We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karissa Paxton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karissa below.
Karissa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I feel like I get a lot of my resilience from some of the amazing Karissa supporters in my life. Even at a young age, I watched my Mom work hard without complaint, she can create beauty out of chaos, and turn obstacles into opportunity. I learned from her that strength isn’t about never falling; it’s about how you get back up and how you keep showing up even when no one is watching. She always kept a positive outlook and kept her chin up even when I knew she was facing adversity.
My resilience wasn’t something I found all at once. It was built moment by moment, through challenge and change. It came from the days when I had no choice but to keep going, and from the people who helped me see what grace looks like under pressure.
Being an independent event planner, I’ve faced seasons that tested me deeply personally, professionally, and creatively. But each one taught me that resilience is not about being unbreakable. It’s about being bendable and tenacious. It’s knowing that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always another way through, another chance to rebuild something even better. And believe me I just keep getting better and better.
My resilience comes from a belief that purpose grows in uncomfortable places. It’s what’ has allowed me to lead with calm when others panic, to find solutions when things unravel, and to create beauty even in the midst of uncertainty.
Resilience is woven into the way I work, the way I love, and the way I live.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In 2004, after working for a hospitality company planning events, I realized something important people needed more help, more care, and more guidance than I was allowed to offer. So, I took a big leap and started my own planning and concierge business. A few years later, I partnered with another planner to create a more luxury-focused brand. We built something beautiful together and spent 11 successful years crafting extraordinary events.
When we parted ways in 2019, it was both difficult and liberating. Looking back, it was exactly what needed to happen. Not only because the world changed shortly after (COVID), but because I finally recognized that the environment I was in wasn’t the right one for me to grow creatively or personally. It took time to find peace in that realization and for a while, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever plan weddings again.
But during COVID, I started to feel restless. With the encouragement of a close friend who was getting married, I decided to give my passion another chance and that’s how Karissa Paxton Events came about.
I founded this company from a place of clarity and purpose. I knew I wanted to create experiences that felt deeply personal, beautifully composed, and genuinely meaningful. To me, luxury isn’t about extravagance it’s about intention. It’s how a space makes you feel: the warmth in the room, the ease of every transition, the thoughtfulness behind every detail.
Being based on the Monterey Bay has shaped my approach to events where the ocean, redwoods, and light itself inspire a sense of calm and connection. I take on a limited number of clients each year so we can give each event the attention and artistry it deserves. My goal is simple: to craft experiences that are as soulful and purposeful as they are stunning.
What makes my work special is the emotion behind it. I want every guest to walk away feeling something real. I want my clients to understand that their event is so important to the KPE Team. That’s what drives me, and that’s the heart of Karissa Paxton Events.
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, there are three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey as a business owner and planner: courage, hard work and trust, and surrounding myself with the right people.
Starting my own business not once, but twice took courage. There were so many moments when it would have been easier to stay comfortable or play small, but I’ve learned that growth lives on the other side of fear. Every big step I’ve taken, from leaving a secure job to starting over after 11 years in partnership, has taught me that courage doesn’t mean not being scared it means doing it anyway. I have found that when I am the most uncomfortable it means I am growing and learning.
This industry runs on relationships. My success has come from showing up, working hard, and doing what I say I’ll do, every single time. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most meaningful connections are built on trust and reliability. Whether it’s with clients, vendors, or my team, people remember how you make them feel and whether they can count on you. That’s everything in this business.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to be great at everything ,you just need to build a team of people who are. I’m not the person who should be managing books or navigating tax strategy, and that’s okay. Having a trusted accountant, a sharp CPA, and a strong right-hand person to manage operations allows me to focus on what I do best creating experiences, caring for clients, and being the go-to person they trust.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents always encouraged me to do things my own way. I was a driven, stubborn, creative and joyful kid. They gave me the freedom to explore who I was and follow my own path. Their support and belief in me made it possible to embrace my differences and pursue my dreams with confidence. I think they always knew I was meant to carve my own way in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karissapaxton.com
- Instagram: karissapaxtonevents
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karissa-paxton-b53354121
Image Credits
Shannon Cronin Photography
Gagan Dhinman Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
