Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia Lockhart.
Hi Virginia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into the event industry was both fun and completely unexpected. At the age of 18, I pursued a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. I’ve always had a deep love for food and creativity. While in school, I joined the Campus Activities Board, and that experience opened my eyes to an entirely new passion. I realized that my love for events wasn’t just inspired by the elaborate, over-the-top parties my mother used to host, but rather by the joy of bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. I found myself fascinated by the way a theme, when executed thoughtfully, could capture a moment and tell a story.
Even as my passion for events grew, the foodie in me couldn’t quite let go of the culinary side. I began working in catering, where I spent over six years developing a deep understanding of how food, service, and atmosphere intertwine to elevate an event. During that time, I continued my involvement with the Campus Activities Board, blending my interests in both hospitality and event coordination.
As life evolved with the arrival of my two children, a few major life transitions, and some personal health challenges my perspective also shifted. I realized that while I loved working in catering, what truly fulfilled me was the creative process behind event design: developing concepts, building the vision, and crafting experiences that would stay with clients long after the event was over. At the same time, I wanted a career that allowed me to nurture both my creativity and my family life.
That realization led me to Florida Event Décor, where I’ve found the perfect balance between artistry and purpose. Here, I have the opportunity to design and tell the story of each event through décor transforming spaces and creating experiences that resonate. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and storytelling, while also allowing me to be the present and engaged mom I’ve always aspired to be.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped who I am today both personally and professionally. One of the biggest hurdles for me was losing myself a bit in life’s challenges and in the early years of motherhood.
Before becoming a mom, I faced one of the most defining moments of my life. At 25, I made the decision to undergo a double mastectomy as a preventative measure due to a gene mutation I carry. It was a decision rooted in responsibility and foresight for my future, but one I approached a bit naively thinking I could simply continue with life as usual without fully understanding the emotional weight it would carry. The physical recovery was manageable, but the mental and emotional healing took much longer.
One of the hardest parts of that healing process was learning how to show up for those who cared about me. I realized that the faster I showed them I was okay, the faster they would begin to feel okay too. In many ways, I felt like I had to lead their healing by example putting on strength even when I didn’t always feel it myself. Selfishly, I wished it worked the other way around, that I could have leaned on their reassurance first. But I’ve come to understand that they needed to see me strong before they could truly accept the changes alongside me. That experience taught me so much about compassion, perspective, and the quiet strength that comes from vulnerability.
Then came motherhood a truly beautiful and life-changing chapter. It has reshaped every part of who I am. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve evolved — the way I move through the world, the way I make decisions, and the way I lead, both at work and in my personal life, all stem from a place of deeper purpose now. As I approach 30, I pray that I can continue to stand firmly in that purpose allowing the constant shifts of motherhood to guide me toward balance, or something close to it. I’ve learned to embrace the challenges as they come and go, trusting that each one has something to teach me. I also recognize that I stand on the shoulders of so many incredible women who have shown me that it is possible to have it all — to be nurturing, ambitious, creative, and grounded all at once.
At the heart of it all, I truly believe that being a mother is what I was put on this earth to do — not just to nurture my children, but to create, to inspire, and to show them what it looks like to live authentically and with purpose. Every challenge has led me to a greater understanding of myself, and that perspective continues to guide everything I do today.
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?
In my work, I specialize in bringing concepts and themes to life through event design and décor. If I had to choose one thing I’d want to be known for, it would be my ability to interpret a theme to take an idea, a vibe, or even a single word and translate it into an immersive experience. I’m a girl who truly loves a theme. There’s something so exciting about taking a creative concept and building it into something that guests can see, feel, and connect with.
What sets me apart is my ability to see the story behind the theme. I don’t just recreate what’s obvious I like to find the deeper layer and then add my own twist to it. For example, during the holidays, we’ve had two different Nightmare Before Christmas-themed events. It’s such an interesting movie because it blends Halloween and Christmas, and I wanted to find ways to highlight the Christmas magic without losing the spooky charm. One event leaned into the eerie side of the story we used lighting, ornaments, trees, and textures inspired by the film to create something that felt both whimsical and haunting. The second event focused on one scene, Of the main character on a carousel. Which led transformation of the space into a Christmas carnival filled with movement, light, and playful energy.
For me, it’s about more than just décor it’s about delivery and emotion. I want every event to tell a story that’s instantly understood by anyone who walks in. Sometimes I admit I get a little wrapped up in the theme, but that’s because I care deeply about creating moments that people remember those “wow” moments that stay with them long after the event is over.
That’s what I’m most proud of taking a concept and turning it into something that feels alive, meaningful, and beautifully executed.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is watching my children grow. The growing part can be a little heartbreaking because time moves so fast — it’s cruel in a way. In the day-to-day, you don’t always notice it happening, but when you look back, you realize just how quickly those moments have passed.
Watching them evolve into their own people, with their unique personalities, curiosity for life, and those hilarious little moments that catch you off guard — that’s what truly fills me with joy. It reminds me that all the chaos, all the long days and late nights, are worth it.
There’s also something really grounding about seeing life through their eyes. They remind me to slow down, to find wonder in the small things, and to stay curious. I think that’s one of the greatest gifts of motherhood — it teaches you to live presently, to appreciate the now, and to find happiness in the simplest, most genuine moments.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ve_lockhart
