Former accountant’s passion for events planning blossoms

We were happy to finally meet Sylvia Getata, the owner of Purple Tulips—an event-organising company, especially after seeing her young face in our various web searches.

The experience she has listed in her portfolio was impressive, but after meeting her, it was clear that she was too modest about her achievements.

The soft-spoken Ms Getata welcomes us into her well-furnished office —the room is beautiful, with the purple and pink highlights.

She informs us that interior design is part of her job as an events planner and that she is passionate about using colours boldly in all her settings.

Ms Getata decided to set up a wedding planning company after sitting in various committees raising funds for the events where she also helped with the planning.

It was easy as she had gained the trust of the various people she met in these gatherings who went on to give her references.

In 2010, at the age of 24, she registered her business and was doing it on a part time basis as she worked full time as an accountant. She first started with event planning and later ventured into product hiring as she understood market needs.

“Not everyone was willing to have a wedding planner since it adds to the cost of the ceremony,” she says, adding that most of her customers would ask to hire tents, seats and tables for the event. It has since become her core business apart from the occasional event planning for corporate clients and children’s parties, which is now a booming business.

“What started as a free service for hosting and organising weddings, birthday parties, family reunions for friends and family has now become a professional venture,” says Ms Getata.

In a competitive market full of event planners, Ms Getata boasts versatility and creativity. Her petite stature initially did not convince customers that she was up to the task, but they were later impressed by the outcomes.

The holder of a certificate in wedding planning, Ms Getata, however, says one needs more than a certificate to be a successful event planner. Being creative and having interest in fashion is an advantage.

“Event planning is not a static job, it requires one to always be on toes and ready to learn new concepts and trends of the market ,” she says.

“The latest trend has moved from weddings and corporate events to children’s birthday parties, and this is an area that has seen tremendous growth and we are there to deliver.”

Her company employs 15 workers and has since grown to include hire services for the foldable white chairs as well as helium balloons.