Meet Marjorie Lashmet | Wedding and Event Planner, 329events

My entire life I’ve been very risk-averse. I was raised to always play it safe and follow the rules. There was a trajectory I was supposed to follow by getting good grades, going to college, getting a secure job. I did it.

I did all the things my parents told me was going to give me a bright future and a great life. They weren’t wrong. I got the job and worked hard. I had the stability. I had a supportive family and great circle of friends. I played it safe the first 25 years of my life. I was proud of myself – as anyone who could accomplish these things should be! Yet, I was the crazy and unsatisfied type who needed more.

After all of that – I was tired and unhappy. I kept working the 9-5 until I got married and my husband finally convinced me that if there was a way to take the risk and launch something I’ve always wanted – it was now. So I did. I’m grateful for his belief in me and support in following my passion.

I quit my job, took the leap of faith and launched my business. I was scared of the unknown. How could I do it? Would I be able to? What would my parents think? How could I walk away from the security and stability I’ve worked hard for?

I did it and I’m continuing to do it! Although it’s tempting to look back sometimes, and it does get hard- I wouldn’t give anything for the freedom and flexibility of doing something I love everyday with 329events.

I fell in love with events over 10 years ago when I started organizing community volunteer events, interning for sports teams, and assisting at red carpet and concert events. I knew how much I loved doing it – and when I realized I was good at it, I knew I needed to launch 329events, a weddings and special event planning company.

My passion for helping others bring their creative visions to life, combined with my intense work ethic – I knew it was time to take the leap of faith. What sets me apart from others is that I really take the time to get to know my clients and understand what’s really important to them in order to successfully bring their vision to life.

The hardest part about launching it was imposter syndrome in thinking that I wasn’t good enough to compete with others who have been doing it longer. Or that I wouldn’t be able to make as much money as I did in my 9-5 corporate job. With a great support system and a strong mindset to keep going, it is a grind, but it does get easier each day.

A lot of people can look at 329events on social media and wonder how / who is she and did she just start doing this yesterday? But what they haven’t seen is over a decade’s worth of hard work, tears, and sweat building up to this moment. I’ve learned that comparison with your competitors will crush you – so my “motto” is community over competition – because the reality is it takes a village to produce these events and there are enough events to go around for everyone.

The clients I get to work with truly get an experience working with someone who really cares about their big day and always has their best interest in mind.

I owe a major thank you to one of my first managers, Samantha Fisher. I started as her assistant 8 years ago, and she grew to be a friend, sister, and mentor to me. Early on she recognized my potential, challenged me, and helped me work through my career and a lot of life’s changes over the years. Sam has taught me a lot over the years both professionally and personally. We’re a similar kind of crazy in some ways, but I’m grateful to know her!