Meet Valerie Bruno | Owner & Founder of Originally Crafted Events LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Bruno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The possibility of loss or injury, is the definition of risk. However, in my opinion, the possibility of regret for not following your passion and goals, is a greater loss than the risk itself. Of course, you have to calculate your risks and really think about how beneficial they will be to you, your career, your lifestyle, your future. But not taking those risks or chances, especially on yourself, can be one of the biggest regrets people make. Which is why after the pandemic hit in 2020, I took one of the largest risks, now my personal life and career life have changed in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Taking risks, I feel like has become an everyday occurrence in my life and my career. Since starting Originally Crafted Events (OCE) in 2020, there have been many obstacles and challenges that we needed to overcome, the most predominant being, much like all businesses and individuals, the pandemic. After pivoting and making adjustments to my business, I thought why don’t I do that for myself personally? So, that is what I did. I took a brief step back from OCE and focused on building another brand, myself and started modeling. After being signed to a local Boston agency, being featured on a billboard in Times Square, walking in Miami Swim Week and NYFW, all within one year, I decided it was time to jump back into the driver’s seat and produce my own show during Miami Swim Week. And that is exactly what I did. Of course, all of this didn’t come without hard work, drive, passion, motivation, determination and over all being consistent; but if I never took the risk on myself, today I would only be left with regret and what ifs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Originally Crafted Events, LLC (OCE) was started in 2020 to bring something different to people when it comes to how they experience events and shows. We love to collaborate with other businesses, artists and individuals to not only bring experiences to people, but to help showcase their work and what they have to offer. OCE originally started in the craft beverage industry producing events with local Massachusetts breweries such as; Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Bent Water Brewing Co, Remnant Brewing, True North Ale Company and many more.

Once the pandemic hit, our CEO, Valerie Bruno, took a step back to evaluate and assess the next steps for the business. Putting a pause on events, Valerie took up a new hobby, modeling, turning it into a passion and now an added career. After being signed to a local Boston agency, being featured on a billboard in Times Square, walking in Miami Swim Week and NYFW all within one year, Valerie decided it was time to jump back into the driver’s seat and start producing events again. Listening, learning and gathering as much information as she could from shows, networking and traveling, she was able to execute her first Miami Swim Week show this past July, The Royal Garden Miami Edition. This collaborative event was created and designed to showcase fashion, music and unique experiences. The show itself was intended to recognize everyone involved from the designers, sponsors, hair & makeup, models, photographers and staff; without everyone involved, none of it would have been possible! Since the event, she has been offered to speak at a women empowerment retreat in Miami this September.

There were many challenges when it came to starting OCE and now producing our latest show, Royal Garden Miami. From being a women owned business, to creating and producing our first show “post pandemic” in a different state while adapting to all the challenges in between, only further instilled a drive and passion to work with others and bring experiences to people everywhere!

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.
Dinner and drinks at the best spots around town, a stroll through Boston Common, leaf peeping, a trip to Martha’s Vineyard or maybe a Red Sox game. Being from New England, Boston specifically, you get four seasons which leaves you quite a few options depending on the time of year you visit.

A tour on the Hop-On Hop-Off trolley though Boston or a Duck Boat sightseeing tour is always something fun to do. Take a walk around Faneuil Hall (Quincy Market) or pop over to Newberry Street for some shopping. Another option if you have time during your trip, hop on a 45-minute ferry to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket or any of the other island for a day of fun or even a weekend. For dinner, I would suggest Ocean Prime in the Sea Port or Giacomo’s in the North End. A great place for drinks in Boston with an incredible view would be the Lookout Rooftop & Bar.

Other fun things to do; apple picking, walking the freedom trail, skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Originally Crafted Events and The Royal Garden Miami Edition Event, would be nothing without its team and sponsors! Huge thank you to; MGM National Harbor, Mizani, Pureology, Art Gall Expo, Jagged Halo Jewelry, KKB Makeup, UneekINT, Fort Lauderdale Fashion Week Magazine, Flower Queen Miami, Thickk Media and Khang Le.

Royal Garden’s team; Meliza, Mark Richard, Robert Parris, Dominique Noelle, Abbie-Rose Attaya & Raul Mena

Website: https://originallycraftede.wixsite.com/originally-crafted

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originallycraftedevents/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/originally-crafted-events-llc

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

Other: https://valeriebrunomodel.wixsite.com/valerie-bruno https://www.instagram.com/valleygirlventures/ https://www.instagram.com/royalgarden.miami/

Image Credits
Thickk Media, Bruce Smith, Robert Parris, Visuals By Malone & Verse Citi