When Ashley Gallon planned her own wedding in just six months — stress-free and fully designed by her — it confirmed something she had long suspected: she had a gift for creating memorable experiences. That realization helped launch Curated Experiences, her Nacogdoches, Texas-based event planning service.

At first, Ashley focused on events for friends and family. But as word spread, so did her ambitions. Today, she plans everything from birthday parties and weddings to baby showers, retirement celebrations, and full-service events for out-of-town clients. She recently coordinated a 90th birthday party, managing every detail — from booking the venue to hiring the band.

“I’ve always wanted to help people,” Ashley said. “And I’ve found that through Curated Experiences.”

While she admired the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandparents — both small business owners in nearby Lufkin — her own path wasn’t immediately clear. She tried jobs in child protective services, hospitality, and food service, but it wasn’t until she began designing events that she felt truly fulfilled.

Still, the creative side came much easier than the business side.

By the time Ashley connected with Trent Thomason from Communities Unlimited in September 2024, she had the legal foundation in place but needed guidance to take the next step. Trent, a Management Consultant on CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, began working with her through a program funded by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.

Together, they organized her accounting system, then built out a marketing plan and business model canvas. Along the way, Trent helped her gain clarity on pricing, target audiences, and her unique position in the local event space market.

One of the biggest breakthroughs came when they tackled her discomfort with sales. Ashley often tried to meet clients’ budgets — even at a cost to her own business. But after refining her approach, she shifted to a more consultative model, focusing on solving clients’ problems rather than underselling her services. Soon after, she began closing new clients using her updated strategy.

A visible sign of that progress was her ribbon cutting with the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce on May 22.

“That was my chance to officially introduce myself and show people what I do,” Ashley said. Without a storefront — a brick-and-mortar space remains a long-term goal — she said the event was a way to build credibility and connect with the community.

She’s also become more active in networking — something she once avoided.

Looking ahead, Ashley sees Curated Experiences continuing to grow.

“Celebrations don’t stop,” she said. “This is a service people will always need. I feel like I’ve found something that can take me as far as I want to go.”