2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner: Entrepreneurial Spirit
Hester Parks (95C)
Having started her career as a financial analyst, Hester Parks took the leap to follow her dream of owning her own event planning business. In 2005, she launched her company Park Avenue Events, which has since executed a countless number of successful events, including weddings, television and movie premieres, birthday parties, grand openings, non-profit galas, baby showers and more.
In both 2016 and 2017, she was named “Best of Atlanta Event Planner” by the Atlanta Tribune, a recognition given to a small business who provides a supreme service or product and for having the “it” factor, the extra quality that separates the good from the great.
Hester credits her degree in accounting and finance from the Campbell School of Business with helping her to develop the business plan and preparedness to pursue her entrepreneurial goals. She always knew that building a business would go hand in hand with accepting risk and managing challenges.
“One of the biggest risks involved for my business – or for any entrepreneur – is the potential lack of income and/or no steady income. In the event planning industry, there are also low start-up costs, so this field tends to become flooded with firms, so competition is very high. Many clients don’t understand the need for an experienced and highly-efficient planner. All these risks, and more, have had a big impact on my business,” Hester said.
She also holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University and is co-author of Atlanta Weddings for the Modern, Stylish, Chic Bride, published in 2011.
She also holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University and is co-author of Atlanta Weddings for the Modern, Stylish, Chic Bride, published in 2011.
Find out how to nominate a Berry alum for a Distinguished Alumni award here.
