 and still continues to work full time because he loves what he does. Being able to turn to him for guidance and advice on business decisions has been extremely beneficial to the growth of my business. His advice usually starts off with “sweetie, let me tell you a story,” and always ends with me gaining a greater degree of insight and knowledge. He once said, “Hylah, you go to bed smarter than when you wake up if you take the time to reflect over your day and ask yourself… ‘What could I have done differently today?’”

Contact Info:

• Address: 3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd, PMB 1567
  Studio City, CA 91604
• Website: www.hwsevents.com
• Phone: 213-595-5020
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @hwsevents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hwsevents/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hwsevents
• Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/hylah-white-special-events-los-angeles/864b687fc3ea08f9.html

Image Credit:
Lorely Meza Photography, Anna Delores Photography, Priscilla Valentina Photography