Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Soukaphay.
Hi Ivy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was in charge of putting together a Mother’s Day tea party the year that COVID hit. It was an intimate celebration and is what fueled my interest and love for the elegance of high tea. I have a background in bridal and design and have always gone after paths that have allowed me to be creative. During the pandemic, just like many others, I had to learn how to pivot. My entrepreneurial spirit has led to the creation of Tea ParTEA. (mobile tea party and event planning services)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been easy! As a small business, we don’t have the same resources as larger established companies do. I oversee every single booking/ event to make sure that all the little details align with the client’s vision. Aside from Tea Partea, I also work two full-time jobs! One as a marketing director and one managing a couture bridal salon in Beverly Hills. With balancing multiple jobs and school, time for myself is very limited oftentimes leading to burnout and exhaustion. I have learned that time management is key.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have spent almost all of my professional life working in the fashion and bridal industry. Right after high school, I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and studied fashion design. For the past five years, I have worked for multiple bridal companies both designing and styling couture bridal gowns. As soon as the COVID pandemic hit, the wedding industry suffered severely. With weddings being canceled events were being made very small and intimate. This led to the creation of Tea ParTEA. Tea ParTEA started out as a very small mobile tea party service, with us doing luxury picnics here and there. However, with current plans to grow and expand both our team and our company, we plan to take on much larger events pretty soon! Most clients inquire about our all-inclusive tea party setups that are perfect for bridal showers, birthdays, and special celebrations. It is as easy as inquire, book, and we show up to set everything up the day of. Instead of our clients having to book multiple vendors, we take care of it all! The decor, tableware, linens, floral arrangements, etc.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality would have to be my ambition. When I have my mind and my heart set on something, I stop at nothing to make sure that it gets done properly.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.teaparteaevents.com
- Instagram: @teapartea.socal
