Black Vendors To Consider For Your Next Event: Week #2

In the spirit of love for Valentine's Day, today’s feature vendors can create any experience your heart...

In the spirit of love for Valentine’s Day, today’s feature vendors can create any experience your heart desires. Whether you’re planning a last-minute celebration for a loved one or creating a love-inspired activation at your next event, check out these vendors to pull together your best event experience yet!

Each week during Black History Month, we’ll feature 7 new black-owned businesses that have services and solutions for your events. These vendors range from chefs and musicians to digital platforms and exhibitors…and everything in between!

We believe it’s important to diversify your event team and encourage organizers to hire black vendors for contracts and gigs . Vendorspace works establish these relationships by promoting black-owned businesses that are ready to work! 

Check out this week’s feature vendors below:

Pretty Luxe Picnics
Category: Event Planning, Decor, Unique Solution

Pretty Luxe Picnics & Affairs Atlanta is a full service luxury picnic company, that specializes in creating luxurious and upscale picnics settings and beautiful table-scapes for any gathering, whether large or intimate. We love nothing more than creating beautiful designs for each of our clients, from a sophisticated high-class afternoon tea picnic with the girls to a romantic & intimate evening that ignites the love between two people. 

The team at Pretty Luxe have an engraved belief and appreciation for  living life extraordinarily, celebrating life out loud because yes you are royalty!! living in the moment and creating magical and extraordinary memories with the people we love and those that makes us the happiest.

IG: @prettyluxepicnics

Ideal Media
Category: DJ, Audio Visual Solutions, Draping, Uplighting, Photobooth 

As a DJ/Audio-Visual Technician/Music Producer, DJ-HD can creatively combine Sound, Lighting, and Video to get you the outcome that you’re in search of.   “My aim is to combine skill, technology, interactivity, fun, and quality to provide a professional service for all of my clients. Being passionate about the craft of DJ’ing, assisting others with their important moments, and getting a kick out of seeing people have fun, is what makes this the best profession (for me anyway). ”

IG: @idealmediaevents

Table Made
Category: Decor, Curated Tableware, Table-scaping, Event RENTAL

TableMade is your one stop shop for all your entertaining needs. Our assortment is expansive and unique. We have everything from 24K lined charger plates to specialty dyed glassware. Simply rent from our collection of curated collections and return once the party is over! So, call an old friend. Treat your loved one to an at-home dinner for two or dream up the most amazing tablescape at your reception. Bring together the gals, or guys, and reconnect at the table.

IG: @tablemadeco

Machee Creates
Category: Art & Stationery 

Machee Creates is a creative business owned by Machee Kelly. Machee is a Washington DC native and creative enthusiast.  Since her youth, creating has been her passion. In high school, she would design fashion illustrations and transform them into garments, but soon realized she enjoyed illustrating more than sewing textiles. Her entrepreneurial journey began in college, as she worked to create extra income for education expenses and her daughter. During that time she focused on print design and decor for events. 

Machee then took her passion to the classroom, teaching graphic design to elementary and middle school youth, inspiring young people to discover their own passion. As a young professional she’s designed for schools, non-profits, and most frequently local women-owned businesses.

Today Machee creates art and products inspired by women, their beauty and versatility, and colors that evoke joy.

IG: @macheecreates 

Amarachi Ikeji Photography
Category: Photographer

Amara Ikeji, the woman behind the lens of Amarachi Ikeji Photography, first picked up a camera during a fashion internship in college and hasn’t put one down since. She serves clients in New York City, Philadelphia, and Europe and strives to capture “stylish moments of love and beauty.” She has been featured BRIDES, New York Times & more and was also named Best Wedding Photographer in America by Brides.

IG: @amarachiikejiphotography

Get Plated
Category: Catering

GetPlated is locally owned by a husband and wife team: Keyon & Alexandria Hammond! This duo shares a love for the kitchen and family. Keyon is the leader of the squad, a classically trained chef with an edge that brings bold flavors, refinement, approachability and more than 12 years experience as a platinum country club chef.

