Event Planning, Entrepreneurship, and Jewish Identity with Abby Neuberger

In this episode of Mamish Mavericks, hosts Maynard and Tov Breslow sit down with Abby Neuberger, the passionate owner and event planner behind Abby's Events. Abby shares her journey from growing up in a vibrant Jewish community to becoming an entrepreneur in the event planning industry. She discusses how her Jewish values, love for community, and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped her business and her approach to creating meaningful, memorable events.---Key Topics Discussed:1. Abby's Journey into Event Planning: - Abby grew up in a Jewish household that valued community, hosting, and bringing people together. - After graduating with a degree in Judaic Studies, she worked in the nonprofit sector, where she honed her skills in community building and event coordination. - In 2022, Abby took a leap of faith and started her own event planning business, *Abby's Events*, with the support of her entrepreneurial family.2. The Role of Values in Business: - Abby’s Jewish upbringing and values play a significant role in how she conducts her business. She emphasizes trust, respect, and creating spaces where people feel a sense of belonging. - Her tagline, From Gatherings to Galas, reflects her belief that every event, whether big or small, follows a similar formula but is unique in its purpose and content.3. Community Development and Event Planning: - Abby sees event planning as a form of community development. Whether it’s a wedding, bar mitzvah, or corporate event, her goal is to create spaces where people feel connected and present. - She also co-founded a nonprofit focused on streamlining Jewish community engagement online, further showcasing her commitment to building and nurturing communities.4. Challenges and Lessons Learned: - As a solo entrepreneur, Abby wears many hats—marketer, salesperson, administrator, and more. She discusses the challenges of running a business alone and the importance of networking and mentorship. - Abby’s biggest hurdle has been building her online presence, including creating a website, but she has found success through word-of-mouth referrals and personal connections.5. Abby’s Connection to Judaism and Israel: - Abby’s Jewish identity and her family’s Israeli roots have deeply influenced her life and career. She has led multiple Birthright trips, helping young Jews connect with Israel and their heritage. - She reflects on how the events of October 7th have strengthened her sense of responsibility to the Jewish community and her desire to foster connections through her work.6. What Makes Abby’s Events Unique: - Abby’s approach to event planning focuses on making the process seamless for her clients and ensuring that every vendor feels respected and valued. - She prides herself on taking the stress off her clients’ shoulders, allowing them to fully enjoy their special moments.7. Future Plans and Aspirations: - Abby has a busy year ahead, with 10 weddings already booked for 2024 and inquiries for 2025. She’s excited to continue growing her business and exploring new opportunities, including the possibility of planning events in Israel.---Key Quotes:- On Community Development: "Community development is about creating spaces where people feel a sense of belonging. It’s about connection, responsibility, and making sure everyone feels seen and heard."*- On Event Planning:"My job is to make sure that when you walk into your event, you can focus on enjoying it, not on the details. That’s what I’m here for."*- On Success: "Success is learning from yesterday, living for today, and hoping for tomorrow. It’s about being proud of the decisions you’ve made and the lessons you’ve learned along the way."*---How to Connect with Abby:- Social Media: Find Abby on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. - Vendor Platforms: Abby is listed on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Bark.com.