We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Makenna Meehan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Makenna, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose through hands on experience and a genuine love for design. My first job at a local party store introduced me to the event industry, and allowed me to explore the creative side of celebrations.
That experience opened the door to planning events on my own. After being asked to decorate a college graduation party, I quickly started receiving requests for other types of events such as bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, and more. Each event confirmed how much I enjoyed not just the creative process, but the impact it had on people.
Over time, I realized my purpose is rooted in creating meaningful experiences for others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I run a full-service event planning company on Long Island, NY offering everything from custom welcome signs and balloon arches to complete event coordination and design. What makes my approach unique is my focus on customized details, detailed mockups, and incorporating interior design elements to create cohesive, stylish events. I work closely with each client to bring their vision to life with precision and creativity.
What I find most exciting about this work is the opportunity to transform spaces and create a memorable, fun experience for my clients. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, I aim to design events that feel both beautiful and thoughtfully designed to each event theme.
What’s new is that we’re launching a brand-new website soon, which will offer an improved experience for clients to view our work, explore our services, and inquire for their next event!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the most impactful qualities/skills in my journey have been my creativity, attention to detail, and customer service.
In addition, I believe time management and problem solving skills are essential. Events involve a lot of moving parts, and being able to stay organized, adapt quickly, and make decisions under pressure is extremely important.
For anyone just starting out, my advice is to always follow your dreams, stay open to learning, and give every project your all. Don’t wait for opportunities to come your way, and always stay open to feedback.
Professionalism and consistency will take you a long way!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always looking to collaborate with other event professionals and vendors. I really believe that collaboration is a powerful thing as it allows us to learn from each other, bring new ideas to the table, and create better experiences for our clients.
Building a strong, supportive community within the industry benefits everyone. Whether it’s working with florists, photographers, bakers, or venues, I love finding ways to bring creative minds together (while also making friends I can relate to along the way)!
If you’re an event professional interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect. You can reach out through email or Instagram, I’m always open to new ideas and collaborating with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mjmeventdesign.com
- Instagram: mjmeventdesign
- Facebook: MJM Events & Design
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