We had the good fortune of connecting with Felicia Barlow Clar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felicia, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

Back in 2006, I began as a concierge company specializing in local events. I eventually changed the name of my company to Barclar Entertainment where I worked on corporate events and booking entertainment. It was three years ago that I created the niche division, Epilogue Tributes, to support the bereaved with creating a meaningful and unique celebration of life service and consulting on end-of-life planning.

I had never considered how much loss I’d had in my life until the back-to-back deaths of my beloved stepfather and sister. We used the same funeral home for their services and being handed the same templates, checklist, and in navigating this routine for two completely different people, I discovered just how impersonal funeral and celebration of life services are. I understand ⏤ it’s a very stressful time and not the time to expect loved ones to become event planners ⏤ so that sparked an idea of how my experience could help.

When a friend remarked, “If this is appropriate to say, this is the best funeral I’ve ever attended,” I knew I had created a healing, cathartic experience and much needed change.

I also hold a different belief about death than most (I consider it a birthing process in the spiritual realm) and I want these services to truly celebrate and honor our loved ones’ legacy and time here on earth.

I am now pivoting again and creating “legacy” projects. I have a few irons in the fire on a couple of things that I see having a large impact.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I’ve been involved in the event and entertainment industries for more than 20 years, working on hundreds of large-scale events, including the 2005 Presidential Inauguration. I’ve   produced on both a large and small scale, anything from an award-winning PSA music video for my local SPCA, to a headliner concert at the Gaylord Hotel National Harbor, which ended in a spectacular fireworks show over the Potomac.

In 2009, I planned my own destination wedding in Jamaica. I thought out every detail for the four days, from a Welcome Reception where guests could meet and bond, to the ever important steel band playing me down the aisle. I believe my Jamaican wedding coordinator described me best when she said she had never had a bride come down who cared so much about her guests’ experience. I do; I truly care about the guests.

I have the ability to think big picture and then drill down on all the details…and I will say it is something, unfortunately, I so rarely find in today’s event planner. I recently organized a 41st class reunion and said, “You have to plan for perfection.” I heard back, “It’s never going to be perfect.” Yes…exactly! Because humans are involved, which is why we need to plan for every minute detail; something will naturally not go as planned. I strive to minimize issues.

I learned this trait from my stepfather who worked daily with the most important people in the world (Presidents, ambassadors, royalty); he could not NOT plan for perfection on this stage. I discovered this myself working on the Inauguration. All of the world’s eyes are on this live event and it must be perfect. Look to the British and the pageantry in their royal events for the best example.

I believe my attention to detail, and yes, perfectionism, is what sets me apart. I finally have the confidence to say I am exceptional at what I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I am not a native to LA so I tend to appreciate the tourist things: a fun day at Universal exploring all the movie sets is exciting; seeing the imprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre; and people watching on the Venice boardwalk and pier.

In my home state of Maryland, I’d take visitors to DC to see all of the amazing ⏤ and free ⏤ museums we have. Nothing beats a day at the Smithsonian or seeing the gorgeous cherry blossom trees in spring. My logo came from my DMV roots and my sister being born in Japan.

When I visit any city, I like to walk around and discover the little mom and pop restaurants and bars to get a true taste (pun intended) of local life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would not be where I am in life without the love, support and sacrifices of my mother and stepfather, Claudia B. Hinton and Rodney Hinton Sr. Both always encouraged me to march to the beat of my own drum, speak up, and get into “good trouble.” I have done all three.

Not only have I followed in Rodney’s footsteps of planning events and being a political wonk, I am also working to raise the legacy of his father James Myles Hinton, a major influence in civil rights history.

Website: https://celebratingthedash.com

Instagram: @celebrating_the_dash

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/feliciabarlowclar

Twitter: @EpilogueTribute

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epiloguetributes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3PlcxjPEvG6TuDFNoLSO-g

Image Credits
©headshot, Paul Clar ©all others, Felicia Barlow Clar

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.