Inspiring Conversations with Gequinn Mattox of Yourz by Dezign Events

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gequinn Mattox.

Hi Gequinn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve shared my story many times about how my love for my family and celebrating every special moment with them propelled me into event planning. But now, over the years, it has also become the reason I keep going. After 12 years in the industry, my passion has not diminished. It has actually grown and has been ignited! To this day, it still gives me so much joy to see the smiles on my clients’ faces and the excitement in their eyes when everything comes together. From every single detail of the planning process to the final execution of an event, it makes it all worth it. It’s priceless.

Fast forward to when the pandemic hit. It caused me to take a long hard look at my life. I made me think about what was really important to me and what I wanted for my, and my family’s, future. It was then that I decided to dig my heels in deeper and forge my way through. It was during this time of uncertainty that I decided to do something positive and rebuild myself and pursue my passion and my dreams. I knew that this was something that I wanted to do even after I retired from my full-time job, so I made a commitment to myself and my business and became an LLC company in 2020. I celebrated my decision with a launch party in 2021. It was an amazing event with my family, friends & colleagues.

Even though I’ve been on my own “pursuit of happiness” for living out the life I’ve dreamt of, I want to empower those coming up after me that want to do what I do. I want to show them there is so much gratification that comes from serving others. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows but it is still very gratifying. My deep passion for what I do continues to drive me and my strong faith continues to encourage me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
From the outside, it might seem like a smooth road — and in many ways, I’ve been blessed with amazing opportunities and clients. But the reality is, there’ve definitely been some bumps along the way that helped shape who I am today as a planner and business owner.

One of the first big challenges was managing client expectations. People come in with huge dreams — which is beautiful — but sometimes their budget and timeline don’t align. I had to learn how to gently guide clients toward realistic goals without dimming their excitement. That took a lot of patience, practice and confidence.

Vendor reliability was a big early struggle. When I first started, I worked with some vendors who didn’t always deliver what they promised, and as the planner, I had to problem-solve in real time. Finding vendors that shared the same work ethic, passion and commitment were non-negotiable. I’ve since built a strong network of trusted professionals, but getting there took trial, error, and some late-night stress! It took a while but I am pleased with my Master Team. That’s what I call us!

Burnout is REAL! I’ve had to come to that realization and I’m happy to say that I’ve implemented “Self-Care Sundays” and I love it! No matter how much I love what I do, I still need time to shut my brain off and allow myself to relax & enjoy my family and doing other things I love.

Pricing my services confidently was a big one. When you’re passionate about what you do, it can be hard to put a number on it. I had to remind myself: I’m not just charging for my time — I’m charging for my expertise, experience, and the peace of mind I bring. That shift changed everything.

Stay humble but firm. Be ready to pivot, and always have a Plan B (I even have a Plan C) — especially on event day! And most importantly: NEVER stop learning. Every event teaches you something new.

The struggles taught me as much — if not more — than the successes. And I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Yourz by Dezign Events?
At Yourz by Dezign Events, we are more than event planners; we are storytellers, crafting narratives through design and experience. Our brand is built on passion, professionalism, and a deep-seated commitment to turning dreams into reality. We want our clients to know that we are here to guide them through every step of the planning process, ensuring a stress-free and memorable journey.

We are known for our creative flair and ability to tailor each event to reflect our clients’ unique style and preferences. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, we specialize in crafting bespoke experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Our offerings include full-service planning and event management services tailored to suit diverse needs and budgets. From initial concept development to on-the-day coordination, we offer a full spectrum of services designed to make your event as seamless and enjoyable as possible. We’re always evolving and finding new ways to serve our clients.

We take immense pride in our reputation for delivering seamless events that resonate with our clients and their guests. Our ability to blend creativity with flawless execution is a testament to our dedication to excellence. We cherish the relationships we build with our clients and the trust they place in us to bring their vision to life.

What truly sets Yourz by Dezign Events apart is our commitment to excellence and innovation. We prioritize creativity and quality in every aspect of event planning, from venue selection and decor to entertainment and catering. Our team brings a fresh perspective to each project, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully curated to exceed expectations.Everything that we do is uniquely “dezigned” for our clients.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Annual family gatherings at the park. Seeing all my family and close friends was a highlight of my childhood. We had huge family on my mother’s side. She was 1 of 12 children! I spent a lot of time with my family for as long as I can remember. THAT was what life was like for me. Spending time with my family was everything to me. We created many beautiful memories that I will reflect on and appreciate for years and years to come!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ybdevents.com
• Instagram: ybd_events
• Facebook: @ybdevents21
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gequinn-mattox/