Meet Kelsey Canty

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelsey Canty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kelsey , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

I’ve always been a dreamer and a deeply driven person, unafraid to set big goals and push myself to achieve them. Growing up in a small town of just 750 people, I refused to let limitations define me. At the same time, I’ve often been overly mindful of risks, approaching every challenge with careful consideration and a strong desire for perfection. Passion has been the fuel behind my willingness to take risks, and dance was where I first truly put that to the test.

I began dancing at the age of three and, after graduating high school, set my sights on pursuing a professional dance career. Even though I was filled with self-doubt and aware of the odds stacked against me, I auditioned for schools across the country, determined to chase my dream. My perseverance paid off when I earned a spot at George Mason University’s prestigious School of Dance—one of only 20 students selected for the Class of 2016 from hundreds of applicants nationwide. Over the next four years, I worked tirelessly, earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and taking on a few professional gigs. But when it came time to take the ultimate leap into pursuing a full-time dance career, I let doubt and burnout overcome me, convincing myself to step away.

After ending my dance career, I found my way into the events industry, starting in full-service catering before moving on to Select Event Group, where I spent years producing large-scale, luxury tented weddings across the DC region. Despite this success, I couldn’t ignore the itch to go off on my own and become an entrepreneur, designing, planning and producing events under my own brand. The same voice of doubt that had held me back from continuing my dance career resurfaced, trying to convince me that a steady salary was the safer path, and that I didn’t need to branch out on my own when I was already thriving in the industry I loved. But this time, after years of suppressing that voice, I couldn’t let it control my decision. I realized that playing it safe wasn’t true to who I am or the life I wanted to create. So, I took the leap, fully aware it was probably the biggest risk of my life. That decision to bet on myself became the most empowering and transformative step I’ve ever taken, and it was then that my company, Kelsey Regina Events, was born. Now, I embrace risks because I’ve learned they are key to achieving true happiness and growth.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

With years of experience wearing many hats in the industry, I’ve gained a broad skill set that allows me to handle every aspect of event planning, production and design. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to transform my clients’ visions into reality, curating events that are not only beautifully designed but deeply personal and reflective of the milestones they celebrate. At the core of Kelsey Regina Events is a genuine love for people, for telling their stories through thoughtful details, and for enhancing every occasion with care and creativity. My work is deeply hands-on, driven by a strong commitment to excellence.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue growing my brand and expanding its reach. A key goal of mine is to take my work beyond events local to the DC area, traveling to new locations across the country—and even the world.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are perseverance, grit, and curiosity. To achieve your goals, you first have to truly desire them and be able to envision success. You must be willing to put in the hard work, no matter how unglamorous, and understand that no task is beneath you. And above all, you must never stop learning—seize every opportunity to grow and expand your knowledge.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about taking risks and building confidence, it’s that striving for perfectionism will only hold you back. While leaning into your strengths is important, it’s in those moments of discomfort, when you step outside your comfort zone or make a mistake, that true growth happens. By cultivating curiosity, learning new skills, and investing in yourself, you unlock opportunities you may not have even imagined. Being well-rounded is what prepared me for the next chapter in my journey.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Krysta Norman Photography
The Tuckers Photography

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