Today we’d like to introduce you to Lola Marie.
Hi Lola, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story, hmm, I never sat down and really thought about that. I started thinking about what story do I talk about because I have a few stories lol. So let’s talk about my story that lead me to event hosting. So about me real quick, I’m Lola Marie, event host. I love entertaining people, but not like a clownery, my friends say I’m the life of the party, and I enjoy connecting with new people. My motto for my event company, Touched by Lola Marie, is “Feel the Fun!” I just want to enjoy life and have people around me enjoy too. I try to incorporate fun in all I do, but know how to be serious when needed. I’m the friend who will dance anywhere and don’t care what people think or say about me. I am unapologetically, Ms. Lola Marie!
Ok so, It really all started on a whim. Let me back it up. So, I work a 9-5 for Verizon and have been there 12 years. One of my roles was a Sr. trainer, which I absolutely loved, but never really knew why. So you know a trainer is responsible for teaching, engagement, some type of entertainment (at least in my classes), relating to people, making people feel good, etc. If you think about it, those are most of the qualities of a great event host too, which I realized later. So boom, I was a Sr. trainer at Verizon, from like 2014-2017, loving my career not thinking about doing anything else. (I’m still with Verizon but in a new role as of 2017)
In 2017, my best friend from high school, Nova Styles (we call each other bestwinnie because we are best friends who are like twins) was having a blog launch event and needed someone to do a Q&A for her, so I’m like of course, I’ll do it. I ended up creating some games and activities for the event and kinda fell into hosting the party. Which is what I said I didn’t want to do, lol. The event was a super success and afterward, people keep telling me how great I was and how much they enjoyed me, asking if I do this for real. I’m like, “naw I was just helping my bestwinnie.” But that feedback made me think about how similar hosting and training was, as I mentioned earlier.
I love entertaining people, I’m naturally funny and witty, I like being in control, I fake like attention, meaning, I’m not like, “hey, look at me” but I don’t mind people looking at me lol. I realized how I always end up taking over, in a good way, at people’s house parties, game nights, etc. and I was good at it to the point my friends would ask me what they should do next at their parties.
I started asking my friends if I can officially host their game nights and small parties, and I LOVED IT! And was good at it, I might add. I started doing game nights, baby showers, birthdays, and engagement parties, all for my friends or for someone who attended the party. Everything was really just word of mouth. Of course, Covid hit so that slowed things down a lot because people were not having parties anymore so I offered virtual hosting which I did a few of. As the Covid restriction lifted, I got back to doing a few hosting gigs in my spare time. I wasn’t in it for the money, I really just loved doing it.
Now it’s 2021 and one of my college best friends, Niya Davis, asked me if I wanted to be extra in a series she was in called Marvelous Southside Crew, a film set in the 90s about the hip hop DJing scenes in South Atlanta. I said, “hells yea.” I went to the set, being my regular Lola Marie self; making people smile, a little take over spirit, being helpful and eccentric, as people call me. Niya introduced me to the director Khaeem, as her hosting friend and he asked me to host the red carpet premiere event for this film. I was super excited and nervous because my hosting primarily was for people I knew and centered around fun and games. Now I’m being asked to host a red carpet. From there, I attended several zoom meetings with members of Khaeem Entertainment, talking about logistics and things.
Finally, the day came on June 25, 2022, the day of the event and it went flawlessly, at least from my perception lol. I had so much fun meeting new people and engaging with them, all while keeping the flow for the event going. Talking to Khaeem opened my eyes for the other sides of hosting which I exploring now. So this is where my story has taken me as of now, July 2022, from doing what I loved, with no real expectations, I was able to be linked to this awesome team, Khaeem Entertainment, who is making a name for themselves in the film world. I am super excited to be part of the team and can’t wait for what the future brings, all while having the love and support of my family. Thanks, Ma, Sista, and ‘my niece’.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be honest, as far as hosting parties and making it happen, I have not really had any obstacles or challenges. I think it mainly because I really am just being me. That’s the easiest thing for me to do. I don’t think it’s hard when you do something you enjoy. If I had to say I had any obstacles it would be me getting in my own way. I mean like doubting myself that I wouldn’t be able to host a red carpet event for 400 people effectively, telling myself that people who don’t know me may not get my humor and be offended. Things like that. Just my own negative talk. After my last event I have quieted that talk but I can’t front, it still makes me nervous how big and successful I know have the potential to become. But again, that’s all me because no one else has ever said anything but great things about what they see in me and my talents especially my bestwinnie, Nova Styles and my God sister, DeAndrea. For real, (for my Atlanta people lol) I was nervous to even do this interview because I’m like, “who wants to hear my little story, what story do I even have?” My best friend, Niya quickly reminded me, “You’re Lola Marie and you for sure have a story to tell!”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an event host who specializes in creative games and activities. My job is to bring the fun to any party or event. I do this by being myself and from my ability to read the room to help identify what is needed. I’m there to keep the festivities going so the person throwing the party can actually sit back and enjoy their event/party. I’m known for one-of-a-kind games with prizes for the winners and something just for participating. I’m most proud of this most recent red carpet event I hosted for Khaeem Entertainment, for the series Southside Marvelous Crew, because it stretched another muscle I didn’t know I had.
What sets me apart of everyone else is that I’m mad fun, effortlessly. Also, I have my own unique style, not following the trends, just wearing what I like. Lastly, my personality sets me apart. I have the ability to make anyone feel comfortable all while cracking on them, making them laugh. My goal is that all my clients have to do is tell me the type of vibe they want and I will make it happen.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
This was a good question because immediately I thought, “yes, I’m a risk taker.” Then I thought about it and had to be real with myself thinking about what risks have I really taken. At least in this new hosting world. I think that goes back to how I’m my own obstacle. But to answer the question, I do believe in risks, but smart risks. For example, I wouldn’t skydive because of the risks involved but I would parasail because it’s less risks, me too. I know that sounds ridiculous but it makes sense to me because with parasailing I would at least fall into the water with a life jacket on instead of just hitting the ground. That’s what I mean by smart risks. I think it is important to take risks sometimes because as they say, the bigger the risk the greater the reward. Just be smart about it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Mslolamarie
