Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Stone.
Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Emily Sharpe and Emily Stone met in 2020 while working in alumni relations and development at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. We mostly kindled our friendship over Zoom due to the pandemic. Emily Stone moved to Michigan in 2019 from Mississippi, and she grew up in the Chicago area. Emily Sharpe grew up in Grand Blanc, MI and has been a lifelong Michigander. We both now find ourselves at the University of Michigan, where our friendship has grown exponentially! We’ve both always had a deep passion for live events, design, music, production, and engaging experiences, which has been reflected in both of our careers so far. For years we’ve been joking that “we just need to go into business together and start planning events”! One day in early 2025, we decided it was finally time to make that happen. We met as often as we could in those early months to work on building a brand, a business plan, and a vision. We started this venture with the hope of working with authentic, good people to help them make their dreams a reality. We want to work together with trust and compassion, while infusing our own unique creative touches into every event and experience for our clients. We officially launched Sharpe & Stone Event to the public in July 2025, and our networks were immediately generous with their support. Since launching earlier this year, we’ve coordinated three weddings (one in Chicago, two in MI), and a Halloween event in Grand Rapids. We’re currently booking for 2026, open to weddings and all types of events!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Neither of us have a business degree of any real business creation training. So, it was definitely a learning curve to work through all the legal and administrative aspects of starting a business. From government forms to creating a website and logo, how to take payments, and bookkeeping. We’ve been navigating this all together with transparency and a hunger to learn and be our own bosses. Truly, it’s so empowering to gain this knowledge and have full ownership of everything you’ve created. Right down to the foundation. We’ve also been navigating how to market our business beyond our close network of friends, family, coworkers, etc. We’ve tried different social media and outreach strategies and we’re looking closely at what works best for us.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in event planning, coordination, and design. We mostly book weddings, but we also welcome events of any size and scale (corporate, reunions, etc). We offer a wide range of services from full-service planning to a la carte packages. We also offer event florals through our sister company, Disco Botanica!
Over the last decade, Emily Sharpe has built a career in nonprofit organizations, including the Whiting Auditorium, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ascension Health, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Her career has centered around the belief that the best experiences are built with care, creativity, and precision. Emily Sharpe is drawn to the theatrics of events: the cueing of music, the scenery set in place, the perfectly timed entrance. She loves designing experiences that feel layered and personal; from storytelling elements in the ceremony to thoughtful transitions, lighting shifts, and even a great costume change! With her passion for the way color brings out the best in people (and their photos), she also offers color analysis to help couples feel truly seen and celebrated.
Emily Stone has built a career working with incredible organizations like Michigan Athletics, Detroit Pistons Sports & Entertainment, and the Wayne State School of Medicine. She’s had the privilege of leading a range of events like high-profile donor experiences and national championship tailgates to fly-away trips, kids clinics, and large-scale alumni events. Her work has taken her across the country, from Los Angeles to New York City. She brings a love for floral and décor design, a flair for destination events, and a deep belief that every gathering should feel like a one-of-a-kind celebration. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a brand activation for thousands, she’s all about turning your vision into something unforgettable.
How do you think about luck?
Truly, I don’t think luck has been a factor (good or bad) for either of us in our life or business. Everything we’ve built has been intentionally and with hard work. You could say we are lucky to have a supportive network of friends and family around us, but we’d say it’s more because we are thoughtful in how we maintain our relationships and we do it in a way where we support the people around us and they support us in return. Nothing feels like it’s been by chance, it’s all been thoughtfully built.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sharpeandstone.events
- Instagram: @sharpeandstoneevents
- Facebook: @sharpeandstoneevents
