By Yemisi Suleiman
Kenny Onabanjo, is the Chief Executive of FINESSE EVENT Services, Finesse Events an event outfit that specializes in decorating, planning and coordination of events.

Within a short period, she has taken her highflying outfit to an enviable height in the circle of events handlers in Nigeria, having handled a good number of high profile jobs within and outside the country. In this interview, she opens up on the top flight event outfit and her flair for the job.

How did you get into the business of Event Planning?
When I was in school, I started working with Elizabeth R, owned by Ibidun Ighodalo, I worked with her for about 2 years and when I finished school, it became something I really wanted to do; I have a flair for event decorating, that was why I worked with Elizabeth R.

So when I finished from school, I decided to take it as a job since it was something I have always wanted to do, that was how I set up Finesse Events.

What was your first job like as an event decorator?
On my first job, initially, I was scared and paralyzed and I prayed to God not to let me regret having taken up the job. But after I did it, everybody was surprised that the décor came out fantastic and beautiful. The ushers’ uniform where very beautiful and from the first job, I got about 4 other jobs and from then on, more kept coming.

Who are the people who constitute your clientele?
I have worked with so many people and corporate bodies; I don’t want to mention names. I plan any event, not necessarily weddings. We plan burial ceremonies too.

Like I always do, I have to transform the venue of most burial parties to something people would see and say wow, this is beautiful. I also do birthday, e.t.c
How has the experience been so far?

It has been good you know when God just bring you up from no where, so many events that have come my way, that normally, you would ask yourself, do I really deserve this. But because you have put in your best, most times, I tell people, anything you are doing, if you put in your best, it’s not going to turn out as a regret. So because over time, I have been able to put in my best, gradually, it gets bigger and bigger.
When you are planning an event, what are the extra efforts you put in to make it grand?

When I’m planning an event, there is a checklist, I try to review the date, what is it that might be needed that we are not looking at now. I ensure that all aspects, including bridals, the make-up are made provision for before the day, so that we won’t have any chaos on that day of the event.

How do you also come up with the concept of your mind blowing decor?
It’s the grace of God, and then when I’m buying material, I ensure that I buy the best. I set out for the best. They might come expensive, but when you use high quality material, it gives your event class. I just picture what I want the venue to look like, the kind of materials to use, and I set out to get good materials, and it comes out nice.

You studied law in school; do you still have plans to practice your course of study?
Most times, what you study is not what you use to fend for yourself after school. Law is just one discipline I had flair for, but I eventually found my calling in event planning.

So I don’t thin k I would still want to practice Law as a profession. I’m fulfilled and glad to be doing what I’m doing now.