Alexandria  brings the  distinct eye for details; from the logistics to the plates for every event. Her keen ear for listening has proven invaluable to bringing our private and corporate clients’ vision to fruition. Have a crazy idea-she’s definitely your girl to chat with.

Together they bring  a well-defined palette, fun culinary attitude and most importantly love to GetPlated. The guy loved the food! The girl loved the guy! Together they created GetPlated! 

IG: @getplateddc 

The Jam Band
Category: Musicians, Entertainment 

The Jam Band is a Port Saint Lucie, FL-based wedding band that services the coasts of Florida and beyond. Owner Jamilia Anderson, otherwise known as Jamilia Hall, started this band in 2013. Since then, this group of talented performers has thrilled wedding guests with a high standard of live musical entertainment.

Jamilia began her entertainment career in Miami, FL, at The Edwin Holland School of Dance. She followed her passion to NYC to train to the standard she dreamed about. Jamilia has performed in music videos, a hip-hop company, and on cruises as a production singer. Gathering together experienced and diverse music professionals, Jamilia created The Jam Band.

Wedding services offered by The Jam Band include live music, DJ service, MC service, and sound and lighting equipment. These musical professionals include vocalists, pianists, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, brass instrumentalists, and percussionists. You may draw on their talents for your wedding ceremony and reception as well as your rehearsal dinner and after-party.

IG: @thejamband 

Ways to support these vendors: 

  • Book them for an upcoming event. 
  • Refer them to an organizer or agency that plans events. 
  • Follow, like and share their work. 
  • If you’ve worked with them, leave them a review.
  • If they are product based, buy something! 
  • Invite them to speak, sponsor or vend at your event where they can meet potential clients and customers.

These are just a few examples but there are several ways to support. Let’s be more intentional with our vendor relationships and help make events a more inclusive industry. 

If you know are black vendor in events or know one we should feature, send us an email at: hello@stagingsvs.com 

Season 2 of The Checklist Podcast is Here!

We're kicking off season 2 of The Checklist with our favorite Canadian event boss, Karlena Waugh of...

We’re kicking off season 2 of The Checklist with our favorite Canadian event boss, Karlena Waugh of Mini K Creations and The Biz Mixer! With events shifting back in-person, we asked the most important question: how does this affect event planning and production moving forward and what should we expect? Check out this episode to hear a different event perspective and get her three tips for preparing for the next phase of events.

In this episode, we discussed:

  • How event planning has changed
  • The importance of planning your event experience in stages
  • Predictions on Q3 & Q4 for events

Listen to the full episode here:

About Karlena Waugh

Recipient of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada 2020 and Nominated for the Young Women in Business “Favorite Local Women Entrepreneur’s List” and the 28th Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Karlena is a millennial entrepreneur who is passionate about community building and collaboration.⁣⁣⁠
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With a diverse background in community building, Karlena utilizes these skills to effortlessly build rapport with clients, create a sense of community, and nurture strong business relationships. Through her event planning company (Mini K Creations), Karlena aims to create memorable experiences for her clients and spaces for entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and build relationships across industries. ⁣⁣She is also a community leader of a monthly event and group of creatives and entrepreneurs @thebizmixer focused on resource-sharing, collaboration and peer-learning. ⁠
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Multi-faceted by nature, Karlena is also a speaker and host, as seen on CBC Our Toronto, FuckUp Nights Toronto, University of Waterloo’s Career Perspectives, Xero Accounting’s Small Business Series, and The Black Business Report (to name a few!)⁣⁣⁠
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When Karlena isn’t producing events, she is a facilitator with an organization, Girls of Destiny, whose aim is to provide mentorship for teenage girls within the community.⁠

You can learn more about Karlena by following her on Instagram: @catchkarhere & @thebizmixer

Meet Our Vendors: Kea Beverages

July 2, 2018  Just outside of Vendorspace’s Eventology, there stood a a bike, with a black cooler...

