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KAVITA MOHAN | PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine | Volume 2 | Issue 5 | 2024

KAVITA MOHAN: EVENT PRODUCTION

With over 25 years of experience in event planning, Kavita Mohan has established herself as a leader in creating bespoke weddings and events that smoothly blends creativity with precision.

Her journey began with a background in the corporate world, where she honed her skills in organization, budgeting, and leadership.

In 2007, she founded Kavita Mohan Event Planning, driven by a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences that reflect her clients' unique visions.

Kavita's approach combines meticulous attention to detail with innovative design, allowing her to bring even the most complex ideas to life. She works with a select number of clients each year to ensure every event receives her undivided attention and expertise.

Her strong relationships with top-tier vendors and her ability to deliver exceptional events in Vancouver and beyond have solidified her reputation as a trusted expert in the industry.

Kavita Mohan Event Planning offers a stress-free wedding planning journey committed to excellence at every stage. Kavita ensures every detail is thoughtfully crafted to elevate her clients' love stories. The "All the Tiers & No Tears" package provides an all-inclusive planning experience, from initial coordination to day-of supervision, delivering elegant and sophisticated celebrations.

From galas and milestone celebrations to holiday parties, she brings professionalism and creativity to every corporate event. Offering custom-designed packages (Diamond and Platinum tiers), each event is executed flawlessly, adding a touch of sophistication and ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.

IN HER WORDS

"My family immigrated from Fiji to Vancouver in 1974 when I was 4 years old. My parents, like many Indian parents at the time, sought better opportunities and chose Vancouver for its colder climate. Growing up in East Vancouver, I attended the same schools and built lifelong friendships with my best friends from an early age. Our weekends were spent with extended family, celebrating milestones and sharing meals in a tight-knit, supportive community.

"We had a strict upbringing - no sports teams, after-school activities, or makeup until after high school. Ironically, I dreamed of modelling and later walked in a few fashion shows in my 20s. As a child, I often daydreamed about creative pursuits like dancing or starting a business. These early aspirations planted the seeds for my entrepreneurial spirit, even as I followed a traditional path, studying accounting and briefly exploring fitness, journalism, and other careers. Over time, I discovered I was meant for a career that combined creativity, independence, and shaping my success.

A LIFE SHARED

"My husband and I went to the same high school but never spoke. I was the "Colors of Benetton/ Madonna" type, and he was the "Storm Rider/ AC/ DC" guy. We crossed paths again at the gym in 2001 and realized we had shared the same friends our whole lives.

"After we became a couple, in 2005, we bought our first home in North Burnaby.

"After reading Eat, Pray, Love, I became obsessed with getting married in Bali. True to his "island time" nature, he took his time proposing, so I bought my wedding dress and hid it for months! In 2011, we tied the knot in Bali after 10 years together - it remains one of our best memories. Sadly, we were unable to have children. After a couple of miscarriages, we decided to let life unfold naturally as the emotional toll of trying became too much.

"I have always loved travel. As a child, my family would go on road trips to California, exploring places like the San Diego Zoo and visiting relatives in Sacramento and San Francisco. As I grew older, I travelled further: Napa Valley, Mexico, Las Vegas, LA, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Copenhagen. I have enjoyed adventures with my husband to Mexico, Belize, Miami, Jamaica, Portland, Seattle, Whistler, and Vancouver Island.

A BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR

"In 1991, after two years in the accounting department at 7- 7-Eleven Canada Inc., I moved into an Admin role in Operations, where I discovered my passion for planning.

"Starting with meetings and department events, I found joy in organizing and helping others, which soon spilled into my personal life. I began planning family dinners, outings, and small events for friends, quietly nurturing an interest in wedding planning.

"By 2004, I transitioned into a Merchandising and Marketing role, where I planned national meetings and conventions, expanding my experience."

"In 2007, a friend asked me to plan her wedding - my first event in 2008, for just $500! Seventeen years later, I am planning her daughter's wedding in a castle in Scotland.

"While building my wedding planning business, I continued working at 7-Eleven, gaining experience across three departments. However, by 2014, I felt unfulfilled and ready for a change. At 45, after 24 years, I left my stable career to pursue my dream. Many thought I was taking a risk, but I knew I would regret not trying. Shortly after, 7-Eleven hired me to plan their annual vendor meeting, which led to organizing a 1,200-person convention in 2019.

"Though the convention was a milestone, it clarified my desire to focus on weddings and social events. I craved the creativity, personal connections, and fun these events bring, steering away from corporate settings.

"Early in my career, I signed up for Wedding Wire, a platform connecting engaged couples with wedding professionals. A pivotal moment came when I received an inquiry from the President of Fruiticana, asking me to plan his 25th wedding anniversary celebration. I was honoured and nervous, feeling like the universe was telling me I was on the right path.

"The event at the Fairmont Pacific Rim was magical and remains one of my favourite projects. The family's warmth led to a cherished friendship that has grown over the years. That inquiry was a turning point, affirming that my hard work and passion could build a successful business.

A NEW CHAPTER

"By the end of 2019, I had just celebrated my 50th birthday. My business was thriving, I felt amazing, and life was at its peak. Then, the pandemic hit, turning everything upside down. With no income, I faced severe perimenopause symptoms, night sweats, memory loss, insomnia, mood swings, and crippling anxiety.

