To celebrate International Women’s Day, Overnight Prints is pleased to recognize a group of its female clients from various sectors who serve as an inspiration. We feel privileged to have such extraordinary and skilled women as members of our community. Throughout March, we will showcase women every week, and this week, we are delighted to showcase our customer, Marie Westphalen, Event Planner & Decorator at MariEvent.
Marie Westphalen is a dynamic young mother who effortlessly juggles the roles of wife, mother, friend, and successful business owner. Her journey began in France, where she earned a degree in Fashion Design and Creation. After exploring the world for several years, she spent a year in Australia to learn English and immerse herself in new cultures. Upon returning to France, Marie pursued a degree in Event Planning and Design in Paris, which prepared her for the next phase of her career.
Marie’s family has a long-standing history in event coordination, with her father being a talented photographer and website designer, and her mother and sister working as experienced event coordinators. Marie’s love for colors, organization, and planning has always been a driving force in her life. Her business philosophy centers around creating happiness and joy for her clients, which encompasses a wide range of events, including birthday parties, baby showers, proposals, weddings, baby birthdays, political campaigns, sport grand openings, and more. Each event is meticulously crafted and customized to the client’s specific needs, which keeps Marie engaged and passionate about her work.
What Marie loves most about her job is seeing her clients’ reactions when they see the final product. She takes immense pride in meeting their expectations and pushing herself to exceed them. Understanding her clients’ needs and desires is critical to Marie’s success. Sometimes, clients come to her with a clear vision of what they want, while other times, they require guidance in articulating their desires. Marie loves the challenge of interpreting their wishes and crafting something unique and personalized for each client. Her ultimate goal is to create massive, awe-inspiring events that will leave her clients and their guests speechless.
Over the years, Marie has planned events in France, Australia, South America, and the USA, which has allowed her to explore new cultures and gain valuable experience in the industry. She is an avid traveler and loves to incorporate her international experiences into her work. Her ultimate ambition is to expand her business and establish a strong presence in Las Vegas, where she can unleash her creativity and take her business to new heights. By tapping into the diverse market and clientele of Las Vegas, Marie hopes to propel her business to even greater success and make a lasting impact in the event planning industry.
Who are your female role models and why?
My role model is Taraji P Henson, a remarkable actress and inspiration. She moved to LA with only $50 and her son, but through persistence and belief in herself, she achieved success. Her positive energy and passionate personality inspire me, and I often listen to her interviews and videos. She encourages me to pursue my dreams and avoid negativity, as she believes that energies are transferable. As a mother, I strive to instill in my daughter the same strength, gratitude, and happiness that Taraji embodies.
What advice would you give to women starting out in your industry?
My advice for women starting out in my industry, and in life in general, is to stay united. Unfortunately, there are not many industries where women lead. However, if we stop fighting against each other and support each other, we can be incredibly strong. We should push each other to succeed and celebrate each other’s successes. There is enough work, money, and clients for everyone in the world. While it’s great to be competitive and strive to be the best, it’s much better to be motivated by someone who is better than us than to be miserable with envy or jealousy. So, to all the women out there, stay strong and united!
The theme this year is #EmbraceEquity. What are some of the opportunities and resources you’d like to see in your industry? And in the world today?
One opportunity and resource that I believe would be beneficial for both my industry and the world today, given this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity, is a greater emphasis on business education in schools. It would be beneficial to teach all children and teenagers some basic business tools, not just those who plan to pursue business careers.
This education could include general information such as how to start a business, how to create an invoice or quote, and how to find and approach clients. Just as we teach children how to write a resume, we should also instill in them from a young age that they have the potential to be a business owner and to believe in themselves enough to be their own boss and create the life they want to live.
Marie’s story is truly inspiring. If you want to learn more about Marie, you can follow her on Instagram at @marievent
We’re offering VIP Platinum pricing to women-owned businesses throughout March. To take advantage of this offer, please email service@overnightprints.com with your full name and your business website or social media handle. We’ll send you a coupon code for VIP Platinum pricing.