Meet Billy Folchetti

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Billy Folchetti. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Billy, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Hard work is practically a family heirloom, passed down to me like a great—if slightly worn—vintage coat. From a young age, I understood that quitting was simply not part of our DNA. When I graduated high school, ready to chase my glittering big city dreams, the college of my choice offered everything but student housing. My parents, with equal parts support and stratedgy, set me up in an apartment on the Upper East Side. My father, with all the wisdom he has, delivered one simple message: “Good luck, the apartment is yours, but the day you don’t have a job is the day I stop paying for it.”

Harsh? Perhaps. Effective? Absolutely. There were moments—many moments—when work was more theoretical than actual, but his words haunted, a “evil” (at the time) motivation urging me to pick up the next job, no matter how unglamorous. And so I did—again and again… and again.

The truth is, survival has always been our family’s greatest inheritance. My great-grandparents arrived from Guispini (Sardegna), IT with little more than a single orange and a family to feed. My great-grandfather worked his way into a new life, eventually retiring from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where he tailored suits for Hollywood’s silver screen royalty. The photographs of him with his famous clientele line my families memories; a silent testament to quiet pride and never-ending hustle.

My grandfather carried that same spirit into entrepreneurship, building a family business from scratch. My father took the reins—not handed, but earned. My mother’s story the same—25 years old, divorced, and raising two kids in a one-bedroom apartment in the roughest outskirts of Los Angeles, packaging cookies at Nabisco. Not because it was sweet, but because her children needed her. The lesson was clear: life isn’t always about chasing what you want to do—it’s about doing what you have to do to survive.

My own résumé reads like patchwork (and not the Chanel kind)—waiter, bartender, retail worker, personal assistant, secretary and countless other odd jobs. Did I dream of serving cocktails or folding clothes for a living? Not exactly. But each job, no matter how humble, taught me something—about people, about resilience, about showing up even when you’d rather not. My Mother’s words are true, “no one is above a dirty job.”

I wouldn’t trade a single second of that journey. Every grind, every unexpected detour has shaped who I am today. I believe there’s a lesson buried in everything if you’re willing to find it. And if you believe in your dream—really believe—it’s always, always worth the pursuit.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I plan, design and curate destination events and luxury travel experiences for my foreigners in Europe. However, it is more than just a ‘thing’ I do. We plan and design experiences, a mood, a setting, and little bit of rebellion wrapped in elegance. A majority of our events are weddings, and what excites me the most? That moment when someone sees or experiences my work, feels something shift inside them, and suddenly, the doubt fades, the second guessing dilutes and the (literal) journey was all worth it.

I believe in bold choices, in artistry that turns heads, and in leaving a lasting impression. Right now, I’m focused on creating/designing events that go against the mold, make people smile, laugh, cry and scream with enthusiasm- we aim to explode the expectation, not exceed them. For the near future, I have my sites set with on-screen (TV) work and eventually an inspirational book that tells the “nit and grit” of my journey- 25, in Paris, no knowledge of the language, no papers to work and just a dream to create stunning events.

My moniker in the industry is the “anti-wedding planner.” If you’re looking for something safe and predictable, I know a lot of people who can help. If you’re into passion, originality, and a little bit of trouble—the good kind—then we’re going to be best friends- the event/wedding rules are worth breaking!

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?

1. The client is always right (even if they are wrong)- figure out a way to guide people without dictating. Offer suggestions that lean more in the direction you, as the professional, know is right without telling them they are “wrong.”

2. Being able to present the solution, not the problem (in a giant F**%$%NG bow)! We are all humans, we all make mistakes a things go wrong. Figure it out before they do, and make sure you have already fixed the leak.

3. Knowing my “product” and who wants it- you have to walk the walk and talk the talk (and actually know what you are talking about). Study, live (literally), eat and breath whatever it is that you are the “professional” in. Know the trends, know the news and most importantly, be passion about it far more than anyone else who does what you do.

My advice: never be the smartest person in the room, a good boss is a good listener- “there is no ‘I’ in team.” Lastly, be kind, be yourself and carry to heaviest of burdens with a smile- strength, integrity and humility are three things that are endangered characteristics in this world- be the exception.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past year, I’ve dedicated myself to self-discovery—unpacking my strengths, acknowledging my weaknesses, and learning to navigate the ever-demanding journey of entrepreneurship. As business owners, we are often our own harshest critics, doubting our efforts and battling the lingering feeling of not being “good enough.” It’s been my greatest challenge, but what I’ve realized is this: prioritizing myself isn’t a distraction—it’s a necessity.

Focusing on my physical health and committing to the gym, even when it takes time away from work, has been a game-changer. It’s not just about fitness; it’s about burning stress, clearing my mind, and ultimately enhancing my productivity. We must learn to extend the same kindness to ourselves that we give to others. After all, if we’re not truly happy, how can we create happiness for those around us? My greatest growth this past year has been embracing this truth—choosing myself, prioritizing my joy, and watching everything else fall into place because I believe it will and stop at nothing to make sure it does.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.billyfolchetti.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxexbillyfolchetti/

Image Credits

1. Daniella Rettore
2. Ha Nguyen
3. Brenda Islas
4. Ilze Osa
5. Kristine Grinvalde
6. Alex Glaidashev
7. Ha Nguyen
8. Kristine Grinvalde