Meet Larissa Clark | Entrepreneur & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larissa Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larissa, how do you think about risk?
I’m known as the fearless person who takes actions before thoroughly thinking it through. With that it forces me to be resilient and brave because of all the adversity I face. It started as an adolescent who risked telling my nanny that my stepdad was molesting me even though my life was at stake. I overcame the adversity I faced by speaking up and telling the foul secret I carried for years about my stepdad.

Moving onto college in a new city, I was away from my family and was in fear of the challenge of not having moral, physical, and financial support, for the first time in my life! I was just a young girl in a really big city trying to find my way.

My challenges overtime became more demanding by moving to a different city with no family or friends, starting multiple businesses, writing my first autobiography, and becoming a single mother. As I launched Eventi Elite Planning LLC I knew as a single mother I was going to be forced to get consistent childcare because of the demand that’s in my industry.The daily challenges I overcome has created opportunities in my career where I’m forced to get outside of my comfort zone and learn outside of my expertise. My daily routine has changed dramatically, the hours of work has increased to 60-80 hours weekly, and I constantly have to go beyond my realm of expectations, which test my assumptions.

As an upcoming entrepreneur, taking risks in my life/career forces me to make a lot of sacrifices and will continue to do so in order to reach my goals in my career as an owner of multiple businesses and as a mother.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of how fast the company is growing and the direction we are going in. I have an amazing team behind me and the clients I work with are wonderful. I am excited for the upcoming events that are in store as we close out the year and adding unique events to the calendar both in state and out of state in the new year 2022!

When the idea of creating an event company was established I had a business partner who oversaw the creative department. We both saw the vision and she put it all together both digitally and physically. Going our separate ways forced me to wear all the hats in my new company, including the creative department. Being a sole owner has challenged me to learn and master skills that I never had a desire to until now. AND BOY WAS IT HARD. I have been able to overcome the challenges I have been faced with because of my resilience. It has allowed me to push through all the adversity and stay focused on the end goal!

I’ve learned to always stay humble and be teachable. Entering into an industry that is well established and predominantly male isn’t easy. Having a mentor and having a team that is like minded and as passionate as I am is so so important and crucial. I am still learning every single day!

Eventi Eltie Planning, LLC is a modern event and management company. We curate, plan, and execute the most elite events both private and public in Dallas.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Haha this is a great question. It definitely depends on their taste buds, as I am a true foodie! My top favorite food places I would take my bestie would be Uchi, Perry’s steakhouse, or Desta(Ethiopian). After our wonderful meal we would get a section at my favorite speak easy Mr.X. The staff is wonderful and the DJ is so fun to party with! If it was during the weekday I would take the bestie to Akai. Another Speakeasy here in Dallas, that gives you a great experience different from the traditional Dallas vibes!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to make a personal shoutout to my mentor and long time friend Mark Perry, who has helped me through all of my challenges in my life since I have known him. I also want to thank my daughter Alayna Blakum, for teaching me so many things as a mother and allowing me to be an influence to other young mothers in our community! I also want to thank my best friend Brittany Newton who has been my biggest support in this journey we call life and in every chapter that is being written in my book.

Website: www.eventieliteplanning.com

Instagram: eventieliteplanning

Linkedin: larissa clark

Yelp: Eventi Elite Planning

Image Credits
Photographer: Freeyourself Photo, Kathryn Burns