My company & title is…Amici Catering & Events. I am the CEO/Chief Event Officer (and co-owner).
A typical day in my life includes… In no particular order… 300 phone calls (maybe it only feels that way) with clients, rental companies, entertainment and production companies, and food vendors; A venue site check for some fabulous gala; Trying a new chef creation, like seven different variations of lemon foam; Creating and reviewing 20+ proposals for upcoming events; A menu tasting for an impassioned wedding couple.
My favorite thing about living/working in the Scottsdale North area is… There are plenty of “stops” for Pokémon Go.
My favorite movie I could never get tired of watching and why… I love the movie Gross Pointe Blank – fast dialogue and an 80’s sound track gets me every time.
My family… Owns my heart. I have three fabulous men in my life! Scott, my husband and business partner, and our two sons Christopher and Mikey. Together we laugh a lot, solve world problems, and see way too many superhero movies (that last part may be only my opinion.)
The business lesson I learned the hard way is… Always have a back up plan. Being creative, and thorough can only take you so far if your entertainer is stuck in an ice storm on the tarmac or the farmers are on strike.
One thing I cannot live without… A hot bath, preferably with bubbles. There is nothing better for helping me hit the reset button from a challenging day. Just give me three or four magazines, a scented candle, and life is all good again.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… A Coroner/Crime Solver. Don’t ask me why, but when I was 13 years old I thought being the next female “Quincy” was my calling.
The song I would sing at Karaoke night is… “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz. Of course, I would also include full ‘head banging’ choreography.
The one person who motivates me is… My husband, for sure. He is, and always has been the hardest working, most integrity filled man I have ever known. My respect for him makes me want to work harder, be smarter and give more to those around me.
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was… An episode of First We Feast ‘Hot Ones’ with Jim Gaffigan. Call me warped but watching people react to food is one of my favorite past times.
The perfect day would be… Hmm, I would say a July day at the beach with family and friends. Plenty of volleyball games, followed by a p.m. bonfire and maybe a scary ocean swim… perfectly exhausting
My first job was… A summer waitressing job in the small resort town of Trinity, California (Population: 206)
My life… Is busy and ever changing. Some days I wonder what it would be like to work in a factory, Monday-Friday from 9-5. I think the routine would be comforting and the steady schedule would leave me more time for friends, craft projects and exercise. Having control of the pace of my schedule would be a luxury.
I’m currently working on… It’s “party day” in the Amici office. I am currently researching and creating proposals for a Luau themed birthday party, a Studio 54 corporate party, and two holiday events – Jersey Boys and Twisted Xmas.
The best gift I’ve ever received was… A flannel shirt from my best friend (and now husband’s) closet. He gave it to me to wear the day we fell in love, and I still have it 26 years later.
The actor I would want to play me in a movie of my life is… Without a doubt, Khaleesi from Game of Thrones. But in my version, my giant Newfi dog Wonder would replace the dragons.
My dream vacation would be to… Go to Africa with my family. I have been working on them for a couple of years. So far, they do not share my dream.
My words of wisdom to aspiring business owners… It doesn’t matter what career path you choose if you love it. Great things come when your work life and your passion overlap each other. Have pride in what you do. Finding motivation and contributing to others are easier when you have the security in knowing your talents match your profession.
