Nov 3, 2020
We have the privilege of speaking to another amazing entrepreneur today! Nathalie Cadet-James is joining us. She has lived a full life, and she has a fascinating story to tell! Nathalie has been recognized by Harper’s Bazaar as one of the top wedding planners in the world, and she has traveled all over the planet doing event planning for corporations.
Nathalie gives us insight into her decision to change her career and start her own company. She provides some great tips for developing and maintaining networks, winning on social media, leaning into situations with grace, and doing what is right over what is easy.
Nathalie has many experiences and nuggets to share with us today. We’re sure you’re going to love this episode!
Nathalie Cadet-James’s bio
Nathalie Cadet-James is the founder of Luxe Fête, a full-service international event planning and design studio based in Miami, Florida. Premiere clients seek her services to plan and produce their special events, not only in South Florida but all over the world. A former attorney, she spent eight years working at top law firms and clerking for a Federal Judge before she found her true calling. Nathalie is deeply passionate about telling stories, creating spaces that connect people, and celebrating life. Featured in numerous national and international publications, she is recognized as an “industry innovator” and “event guru.” She is also the founder of Luxe Fête Social, a turnkey dinner party rental service that leverages the power of the internet to make the joys of connecting over a beautiful setting, great food, and stimulating conversation easily accessible at one’s home. Luxe Fête Social is named one of the Top 10 startups to watch in Miami by the Miami Herald, and also the 1st Place and People’s Choice winner of the 2018 Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge. Her innovative yet timeless approach to planning and designing events has drawn the likes of high-profile brides, executives, and clientele, which include Hillary Clinton, Christian Dior, Gucci, and Prada.
Nathalie’s motto is: “Grace will take you places hustlin’ can’t.”
A recovering attorney
Nathalie left the practice of law about ten or twelve years ago, and since then, she has never looked back.
No passion
Late one night, while working on a super-important legal brief, Nathalie felt that she no longer had the energy or the passion for doing legal work.
Planning a wedding for a friend
A few months later, she planned her best friend’s wedding. She worked until 4 am and felt happy to be doing the work, even though she does not usually like working late. She then realized that there was a passion inside of her that gave her a different kind of energy.
A leap of faith
Nathalie wanted to be in the planning lane rather than in the legal field, and she realized that she needed a leap of faith to nurture that passion.
Self-reliance
Nathalie believes in who she is and what she is doing. When she started her company, she thrived on the support of her family and friends but knows that she is ultimately the only one who can lift herself out of any difficult moments.
Nathalie Cadet-James learns to develop and maintain a network
As an attorney, Nathalie Cadet-James did not network at all. A year after opening her own business, however, she realized that she needed to form business relationships and cultivate a network to build her business.
The New York Symphony
The New York Symphony recruited Nathalie to be the director of their Friends and Events Network. In that position, she noticed that people were connecting because they liked each other, they were like-minded, and they wanted to help.
Real connections
Nathalie then understood that networking was all about building authentic relationships. Networking became important, and powerful for her when she realized that she wanted to form real connections with the people she was meeting, rather than connections based solely on business.
Maintaining networks
To see the results of your networking relationships, you need to maintain them. Nathalie maintains her business relationships with social media, calling people on the phone and sending interesting things that she finds to her clients.
Winning on social media
Nathalie knows that she can only win on social media when she focuses on what is good for her and on what she can do to be a better person and a better entrepreneur.
Protecting her clients’ investments
Having a legal background has given Nathalie the edge when it comes to contracts and protecting her clients’ investments. It also adds value to her business.
Leaning into situations with grace
Nathalie found that nothing came out of her being forceful and trying to make things happen. When she started accepting things as they were, opening her eyes to opportunities, leaning into things, and trusting herself to go into situations with grace, things began to flow.
Nathalie Cadet-James’s dream to be an international event planner
Nathalie Cadet-James loves to travel, and her dream was always to be an international event planner.
A wedding in Rwanda
Nathalie planned a wedding for a couple on Fisher Island in Miami, Florida. A guest couple had so much fun at the wedding that the boyfriend proposed to his girlfriend there, knowing that Nathalie would plan their wedding. Their wedding eventually took place in Rwanda, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Nathalie!
Doing what is right
As a lawyer, Nathalie learned about doing things right rather than doing what is easy. She discovered the value of preparing well, taking care of all the details, and laying down solid foundations.
Nathalie Cadet-James’s pivot to Dinner in a Box
During Covid, Nathalie pivoted her business by creating a ‘Dinner in a Box’ concept. It includes conversation starters and beautifully designed table settings, and it makes it very easy for people to host dinner parties.
Connect with Nathalie
Nathalie’s Website
Nathalie’s LinkedIn
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