We had the good fortune of connecting with Marija Babic and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Marija, why did you pursue a creative career?
After being in the Corporate world for over a decade and becoming successful in my accomplishments, my soul yearned for a creative outlet as an escape from “the ordinary”.
Sure, my Corporate career is very rewarding, and it should be valued for this tremendous fact. But if you’ve ever clocked in at your job and thought, I am so much more than this, they you are probably right…which was my case!
I find myself to be an imaginative, talented and passionate female who spent bulk of my time in a career that I did not find inspiring even though it was very rewarding. But the good news is, it is never too late to reach beyond and find that lost, untapped artist that may be lurking under your sensible career choice.
It was not easy. I currently still juggle my Corporate job and run a pretty successful business. But I feel lucky to be able to do both of these things, and it is why I think people working uninspiring jobs can find their creative outlets or even monetize their passions with hard work and dedicated focus.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been passionate about creating something grand and bringing dreams and visions to life. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do so every day through event planning and petal arrangements. It’s about so much more than just the business tasks and the flowers; it’s about creating a soft statement piece that encapsulates the essence of your most cherished moments.
Working in floral arrangements became my passion and my creative outlet after shadowing my mother who has been a floral designer for over a decade. It’s a way to escape the monotony of life by arranging a memory in a single moment that will last a lifetime. Through La Fête, I get to help people do that, which brings me a great deal of joy. I enjoy networking and meeting new people, hearing their stories, and building new relationships.
Throughout these experiences, I created strong relationships as well as a keen eye for small details. A natural social butterfly, I flourished in the art of networking and nurturing these connections which became pivotal in the inception and thus far success of La Fête.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite Spots in the City!
As far as dining goes, Doris Metropolitan, Le Colonial, Marmo, Uchi, Ume, Bludorn and Brasserie 19 are my go-to without a doubt!
Cocktails…say less!
Clarkwood, MAD, the bar at Doris Metropolitan, Julep, the upstairs of Le Colonial and the bar at the Four Seasons Hotel!
Fitness…because we got to keep moving…
RYDE River Oaks – CJ’s class in particular will leave you crawling out of the studio in all the good ways
Boost Pilates
Memorial Park 3-mile loop for a nice Texas Heat sweat sesh and the new park renovations are stunning so it will be a pretty scenic jog!
The Museum of Fine Arts on a Sunday is lovely.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had many incredible leaders and mentors throughout my lifetime and career that i will forever be indebted to, but my biggest mentors are my parents and always will be and that will never change. I have admired my father and mother for leaving our home back in 1997 to escape a grueling civil war from former Yugoslavia in order to provide a brighter future for me and our family. My parents were fairly young when we came to America and did not know a single word of English. They left everything behind and came with two suitcases and $1,000 in their pockets. They knew that I would not have a future back home given the unfortunate circumstances. They worked hard their entire lives to put me through college and provide all possible tools in order for me to be successful. My father has always instilled in me the importance of putting in the work and always pushing forward no matter the obstacles that life may throw your way. I grew up with very little in my life but I always knew that I wanted to make someone out of myself…I wanted to make my parents proud! Everything that I have accomplished and that I am going to accomplish is because of the values and hard work that my parents have transferred over to me from them. This shoutout is solely for both of them!
Website: www.lafetehtx.com
Instagram: @lafetehtx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lafetehtx
Other: hello@lafetehtx.com