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“But you have to kind of navigate your
challenges. We’re seeing a trend right now
with smaller events so we’re really homing
in and working with those people.”
She credits her growing staff with much of

the success and says one of her goals is
to ensure their voices aren’t ‘lost’ when it
comes to the operation of the business.
“I’m really trying to create a community of
people here that feel like they work with
us instead of working for us,” says Carolina,
admitting in the beginning she had doubts
about her own leadership abilities. “There
was definitely some imposter syndrome in

there. I think a lot of people have that but

I’m confident in myself and my abilities,
FORMER GOLDIE & McCULLOCH FOUNDRY IS NOW TAPESTRY HALL

even though there is definitely a lot to
As a youngster, she had developed a “I’m a pretty organized person and because learn.”
passion for singing and jokes how she of the creative side of me from the arts, I She says often women perceive
would sing everywhere, especially in the kind of fell naturally into it,” says Carolina, themselves as not being
car. referring to event planning which resulted
“I would sing constantly wherever I went in her obtaining an International Bridal ‘good enough’ and insists that

as a child and it drove my sister nuts,” she Planner Certification in 2012. “I just did perception must change.
laughs. “I even learned to sing without really well with it and as I did more events, “It can take a lot of work and working with

moving my lips and when I was 14 my I just became more confident.” mentors is important. I have an amazing
parents asked me if I wanted to take The company quickly began attracting network of women and men that are very
singing lessons and I said ‘yes’.” many corporate clients and planning supportive of me and that makes a huge
That decision would lead to her obtaining events for 8,000 to 9,000 people wasn’t diff erence,” says Carolina, recommending
that unusual. This made The Event Firm that getting out of your comfort zone
her Bachelor of Vocal Music and Master of the perfect choice when HIP Developments and networking are key to developing
Music in Opera Performance at Montreal’s President Scott Higgins tapped them to leadership skills. “It develops you as a
McGill University where upon graduation spearhead the ‘Day in the District’ event in human being in such an amazing way and
she sang in several places in Canada as a the fall of 2017 to promote the launch of The allows you to develop qualities you’re
part of young artists programs. Gaslight District. The massive community going to need if you want to be a leader.”
“I was kind of guided into opera by my party, which featured 20 musical acts, food,
teacher because my voice style really suits and drinks, attracted approximately 15,000
it. And the more I sang, the better I got at people to the site.
it,” she says, adding in the beginning she
was a very nervous performer. “It was tough “That event was kind of a test for us, and
because you had to balance that side, but it went very well,” Carolina says, explaining
the expression and communication with the company had already been in talks with
the audience was by far my favourite thing.” HIP Developments to create a more formal
relationship resulting in the formation

However, the heavy financial commitment of Gaslight Events in 2019. Besides the
of nurturing a successful opera career 250,000-square foot Tapestry Hall, the
prompted Carolina to look for other career ensuing collaboration has resulted in the
opportunities while residing in Montreal, launch of some major ventures, including
including bartending and as a financial Foundry Brewing Company and its Tap

advisor before a car crash while visiting Room, Foundry Tavern, The Bellflower

Waterloo Region resulted in three months Market, and more recently The Underwing
of convalescing. restaurant.
“I was really terrible at sitting and do But it hasn’t been an easy road as the
nothing,” she says, adding her time off effects of the pandemic continue to linger,

led to assisting Kyle – whom she had a especially surrounding the economy.
personal relationship with at the time –
with his DJ business and the formation of “We’re quite lucky because people are
The Event Firm in 2010. very supportive of our businesses,” says
Carolina.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK

www.cambridgechamber.com Winter 2024 15