July 2, 2018 

Just outside of Vendorspace’s Eventology, there stood a a bike, with a black cooler tied to the front and a crate proclaiming the name Kea Beverages on the back. Today there were three main beverages on the menu, each made with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, mint and lime, orange, pineapple, and carrot, and finally blackberry, thyme, and lemonade, were the ingredients that made up the three beverages that were that day. Eagerly saying to those passing by, “come on try some!”, they were able to encourage almost everyone at the event to try out their great beverages.

The team of Keaton Hong and Sean Keating were the ones who were able to provide these great beverages for those who were at the event. After the event I was a able to ask some questions about their venture as being vendors. “it was something that we loved to”, stated Keaton ,with Sean looking on in agreement, “trying out different combinations” was also something that they found compelling in being a beverage vendor. The love and passion that they two have for this venture is easily seen. This passion would also come along with several learning points, as Sean would go on to state,” I have learned a lot about beverages since starting.” With this he was able to explain the various processes  of making the drinks, how they go about storing them, and even to the health benefits that each ingredient contains for the drinker.

For the future, the two stated they would hope to expand their business venture, and would eventually like to sell their products in store. Saying this, the two stated that they were also able to get a local cafe to sell their beverages. In the future I hope these two will expand, With a great product, these two have the potential to become a great staple in the culture of Atlanta. In closing, if you ever get the chance to run into Keaton and Sean, making sure that you are able to get one of their great Kea beverages.

Website: https://www.keabev.com/

Instagram: @kea.atl

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

A Thankful Review

  Hey Vendorspace Family! Happy 2019! Last year was quite the ride for us. We were focused...

 

Hey Vendorspace Family!

Happy 2019! Last year was quite the ride for us. We were focused on finding our position in the market and building out our platform (which is coming very very soon!) We even received an award in Cali! ( Can you believe our little startup is making noise!? ha!). Here’s our top 5 favorite moments from 2018:

1. Atlanta Tech Edge TV Segment

2. Named 2018 Female TechTrender at FestForums in Santa Barbara

3. Hangin’ out with the team

4. ATV It Takes A Village Graduation

5. Kicking off Eventology with the local event community

It’s such a blessing to see the growth of the company. Thank you to everyone that has ever mentioned us to a friend, referred us to an opportunity or simply googled us and signed up on the spot. We wouldn’t have made it this far with your support.

There’s so much lined up for the year! We have more great events and partnerships to be announced in the coming weeks.

Let’s make 2019 amazing.

Til the next event,

Ify Ifebi & The Vendorspace Team

Meet Our Vendors: YummY’s Funnel Cakes

  The world is full of unique vendors, especially Atlanta! Every week, we’ve decided to highlight some...

 

The world is full of unique vendors, especially Atlanta! Every week, we’ve decided to highlight some of our favorite vendors right here in the city. Doesn’t matter the size of your event, these are people you should know — they’ll definitely make your next event one to remember!

This week, we’re highlighting YummY’s Funnel Cakes. The fact that we don’t have to wait for a carnival to get our hands on these yummy treats makes them our favorite food truck right now! Check out our interview below:

What’s your name? What’s the name of your business?

My name is Keyania Richardson, I’m the owner of YummY’s Funnel Cakes Food Truck

 

 

When did you decide to become a full-time vendor?

I decided to become a full-time vendor in May of 2015

Name one thing you love about vending and one thing you hate about vending.

One thing I love about vending is having customers come to my window with so much excitement because they’re about to have something that they love. One thing I hate is the winter season when vending days slow down because of the weather.

 

What has been your favorite event so far?

My favorite event thus far has been the concerts at Cellaris Amphitheater at Lakewood. Not only did we get to serve 1000’s of customers, we got to hear some of my favorite artist preform.

What’s your dream event to vend at?

My dream event involves tons of happy people and music. Vending at an event like Coachella would be a dream!

Where can we find you? (website, social media, next event, etc.)

YummY’s Funnel Cakes Food Truck can be found at: yummysfunnelcakes.com or instagram.com/yummysfunnelcakes

For Booking: facebook.com/yummysfunnelcakes

You can find us at YOUR event, book us today!

 

Catch them around the city at an event near you! Trust me, you’ll thank us later!