Maybe it’s the increasing prominence
of event planners in the media, but when 11-year-old Sophie LaBell
from Waldwick, N.J., designed a business card for herself recently,
she listed “party organizer” as her occupation, in a deep shade of
pink, beside a purple heart.
Her work to this point has been pro
bono: an elementary school graduation party for her and her
friends; her birthday party; a Halloween shindig.
Sophie’s celebrations are developing a
signature. The same menu (predominantly hamburgers and hot dogs),
theme (sports) and activities (capture the flag, mummy wrap
contests) keep resurfacing.
“I think she could be a great event
planner,” her proud father, Paul, opines. For her part, she says,
“I like to have the parties.”
Someday Sophie will look back on her
early planning days and realize she had the best gig in the
business: organizing events as an excuse to party, and making Dad
foot the bill. Return on investment isn’t yet in her
vocabulary.