We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tamara Schindler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tamara , 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.
It might sound a bit sentimental and perhaps not something typically celebrated in the business world, but we follow our intuition—and with it, our hearts—in everything we do. It was our heartfelt desire to become independent and self-reliant, to move away from 9-to-5 jobs and rigid structures. We wanted to give space to our creativity and dreams, and we chose to make this happen in the event industry.
Today, we are proud to be known not only in our home country of Switzerland for unforgettable and artful events and designs but also in Portugal (our second headquarters), Italy, Germany, Austria, and neighboring countries.
Of course, realizing a dream requires more than just a wish. It takes a clear vision, strong determination, and the courage to take steps toward that vision. Once you have a concrete idea of what you want your life to look like and you visualize, describe, and even manifest it with measurable goals, success will follow.
This journey also requires discipline—staying committed to making ideas a reality. Along the way, you gain essential knowledge about your industry, your clients, and yourself. You meet the right people at the right time, and step by step, you grow closer to your vision. In a way, we’ve learned how to manifest—and to do so in very practical terms.
Equally important was understanding the need for flexibility. The path to finding your purpose is rarely straightforward. There will always be adjustments, but we’ve learned to trust that everything will work out in the end. More often than not, things turn out even better than we had initially imagined.
Our advice? Trust the process, expect the best, and keep faith in yourself. That’s how you achieve something meaningful—not just for yourself but for others, too.
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?
We (Tiziana and Tamara, co-founders of GAEA.DESIGN) didn’t start with traditional experience in the event industry, particularly private events. However, we brought with us a wealth of expertise in fields like graphic design, interior design, marketing, communication and even education. The idea of organizing, orchestrating, and designing private events originated from our own personal celebrations—most notably, when each of us planned our own weddings.
Tiziana went through this process two years before Tamara and decided to establish herself as an independent event planner. Two years later, when Tamara was planning her wedding this unique partnership was born. Today, it has evolved into a company with significant reach, a talented team, and extraordinary projects and clients.
What sets us apart is our shared vision and innate ability to align on ideas, concepts, and strategies, often without needing words. We excel in visualizing—whether it’s a space, an event, or even the future of our business. Of course, when it comes to run a business, much of what we’ve achieved has also come from learning through action and refining our craft along the way. From the start, though, one thing was clear: we wanted GAEA.DESIGN to create unique moments and experiences that immerse guests in unforgettable worlds, where they can marvel, celebrate, or simply enjoy magical hours.
At GAEA, no two events are alike. Each celebration is designed to leave a lasting impression, creating memories that echo for a lifetime. We primarily focus on private occasions such as destination weddings and family celebrations, placing great emphasis on ensuring that every guest has an extraordinary experience. We want the journey to another country to feel worthwhile—not just for the celebration itself but for the entire experience.
The greatest gift for us is seeing our clients and their guests resonate deeply with the events we create. When they are fully present, celebrating family and love, we know we’ve succeeded. GAEA.DESIGN is for anyone dreaming of hosting their celebration in Europe’s most beautiful locations, for those who want to immerse themselves in a world of emotions and unforgettable experiences.
Bookings for 2025 and 2026 are now open. Additionally, starting in 2025, we are excited to launch coaching and training modules. These will cover topics like business, mindset, and the specifics of becoming a professional event planner, offering guidance for those looking to step into this rewarding field.
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?
One of the most important qualities when starting a business is having an open and adaptable mindset. As a business owner, especially in the beginning, you wear many hats—you’re the creative visionary, the problem solver, the one managing logistics, and even handling finances. If there are areas you’re unfamiliar with, like marketing, sales, or bookkeeping, it’s crucial to either learn quickly or find someone who can support you.
Many of the people we meet, especially women, are drawn to this path because they dream of bringing joy to others, living their creativity, or escaping the confines of a traditional 9-to-5 job. These are beautiful and inspiring reasons, but turning them into reality requires more than just passion. It takes resilience, self-discipline, and a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with being your own boss.
For us, the foundation of success lies in mindset. It’s about believing in yourself, staying motivated even during tough times, and holding on to your vision, even when the outcome feels uncertain. A strong mindset allows you to push forward, learn from challenges, and keep building—step by step.
Alongside mindset, practical skills in areas like marketing, communication/sales, and financial planning are essential. After all, even the most incredible ideas or services need to be seen, understood, and valued by others to thrive. This balance between heart and strategy has been a key part of our journey.
Starting a business is also an incredible learning experience. It teaches you about resilience, creativity, and what it truly means to take responsibility for your own success. It’s not always easy, but the sense of freedom, growth, and fulfillment it brings is unmatched.
If you feel a calling to step into this world—especially if the event industry excites you—we’re excited to share that starting in 2025, we’ll be offering 1:1 mentorship and learning modules. Our goal is to help others gain the skills, confidence, and insights they need to succeed, while also sharing some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
For us, this is about more than just teaching business strategies—it’s about encouraging others to believe in their dreams and empowering more women to take the leap into entrepreneurship. There’s a unique strength in learning to trust yourself, embrace challenges, and create a business that reflects your vision. We’d be honored to guide others on that journey.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Running a business together has been one of the greatest strengths of our journey. From the very beginning, we’ve been each other’s biggest supporters, motivators, and sometimes even the ones to lift each other up when the road ahead seemed more daunting than it actually was. Having a business partner—or at the very least, a coach—can be incredibly valuable, especially if you’re considering starting your own business alone.
Despite what many books or industries may suggest, we are not meant to go it alone. No one has ever truly achieved success by themselves; it’s always been a collective effort, shaped by the people who surround us and either support or challenge us along the way.
We believe it’s essential to have someone by your side—whether they’ve already walked further down the path or are on a similar journey. It’s this exchange that keeps you motivated, gives you clarity, and helps you overcome obstacles. The support of like-minded individuals can be crucial, as entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating and overwhelming.
Understanding that shared success is so much more fulfilling than achieving something alone is an important realization. There’s a unique joy in celebrating milestones together, in recognizing the effort that went into building something as a team. This is an experience we’ve cherished, and it’s one we believe is essential for anyone on this path.
We’ve learned that while we can accomplish a lot on our own, it’s in collaboration and shared effort that we create the truly extraordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gaea-design.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaeadesignevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaeadesignevents
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gaea-design/
Image Credits
(pic 1-2) no credits needed (GAEA)
(pic 3, 5-6) efigenio.studio – https://www.efigeniostudio.com/
(pic 4, 7-8) kreativwedding – https://www.kreativ-wedding.de/
(pic 9) nathangeorgephoto – https://www.nathangeorgephoto.com/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
