Abby Green, a Kent State senior entrepreneurship major, has won the Venture Assessment Grant for her event planning business, “How Eventful.”

The Venture Assessment Grant is given to students with a proposed business that sells a unique product or service with a clear market need. The grant was provided through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation Student Venture Fund, a fund that was set up to support student-initiated business.

Green created How Eventful in September of her senior year. The business specializes in weddings and event planning.

Green said because she has always been a creative, but also organized individual, she knew she would excel at creating a service-based business.

“I knew that I wanted to start a service-based business because it is usually much easier than a product,” Green said. “I always had a passion for event design so I decided to go for it when entering my Entrepreneurial Experience class.” 

Green said she began starting up her business by focusing on the basics.

“I focused a lot on making a website, filing a limited liability company (LLC) and creating business cards,” Green said. “The more exciting parts came quickly after, when I was able to attend bridal shows and begin to book events.”

Green said How Eventful primarily focuses on day-of coordination for weddings, but they also do many other events. How Eventful offers packages in tiers ranging from day-of coordination, partial planning, and The Total Package. Each package provides different levels of services tailored to the needs of the customer.

Though she may specialize in weddings, Green said her event planning isn’t limited to weddings. She has also planned graduation parties and corporate events. Green is currently providing services for six events on her own with the help of an intern.

Green said she hopes to increase her business to three times its size by the end of the year after she graduates this May. She is excited to turn her focus away from school and part-time work so that more time can be allotted for her business. 

Green said she feels her entrepreneurship classes at Kent State gave her the skills needed to start her own business. 

“We have such an amazing faculty that have given us all the instruction and specifically motivation that we need,” Green said.

One professor in particular, Craig Zamary, has had the biggest impact on her company, Green said.

“He has truly been a mentor throughout this process,” Green said. “He has never said no to an idea because he really believes in all of his students. I am proud to have him as a professor, and I am certain that he has helped with the success of How Eventful.”

Zamary, an entrepreneurship professor at Kent State, said it was a pleasure to have Green as a student and is excited to see her advance throughout her career.

“I know Abby is going places and is definitely a person to keep an eye on,” Zamary said. “She is driven and passionate and knows how to take an idea and turn it into a reality and go out and test it.”

After graduation, Green is moving to Cleveland to work with Tom James Company, a custom clothing manufacturer she interned for last summer.

“I am starting my career and I am so excited to continue my business with it,” Green said.

For more information on How Eventful, visit http://www.howeventfulbyabby.com

Caroline Licata is the College of Business reporter for The Kent Stater, contact her at [email protected]