Meet Tirrell Johnson: Event Planner & Event Stylist

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

Hi Tirrell, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
One of my aunts took notice that I had an eye for décor and presentation while assisting in decorating at my grandmother’s 80th birthday celebration in Baltimore, Maryland. She planted the seed and my heart would not let it go. I began creating – I planned intimate gatherings at my home, coordinated and helped with design at a wedding, and put together dinners for a few of my friends. I was amazed at how fluid the process was for me and honestly, how much I just love the art of beauty, sophistication, elegance, and all things celebration! Planning has been something that comes “natural” to me. This ability, this gift, this purpose of event planning, event styling, wedding planning and wedding coordinating came from God. On Christmas 2019 my parents gifted me $200 cash. I took half of that and filed for my LLC and the other half I used to open my business bank account. In this I honored them, because they have always been my greatest supporters and investors. I wanted to sharpen my skillset, so I enrolled at Clayton State University and earned an Event & Meeting Planning Certificate. I locked arms with other creatives, had an amazing instructor, and we gleaned from one another. After completion of the program, I began branding by creating my logo. An artist and I collaborated to render several drafts of my logo and I chose the one that I envisioned many years ago. I printed business cards, created a social media presence, and website. In my mind, I knew I wanted to take my time and I wanted to always present my best work. Initially, this meant that I had to find balance and not overbook. My thought process behind starting my business has always been to stay grounded, humble, creative, and led by God. Lael Events has changed my life. I am a firm believer, that what is in you – will come out of you. So, I just press forward offering the most authentic me that I can. I know that if I remain myself, my gifts will continue to manifest and change lives through beauty and love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an event planner and event stylist. I serve my clients and partners by aiding them in creating the most expressive and unique events. I’m successful in bringing my client’s visions to fruition through paying close attention to detail and grasping who my client is and what they want to put out into the universe through their planned celebration. I believe that the antidote to a memorable event begins and ends with the 4 P’s; PATIENCE, PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, and PRAYER. This is the Lael Events way! I am most proud of what I have built with Lael Events. What was once an idea has gained such momentum, so quickly! I remember dreaming about where I am today and I am grateful. I absolutely love to see couples faces when they see their wedding reception hall immaculately decorated. I love to see the birthday honoree smiling and taking pride in an event that they trusted me to execute. I love the day after, week after, year after messages from clients who are still reminded of how special their day was. I take pride in my work and there’s not many better feelings than that of knowing that you are walking in fulfilment and purpose. Getting the business to where it is today took time and patience. There have been smooth days and days of disappointment. It is most important to meet each professional obstacle with integrity. In business, we as entrepreneurs strive for success. Success may be monetary to one, and money is important, but success may be the joy in the process to another. I enjoy the work of meeting new people, new personalities, new perspectives, and new challenges. The happiness of the days that are oh so blissful, certainly outshine the difficult days. New entrepreneurs and creatives, let me challenge you. Ask yourself, who is my ideal client? Paint a picture of your ideal client as you begin your business. Target that client and once established branch out from there. I would like the world to know that your dreams are attainable. Do not give up on yourself or what you know to be your purpose. Lael Events is ever evolving and each day, I am making bigger and better decisions that are propelling my brand into the future. I’m always engaging others and researching to better my business and to remain ahead of trends. Lael Events is here to stay and I am so very proud of what this business stands for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is one of the most eclectic and beautiful cities I have ever experienced. If a friend or family member was visiting and had never been to our city before they are in for a treat. We would have breakfast at Flying Biscuit on Roswell Road. We would begin our morning with some history of Atlanta by taking a tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park. Once we are done there, we would head over to the Centennial Park area and engage at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Before lunch we would swing by my former employer Georgia Tech and take in the sites at their immaculate campus. We would grab lunch at the newly opened Slutty Vegan at Ponce City Market and play put-put at Skyline Park. We would then grab some ice-cream from Jenni’s on Howell Mill Road before getting our hair cut or styled at Deeply Rooted Hair Salon on Spring Road in Smyrna. Piedmont Park would be our next destination for a quick stroll before heading home to prepare for the evening activities. After a shower and a nap, we would head to JCT Kitchen on Howell Mill Road for dinner and drinks before heading to an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park. We would wrap up the night by grabbing Starbucks on the drive home. We would then do a late night run to Waffle House. Saturday, we would volunteer with Oasis Family Life Church before lunch and drinks at Ted’s Montana Grill on Marietta Blvd. We would then head to afternoon tennis at a local court. After changing, we would visit the High Museum of Art on Peachtree St. For the evening we would meet friends and the Painted Pin on Miami Cir. to play some pool, bowl, eat, drink, and be merry. Sunday would include Sunday Worship at Oasis Family Life Church with Pastor Anthony Murray. We would get brunch with friends at Copelands on Cumberland Pkwy. Afterwards, we would visit the Chattahoochee waterfront before heading back to airport. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am only where I am today because of the love and support of my parents, Gregory and Robbin Johnson. I’m well aware that I was the odd child. I have 4 brothers who I adore. We grew up in a close-knit family and as the middle son, I have always chosen my own path. I’m so far from “normal,” and I love the creative in me. I honor my parents because they always said, “yes,” to art classes and creative summer camps. They showed up for my award ceremonies and celebrated my victories. They listened to me cry when I leaned into failures. They took the time with me when I was most susceptible to feeling alone, different, or peculiar because my gifts were different than those of my siblings. Dad always told me that I had to be the best to succeed and to handle business. Mama has been my most opinionated confidant and prays diligently for me. Their love and support has been a guiding force in the success of Lael Events.

Website: www.thelaelevents.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lael.events/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tirrelljohnson

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaelEvents

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

Image Credits
Shawn Hanna