Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily McCarty.
Hi Emily, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How I Got Started & How I Got Here Today
Em and Sons Extravagant Events started with my love for my son and my desire to make his special moments unforgettable.
Before becoming a mom in 2020, I never realized how much thought, time, creativity—and money—went into planning every detail of a celebration. When I started planning my son’s birthdays, I quickly became what I like to call a “DIY queen.” I loved researching ideas, creating décor, and watching a vision come to life.
For nearly two years, I constantly heard, “You should do this professionally.” Eventually, I decided to believe in what others were already seeing in me and bet on myself. In May 2022, Em and Sons Extravagant Events was born.
The name Em and Sons is very intentional. I wanted my business name to represent the love that inspired me to start and the legacy I hope to build for the future. My son helped me discover a passion I didn’t know I had, so it only felt right that he remained at the heart of what I was creating.
Our first paid event was a bowling-themed birthday party for a client’s daughter, Zoey. We created a 12-foot red-and-white color-blocked balloon garland with a blue Mylar number six and her name, framed by white curtains and twinkle lights. From there, word of mouth took over. A friend of a friend became another client, and those smaller celebrations eventually led to opportunities I never imagined—including providing event services for a Walmart grand opening.
I’ve built Em and Sons while also working professionally as a Business Operations Specialist in government contracting, so balancing motherhood, my career, everyday life, and entrepreneurship has been a journey of its own.
One of my biggest challenges has been consistency, but it has also taught me one of my greatest lessons: growth doesn’t require perfection. It requires continuing to show up, learning, adjusting, and trying again.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just how much the business has grown. I’m proud of the lessons I’ve learned and the impact I’ve been able to have on my clients. Being trusted with someone’s birthday, milestone, corporate event, or special celebration means being trusted with a memory that matters to them—and I don’t take that lightly.
Em and Sons represents where I started, who inspired me, and the legacy I’m continuing to build. And I truly believe we’re only getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been balance. I’m building Em and Sons while also being a mother and working full-time as a Business Operations Specialist, so learning how to balance all of those responsibilities while still giving my clients the quality and attention they deserve has been a journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Em and Sons Extravagant Events, I consider myself an Event Specialist. I help clients take an idea or theme and turn it into a celebration that feels intentional, personalized, and memorable.
We specialize in luxury balloon garlands, custom backdrops, personalized party favors, linens, and children’s event rentals, including our white kids’ tables and chairs. We also create activity stations that give our younger guests something fun and interactive to enjoy while still complementing the overall look of the event.
What I believe sets Em and Sons apart is our attention to detail and personalization. I don’t want every event to look like something I’ve done before. Even when clients choose a popular theme, I look for ways to add custom details and make the design feel like it was created specifically for them.
I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me. They’re inviting me into some of the moments that matter most to them—birthdays, milestones, family celebrations, and special events—and allowing me to help create the memories that come with them.
For me, it’s more than balloons and backdrops. It’s about creating an experience and making the client feel like their celebration was just as important to me as it was to them
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice is to show up, be yourself, ask questions, and be willing to learn from people who are where you want to be. A mentor doesn’t always have to come from a formal mentorship program; sometimes mentorship develops naturally from a relationship with someone who sees your potential and is willing to share their experiences with you.
I also believe in giving as much as you receive. Support other businesses, share opportunities, make introductions, and celebrate other people’s successes. Some of my best opportunities have come through relationships and word of mouth.
For me, networking is really about connection, not collecting contacts. When you lead with authenticity and genuinely invest in people, the opportunities tend to follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emandsons_extravagantevents_?stkn=ZHFqbWYyOWowcDVx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090902751675&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/em-and-sons-extravagant-events-9b12852a1
