Iris Lezi Munguambe, Mozambique’s wedding and event planner extraordinaire — Lionesses of Africa

Lioness Weekender spoke to founder Iris Lezi Munguambe to find out more about her entrepreneurial journey, her impact as a job creator, and how she has turned her  passion into a successful and growing business. 

When did your start your business?: 

I started my business when I was 23 years old, but my love for events has been in existence for more than 10 years. I have always loved to organize events, small events, school events etc, since I was a teenager. In my first company when I was 18 years old, I planned children’s parties and worked with all the stationery. I always loved to interact with people and help them to realize their unique dream days. It was always a pleasure and honour to make them come true.

What does your company do?

We work with dreams. When couples come to our office, we hear what they have in mind for their big day. We sell the best services of our suppliers and partners, we deal with quotations and identify what’s better in terms of meeting set budgets for our clients, helping them to make a monthly budget plan. After everything has been decided, we start writing the event program, preparing the check lists, and calling all the suppliers to align and to see if everything is ready for the big event day. When the day finally comes, we deal with all the processes planned during the preceding months. We receive the guests and make sure that things are at least 90% of what was expected and planned, from the decorations to the opening of the dance floor.

What inspired you to start your company?

I have always loved happy endings, and that movie “The Wedding Planner”, that day, made me realize that I can live them daily. I never heard about the business of wedding planning before watching the movie. Instead I always saw family members organizing their relatives weddings, never someone else doing everything for them, ensuring a stress free event planning experience. From that day onwards, I knew I was made for this business. I’m inspired by me, for I believe in the words, ” Yes I do.”

Why should anyone use your service or product?

In business, I think one of the biggest secrets for ensuring a special product or service offering is created, is the way you treat your clients. My clients become family and friends to us. We speak every day, over a long period of time as a result of the planning process. That bond is special, that’s why one of the first things I do before signing any contract, is to feel the good vibration and excitement from them about my business, Mariée, and what they expect from us. Thats when ‘Magic’ happens. We deal with a lot of varied emotions as part of this planning process, and nothing is more important than being sensitive and to empathize with others’ event dreams.

Tell us a little about your team

Mariée has with 16 employees. Me as the planner, 1 supervisor, 2 technicians, 12 receptionists. We are all passionate about what we do, we have the same purpose. We make sure everything on the big event day is going to be exactly as planned. Thank God, we all love seeing happiness in our clients faces. We are blessed to have each other.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I started young when I was just 18, and 13 years later I’m still dealing with the same type of business. I always loved to be financially independent, and to work with my imagination since I was young. I dreamed every party before it even happened. I have an Uncle who inspires me, he owns a business, and to see his daily struggle to achieve, thats a true blessing and inspiration for me. I have more people who are on  the same entrepreneurial journey and they inspire me every day.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I’m glad I’m here today, I’m glad I never gave up on my dream. But I would like to be in every province of my country, or maybe to start organizing international events or even just be a point of expert reference in this business. 

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Knowing that I am inspiring a lot of people in my country, and seeing people believe in me and the benefits of having Mariée in their events. Till today I get emotional.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Dear women, please don’t give up on your dreams. Start today, with whatever you have. Remember that you can be a reason someone didn’t give up on their dream.

To find out more about the work of Mariée Eventos Lda, contact Iris via email:  mariee.weddingplanner@outlook.com or via Facebook: http://www.instagram.com/mariee_eventos/