Inspiring Conversations with Kimberly McNeal of Designed Events Space

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly McNeal.

Kimberly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The true spark for Designed Events came from my daughter, Marissa’s need to find a place to get married. She inspired my desire to create a venue that wasn’t just beautiful, but also accessible — a space where people could celebrate life’s most important moments without the exorbitant costs so many venues are charging today. I wanted to bridge the gap for all to celebrate not just those that can afford to.

My daughter Monique joined me as my business partner, it felt like the final piece of the puzzle. It’s a rare gift to build something alongside your own family, and together we’ve poured our hearts, skills, and vision into every detail. This has not been an easy road — we’ve had to gather strength within ourselves and for each other to carry this dream into reality.

Today, Designed Events Space is that dream come true — a stunning, welcoming place where design and affordability meet, and where families, friends, and communities can create memories for years to come. And this is just the beginning. Monique and I are committed to growing this space for the long haul, expanding our reach, and continuing to offer a venue that’s filled with heart, beauty, and purpose.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road — in fact, it’s been one of the hardest things we’ve ever taken on. We faced obstacle after obstacle, from losing our original location to the challenges of partnerships, to the long delays and unexpected costs tied to permits and approvals. At times, it felt like we were pushing uphill with no end in sight. But every setback forced us to dig deeper, problem-solve creatively, and keep our vision alive. Opening those doors was one of the most rewarding moments of my life, because I knew just how much grit, patience, and faith it took to get there. It was hard — but absolutely worth it.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Designed Events is a beautiful, open-concept event space built with love, intention, and the belief that celebrating life’s moments shouldn’t require breaking the bank. We specialize in creating a blank-yet-beautiful canvas for weddings, milestone birthdays, quinceañeras, corporate gatherings, and more — giving clients the freedom to bring their own personality, culture, and creativity into the space.

What sets us apart is not only our design-forward, welcoming environment but also the heart behind it. We’re a family-owned, women-led business, and everything we do is rooted in care for our clients’ experience. We’ve intentionally kept our pricing fair while still offering the amenities people need: tables, chairs, linens, a caterer’s corner, sound system, bar area, and a fully customizable layout.

We’re most proud that our space feels personal — when you walk in, you feel like you’ve stepped into somewhere that was created for you. We want readers to know that Designed Events is more than four walls; it’s a space built for connection, joy, and lasting memories. We’ve already hosted everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations, and every single event reminds us why we created this space in the first place: to make beautiful celebrations accessible to everyone.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My daughter Monique and I have both poured so much of ourselves into this dream and vision that is Designed Events. I used every bit of my savings, every dime and cent, to bring this space to life. It’s been an intense leap, but I’ve always believed that nothing truly worth having comes without extreme tests and bold risks.

Risk has a way of pushing you into situations where you question yourself, your choices, and your limits. But if you persevere, if you hold onto your vision through the bumpiness and uncertainty, you will see the reward. I think of it like planting a seed — it may be buried for a while, hidden in the dark, but with patience and care, it always brings forth fruit

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.designedevents.biz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedeventsspace/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095256635396
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvQxY7aVKo_Qlp1myp3OTUw/posts?pvf=CAI%253D
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/disciplined-design-acworth-3