15 Years of Crafting Meaningful Memories: A Conversation with Our Founder
Fifteen years. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime of celebrations, and in others, it feels like we’re just getting started.
Since 2009, Glint Events has grown from a one-woman dream into a full-scale luxury firm. At our core, we’ve always held true to our mission of creating experiences beyond imagination through customized events. To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we sat down with our founder, Kate Franzen, to talk about how far we’ve come, the heart behind the brand and the leap of faith that started it all.
The Spark: A Different Kind of Planning
Q: Looking back to the very beginning, what was the "spark" that led you to create Glint Events?
Kate: It’s funny—I think I was always wired for this. From my days as a class officer and sorority social chair at Virginia Tech to my early career planning corporate events for CarMax, I’ve always known that the logistics of bringing people together was my passion.
As I began to consider going out on my own, I noticed something missing in the industry. There were plenty of companies focused on the fun, creative side that made events look visually attractive, but many lacked the deep project-planning focus needed to truly succeed in a luxury event market. I saw a real need for a firm that treated event planning as a true craft—one rooted in professional project management, but delivered with a warm and personal, boutique feel. I wanted to build something that valued the peace of mind of our clients, knowing we could deliver on bringing their vision to reality and manage every detail along the way. That’s how the heart of Glint Events was born.
The Evolution: One-Woman Show to Building a Team
Q: It started with just you in those early days. How did the Glint Events team take shape into what it is today?
Kate: In the beginning, it was just me. I focused strictly on coordination—those final 60 days leading up to a wedding—and I was managing a very high volume of events. As our name recognition and referrals grew, I realized that to continue to give our clients the level of care they deserved, I couldn't do it alone. I needed to grow beyond coordination to really focus on expanding that project-management component that is essential to the Glint Events Difference.
In 2013, I brought on my first part-time assistant. She learned the business by my side and transitioned into our first full-time employee about a year later. That was a significant turning point; she stepped into coordination and partial planning, which gave me the space to truly focus on our full-service clients.
We added a corporate planner in 2016, and by 2019, we really found our "home" in full-service planning for clients who have high expectations for both execution and a personal touch. Of course, we had to navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic. As corporate events waned and weddings shifted, we leaned back into coordination to help our clients manage through the chaos. Once things settled, we were able to refocus on what we do best: high-touch, full-service events.
Today, we operate as a specialized team of three. There’s Brooke, our Senior Wedding Planner—she is warm, has a strong eye for the details, and possesses a natural gift for forming deep, personal connections with her couples. There’s Katy, our Team Coordinator, who expertly manages our "behind the scenes" logistics, from our marketing to event support. Then, there’s me. I focus primarily on our corporate events now, while supporting Brooke and the team to ensure every detail of every event is executed perfectly. We’ve built a dynamic where our individual strengths really complement one another.
The Leap: Trading Security for a Dream
Q: You left a stable corporate job to do this. How did you work through the risk and the fear of starting Glint Events?
Kate: Oh, I was terrified! I left a job with a 401k, benefits, and PTO, and I had just welcomed a new baby. I am naturally a risk-averse person, so leaving that safety net felt monumental. When you’re in a corporate 9-to-5, there is a certain rhythm to it—you show up, you do your work, and the infrastructure is already there to support you.
When you start your own business, that safety net disappears. Failure becomes a very real, very personal possibility that feels out of your control. But even through the nerves, I could see the potential. All of the data points showed that there was a space for what I wanted to build, and I had to trust that. I kept a Michael Jordan quote in my head during that time: “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.” Overcoming that fear of failure and simply trying was one of the biggest moments of my career—it was the moment I stopped being a "planner" and started being a business owner.
The Horizon: 15 Years and Counting
Q: After a decade and a half of bringing visions to life, what is the "why" that keeps you inspired every day—and what are you most excited about as you look toward the future?
Kate: To me, there are really two "whys." The first is my team; building a culture where we truly support one another and share a common goal is my proudest achievement.
The second is that incredible moment of "the reveal." Because we are so meticulous with our digital mockups and logistics, we spend months making sure every detail is accounted for. But until the event actually happens, there is always that quiet, internal question: “Is this exactly what the client envisioned?” Then the moment comes. When the clients walk into the space and realize that we didn’t just hear their vision, we brought it to reality. We carried every single stressor for them along the way, so they could simply be present. It’s that look of amazement and pure relief on their faces that never gets old.
As I look toward the next 15 years, I’m most excited about continuing to refine that Glint Events Difference. We’ve found our home in high-touch, full-service planning, and my goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of what that level of care looks like. Whether it's a milestone corporate gala or a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, I want to continue building a legacy of peace of mind. We aren’t just planning events; we’re protecting our clients' most important memories. I can’t wait to see the stories we’ll help tell in the years to come.
To our clients, partners, family, and friends who have been part of these 15 years: Thank you for trusting us with your most important days. Looking to see 15 years of expertise in action? Explore the Glint Events Portfolio.
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