Transforming a client’s vision into a picture-perfect event is nothing short of an art form—and at Loft 84, this level of creativity and flawless execution is a regular occurrence.
Owner and CEO Shelby Lynne Worthington-Loomis fondly recalls the road to realizing her true calling.
“I have been an entrepreneur for thirty years,” she says. “I started with many small businesses, including hot dog carts, real estate, and bartending. I ended up finding myself most happy in the field of hospitality.”
Despite owning a nightclub and several restaurants, it wasn't until she attended a family wedding that she realized event planning was a perfect fit for her skillset.
“A friend of mine asked me to help her figure out the best and highest use for a building, and through partnerships, strong women, and imagination, that’s how I ended up with my first venue,” she says—and the rest was history.
Fast-forward to the present, now a decade later, and Loft 84 is a full-service company that handles events of all kinds with precision, including gourmet catering with refined cuisine delicious and inspired dishes, photo booths, rentals, florals, DJs & coordinators.
Essentially, if you can dream it, Loft84 can achieve it, resulting in a portfolio of highly satisfied clients and hundreds of happy memories made.
Shelby takes great pride in the thriving, BBB-accredited business she’s built, noting what sets it apart from the competition.
“Our attention to detail and customer service is unmatched,” she says. “Even though we throw large-scale events, we have consistently returning clientele—some families even consider it a tradition to host some or all of their events with us.”
Another part of what makes Loft84 unique is Shelby’s ability to draw inspiration from the historical aspect of her various venues to craft a truly special celebration, as well as the exotic locations she’s encountered on her travels throughout the years.
Coupled with her client’s vision, each event is carefully shaped into an extraordinarily fabulous event.
Even with the most meticulous planning and highly trained team in place, however, things don’t always go to plan.
Flexibility, a positive attitude, and the ability to think on your feet are all key components to building and running a successful event planning business—a concept with which Shelby is very familiar.
Shelby’s mantra includes two crucial quotes that help keep her eyes on the prize—"Make it a great day' because life is what you MAKE of it,” she explains, and "Teamwork makes the dream work,’ because no successful person could do it without a positive support team behind them.”
While she’s clearly focused on her business, Shelby emphasizes the importance of keeping a healthy work-personal life balance.
“Always have a happy medium. It helps you really enjoy what you do,” she says.
As for the future of Loft 84, Shelby’s goals are client-centered—hosting as many events as possible at her array of venues and assisting clients whose events were postponed due to the pandemic with getting back on track with their plans.
“We are close by and offer lots of venues to meet all kinds of event styles,” she says. “We would love to help you plan any type of event, making it the most memorable experience of your life.”
