Influential Woman · Event Production
Michelle Bethea
Operations Assistant, The Harrelson Center
Wilmington, NC 28412
Her Story
About Michelle
Michelle Bethea is an event producer and the owner of Elite Occasions by Michelle, based in Wilmington, North Carolina. She has five years of experience in her field, having started as a luxury picnic planner before expanding into full event production for weddings, birthday parties, and other social events with added expertise in design. Bethea holds a bachelor's degree from Grand Canyon University, an event and wedding design certificate from the Institute of Wedding and Event Design (iWed), and a certificate of completion from the Behind the Flowers Workshop with Tori Williams. In addition to her business, she works at the Harrelson Center, a nonprofit campus that supports 20 organizations by providing low-cost rent and event space, and she assists with community outreach to secure donations. Bethea attributes her success to her faith and relationship with God, remaining faithful to her church and drawing encouragement from her pastors. She values treating people with respect without judgment and running her business in a way that aligns with her Christian principles.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Michelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith and relationship with God. I am faithful to church and have great pastors. Whenever I feel discouraged or want to do things on my own, God speaks through them in church and tells me to keep going. He has me, and that keeps me going even when I feel like giving up.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Understand who your target audience is. Just because you can do something nice, you have to know who you're trying to market it to, because everybody won't be your customer, and you can't let that offend you or change your mind about what you're supposed to do.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Understand who your target audience is. Just because you can do something nice, you have to know who you're trying to market it to, because everybody won't be your customer, and you can't let that offend you or deteriorate your motives. Find who that is and market towards that person.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My relationship with God and Christian values. Treating people with respect without judging, following God in how I run my business, and understanding that God is watching how I treat people.
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