"In 2021, my dad passed away, and my world crumbled. Grief and regret consumed me. At the same time, I struggled to find steady employment, with rejection after rejection eroding my confidence.

"By 2022, I pushed forward, delivering some of the best events of my career. But 2023 brought new challenges: a misdiagnosis of depression, an eventual diagnosis of Grave's Disease, and alopecia. While treatments helped, they came with side effects like weight gain, leaving me self-conscious.

"Through all of this, perimenopause remained relentless, making it hard to feel like myself. In September, I had an 'AHA' moment, accepting the losses, challenges, and changing relationships of recent years.

"I share this because midlife as an entrepreneur, especially as a woman, is rarely discussed. Perimenopause, grief, and changing relationships can feel overwhelming, yet we are expected to carry on.

"These struggles have made me stronger and more determined to show up for myself and my business."

TWO KEY ACTIONS

"One of the key actions that pushed my business to the next level was refining my design process. I transitioned from simply planning events to designing them with great detail. I began creating comprehensive mood boards that captured every event element, décor, florals, stationery, colour palettes, floor plans, food and beverages, and more. This meticulous approach became my blueprint for success, ensuring clients and vendors had a clear, seamless understanding of the vision.

"Over the years, I have continually fine-tuned this process to make it smoother and more collaborative. I am also a firm believer that knowledge is power. Therefore, I constantly seek to expand my skills and stay current with trends and innovations in the industry. Continuous learning, growth, and improvement are vital to my success.

"The second pivotal action was rebranding my business at the end of 2020, during the height of the pandemic. Rather than sitting idle, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to elevate my business presence. I partnered with the talented teams at Elim Kwok Marketing and Vanessa Bucceri Brand & Website Design, who helped bring my vision to life with a fresh, sophisticated website and brand identity.

"This rebrand was a game-changer. It better represented the level of work I was producing and helped me connect with my ideal clients. The new brand identity set the tone for the future direction of my business, laying a strong foundation for continued growth.

"I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my husband, family, and friends, who have been my cheerleaders and source of strength when I needed it most.

"I have built meaningful relationships within the industry with talented professionals, planners, decorators, florists, DJs, and venue teams, whose collaboration and passion inspire me daily. I am also fortunate to have had incredible clients who trusted me with their most important moments, and their belief in me has been instrumental in my journey.

"A recent tragedy in November, when our best friends lost their 21-year-old son in a motorcycle accident, became a profound moment of introspection for me. I stepped in to help my friends however I could, something I could do to show my love and support during such a heartbreaking time. It reminded me how important it is to be there for the people I love while still pursuing the work that fulfills me.

THE EXPERT APPROACH

"At Kavita Mohan Events, I craft bespoke weddings and events that reflect my clients' visions. With over 30 years of experience planning meetings, celebrations, and special occasions, I work with a select number of clients each year to ensure every detail is infused with care, creativity, and precision.

"From concept to completion, I am deeply involved, curating every element, from design and décor to logistics and execution, while providing my clients with a seamless, stress-free experience."

"What sets Kavita Mohan Events apart is a refined approach, decades of expertise, and strong relationships with top-tier vendors worldwide. Whether an intimate gathering or a multi-day celebration, I bring global reach, creativity, and a dedication to excellence that transforms life's most cherished moments into timeless, unforgettable experiences.

"To thrive over the next two quarters, my business needs greater visibility and reach on a local, national, and global scale.

"This means investing in strategic marketing initiatives, including elevated content creation, social media campaigns, and more substantial features in industry-leading publications like Forbes, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, and business event outlets. Exposure in these spaces aligns perfectly with the level of work I produce.

"I would also like to expand my corporate and charitable event offerings. These events challenge me to think creatively while delivering meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impression, a multi-day conference, a fundraising gala, or an intimate brand launch.

"Charity work also holds a special place in my heart, as I am passionate about events that give back to the community and have a global impact. My experience as a Committee Member, Décor Leader, and Event Coordinator for the CF Gala highlighted the importance of planning meaningful fundraisers.

"Recently, I dedicated six days to crafting a proposal for an annual charity fundraiser for an organization whose core mission profoundly resonates with me.

"Additionally, I want to grow my network of collaborators globally, from top-tier venues to design and floral professionals who share my vision for seamless, elevated events. Strengthening these partnerships will further position my business as a leader in weddings, corporate experiences, and charitable events.

"And lastly, I am ready to scale my team. Adding exceptional talent will allow me to take on larger, more complex projects while maintaining the high level of service and attention to detail I am known for.

"Big dreams and even bigger goals - I have always believed that the possibilities are endless when you put yourself out there; I am always thinking about improving my business and reflecting on changes that need to be made. 2024 marks 10 years of running my business full-time, with the majority of my focus on weddings and social events.

"It is almost the end of 2024; I am proud to have been featured on MSN, in Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book, Wezoree, and # 1in two of the Best of Vancouver lists.

"While I have loved this journey, I have realized it is time for a shift; I cannot continue to do everything myself! As I turn 55 this December, my priorities are evolving.

"More than anything, I want to strike a balance: creating extraordinary events that make an impact and allowing myself more space to focus on what truly matters - my family, friends, and the moments we share.

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