One Hazelwood Company Promises 'Events Above the Rest'

Are you planning a big event in the near future? Maybe you’re getting married, or you’re planning to throw a special party for your favorite kid. In any case, one Hazelwood company says it has you covered in a very elegant way.

Owner Sharonda Ellis has been an event coordinator and professional event decorator for six years. She grew up in Florissant and graduated from Hazelwood East High School. Her husband Charles is a graduate, though Ellis said they didn’t meet until college.

"We're still in the newlywed phase," she said. "We've been married for two years."

Ellis has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Missouri and is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. In 2009, Ellis decided she was done working for others, and she took a leap of faith to open her own business doing exactly what she loves.

“I absolutely love what I do,” Ellis said. “Now that I have finally found my niche, I can't imagine doing anything else.”

That leap led to Events Above the Rest. Located at 7720 N. Lindbergh Blvd., the business offers event coordinating and decorating. Ellis said she came up with the idea in a rather unconventional way.

“The idea for the company came from watching wedding shows on television,” Ellis said. “It seemed like something I would really enjoy doing, so I gave it a try.”

But Ellis is doing more than trying—she’s actually succeeding, and she said it seems to be all because of her high standards and her artistic vision.

“Events Above the Rest offers comprehensive event planning services, perfect for any occasion,” said Casaundra Bronner, the company’s marketing and public relations coordinator. “We specialize in weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, baby showers, anniversaries, special celebrations, dinners and any other type of private event.”

Bronner said that company offers event planning, event décor, ceiling draping, venue selection, vendor liaison services, entertainment booking services and full on-site coordination.

“When you hire us, you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the event,” Bronner said. “We can take care of everything, and you won’t be disappointed.”

Ellis agreed, noting that she believes in excellence in every part of her life.

“If you want a spectacular event that will be remembered for years to come, you can trust in Events Above the Rest to make it happen,” Ellis said. “We bring event dreams to life.”

She said the company also recently opened a division called Kids Events Above the Rest. It specializes in parties and events for children.

“We cover it all from invitations, activities, favors and gifts,” Kids Events Above the Rest’s page reads. “Our unique and creative themes are sure to be a hit at your child's next party.”

Bronner also owns her own company, Conversation Pieces, and Ellis often purchases Bronner’s baked creations for her events.

Plan of Success Contest

The Events Above the Rest team recently entered a six-week long competition for small business owners in St. Louis.

“Each week, the contestants get a chance to showcase different business talents while trying to avoid elimination,” Bronner said. “The grand prize at the end of the competition includes an office space that will be free of charge for one year.”

She said that voters can go to www.plan-of-success.com each week to vote for their favorite company to move to the next round, unless the company achieves immunity by winning the weekly challenge.

"We believe we are a major threat to win the competition because mediocrity is not in our vocabulary, only excellence," Ellis said.

To learn more about Events Above the Rest, check out the company’s website or Facebook page.