We are so excited today to be putting the spotlight on the internationally known full service event production & design house, Akeem Clayton Designs! Coterie member, Akeem Clayton has worked with a host of business luminaries, professional athletes and entertainers and you may have even seen Clayton on TLC’s hit reality series, “Say Yes To The Dress.” Clayton has made a name for himself locally in Atlanta and has quickly taken the event design industry by storm. Below, get to know more about how Akeem Clayton Designs began and how it has grown in its success over the past decade!
Photo via Akeem Clayton Designs
Coterie Q&A
1) Tell us a little about your background and how you got started in the wedding and events industry?
I’m a business major, with an MBA in Business Management. I come from a corporate finance background, which was so boring. I alway thought I would be an Interior Designer…instead, I ended up designing weddings. I’ve alway had an interest in the arts and design, so somehow I knew I would end up doing something creative. When I made the decision to leave my corporate gig, it was a leap of faith. And here I’m today almost nine years later.
2) What do you love most about your job?
Most of all, I love transforming spaces. It’s a proud feeling when I take a simple, sometimes boring space and turn it into something amazing. Then, seeing the client’s reaction to seeing their dreams manifested is priceless.
3) What would you encourage for the risk takers out there?
No matter what your dream is or how challenging it appears to be, you can do it. You are responsible for your own reality, so you can’t wait for someone to help you or push you. Go get it!
Photo Credit: Dana Lee Jones Photography
4) What has been your most challenging and rewarding wedding this past year and why?
I love a good challenge, and this year our most challenging wedding happened at the very beginning of the new year. It was most challenging because of all of the many moving parts, and our client had very specific request that we had to pay even more attention to regarding the details. Not to mention that, some of our international shipments from suppliers were off because of the holiday. So we feared that we wouldn’t receive some of our supplies in time. In the end, the wedding went off without a hitch, and most importantly, we had another happy, blushing bride.
5) What’s something that recently left you inspired?
I left the second annual coterie retreat inspired! It was very encouraging being able to network with my colleagues from other markets. Through conversation, learning that we all have very similar challenges, and hearing the various methods and perspectives that each found to overcome them, it was refreshing knowing that, we are not alone.
Photo via Akeem Clayton Designs
To learn more about Akeem Clayton Designs, visit their official website. Also be sure to check out their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
To request to join The Coterie, the well assembled collection of wedding professionals in the U.S. and abroad, click here.
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