Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Omoike.
Heather, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
With a background in fashion, Heather worked in the industry for ten years before switching gears. After becoming a wife & mother, her focus turned to the family, where she found herself hosting gatherings for her family’s occasions and more. Her passion quickly turned into connecting her guests with lavish parties with no exception to detail with an eye for decor and design. Keeping with that mantra, Heather created Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar was born out of Heather’s love of design and bringing people back to the table. Brown Sugar is a magical, custom dining experience designed around a unique floor table. Whether you choose to dine in the comfort of your home or at the beach under the stars, Heather’s mission stays the same; to inspire joy and happiness by bringing families together for life’s sweetest moments.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like any new business venture, it has been a learning experience. This is a brand new concept, so we are learning everything a lot as we go. Because of my background in fashion, I was very familiar with the business side and the buying side. But, the operational side we took day by day. From transporting and storing all of the merchandise to the long rainy season in Florida. We are still tweaking as we grow! You have days of the happiest of years and days with frustrating tears, but it’s all worth it to see your dream growing into a reality and the happiness it is bringing to other’s lives!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the owner and creator of Brown Sugar. Brown Sugar represents my sweet brown sugar babies that inspire everything I do. They add joy and happiness to my life and everyone around them, which is our company’s foundation. They represent unity and the coming together of two very different worlds. Brown Sugar represents my southern heritage and my mama’s cooking, which fashioned my love for bringing people together. It is the sweetness we sprinkle onto every event that we touch, which infectiously spreads to all those we come into contact with. I am proud of the community we are building at Brown Sugar. I am building a business based around our mantra to inspire joy and happiness in people’s lives, and I not only want to apply that to our client’s lives but also those that work for Brown Sugar. What sets us apart is not only our passion for what we do and a true eye for decor but our unique design. I love mixing bright colors and bold textures and patterns. We are also continuing to expand Brown Sugar. We will soon service the real estate industry, hotel industry, and corporate businesses. We also launched our basket delivery service this Christmas season. We will be expanding this part of our company in a BIG way in 2021.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You do not have to do everything yourself. Your community is full of local vendors that would love to partner up. Reach out to other small businesses with like-minded goals and see if anyone would like to collaborate. (i.e., catering companies, bakers, florist) Time management will be your biggest friend. Make sure in the beginning you plan for all of the unknowns because everything that can go wrong will go wrong because you’re just learning. Push through the bad days because there are more rewarding days ahead. Don’t give up. Stick to your gut. Find your niche, what makes you different. Stay positive and happy. It’s truly infectious. Someone once told me everyone would fall in love with you and then your company. If you are willing to work hard, it will pay off.
Pricing:
- Extra Small Sweet Celebrations Table Package (2) $425
- Medium Sweet Celebration Package (up to 10) $675
- Large Sweet Celebration Package (up to 15) $860
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@brownsugarevent.co
- Website: www.brownsugareventco.com
- Instagram: Brownsugareventco
- Facebook: Brownsugareventco
Image Credits
Tampa magazine Maria Sabra Photography Paper Crane Photography
