ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT Louisa Preskett (NHEHS 1998) read English at Newcastle University after which she moved to New York to work in fashion communications and then for Goldman Sachs in the Executive Office communications team. After returning to London, Louisa set up Polar Black Events in 2009. Polar Black Events produces events and designs creative campaigns for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Dom Perignon, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Veuve Clicquot as well as for private clients including politicians, musicians and the Royal Family. In 2019 Louisa’s entrepreneurial spirit led to her launching Maison Margaux, an online brand selling homeware goods and luxury tableware, with an additional service renting to events and weddings.
I come from a family of self-starters. My father is a musician and he worked for himself out of a studio in our home. He would often tell my sister Nicola (who is also an NHEHS alumna) and me how lucky he felt to do what he loved and also be at home to be with his family. I really wanted the same setup if I was lucky enough to be able to make it work. Family has always been my priority. I have three children, and when I was working at Goldman Sachs many years ago I couldn’t see how I was going to have children and see them/watch them grow in the way I wanted to. Around 2007 I saw a real gap in the market for a bespoke, creative and service-driven events agency. I had spent years organising events in-house for major companies and brands where I had to rely on external agencies for support. I always felt let down by the service level, attention to detail and quality of work I received and I just knew there had to be a better way. I also think I’m probably a person that takes risks and that’s just part of my nature. Sometimes it works and I succeed, and sometimes I fall flat on my face. But it’s all a learning. If you want to do something for yourself, and you’re passionate about your idea and what you’re doing, you have to get used to rejection and failure and keep moving forward. If you work hard and don’t give up it always gets you to where you want to be. I absolutely love what I do as I meet and work alongside so many different people including artists, musicians, politicians, Michelin starred chefs and designers. It is an amazing cross section of talented people doing amazing things. There have been some very challenging moments along the way, for example, when Polar Black did a big charity event with Bill Clinton and there was a major
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