Meet Luz Y Acosta-rahim | Event Designer & Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luz Y Acosta-rahim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luz Y, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Before coming to the US from the Dominican Republic, my passion for all forms of arts was a determinant factor for me to pursue a career in Architecture but in my second year I moved to the US and couldn’t continue that dream here. I instead went to school for Public Administration and Finance and grew a career from Human Resources to Mortgage Financing, however, although my mathematical self was happy, the artistic one was not. I needed an outlet for my creative side to thrive so I opened a business about 25 years ago, as an event planner. For the next 15 yrs I did both careers and event got to own a banquet hall, but 10 years ago, driving to a meeting with my oldest daughter, we got into a car accident that left me in a wheelchair for 3 months and forced me to sell the event planning business and work from home only in the mortgage industry! Fast forward to the COVID pandemic where I nearly died and was left with Post Covid Syndrome and to top it all off lost my job of 10 yrs. Talk about the rug being pulled from under your feet! Left physically and emotionally unable to go back to the mortgage industry right away and after much thought and prayers, I decided it was time to go back to what I love the most, understanding people visions for their social events and creating amazing event realities for them, which brought me to open my event planning business on 09/01/2022 under the new name of LA Event Styling!
Coming back to the Event planning industry was not easy! in spite of my physical limitations (one of the issues I was left from COVID is Acute Joint pain which I experience 24/7) I took every class being offered in the industry to re-polish my skills, completed internships, drove many hours, decorated and worked for free, etc in order to feel confident that my clients will get the best of the best! The rest is history, I am happy working every day in something that I love and give so much joy to my clients, I get to be a part of such important celebrations and moments in my clients lives that is nothing but a privilege to be a part. I love helping people and also have a passion for traveling so last year, we successfully added Destination weddings to our services. I absolutely love it and am looking forward to helping many brides have a wonderful and stress free experience no matter where they decide to say I do! We are continually growing and our clients are very happy with our work. Work that we put all our heart and passion into in every single detail!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others,

Most event planners are great a putting a vision together and having a group of vendors execute it. What I believe sets me apart from other event planners is my ability to not only put the vision together but personally execute together with my team, that vision. Especially when it has to do with the decor part, together with my staff, we take care of every detail of the decor, whether we’re talking about what time of linens, napkins or charger plates will adorn a table to the flower centerpieces that I personally design and create to the most amazing Balloon backdrop and set ups! Having had my own banquet hall and done every single job from washing the dishes, to managing allows me to have a total different perspective of each event and a profound respect for every employee or vendor who works with me and a great appreciation for each client that entrust me with their event.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

As I mentioned in my introduction, It has not been easy! Physically, everything I do at an event is a challenge! There are many days that I feel that I can’t take any more pain but my client’s smiles, their happiness as they are enjoying the party, the joy of their guests as we unfold everything planned for the events, somehow fuels me to keep going till the end! Mentally, is can also be draining, being self employed, you are responsible for every detail, Economically, what a roller coaster! You learn to live by faith, knowing that if you do your best and work hard every day the clients will come! Keeping a positive attitude even when the calendar is not getting filled and the bills don’t stop is pure trust! In God, in your own abilities and in knowing you’re following not just a passion but a calling!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, they definitely at some point during that week my friend will be helping setting up for an event somehow! LOL! But for fun, we’ll definitely have to eat at Taco Craft, my favorite locations are the one in Coral Springs that recently opened (it has a vibe that makes me feel like I’m in Fort Lauderdale although I’m just down the street from my house. The other one is the one in Lauderdale by the Sea, near the beach. I love going there with my beach lover friends. The trip will also include visiting some art galleries in the Delray Beach arts district, possibly a Wynwood visit and definitely either a play or a clean comedy show. If planned ahead, will definitely go to the keys! Love people watching in Duval street while sipping on a drink.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t have done any of these without the support of my dear friend Tina, my daughters, Yvanna, Ambar & Jasmine, my mother Ana Joaquina and my husband, Inzan. They all in different ways, have helped me to have the courage to go back to an industry that I no longer knew. They trusted in my talents and resilience, they worked many free hours (still do when needed) and pushed me to keep going when doubts filled my head and ultimately and most importantly, all the glory be to God for giving me this talent to share with the world and for putting the right people in my live! He blessed with family and friends who make me better every day and just the perfect clients that become family!

Website: https://www.laeventstyling.com

Instagram: LA_EventStyling

Image Credits
Mbymichelaphotography