Molly Klein
“As an event strategist and planner, all I want is for my clients to hit, and ideally surpass, their goals. In my industry, it’s common to just focus on event logistics, but ticking boxes doesn’t help businesses scale. I immerse myself in my clients’ mission, culture, and vision to create events that generate revenue and inspire.”
What do you do professionally?
I am the Founder and CEO of Perk Events, a corporate event strategy and planning company.
Tell me about your path to get where you are today. How did you get into that type of work?
In a nutshell, I’m an event planner turned CMO turned event planner.
But, of course the journey wasn’t that streamlined. I actually started out working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. I was with a big television production company for a few years, then ended up working as a celebrity assistant. It was in that role that I got my first taste of event planning. I discovered that the fundamental skill set required to be a successful planner was innate to me.
I eventually moved in-house to a $500M+ AmLaw 100 law firm and grew their annual event capacity from 50 to 150 within two years. I sat in the marketing department and eventually moved into senior marketing roles, where I continued to hone my event-led growth chops. I eventually became Chief Marketing Officer until I left to start Perk Events about a year ago.
What is your professional superpower?
Communication. I’m hyper-responsive, obsessively organized in all of my comms, and am always seeking to predict questions from an audience.
How has that superpower contributed to your professional success?
Honestly, it baffles me how low the communication bar is. You’d be surprised how far just simply responding to people will get you. On any given day, I’m corresponding with clients, vendors, team members, and everyone in between - so, having excellent customer service skills, anticipating needs, using a clear voice, and having a calm demeanor is crucial.
If I were to ask your clients, manager, employees, etc. what it’s like to work with you, what would they say?
They would probably say that I can sometimes be too rigid and direct, but that I’m incredibly supportive, open, and full of ideas (not necessarily a fun thing for my team, ha).
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Starting my current business, Perk Events. I am an inherently risk averse person. I never thought of myself as entrepreneurial, but I stumbled upon a moment in my life that pushed me to make the leap. And I will never look back!
Describe the business impact you’ve driven for your clients.
All I want is for my clients to hit, and ideally surpass, their goals. Truly. In my industry, it’s common to just focus on event logistics, but ticking boxes doesn’t help a business scale. I immerse myself in my clients’ mission, culture, and vision to create events that generate revenue and inspire employees. My personal goal is for my clients to recommend me without hesitation.
What person or organization do you most admire professionally and why?
My dear friend, Lynn Loacker. Lynn is the Managing Director of Project W, an organization I worked with that accelerates the growth of women-led businesses. She is fully committed to her cause, she walks the walk, and is just a really cool, interesting person.
In what ways are diverse perspectives good for business?
This feels like an obvious answer, but without different perspectives, you’re just maintaining the status quo. There’s no growth to be had, especially today, in saturating your team with sameness. In my line of work, I find inspiration everywhere and from everyone. I have to. Events are a marketing tool, and my clients are paying me to reach an extremely diverse set of audiences across them.
Is there anything we didn’t ask that you wish we would have? Or anything else you’d like to add?
I have to admit, I’m pulling this from a LinkedIn post I wrote. In 2023 I made the massive, life-altering change to leave my in-house job to start my own company and here are want to share some things I learned that year:
The pivot you're afraid of is not nearly as scary as you think it's going to be (take it from someone who's as type-a and anxious as a human can be).
Putting limits on screen-time is not just for kids.
There's a whole world outside of your bubble and it has some pretty cool people in it (trust me, you're in a bubble, you just don't know it).
Those that most deserve your time and respect should get it. Make an effort if it doesn't come naturally.
Don't be scared of AI (yet). Learn about it. NOW.
Experiences > things
Don't let pride get in curiosity's way.
White Lotus is one of the best shows ever.
Talk to people about things that are hard to talk about.
Sleep is a precious commodity.
Contact Molly
LinkedIn Website Email: molly (at) helloperkevents (dot) com
Email hello@trovecommunity.com or contact us for an introduction.
