Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Mayfield.
Amber, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started TO BE HOSTED in 2017 when I was still working in the television industry. I knew I wanted to plan events, but I was struggling to find a job. At the same time, I also noticed that dinner parties and supper clubs in New York did not cater to the young people of color. So I started hosting dinner parties to create networking opportunities for my peers while building my portfolio as an event planner. As I continued to host dinner parties, my client inquiries continued to increase. By the end of 2018, I was able to leave my 9-to-5 and focus on my event planning business full time. Since then, my client list has grown to include Equinox, Netflix, Nestle, Patron, Bumble Bizz, and more.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to my own event company was not a smooth one. I learned a lot of lessons the hard way when it came to contracts, pricing my services, and identifying the right clients and events that would match my style. I think all of the mistakes I made along the way have helped me structure stronger and more sustainable services for the future.
We’d love to hear more about your company.
TO BE HOSTED is an event company specializing in dinners and food focused events. We plan intimate brand experiences, as well as weddings for couples who are enthusiastic about food, music, and highly personalized details. As a company, we value our efforts to hire women and minority owned vendors and partners, creating opportunities for more diverse makers and creators. Our offices are based in New York City, and we plan events in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and select international destinations.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was really into sports and art. I played volleyball and was the captain of my high school team. I also took every art class and did an independent study in pottery. I had a lot of friends, but I was the wall flower in the group. I didn’t come out of my shell and start embracing all my interests and quirks and style until I was in college.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tobehosted.com
- Email: experience@tobehosted.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tobehosted/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/tobewedandfed
Image Credit:
Rashida Zagon
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