Recorded on 7-15-26
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What does it take to turn a creative passion into a profitable business? Marie Danielle Vil-Young, founder of À Votre Service Events®, built a nationally recognized luxury event planning and floral design company after transitioning from a career in scientific research. In this candid webinar, she shares lessons learned about pricing, branding, resilience, reinvention, and what it truly takes to build a sustainable creative business from the ground up. Drawing from experiences spanning science, entrepreneurship, and the luxury events industry, Marie Danielle offers practical insights for creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to transform talent into long-term opportunity. Attendees will gain perspective on building a brand, navigating career transitions, pricing creative work with confidence, and developing the mindset required to sustain and grow a business over time.
Resources
Presenter
Marie Danielle Vil-Young is the founder and creative director of À Votre Service Events®, an award-winning luxury event planning and floral design firm serving private and corporate clients throughout New York, New Jersey, and beyond. Before entering the creative industry, Marie Danielle worked in molecular biology and biopharmaceutical research, with experience in DNA cloning, protein engineering, and the development of antibody therapeutics for cancer research. Over time, a growing interest in design, hospitality, and entrepreneurship evolved into what would become a nationally recognized creative brand known for blending artistry with strategic precision. À Votre Service Events® has been recognized by Harper’s Bazaar among the top wedding planners in the world, while Marie Danielle was also named among the Top 50 Event Florists in America by Florists’ Review. Her work has appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Martha Stewart, and New York Magazine.Today, alongside leading her company, she focuses on mentorship, workforce development, and creative entrepreneurship education through AVS Events & Floral Art Institute.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Full funding disclosures are available at https://nysbdc.org/funding-disclosures.
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