When Obi Nwabuzor realized she was spending more time styling floral arrangements and streamers than studying and solving equations she knew her priorities had permanently shifted. The accounting major and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha inc. sought out ways to turn her talent for throwing parties into a profitable event production firm beginning with an informal internship that imparted invaluable information. Now with clients, including LoveBrownSugar, clamoring for her services Obi has made a name for herself as a top producer of quality social experiences including unforgettable weddings and stylish pop-up shops. We spoke to the woman behind O.N. Events about budgets, organization, and why it’s important to voice even the most unpopular of opinions.
Find out more about Obi below!
Name: Obi Nwabuzor
Location: South Orange, New Jersey
Personal Style in Three Words: Feminine, Classic, and Colorful
Favorite Designer(s): My sister is a fashion designer. Her label is Ana Kata.
Must Have Accessories: I don’t go anywhere without earrings. I usually wear studs. I try to get ones that are funky and have a little bling. Nine times out of ten you’ll probably see me with a necklace on. And I always have a scarf on whether it’s fall, winter, spring, or whatever I will have a scarf on.
How did you get into event planning?
It started in high school when I was president of our multicultural student organization on campus. We had to organize all types of things from meetings to celebrations to just regular school dances. I realized that I really loved planning. It continued in college when I joined my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. Our chapter threw a lot of events throughout the year and I would find myself planning. I would be ordering flowers and making flyers rather than doing homework and studying for my exams.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
It’s really really hard. I think a lot of people think they can do it because they can throw barbeques or something at their house but it takes a lot to plan a well executed and well designed event. I think people really underestimate the amount of time and skill it takes to do that.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
This is really personal but not taking things personally. Because I really love what I do and really take pride and ownership in it it’s hard not to take criticism personally because I’m so personally invested. That for me really is the hardest part.
Does your background as an accounting major contribute to your career in event planning?
Absolutely! There are little things that I don’t worry about as a business owner because I know how to keep track of things. I’m good at keeping track of what my expenses are versus what my revenue is and balancing all of those things. That’s something I learned from studying accounting and also being the treasurer in my chapter. I feel comfortable with numbers.
What can an event not be staged without?
You don’t have an event if you don’t have a budget. Keeping track of it, and being realistic is something my clients really appreciate, especially the husbands.
What is your greatest professional asset?
My passion. There are days when I feel really overwhelmed and my clients are really on my back and what keeps me going is my love of doing it. I love it. It’s the reason I stay up all night. I love every part of my events. There’s no part of the event I don’t want to know about, that I don’t want to put my hand in, where I don’t want to put my two cents and I think that’s what makes me good. I take ownership of the complete and total event, because I love it. I want my clients to be happy and I want my guests to have a complete and total experience and not just check off another gala or another birthday party off on their lists. That’s what I love about events in general they create these mini experiences for people.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
That part in the middle where you realize that everything is going okay. You’ve set up. Your guests are happy, your client is happy and you can breathe a sigh of relief and look at people enjoying your hard work. That is my favorite part.
What’s been the greatest moment in your career so far?
I would have to say the end of Fit for a Queen. That was really me taking an event I had never really seen done before from this random idea I had in my head to complete fruition. That was really a combination of having faith and acting on that faith. The day we released tickets and had almost three hundred people sign up I went “Oh my gosh! This is happening”.
What three pieces of advice would you give to aspiring event planners?
- Be organized.
- Follow your gut.
- Don’t be afraid to have an opinion. A lot of people in service industries feel the need to please their clients by being “yes men”. That’s not why they’re hiring you. They want you to be an adviser, they want you to guide them. Don’t be afraid of having a voice.
What can we expect next from the Obi Nwabuzor brand?
I want to hold my own annual signature creative events that I hold in addition to servicing my clients. Events where I’m only pleasing me and I get to see them blossom exactly how I want them to.
What’s in your handbag right now?
My wallet, the keys to my car, my backup lipstick charger- it’s hot pink, Nars lipstick in Scarlet Empress and my mini Vaseline.
Learn more about how Obi can transform your vision into a reality here and don’t miss your chance to see her work up close and personal at this year’s ShopLoveBrownSugar!
-Keyaira N. Boone
Photo Credit: One Event Planning