Student Ambassador

Ambassador Feature: Carissa Corsi

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m Carissa! I graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Marketing degree, and have worked in a variety of marketing, event, and project management roles across the board. However, organizing events has always been what I was most drawn to.

I started my side hustle, Carissa Corsi Events, back in January of 2020. This past October, I made the decision to quit my 9-5 job. I wanted to instead embark on the journey of starting my own wedding and event planning business! Carissa Corsi Events is a modern chic wedding and event company, built on the belief that magnetic connections drive the true beauty of life’s celebrations. I offer a wide range of services – from wedding and elopements, to social events, to engagement consulting, and more. In addition, custom packages are also available. We serve Boston, New England, and wherever you are!

As for the everyday me, the bulk of my free time consists of hanging out with my partner, family, friends, and of course, my pups. I enjoy listening to audibles and podcasts. I love crafting, long walks, or a workout session. Exploring new places, or cuddling up on the couch to watch a movie/show, are also hobbies of mine. Lastly, I love volunteering! I like to donate my time to the St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen in Providence, Rhode Island, every holiday season (as well as whenever possible throughout the year).

*Photographed by Meredith Jane Photography.

How did you get into the world of professional event and wedding planning?

Planning has always had a special place in my soul. I owe my passion to the wedding/event planning internship I pursued while completing my final year of undergrad. Through this experience, I was introduced to managing an event from start to finish. Over the years, I have organized and planned:

• Weddings of 200+ people
• Industry trade shows
• Conferences
• Corporate events
• Social events (e.g. baby and bridal showers, birthday parties, holiday parties, etc.)

After years working in a variety of fields and waiting for the right time, I finally started own business… and I’ll never look back!

Why did you decide to pursue your wedding and event planner certification online, rather than in-person?

I made the decision to pursue my wedding and event planner certification online because my life is already busy as it is. I needed a way to fit my courses into my schedule, in my own way. It was important that I be able to do my studies on my own time, without feeling like I was missing the mark. Since I already had a 9-5 job, I needed a flexible way that would still allow me to dedicate time to the career of my dreams.

Why did you decide to get your event planner certification with QC Event School (compared to the other schools out there)?

QC Event School allows students to obtain the certification of their dreams without the pressure of tight deadlines. Their website is clear and concise, and the options they offer are endless. I remember when I was first browsing QC’s site, I was approached by a support agent. I was immediately drawn to their friendly personality! With their help, I got the bulk of my questions answered in less than five minutes!

The community aspect of QC was also huge for me, because I think it’s so important to be able to collaborate with others as you go through your journey. I had faith in the flexibility offered, the customer service, and the community QC Event School has formed throughout the years. QC was everything I was looking for!

*Photographed by Meredith Jane Photography.

Your business is located in Boston; a city with over 4.3 million people. In such a competitive market, how do you feel you stand out from other planners in your area?

What has always sparked my interest and filled me with the utmost passion is the ability to establish magnetic connections. I believe it’s these connections that drive the true beauty of life’s celebrations. This is now what my brand, Carissa Corsi Events, empowers.

As an event planner, my mission is to develop a lasting connection with my clients. By working closely with them, I ensure their event is one-of-a-kind. There are five pillars at the heart of my brand:

1. Meaningful connections
2. Creativity
3. Productivity
4. Celebrations
5. Lifelong memories

I strive to form a magnetic connection with my client. This is achieved when together, we can get creative in mapping out their ideas and inspirations for their big day. We can tune into production and work towards making their event as special as possible. This way, we can then celebrate every step taken throughout the planning process and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Your business specializes in “modern chic weddings, elopements, and social events”. Can you expand on this?

My brand is made up of modern and urban interiors that are then decorated in chic style and colors. I incorporate whites, greens, and pinks, with hints of vibrant and gold accents.

Whites are my touch of ‘simple’ for the pure soul. Greens are meant to add that natural blend signifying both prestige and wealth. I factor in pink shades to showcase femininity. Pink also speaks to my sentimental, hopelessly romantic side. As for the vibrant colors, well, they add some boldness into the mix. Last but not least, gold is used for the ultimate accents.

What are the main differences between your Full-Service Weddings & Events and your Full-Service Elopements packages?

