My First Hired Event: A 007-Inspired 40th Birthday

Event planning has always been something I have loved, but this was the first time I was officially hired to bring a vision to life—and it couldn’t have been a better experience.

For my friend’s 40th birthday, I had the pleasure of planning alongside the incredibly talented Chef Tara Retes, who crafted a stunning menu for the evening. The celebration took place at Mockingbird Estates, where we set the stage for a sophisticated 007-themed night. Guests enjoyed an elegant sushi dinner for 50, followed by a night of casino games, music, custom ice cream, and a late-night food truck to keep the festivities going.

Seeing everything come together—the thoughtful details, the delicious food, and the pure joy on everyone’s faces—was incredibly rewarding. This event solidified my passion for curating meaningful experiences, and as my first hired event, it also felt like the start of something exciting.