Story & Lesson Highlights with Sydney Kirsch of Anywhere & Everywhere

Sydney Kirsch shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Sydney , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
Honestly? My ops team. When we started One Experience over 10 years ago, we were building everything from scratch, writing our own playbook, figuring it out as we went, and duct-taping systems together with sheer will and coffee. But now, things have evolved. Technology has changed, expectations are different, and thankfully… so are the resources.

Our ops team is young, sharp, and full of fresh ideas. They’re constantly finding smarter, faster, better ways to do things, things that used to take me three spreadsheets, a whiteboard, and a prayer. So these days, I’m learning from them: better systems, better processes, and honestly, better boundaries around delegation.

I’m also learning the very humbling skill of letting go, of trusting others to take the lead, even on things I used to want to have a hand in. And it’s been one of our greatest wins. Turns out, some of them really are better at certain things than I am. I’m fine. Totally fine with it. (Mostly.)

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Sydney Kirsch, co-founder of One Experience, your go-to partner for elevated, interactive gift experiences.

We specialize in producing creative, personalized activations at corporate events, think custom pop-ups, immersive brand moments, and gifting that guests don’t just receive, but experience.

There’s a lot of talent in this space, and we fully embrace that. But from the start, we knew we wanted to take a different route, one rooted in personalization. Instead of handing out gifts at events, we create moments where guests choose, customize, and connect with something picked just for them. That personal touch is what sets us apart.

What began with leather branding quickly evolved: from custom hat fittings to fully immersive onsite embroidery experiences. The goal has always been to give clients and their guests something more than a gift, something that feels thoughtful, hands-on, and fun.

Right now, we’re focused on expanding those tactile, memory-making experiences even further, bringing meaningful personalization to scale, without losing the intimacy that makes it special.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt my parents. My work ethic is directly shaped by watching both of them show up fully, every single day.

My dad ran a restaurant from the time I was born. He wasn’t just the owner, he was the host, the plumber, the electrician, the everything. I spent countless afternoons there after school, watching him and his team prep for what felt like “the main event” each night. The waitresses would task me with folding the origami shaped napkins, stuffing the menus with the nightly special insert, and putting the flowers on the dining tables. I was so young, but I felt like I was part of their team, I loved that my dad trusted me to handle what to me seemed like very serious responsibilities. The energy, the camaraderie, the pride, it was contagious. That spirit of teamwork and ownership is something I’ve always wanted to infuse into my own work culture.

My mom, meanwhile, was raising three kids largely on her own in the mornings and evenings, while my dad worked late nights. She was up early enough to get in her at home workout video of Denise Austin on the VHS, then making sure we were all dressed, fed, and off to school before heading to her job as an early childhood educator. Somehow, she managed it all with incredible grace. She was never flustered, always calm, patient, loving. Now that I’m a mom myself, I understand how much she must’ve carried behind the scenes, but she never let it show.

Both of them taught me in their own ways: show up, do what needs doing, and lead with kindness. Those lessons stuck with me, and they’re the foundation of how I try to work and lead today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self, “You’re going to be fine, everything takes time.” For much of my life, I felt pressure to move immediately from one milestone to the next without pausing to really appreciate what I had accomplished. After graduating college, I rushed to secure a job. When I launched my business, I pushed for rapid growth and immediate success. After getting married, I was eager to start a family right away.

I don’t regret any of those choices, but I’ve since realized the importance of slowing down and giving yourself permission to celebrate achievements before diving into the next challenge. Nobody really tells you that it’s okay to pause, to breathe, and to recognize the beauty of where you are in the moment. Life is extraordinary, but if you don’t take the time to notice it, it can fly by too quickly.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
That’s an easy one, my incredibly savvy business partner, Courtney Wyckoff. Since the inception of One Experience, we’ve had to pivot and evolve countless times, and Courtney has consistently been the creative force driving that momentum. She always comes up with fresh, out-of-the-box ways to grow our business, increase diversity in our offerings, and keep us ahead of the curve.

We’ve worked together for years and developed a rhythm that’s both strategic and intuitive. Trusting her ideas, and being willing to lean into her bold visions, hasn’t just helped us scale One Experience; it’s also led us into new business ventures we never expected. She’s the kind of partner who can turn a curveball into an opportunity, and I rely on that perspective often.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing? 
Not fully enjoying life.

It’s so easy to get swept up in the day-to-day rigamarole of running a business. And while I’m incredibly committed to the growth and success of what we’re building, I’ve come to realize that giving all of myself to work isn’t the right approach.

What I’d truly regret is not finding the balance, missing the joy that comes from being present outside of work. I’ve learned that my happiest, most productive self comes from making space for everything: showing up for my team, absolutely, but also for myself, my health, and my family. That means stepping away from the desk sometimes, being at school pickup, cheering from the sidelines, or just pausing for a moment to take it all in.

I want to look back and know that I lived a full life, not just a busy one. That’s the version of success I care most about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.one-experience.com/
• Instagram: @one.experience