Elopements tend to be more intimate celebrations. For this reason, my elopement packages typically don’t include multiple venue visits. This is because – unlike weddings – it isn’t necessary to run the layout and logistics as many times. The only other difference is that with elopement packages, my focus will be on an intimate celebration design. With wedding packages, my focus is more on a larger, reception design.

*Photographed by Meredith Jane Photography.

You’re recently partnered with We Are Women Owned for their ‘Virtual Holiday Pop-Up’. What is this, and how is your business involved?

We Are Women Owned is your go-to platform for discovering women-owned businesses. They are dedicated to creating opportunities for these women-owned businesses, so that they can gain visibility through the power of community and events. I was first introduced to the community – as well as the pop-event event itself – by a friend. I applied shortly afterwards to participate as a vendor and was selected.

The We Are Women Owned ‘Virtual Holiday Pop-Up’ is a market in which you can shop, discover, and support women-owned businesses this holiday season. It’s featuring 100 amazing brands; product-based, service-based, and even non-profits. I have a company tile on their event site and am currently offering 10% off all my wedding and event services throughout this event. It’s running all the way until December 31, so make sure to check it out!

What challenges did you face when first launching your own business, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I faced when first launching my own business was not knowing how to separate work from personal time. I was focused on getting stuff done 24/7 but I realized that it was only putting me into a state of burnout. I had to overcome this by changing my mindset.

With help from my business coach, I now end my day with a project that I enjoy most. Client calls, or joining webinars on a topic I’m passionate about, are great ways to end my work day. I then dedicate 30 minutes afterwards to doing something just for me such. I might call my family, listen to a podcast, go for a quick walk, watch a show, etc. I’m proud of the balance I’ve created. It allows me to be not just a better me, but a more productive entrepreneur.

You’ve recently joined QC’s team of Student Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, what is the #1 reason you recommend QC Event School to those wanting to earn an event planner certification?

The biggest thing that makes QC Event School stand out is their community. QC is always there to lend a hand, should you ever need support. Their community encourages collaboration and learning from others, alongside your personal experience. With the community they’ve built over the years, QC Event School does its duty to help event professionals from all over the world!

How has your career been affected by COVID-19? In what ways have you adjusted to the changes the event planning industry has been undergoing during this global pandemic?

COVID-19 has actually changed my career for the better. At the start of the pandemic, my hours at my full-time corporate job were cut in half. It was in that moment that I decided I would use the extra time I suddenly had to hyper-focus on my wedding and event planning business.

In just 4 months, I was able to quit my job and embark on my journey as an entrepreneur. Now that I’m a full-time entrepreneur, I have been taking precaution by putting a COVID-19 ‘release and waiver of liability’ in place, as well as sticking to virtual meetings for the time being.

What has been your favorite moment to date in your planning career?

My favorite moment of all time was the day I knew this career path was for me. My first wedding on my own was at the Narragansett Towers in good ole’ Rhode Island (my home state). For those who are not familiar, this is picturesque venue overlooks one of the most popular beaches in the state. On the big day, though, something happened for me…

About an hour into the reception (after all of the major introductions), I was approached by the bride directly. Keep in mind that at that very moment, I may or may not have been busting out some light dance moves to the local band that was playing. Anyways, she put her hand on my shoulder and said to me, “Honey, what you’ve done is amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.”

If I’m being honest, my heart beat SO fast with excitement. It was at that moment that I knew this was meant for me!

What’s in store for Carissa Corsi Events in 2021 and beyond?

The only way to go is up! In 2021, I plan to dedicate time to continuing to grow in a variety of ways. I want to enhance my business services, offer free training sessions and webinars, provide consistent, live videos and free, event-related downloads – and so much more!

I also plan to get even more involved in my networks. QC Event School, Tomorrow’s Women Today, Boston Business Women, We Are Women Owned, and Happily Ever Expo are just a few examples of these networks. I’m incredibly focused on the journey, and am striving for a larger client base by the end of 2021.

But my number one goal is YOU, the client! I cannot wait to be by your side every step of the way!

Finally: what is YOUR definition of “success” as a professional event planner?

My definition of “success” as a wedding and event planner is establishing a meaningful touchpoint with every client I support. It’s those very touchpoints that capture the true beauty of the celebration at hand. Success is ensuring that my client’s joyous event is one-of-a-kind. I feel complete knowing that I have left a lasting impression on my client.

Ready to start your career as a professional planner? Earn your event planner certification in as little as 3-6 months by enrolling with QC Event School!

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