40under40
Zohe Felici's Italian blood flows through everything she does and her event-planning company is no exception. "I started the company, Italian-born, Italian-raised, born to entertain. That's the nature of being Italian," she said. I only seemed fitting to name the company after her Italian surname: Felici Events. The 38-year-old was a catering manager for Bacara Resort & Spa, where she learned she loved the special events industry. She moved into a position at another event planning company, and four years later knew it was time to start her own business.
Felici said she is a Scorpio, so naturally she wants to take on a leadership role, to drive and to take charge. Her staff consists of two part-time employees and six interns, some from UC Santa Barbara.
Felici Events mostly serves as a base for event planning and out sources the details to other companies. "I get the caterer. I'm behind the design, the decor, musicians, that sort of thing." she said.
Felici enjoys working with nonprofits, including Girls Inc. in Santa Barbara. She recently organized different events through the Jewish Federation of Santa Barbara at her other business, Southern California Mitzvahs.
Felici Events was behind developer Michael Towbes 80th birthday celebration, which benefited the Granada Theatre Capital Campaign. "We created a dinner theater experience for almost 700 people at the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort," she said. The experience included seven acts and performances.
Does Felici put on her event manager hat for her friends' and family members' gatherings? A little bit, but not too much. "I like to be pampered," she said, referring to the fact that she relaxes and enjoys events centered around her friends and family. "I definitely coordinate and put the events together though."
- What was your first job? My brother and I used to have a mango stand when we lived in Egypt . My first real job was scooping ice cream at a parlor in Plano, Texas, at Braum's Ice Cream.
- Your worst job? I did telemarketing for a total of 3.25 hours.
- What was the last book you read? "The Best Laid Plans" by Sidney Sheldon.