The Art of Making It Happen. Before Little Oak, I spent more than a decade in fast-moving startups and scale-ups, where my job was often to take an ambitious idea and figure out how to make it real.

That meant building teams from scratch, stretching limited budgets, coordinating countless moving parts and creating everything from international roadshows to intimate VIP dinners. I learned to be strategic, resourceful and calm in the chaos — skills that translate surprisingly well to events of every size.

What I loved most was the puzzle of it: How do you turn an idea into something people actually want to show up for?

A New Perspective. Becoming a mother changed the way I answered that question.

Suddenly I was experiencing events from the other side — including plenty I simply couldn’t attend because bringing my children wasn’t an option. I became much more aware of the small decisions that determine whether people feel welcome, whether children stay engaged, and whether an experience truly works for the people in the room.

It also made me more conscious of what we consume in the name of celebration. I wanted the magic, just not the mountain of stuff that so often came with it.

A Little German. A Little Chicago. I’m half-German, half-American and spent nearly 20 years living in Europe. That mix has shaped both my eye and my approach: natural materials, thoughtful details, practical solutions and a belief that special doesn’t have to mean more.

There’s plenty of room for imagination, beauty and a little magic — just not a plastic balloon arch.

Why "Little Oak"? The name is a nod to that duality. The Oak is the national tree of Germany, a symbol of strength and longevity. It is also a staple across our beautiful Chicago parks and streets.

To me it represents: strong roots, room to grow, and something worth caring for.