Meet the Co-Founders

  When I’m not planning an event, I’m probably planning a trip—big or small, just take me anywhere—at a sports complex because I’m blessed to be the mom of multi-sport athletes, or helping manage our other family business, Sun King Window Tinting. Between business, travel, sports, and family life, I’ve become pretty comfortable juggling a lot of moving pieces, solving problems as they come up, and figuring out how to make things happen—which, as it turns out, comes in pretty handy when you plan events.

I’m married and a mom of three boys, ages 18, 17, and 12, and I unapologetically consider my kids three of my very best friends. We love camping, boating, dirt biking, going to the movies, having their friends over, playing games, and just being together. They are three of the coolest people I know. Sometimes I catch myself just staring at them because they are the best things I ever helped design. 

As for me? I’m the thrill seeking half of EsteMarie, and naturally curious. Cliff jumping? I’m in. Fastest roller coaster in the park? Absolutely. You may find me dragging Sara to come with me or a least having her takes photos for evidence! 

I’m also genuinely interested in people. I want to know the little things—the things you love, the traditions that matter to you, what makes you comfortable, what you absolutely don’t want, and the idea you mentioned once that you didn’t think anyone was really listening to. Those details help me understand not just what kind of event you want, but how you want it to feel. That’s where I think I can help my clients most. You don’t have to come to me knowing exactly what you want or having every detail figured out. You can bring me a Pinterest board, a photograph, a family tradition, a color, a feeling, or simply say, “I have no idea where to start.” I love taking all those little pieces, finding the connection between them, and helping turn them into something that feels completely personal to you.

One trait I hold especially close is that I truly see endless possibilities in my friends and family.  If you tell me, “I’ve always wanted to…” or "I wish we could..." there’s a pretty good chance I’m going to start figuring out how we can make it happen. I’ll admit, it might be a little selfish because of the joy I receive from watching someone finally do the thing they’ve always wanted to do; and you bet I do the same thing for events. 

I firmly believe life is more fun when you’re willing to say "yes!" 

A Few of My Favorite Things

My happy place
The ocean, she calls my name constantly.

Favorite cocktail
A top-shelf silver tequila margarita, shaken hard, on the rocks with salt. Or most Rum based cocktails - I am a collector of Rums from my travels.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning. Tea in the afternoon. Why Choose?

Favorite season
That tiny, perfect window when summer is just beginning to turn into fall. Warm days cool evenings.

Favorite holiday
Any holiday when my kids are out of school and we can get out of town for a day or two weeks. 

Favorite hobbies
Herbalism, wake surfing, boating, dirt biking, cooking, camping, traveling, and going to the movies luxury seating only—which I absolutely believe movies count as a hobby.

My perfect day off
Give me open windows, a good breeze, something completely random on TV, and no reason to leave the couch. Throw on a Lifetime movie, and I'm staying put.

Early or late?
Me by myself? Ten minutes early always.

Me arriving with my entire family? We're not going to talk about that. For your event? Expect me at least 60 minutes early.

Favorite party to attend
Wedding receptions. I love that moment when one of those songs comes on that tell you how to dance, like the Cha Cha Slide, and suddenly every generation including me "your party planner" are on the dance floor. 

My personal design style 

Organic, elevated, cultural, collected, and a little unexpected. At home, I mix colorful artwork, earth tones, travel finds, my own photography, and lots of living plants.

That individuality carries into my event design. I’d rather create something that feels like you and what you’ve dreamed of than recreate a trend. Give me your inspiration, and I’ll find the unexpected detail that makes it uniquely yours.

Something you might not guess about me
My childhood dream involved a cockpit. I dreamt of becoming a pilot, and I still plan to finish earning my private pilot's license someday. 

On a typical day you can find me spending time with my kids, reading a good book, or finding a little peace and quiet somewhere in the middle of everyday life. As a mom of four kids I find myself at cheer practice and soccer fields or somewhere in between. When I'm lucky I steal an evening walk for myself.

My family is a huge part of my world, and I love having them so close. I’m a caring person by nature and usually the one making sure everyone around me is okay and has what they need before I think about myself. I’m definitely the calmer half of EsteMarie especially when it comes to the family activities Hannah gets me involved in. 

I believe that even when something goes wrong, there is almost always a solution. I don’t panic easily when it comes to event planning I find a calmness in the process—I’d rather figure out what needs to happen next and get to work.

I’m also someone who notices the little things. I’m the person straightening something that’s slightly crooked, checking whether everything is where it belongs, making sure the flowers look right, and finishing those last few details everyone else thought were already done.

Being bilingual in English and Spanish is something I’m incredibly grateful to bring to EsteMarie. I love being able to communicate with our clients and their families in the language that makes them feel most comfortable so everyone feels included, understood, and welcome. When someone trusts us with an important moment, I want them to feel peaceful, supported, and heard. Of course I want everything to look beautiful, but what matters even more is knowing we helped create a memory they’ll carry with them.

My dream events? Someday, I’d love to plan each of my children’s weddings.

My favorite part of planning is seeing everything finally come together. After all the conversations, decisions, changes, and tiny details, there’s nothing better than watching the people we created it for walk in and see everything for the first time.

Those reactions are why I do this. Until then, give me a gender reveal. I love the anticipation, the excitement, and watching an entire family discover something together especially when it is about anew addition to the family.

Stay calm. Everything has a solution and trust that we will figure it out.

A Few of My Favorite Things

My happy place
A cabin by the lake with my kids, an amazing book, and a bonfire at night. Just don’t expect me to get into the lake—I appreciate the water much more from the shore.

Favorite cocktail
A margarita.

Apparently this is a requirement for being a co-founder of EsteMarie.

Coffee or tea?
Can I substitute Red Bull?

Coffee or Red Bull—it depends entirely on what kind of day we’re having.

Favorite season
Fall. Changing leaves and that perfect weather when it’s neither too hot nor too cold.

Favorite holiday
Thanksgiving. Give me all the food, all the family time, and everyone together in one place.

Favorite hobbies
Reading. Put a great book in my hands, give me somewhere comfortable to sit, and I’m happy.

My perfect day off
Wine tasting followed by a spa day. No responsibilities, no schedule, and no convincing necessary.

Early or late?
Just me? I’m early.

Add the kids? Well… now we’re late.

For your event? I’m there early and probably already checking the details.

Favorite party to attend
Baby showers and gender reveals. I love celebrations centered around welcoming a new little person into a family and the excitement that comes with it.

My personal design style
Boho, neutral, warm, and natural.

I love beautiful textures, warm neutrals, natural elements, and details that make a space feel inviting and thoughtfully put together. That carries into my event design, too. I love creating something beautiful that still feels comfortable, personal, and true to the people we’re creating it for.

Something you might not guess about me
When I was little, I wanted to become an OB-GYN.

Apparently I’ve always had a soft spot for babies, families, and being part of life’s biggest moments.