Bell Dhillon: Our Founders Story

The edit

RETURN
Our journey from producing some of the most exclusive celebrations around the world, to founding our own agency.‍
An Article By Bell Dhillon

Our journey from producing some of the most exclusive celebrations around the world, to founding our own agency.‍

An Article By Bell Dhillon
01 Tell us something about you - Did you always want to own a business? What drove you? 

Gina: I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As a child, I sold perfume samples on the playground, constantly finding creative ways to earn money. The excitement of owning a business has always drawn me in—it's about freedom, creativity, and building something that lasts. Inspired by my grandparents and parents, who were all entrepreneurs, I learned early on the impact of building something from the ground up. My grandad started with market stalls before moving into property, and my parents turned a small taxi business into a globally recognised courier service. Watching them navigate the ups and downs of business was inspiring. It made me realise the impact one can have by creating something meaningful, leaving a legacy, and making a positive difference.

Charlotte: Like Gina, I grew up immersed in the world of entrepreneurship, watching my parents build their business from the ground up in their mid-twenties. My dad, who had been working for another service provider at the time, saw the potential to offer a superior service. He took a leap of faith, bet on himself, and started his own venture. Nearly 40 years later, their company has earned a reputation as one of the top service providers in the industry.

Witnessing their journey showed me the power of believing in your vision and the drive to deliver better results than your competitors. I learned that business is about people, service, and taking control of your own narrative. Today, our venture embodies these lessons. We are focused on building a future, continually crafting our professional reputation, and creating a legacy that aligns with our core values.

02 What compelled you to start your own agency?

The events industry is fast-changing, and we recognised that in order to truly meet the evolving needs of our clients, it was crucial to have the flexibility and autonomy that comes with running our own agency. We wanted to be in a position where we could quickly adapt to trends, personalise our services, and offer innovative solutions that resonate with modern couples.

We've created a position where we're able to break away from the limitations often imposed by traditional models, giving us the freedom to create bespoke experiences tailored to each couple's unique vision. We were driven by the desire to offer something different—an agency that not only understands the current landscape but is also agile enough to anticipate and respond to future changes.

Ultimately, the decision was about more than just starting a business. It was about building a brand that we believe in, one that stands for excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to making each occasion as unique and memorable as the clients we serve. We’re not just planning events; we’re helping create core memories - that’s what drives us every day.

03 Tell us about your journey from event producers to business owners.

Both of us embarked on our careers in the industry over a decade ago, and our journey has been anything but typical. While many start by working their way up from the premium market to the ultra-luxury market, we have exclusively served HNW and UHNW clients from the very beginning. This experience has given us a unique perspective—one where quality is never compromised, where we fully grasp our client's expectations, and where we know exactly what it takes to meet them. While also allowing us to cultivate strong, trusted and lasting relationships with the very best in our industry for over 10 years.

In our role at previous organisations, we planned, directed and produced all of the events within their portfolio at our time of tenure whilst earning a reputation for producing some of the most highly regarded events in the European market. As producers, we came to know the clients in a way that the CEO of a larger organisation simply could not. We spent hundreds of hours with them, understanding their biggest fears and greatest desires. As a result, we understood the areas where their needs were simply not met and we knew exactly how to solve them. In that sense us becoming business owners felt like a natural evolution.

04 Can you share any insights or trends you have observed in the luxury event industry, particularly in relation to destination events? How do you stay up to date with industry developments?

Staying current in our industry requires us to stay informed about the sectors that greatly influence it. The events industry is uniquely positioned at the intersection of music, fashion, food, travel, and culture. These are our passions, so we spend much of our time ensuring we're among the first to know about the latest hotel openings, the chicest new restaurants, and the newest trends in the fashion industry. 

Looking ahead to 2024/25, industry trends continue to shift away from traditional weddings toward more unconventional celebrations that prioritise guest experiences and hyper-personalization. Couples are increasingly seeking to immerse themselves in the destination they choose for their wedding, embracing local music, traditions, and cuisine. They desire more than just a "luxury experience"; they want their events to have a strong sense of place. We're also seeing a gradual move away from popular destinations like Lake Como to less-travelled locations such as Morocco and Montenegro, as clients seek fresh and unique experiences.

05 How do you ensure your creative juices consistently stay flowing and how can others be more creative?

It's crucial in this industry to fully engage with LIFE. It sounds simple, but the more present you are, the more you take in from your surroundings. For both of us, travel is a significant source of inspiration—it exposes us to diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences that we can transform into distinctive event concepts. The more we explore the more we're able to offer our clients something new, intriguing, and meaningful.

Additionally, we have the advantage of bouncing ideas off each other and being surrounded by the most creative minds in the industry—which certainly helps!

06 If you had to attribute three things to your success, what would they be?

Taking risks, being solutions-focused and having the emotional intelligence to be able to handle different interpersonal dynamics. 

Curious Quick-fires:
01 Best reason you've had to turn your out-of-office on recently?

Charlotte: To go on a 5-day retreat in Menorca - it’s one of the only times in the year I fully disconnect from the world and it’s pure bliss!

Gina: Exploring the jungles and coastlines of Costa Rica with my husband, catching some incredible sunsets along the way!

02 Your favourite bar or restaurant in Europe?

Charlotte: 2 Passos in Amancil Portugal remains my forever favourite. Ocean views, unfussy service and the most delicious garlicky, buttery, prawns you’ll ever experience in your life. You have my word. 

Gina: Has to be Paolino Capri - it's such a hidden gem! With its stunning lemon grove setting and laid-back vibe, it’s the perfect place to soak in the relaxed Italian atmosphere. It’s one of those spots you just don’t forget. 

03 A luxury that’s actually a necessity?

Charlotte: Tatcha luminous dewy skin mist. I won’t travel anywhere without it. And my Rimowa - it has agility like no other.

Gina: An LED mask! It's a bit of a splurge, but it’s super handy -especially if you’re gearing up for a big event or a special occasion. It's like having a mini spa session at home - gives you that fresh glow without the fuss!

Looking to host a special occasion or brand event? Get in touch!

read more from the edit

Maybourne: the world’s most legendary luxury hotels

Chatting to the mastermind behind the global strategy for hosting events at some of the world’s most legendary luxury hotels.

READ

Zen Film Works, Videographer

Creating memorable, dynamic and compelling films.

READ

Introducing The Edit

Where luxury events intersect with the essence of your world.

READ