Meet Tyara Lee | Event Stylist & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Tyara, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
One thing about the Event Planning industry that outsiders are unaware of is that I’m the only employee that operates Open By Surprise Event Planning & Decor LLC . I have multiply jobs within the company 1. I’m a full time Event Stylist 2. I’m a full-time Graphic Designer 3. I have created over 200+ Black owned Business Branding including Custom Backdrops, Custom X-Banners, Custom Floor Wraps, Custom Centerpiece Props, Websites, Flyers, Business cards, Rack Cards and Magnets. I have Shipped to several states including Houston Texas , St. Louis, Newyork, Lexington, Ky , Cincinnati , South Carolina.

What should our readers know about your business?
I first started my career in 2015 creating Custom Timberland and Bling kid shoes. I would restore old timberland boots and bring them back to life by painting and glittering then to the customers liken. After I stopped doing shoes I started to get into my creative side by dipping Chocolate covered desserts such as Strawberries, Pretzels and Oreo. Within that same year I figured that was not my dream career. Within that same year I started doing Event planning . My first event was my sister baby shower. I had no clue on what I was doing all I knew was i wanted her to have a Minnie mouse & daisy duck baby shower. So during that time I was using plastic tablecloths, Tissue Pom poms from hobby lobby as the decor, regular vases from the dollar tree used as my candy dishes and Scalloped sectional platters as my dessert display stands A year later I ended up doing my sister – in law bridal shower ” Pearl and Champagne thats when I started to get into being a Self-Taught graphic designer. I ended up making my sister different custom items such as Custom Wine Bottles, Custom chocolate dipped treats with her grandmother on them. As the years went on I started to invest. I knew I wanted a luxury design for my brand so I started to buy table linens, Chair covers, Centerpiece, Candy dishes and etc. Open By Surprise Event Planning & Decor was then founded in 2018. At first I didn’t have an LLC I wanted to make sure that this business venture was something I could fully commit to before I went into depth. I used my social media plate form and advertised the business name as I was accepting new clients. My packages started out $250.00 per event up to 50 guest. From there I was booked and busy every weekend. At first I thought It would hard because I didn’t know who would let me setup at event venues but my sister – in – law Brittany always told me if you going to do it.. DO It. I will help you. And that she did, What sets me apart from other Event Stylist is that I’m a one stop shop . I can design and create custom backdrops, props and floor wraps to match any theme for your event. Some lessons I’ve learned along my journey is everyone ain’t your ideal clientele. And the reason I say that is because I know my work ethic when it comes to designing. I know my worth. I can’t settle for a $400.00 event budget seating 50 guest with customs products included and make a profit and feed my family. Everyone aren’t meant to afford high-end designs. I would like the world to know that I am accepting new clients. We can ship any custom products right to your door step weather its a Custom Backdrop or Floor Wrap. Our company specialize in Kid Parties but we can also design other events such as Adult Parties, Baby Showers, Anniversaries. and Picnics.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was still living I would take her to the Farm. I recently did a mock shoot of my Picnic Services that I am now offering under Open By Surprise Event Planning & decor called ” My Fancy Picnic” She would have been apart of my mock shoot where I had 12 women dressed up for my showcasing of my new services, I had a Chef Saucey Boss come and serve chicken & Waffles along with mini charcuterie boxes, desserts and wine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout 4 people who have noticed my business and my talent. 1. My Mom for always telling me to move my business and expand my brand to a bigger platform. 2. My Girlfriend Rickesha who has been by my side since I very started Open By Surprise Event Planning & Decor. She has helped me several times with setup and breaking down events. 2. My Sister-In Law Brittany who has encourage me to start my business. She has motivated me everyday to find ways expand my business other than using social media. 3. Host of family and friends who always had a helping hand with whatever I need for my business. 4. Darien Dickerson- Green for always telling me to utilize the tools I have and use my skill set into my designs.

Website: openbysurprise.com

Instagram: openbysurprise

Facebook: openbysurprise

Other: openbysurprise.com/myfancypicnic IG: myfancypicnic_Ky

Image Credits
Wedding & My Fancy Picnic Credits to Cultivating Perception – Dantana Smith