What It’s Really Like to Run a Female-Founded Event Staffing Empire

People love the highlight reel. The glam photo shoots. The celebrity events. The perfectly styled models in designer gowns and custom uniforms.

And yes, that’s part of what I do. I built Femme Fatale Media to be the premier agency for luxury event staffing and promotional talent in North America.

But what they don’t see is what happens behind the curtain.

The last-minute client calls. The spreadsheets. The chaos. The crisis management. The deeply emotional moments when you realize half the reason you’re building something this big is because you’re trying to outrun grief.

I didn’t inherit this company. I built it. In my early twenties. After my sister passed away.

I was broke, devastated, and frankly had no business plan—just a deep belief that women could be powerful, beautiful, wildly professional, and change the face of brand marketing. I wanted to prove that smart and sexy weren’t mutually exclusive.

Building a Business in Stilettos (Literally and Figuratively)

In the early days, I did everything. I recruited the models. I styled the uniforms. I lugged banners, pitched brands, and chased invoices. I once filled in for a model who didn’t show up and spent the night pouring vodka shots at a nightclub promo table in heels that weren’t even mine.

People don’t see that part. They see the roster of Fortune 500 clients and assume it was always this polished. It wasn’t.

There were years when I took bookings I probably shouldn’t have, just to make payroll. There were events that went sideways, and I’d drive across town to fix it myself. But slowly, it grew.

We earned a reputation. Our women weren’t just stunning—they were sharp, reliable, and trained to embody the essence of the brands they represented.

That’s still what we’re known for today.

Why the Right Model Can Make or Break a Brand Experience

Here’s what most people don’t understand about experiential marketing: the model is the face of the brand.

She’s the one greeting your VIPs, charming your customers, elevating your product reveal. If she’s disengaged or under-trained, it shows. But when she’s confident, prepared, and on-brand? That’s when real magic happens.

Our clients—from luxury automotive brands to private equity firms—know that the right woman at the right event can be the difference between “just another launch” and a moment people talk about for months.

We don’t just send models. We deliver presence.

The Hardest Part? Being a Woman at the Top

Running an agency where beauty is part of the business comes with baggage. People make assumptions. They underestimate you. They question your seriousness.

I’ve sat in meetings where I was talked over. I’ve had men flirt with me during contract negotiations. I’ve been asked if Femme Fatale was a “stripper agency.”

I’ve also closed six-figure deals with the same people who said that.

Being underestimated was the best thing that ever happened to me.

What I Know Now

You don’t need permission to build something massive. You just need resilience, vision, and a little delusion at the start. You have to believe in your ability to figure things out before anyone else does.

Femme Fatale isn’t just an agency—it’s proof that women can own the room, shape the narrative, and do business their way. No apology. No compromise.

And if you’re a brand looking to make a real impression, it starts with the people who represent you.

We’re the difference between background noise and unforgettable.

Learn more at Femme Fatale Media.