Today we’d like to introduce you to JaLeesa Samone.
Hi JaLeesa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started doing event décor in high school for family and friends, and at the time it was just a hobby. When my first godchild was born, I designed all of her birthday parties, and that grew into planning celebrations for my three godchildren, always with a theme, from birthdays to baby showers. My best friend’s mom would often tell me, “You should make this a business; the parties are always so nice and pretty.”
In 2015, I decided to take that leap. I began focusing primarily on weddings, created my LLC, and officially established Christian Lei Events. The name itself is deeply meaningful; it’s my “why.” I combined my first niece’s first name, Christian, with my second niece’s middle name, Lei, to create Christian Lei Events. They’ve always been my motivation and the driving force behind everything I do.
Over the years, I’ve invested in myself and my business by completing certification courses in each service I wanted to specialize in: planning, coordination, design, and floristry. I then trained my team so we could grow together. Today, I’m proud to lead a team of eight, including coordinators, managers, supervisors and labor support. Each year, I continue taking courses or attending workshops to stay up to date with industry trends and bring fresh ideas and skills back to my team and clients
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
What no lol. I think the obstacles I’ve faced are ones many small business owners can relate to, having the finances to scale, finding a reliable team who believes in my vision enough to help make it a success, and marketing in ways that truly connect with the right clients. There have also been seasons of slow bookings that can make you question yourself or even wonder if you should keep going.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to transition from doing everything myself to building and trusting a team. In the beginning, I wore every hat; planner, designer, coordinator, florist, and even setup crew. It took time, training, and faith to step back and allow others to step in.
Another challenge has been balancing the creative side of events with the business side. When you love what you do, it’s easy to get caught up in the design and planning, but running a successful company requires systems, and strategy, in order to grow. I’ve had to push myself in that area so my business stays strong behind the scenes as well as in front of clients.
Each of these obstacles shaped me into a stronger leader, and as hard as they’ve been I think they’ve been just as valuable as the successes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
we are a full-service wedding planning and design company specializing in creating thoughtful, personalized celebrations that reflect our couple’s story. We’re known for bringing together timeless design with seamless logistics, ensuring our clients not only have a beautiful wedding day but also an enjoyable planning journey leading up to it.
What I believe sets us apart is that we are a one stop shop with rental and florals being included in our services. this allows us to create a cohesive design while also providing cost savings for our clients. From planning and coordination to florals, décor, and custom floor plans, we manage the big picture while also caring for all the small details.
Brand-wise I’d say I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients. Many couples to us overwhelmed by the process, and by the end, they leave feeling cared for, understood, and celebrated. That experience, beyond the aesthetics, is what truly defines our work. Our brand is build on the “experience” You’ve got to experience this is our tag line. The goal is always to take the stress out of event and wedding planning
For your readers, I’d love them to know that our services go far beyond just the wedding day. We’re not only here to design a beautiful event; we’re here to take the stress away, guide couples with expertise, and deliver a day that feels authentically theirs.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is defined by the impact I’m able to make, both for my clients and for the legacy I’m building for my family. My nieces were the inspiration behind Christian Lei Events, and everything I do is rooted in making them proud. Success, for me, is creating a brand that reflects love, passion, and resilience while serving couples with excellence.
On a practical level, I know I’ve succeeded when a couple looks around on their wedding day and sees their dream day brought to life with ease, joy, and beauty. But on a deeper level, success is also knowing that my work inspires the next generation in my family to dream big and pursue what they love. Every time a client tells me they felt cared for, seen, and celebrated, that’s when I know I’m living out my purpose.
Pricing:
- Coordinating starts at 2500
- Full planning starts at 5000
- Wedding design starts at 10,500
- Florals starts at 1750
- Social events starting at 4500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ChristianLeiEvents.com
- Instagram: https://wwwInstagram.com/ChristianLeiEvents
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/ChristianLeiEvents
