Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Youngs.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I launched Events by Emily with the goal to take the stress out of planning or hosting so people could truly relax and enjoy the experience—whether they were the organizer or a guest. When I first started, I didn’t have it all figured out. I spent a lot of time researching how to start a business, but I knew two things: I wanted to focus on corporate events, and I had just earned my Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation which would help elevate my credibility. After a handful of trusted people encouraged me to take the leap, I finally jumped. My mindset was simple—why not give it a try? If it didn’t work out, I could always return to a role similar to what I’d been doing before. All I invested in to get started was a business license, a website, a formal business plan, and some business cards.
In the early days, things were slow. I kept my day job to maintain steady income while focusing on networking and getting my name out there. Most people hear “event planner” and instantly think weddings or birthday parties, so it took time for the corporate event planning concept to stick and gain traction. About a year and a half in, I landed my first large client and from there, things steadily grew.
As word-of-mouth spread, more clients began trusting me to guide their events – from conception all the way to the last call. Along the way, I invested in software and back-end tools to streamline processes and elevate the client experience. These continual improvements, paired with my mission to design exceptional, innovative, and elevated meetings and events that create valuable professional experiences, have fueled the growth of Events by Emily.
I’ve also been fortunate to have have been recognized in the industry, earning both the ‘Rising Star Award’ and ‘Planner Member of the Year’ from Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Those moments reinforced that taking the leap into entrepreneurship was the right path and encouraged me to keep pushing for excellence.
Today, I’m proud to be a trusted resource in the Twin Cities for professional, thoughtful, and elevated events. The journey has been full of late nights, last-minute tweaks, and a huge sense of pride at the end of a successful event. At the heart of it all, my focus has remained the same: to make clients feel cared for and confident, while creating events that seem effortless, are memorable, and that create value.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say the road has been perfectly smooth, but it hasn’t been super rocky either. It’s really been a journey of learning and adjusting along the way. The beginning was definitely slower than I anticipated, and like many new business owners, I took on a few clients that turned out not to be the best fit.
Those moments taught me a lot about setting boundaries, trusting my instincts, and refining the type of events I want to do and clients I want to work with. I’ve learned to take any challenges in stride and keep my energy focused on the things I can control. At the end of the day, I see every obstacle as an opportunity to grow, improve, and use past experiences to smooth the path ahead.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Events by Emily, my mission is to design exceptional, innovative, and elevated meetings and events that create valuable professional experiences. I specialize in planning and executing corporate events that feel professional, polished, and stress-free. My focus is on helping organizations host events that not only run smoothly but also leave a lasting impression on their attendees. From conferences and meetings to social gatherings and celebrations, I guide clients through the entire process, from the early brainstorming stages to the very last detail on event day.
I’m known for my ability to balance logistics with creativity, making sure the event experience is seamless while also adding thoughtful touches that elevate it beyond the ordinary. Clients often tell me they appreciate how calm, organized, and approachable I am, especially when things get busy behind the scenes.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with clients. Many of them return year after year, knowing that I’ll anticipate their needs and handle the details so they can stay focused on their guests. Winning awards from MPI has also been an honor. It’s recognition not only of my work, but of the relationships and experiences I’ve built along the way.
What sets me apart is the way I approach events with my clients’ goals at the center. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every event is designed to align with what the client wants to achieve, whether that’s building connections, providing educational content, or celebrating milestones. Pairing that intentional focus with my corporate expertise and commitment to stress-free planning ensures that every event feels both purposeful and elevated.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with resources that keep me sharp and inspired, both personally and professionally. A few books in particular have really influenced how I approach business and life. Below is my go-to library!
– Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: Encourages leading with vulnerability and courage, both in business and in relationships.
– Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: Inspiration to always go above and beyond in client service and create experiences people will never forget.
– Getting Things Done by David Allen: Practical tools for staying organized and focused when juggling a million moving parts.
– Traction by Gino Wickman: How to build structure and systems so my business can grow with intention.
– Start with Why by Simon Sinek: How to ground everything in purpose and vision, which is especially important when designing events around client goals.
– Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: Motivation to take full responsibility and lead with accountability, no matter the situation.
– Good to Great by Jim Collins: Looks at what it takes to not just run a good business, but to build one that’s truly excellent and sustainable.
Once in awhile I’ll stumble across a podcast or blog I enjoy, but most of the time I listen to books. I love getting recommendations and Audible is always playing in my car!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eventsbyemilymn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbyemilymn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventsbyemilymn
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/79336577/admin/dashboard/
