Today we’d like to introduce you to Vandana Walia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Vandana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career in events a little over a decade ago while I was still in the clothing manufacturing space – I used to do a lot of Fashion Shows for designers, their clients and friends and before I knew it started organizing fashion shows for charity events and one thing led to another and before I knew it I planned my first wedding.
Very soon I realized it’s not just an event – but it’s about building lifelong relationships!
We have not looked back since we now have three major divisions – we do corporate events, social events and not for profit events. We not only provide help in event planning but also event strategy, event styling, outreach, marketing and pr for events as needed!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road – we reached big success right off the bat but due to personal changes in life I had to redefine who we are and had to start from scratch a little over 4 years ago!
Letting go of a team of full-time people I had to personally do the job of 10 people and sometimes work over 60 hours a week, all nights and weekends! I had to Relocate and also got rid of my office and would now have to travel -mostly by road all over the US to meet clients – but it has also taught me that if you are creative, hardworking, persistent, honest and love what you do nothing can stop you!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Vchilli Group story. Tell us more about the business.
We call ourselves the “Event Architects ” – unlike others in the same space we not only “plan ” events – we lay the foundation of a “successful” event – be it a wedding or a not for profit gala, a corporate meeting or a milestone event! Depending on the event and client needs we help with the concept of the event and like Architects help lay the building blocks to let the event come to life! From scouting locations, designing, planning, community focus, decor, working with multiple vendors, help with outreach. social media, we not only manage but also curate events be it on a large or small scale and help clients achieve their goals!
We specialize in “Global” space – the world is getting smaller and smaller -our clients have not only lived in other countries but due to frequent global traveling these days our clients want this reflected in their events – wheater it be in the decor, experiences or food…We have made a mark in the south Asian space and have been fairly successful in bringing the South Asian scene to the mainstream in Chicago! We believe in giving back to the community and usually do at least one free annual event for the community at large and also certain not – for- profit events annually at a cost that helps our local community.
We believe all events have an “after” life – from florals to the food catered and have in the past recycled the non-perishable items to those in need.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Evolving technology and social media will continue to shape the way the event industry operates over the next 5 years – events are no longer isolated experiences – they will continue to be more “experiential “, interactive global, personalization, customization, more authentic and meaningful experiences, with a lot more events focused on health and wellness,
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vchilli.com
- Phone: 888-479-9119
- Email: info@vchilli.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vchilli/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vchillievents/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vchillievents
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