Exploring Life & Business with Chaz Maull of The Decorum Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaz Maull.

Hi Chaz, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m excited to share my story with Voyage LA.

I have over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and nightlife industry, and hospitality runs deep in my blood. I come from four generations of nightlife and hospitality—my great-grandmother was a bootlegger during Prohibition and throughout the Civil Rights era. Creating spaces for people to gather, connect, and enjoy themselves has always been part of my lineage.

I grew up spending summers in Trussville, Alabama, working in my aunt and uncle’s barbecue restaurant. That’s where I first fell in love with hospitality—the pace, the people, and the energy. My journey wasn’t traditional. I had a stutter growing up, and at that time in the South, Black men were often pushed to the back of the house rather than guest-facing roles. My first job was as a dishwasher, and I didn’t even last two weeks. But that experience pushed me to find my voice—I moved from dishwasher to host, and that’s where everything started to shift.

In college, I continued working in restaurant franchises like Cracker Barrel, Ruby Tuesday, and Applebee’s. Applebee’s, in particular, is what sparked my interest in nightlife—back then, it was our version of a social scene, and that energy opened my eyes to what hospitality could be beyond just service.

From there, I transitioned into nightlife, becoming a bartender at a nightclub in Huntsville, Alabama, before moving to Atlanta where I worked in several nightlife venues and continued to grow in the industry.

My journey then took me to Chicago, where I worked with Bumble, expanding into brand partnerships and community engagement, before returning fully to hospitality with Soho House.

During COVID, when everything shut down and there was nowhere to go, I started hosting small gatherings on my rooftop. It was a way to bring people together during a time of isolation—and looking back, that was a turning point. It reminded me that what I do is really about creating connection, no matter the setting.

I’ve also had the opportunity to live and work in Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Johannesburg, which has shaped both my global perspective and my network within culture, hospitality, and entertainment.

In 2022, I was laid off, and that moment became another turning point. I picked up a few event contracts and decided to bet on myself by launching my own company, The Decorum Agency. Through my agency, I create programming, produce events, and provide operational and experiential support for restaurants, venues, and festivals.

Since launching, my agency has supported major cultural moments like the Essence Festival and Black Yacht Weekend in Chicago.

Currently, I host a weekly Sunday night experience called Sunday ; Supper—an R&B-driven dinner party rooted in community and culture. It’s more than just a dinner; it’s a space where music, food, and connection come together to create something meaningful and consistent for the community.

At the core of everything I do is creating intentional experiences where people feel seen, connected, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

Warmly,
Chaz Maull

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been challenges along the way. Being a Black gay man in creative and hospitality spaces, you can experience a range of biases—whether that’s subtle racism, assumptions, or even jealousy. At times, people try to place you in a box or limit what they believe you’re capable of.

For me, one of the biggest misconceptions is that because I’m a gay man, my work is only for a specific audience. In reality, everything I create is rooted in inclusivity. My events aren’t limited to one group—they’re for everyone. They’re about community, culture, and connection across different backgrounds. But breaking out of those labels and showing that range has definitely been a journey.

Another challenge is internal. I’m a perfectionist, and I hold myself to a very high standard. I genuinely want every guest to have an incredible experience, so I’m constantly thinking, adjusting, and refining. Because of that, events are rarely “fun” for me in the moment—I’m always working, always observing, always learning. Every event feels new, and with that comes pressure, but it also pushes me to keep growing and evolving.

At the end of the day, those challenges have shaped me. They’ve made me more intentional about the spaces I create and more committed to building experiences that feel elevated, inclusive, and meaningful for everyone who walks through the door.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Decorum Agency is a cultural programming and experiential consultancy rooted in hospitality, nightlife, and community-building. It’s a boutique, founder-led agency—meaning every concept, every detail, and every experience is personally curated and executed by me.

What I do goes beyond just “throwing events.” I develop full-scale programming—from concept to execution—while also supporting operations, guest experience, talent booking, and overall brand positioning. Whether it’s a weekly dinner series, a nightlife activation, or a festival experience, my focus is on creating moments that feel elevated, culturally relevant, and memorable.

What sets me apart is the intersection of creativity and operations. A lot of people can curate a vibe—but not everyone can execute it at a high level while understanding flow, staffing, guest experience, and revenue. With over 20 years in hospitality, I bring both sides to the table. I don’t just make things look good—I make them work.

I’m also known for building community-driven experiences. My events are rooted in culture, music, and connection. A great example of that is Sunday Supper, a weekly R&B dinner party in Los Angeles that has grown into a consistent, sought-after experience bringing together a diverse audience through food, music, and energy.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how I’ve been able to grow organically while still aligning with major cultural moments. Through The Decorum Agency, I’ve supported events like the Essence Festival and Black Yacht Weekend in Chicago, while continuing to build original concepts and programming that stand on their own.

What I want people to understand about The Decorum Agency is that it’s intentional. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all experiences. Every concept is tailored, every detail is considered, and every event is designed to leave a lasting impression—not just visually, but emotionally.

At the end of the day, I’m in the business of creating environments where people feel something—and want to come back.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it luck—I’d say I’ve been favored and aligned. A lot of my best moments have come from either a simple thought or being in the right place at the right time, but I don’t believe that happens by accident.

I think what’s really played a role is how I move. Being kind to people, treating people with respect, and leading with integrity—those things matter. And honestly, integrity is rare these days. I believe that’s what has consistently placed me in the right rooms, around the right people, and in position for the right opportunities.

So while it may look like luck from the outside, for me it’s really about alignment, intention, and the energy you put out coming back to you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chazmaull

Image Credits
Maya Iman