Okpako: Exceeding Expectation In Event Planning, Mgt

Ebelechukwu Okpako is the CEO of Fuschia Events. Fuschia Events is a full-service professional event planning and management company that specialises in corporate events such as team bonding, board meetings, fine dining setups, conferences, galas, fundraisers, long service awards, grand openings, conferences, and social events.

According to Ebelechukwu, the business started during her undergraduate days at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) by helping plan small events in the church and around campus. She found joy in the ability to sit and plan how something should happen and then see it unravel into achieving its objective.

To her, “I remember telling my mom one holiday that I wanted to open an event planning business around the 100 or 200 level, but I never got around to it. Unknown to me, my second job after university saw me handling projects that revolved around planning and executing projects, and yes, I did them well. Then, in 2018, I planned my wedding. I am so grateful it was awesome, and the rest, as they say, is still happening.”

Motivation

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Motivation, she said, lies in dispelling the notion that one must possess boundless wealth to enlist the services of an “event planner. “We aim to revolutionise the event planning industry by highlighting its essential function as a means of alleviating our clients’ burdensome preparations. It need not be extravagantly expensive; we are committed to demonstrating that it is possible to host exceptional corporate or social events without breaking the bank,” she noted.

Lucrative

“If I were to describe the event planning industry as lucrative, I would rather say it’s highly competitive. To succeed in this field, one must have a clear understanding of their offerings and be able to demand fair compensation for their services,” she said.

Challenges

“Certain challenges come with being an event planner. One major obstacle is the misconception that only the wealthy can afford such services. This can make it difficult to attract new customers and expand your client base,” she stressed.

Additionally, she pointed out that, “our niche focuses on corporate events, which can present their own set of difficulties. Convincing corporations to hire an event planner rather than rely on their staff can be a tough sell. Many companies want their employees to handle everything in-house, which leaves little room for outsourcing.

Advice

“For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to break into the event planning industry, my advice would be to stay true to your dreams and remain consistent in your efforts. Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your passions, and always strive to improve your skills and knowledge in the field. With hard work and dedication, success is within reach.”

Biography

Ebele is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Benin, where she obtained her degrees in sociology and anthropology. Despite being a Lagosian through and through, she remains deeply connected to her eastern roots.

Her love for planning events led her to establish Fuschia Events in 2022. Her unwavering commitment to empowering young people has led Ebele to establish both Aunty I, a blog and Facebook page dedicated to supporting teens, and Fuschia Baskets, an outlet that specialises in homemade fruit juice free from preservatives, sugar, or additives; customer health always takes top priority.

As someone who cherishes life’s pleasures, Ebele strives to remind others of the importance of vitality, wellness, and happiness.