Meet Marquette Washington | Ceo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marquette Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marquette, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting Modern Moments came from wanting to build something meaningful, not just for myself, but for my family and my community. I’ve always believed that life’s most important memories deserve to be celebrated in a beautiful and intentional way.
After seeing how stressful planning an event can be, I wanted to create a space where families, business owners, and creatives could come together and feel supported from start to finish. Modern Moments was built to be more than just a venue — it’s a place where people can celebrate milestones, create content, grow their brand, and make memories that last.
As a family-owned business, legacy has always been at the center of our vision. We wanted to create something our children could be proud of while also serving the community with excellence, creativity, and genuine care.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Modern Moments is a family-owned event venue and creative studio built around celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. We provide a beautiful, modern space where families, businesses, and creatives can host events, create content, and bring their vision to life. From baby showers, birthdays, weddings, corporate events, community gatherings, photo shoots, and more, our goal is to make every client feel supported, valued, and celebrated.
What sets us apart is that we are more than just a venue. We truly care about the full experience. We understand that planning an event can feel overwhelming, so we try to make the process as smooth as possible by offering a clean, elegant space, helpful amenities, vendor connections, photo booth options, printing services, and a team that genuinely wants each event to be successful. We want clients to feel like they are not just renting a building, but partnering with people who care about their special day.

One thing we are most proud of is our growth and resilience. Modern Moments started with a vision, faith, and the desire to build something meaningful for our family and community. It was not easy. Like many small businesses, we faced challenges, unexpected changes, learning curves, and moments where we had to make difficult decisions. But every challenge taught us how to become stronger, more organized, and more committed to our purpose.

Getting to where we are today took consistency, sacrifice, and a willingness to keep going even when things did not go exactly as planned. We learned that business is not just about having a great idea — it is about customer service, communication, problem-solving, marketing, finances, leadership, and having the right mindset. We also learned the importance of listening to our clients and adjusting as we grow.

What I want the world to know about Modern Moments is that our brand was built with heart. We are not just creating a space for events; we are creating a place where memories are made, families come together, businesses connect, and people feel seen. Our story is about legacy, faith, hard work, and building something that our children and community can be proud of. Modern Moments represents elegance, creativity, and purpose — and we are just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting the Inland Empire for a week, I would certainly want to showcase the region’s highlights, particularly Riverside, Jurupa Valley, and its surrounding communities. I believe our area offers a remarkable blend of historical significance, culinary delights, family-oriented activities, shopping opportunities, artistic expression, and hidden gems.

To commence the trip, we would explore Downtown Riverside. We would visit the historic Mission Inn, stroll along Mission Inn Avenue district, browse local shops, cafés, and admire the architectural heritage. Additionally, I would introduce them to The Cheech and Riverside Art Museum, as Riverside boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. The Mission Inn area, Riverside Art Museum, The Cheech, and Mount Rubidoux are all prominently featured as key attractions by local tourism and official websites.

On another day, we would opt for a more leisurely and scenic itinerary. We would embark on a morning walk at Mount Rubidoux, savoring the panoramic views, and subsequently dine downtown. I would also recommend Riverside Food Lab, which offers a diverse selection of locally owned food and beverage establishments, catering to individual preferences.

For an enjoyable outdoor experience, I would take them to Oak Quarry Golf Club in Jurupa Valley. Even if they are not avid golfers, it is an exceptional destination that exemplifies the region’s natural beauty. As a championship 18-hole course constructed around a quarry, it presents a unique golfing experience distinct from conventional courses.

In addition, I would plan a day of shopping and dining at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. The open-air town center atmosphere offers a variety of shopping, restaurants, entertainment options, and walking paths, making it an ideal destination for a few hours of leisure.

I would also invite them to visit Modern Moments. I believe it would be beneficial for them to witness the construction process and gain insight into the core values of our brand. Whether it is an event, a community gathering, a vendor pop-up, or simply showcasing the space, Modern Moments represents a significant aspect of my pride in this region.

Overall, my itinerary would aim to provide them with a comprehensive experience of the Inland Empire. This would include historical insights, delectable cuisine, picturesque vistas, local businesses, shopping opportunities, creative endeavors, and a sense of community. I believe that what distinguishes this area is its continuous growth while maintaining a strong local and family-oriented atmosphere. This is the experience I would most like them to immerse themselves in.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shoutout first to my family, especially my wife and our children. They are a huge part of my “why” and the reason I continue pushing forward, even during the challenging seasons of business. Building Modern Moments has never just been about opening a venue or running a company — it has always been about building a legacy that my family can be proud of.
I also want to give credit to our clients, vendors, and community. Every person who has booked with us, referred us, trusted us with their celebration, or supported our vision has played a role in our growth. Their encouragement and belief in Modern Moments continue to motivate us to keep improving and creating beautiful experiences.
Our story is not something we built alone. It has been shaped by love, support, hard work, and the people who continue to stand behind us. So this shoutout is truly for everyone who has believed in Modern Moments from the beginning and continues to support where we are going.

Website: https://www.modernmomentsstudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmomentss_

Image Credits
Modern Moments Creative Studio