Rachel De Marte is the principal at Rachel De Marte L.L.C. in Chicago. She launched the company in September, a year after leaving a short stint at A Perfect Event following five years with Entertaining Company.
After 10 successful years in the world of events, I found I had garnered the reputation and experience necessary to start my very own, self-titled venture. Why self-titled? Think of the world of fashion: All the best designers use their own name. Years of doing fashion-based events taught me that much. People know me—and is there an easier way to brand yourself? Or rebrand yourself?
I spent five years at an amazing up-market catering company, and I’ll tell you that when most think of me, they think catering. Awesome catering. I’m a total foodie, and the clients I draw want to spend their dollars on cool F&B, and make it count. Food is on the front burner. Pun intended. There are so many amazing planners in Chicago, but I’m the one that you go to when you care about what you and your guests are eating. I knew that was my draw.
Planning and styling events allows me to work with anyone in any space, whereas catering did not. And too many amazing clients—Mercedes-Benz, Saks, Yahoo, Crate & Barrel, CS magazine—requested my planning and styling skills along with my ability to design a menu that wows.
Marketing myself as the whole enchilada, not just the catering component, came naturally, as I was lucky enough to have these requests building. So you just take the leap and know that your sense of style and creativity drives the train.
And work your butt off. Attend every event, every opening, every gala—as much as you can. Overall, it’s a grind, but so worth it.
