Juliette Heath, owner of Five Star Events, doesn’t just make her clients’ dreams come true – she’s living the dream herself.
Determined to break out from the office rut, she built on some event experience she’d had in the past; took the leap; and has never looked back.
Q: You didn’t start off your career as an event planner, did you?
A: Correct. Secretarial work was always my backup plan, [but] it got to a stage when I realised that my backup plan [could] well be my entire life, unless I decided to take a leap of faith. I was blessed with a partner who believed in me and knew how unhappy I was working as a legal secretary. With his support I felt I could accomplish anything.
Q: When did you become interested in the event industry?
A: Even before coming to Cayman in 1999, I was involved in events in the UK, working bars and clubs and being involved in large functions in London. My first events in Cayman were non-profit as part of a group called the Grass Skirt Posse. We used to run booze cruises on the Cayman Mermaid and participate in the carnival – it was a lot of fun and something I did in my spare time. Making the move from working in law offices to planning weddings and events full-time was the best decision I could have made.
Q: What training did you have or was it a learn-on-the-job situation?
A: Pretty much learn on the job, however, I would say both my years of experience as a legal secretary and my previous event experience was paramount in my success as a detail-orientated planner. I spent six years working for two of the largest event companies on-island, prior to starting Five Star Events.
Q: What was it about this work that appealed to you?
A: It never felt like work – I literally love what I do, which is predominantly making other people happy!
Q: What is one of the most exciting projects you’ve ever worked on?
A: All of them! Whether it’s a wedding for two people only, or a huge event, I find them all exciting, especially when bonds are formed with my clients. There is nothing like seeing your vision come to life and the look on our clients’ faces when they see everything for the first time.
Q: Have there been any unexpected hurdles over the years?
A: Aside of weather challenges, not really… apart from COVID, of course. One thing I will say is that we are truly blessed in Cayman with a host of amazing vendors that all work together to provide a world-class event service. Without these incredibly committed and talented florists, photographers, cake artists, rental companies, musicians and DJs, to name a few, I would not be able to do the job I do.
Q: What do you love about owning your own company?
A: Everything. I don’t have to answer to anyone (I have always had issues being told what to do [laughs]) and I get to be the type of planner that I myself would want if I was getting married or hosting an event. I do everything I can to give my clients the best possible value for money and find ways to not compromise on their vision. It is such a blessing.
Q: What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting their own company?
A: If you have a true passion for something, then go for it. It is not always easy and you work long hours, but if you love it then it will never really feel like work.
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