Tara, Caroline and Allison welcome florist and event designer David DiCicco of DiCicco Designs. David shares his path from a finance background into event design, explains the difference between event planning (logistics) and event design (tangible elements), and describes leaving Mark Hall Design after six years to start his own business in 2019. He reflects on launching just before COVID, noting he had low overhead and spent that summer in Provincetown. The conversation explores work-life balance in lifestyle businesses, David’s need for periodic creative breaks, and how inspiration can arrive unpredictably. David discusses collaborating without ego, relying on his team—especially Eric and Andrew—and thriving on high-pressure event timelines. He outlines budget-first client conversations and explains how modern event aesthetics are becoming more residential, incorporating elements like banquette seating, sconces, artwork, tapestries, and custom woodwork, with design treated as an integrated, math-driven whole.

Visit https://diciccodesign.com/

Topics

00:34 Meet David DiCicco

01:28 Outfit Talk and Style

02:19 From Finance to Events

03:48 Launching Then COVID

04:43 Work Life Balance Reset

06:19 Creative Process and Collaboration

07:56 Deadlines Stress and Team

09:26 Budgets Pricing Reality

11:28 Residential Style Event Design

14:00 Trust Authenticity and Results

14:42 Wrap Up and Tease Next