Melissa McAvoy Founder of Luxury Experience & Co is the ultimate connector, known for creating exclusive experiences for her clients, while introducing new consumers, celebrities, influencers and pro athletes to their brands. She has found a way to give brands a unique experience interacting with talent on a more personal basis.
FWM: You have created a unique niche in growing your client’s brand through Celebrity Gift Lounges and strategic marketing campaigns. What do you love the most about your work?
After many years working on the Public Relations and Business Development with brands, I found a niche in the Celebrity, Pro Athlete, Influencer, and Press Gifting Lounge field. I found a way to give brands a unique experience interacting with talent on a more personal basis. Luxury Experience & Co creates a fun experience in which talent gets to spend time and be gifted by brands, all a while building their relationship ongoing.
FWM: You have been hugely successful in introducing new consumers with celebrities, influencers, and pro athletes. Share your backstory.
I have worked with such brands as Rolls-Royce, Bloomingdale’s, and Piaget to name a few. With that, we built relationships with their celebrity clients and wanted to bring a higher level of connecting their clients with multiple brands in an exclusive setting. With many gifting lounges and events out there, LE & Co has a unique niche to bring in and blend many different brands with a special experience.
FWM: As a Change Maker, what changes have you made to your business as a result of COVID-19?
LE & Co like many other companies had to pivot in not having the temporary opportunity for live events. We created our Virtual Gifting Lounges to continue to collaborate and connect brands and talent from the safety of their own home.
FWM: Share a few exciting client projects.
One client that we’ve taken on is UV Concepts. UV Concepts is the first and only ecosystem solution designed to improve the manual cleaning and disinfection process for non-critical portable medical equipment. We’re excited to partner and have them at our Celebrity & Athlete Gifting Lounge at the upcoming 2021 Super Bowl. We’re excited to not only take the current COVID-19 situation on and through our events, introduce and show how the NFL for example can learn and experience how they can keep their players safe on and off the field. This will set the stage while blending this innovative brand with all our other amazing brands from trips, wellness packages, apparel, luxury automobiles, and many more exciting brands that are gifted to the talent we have selectively chosen to attend.
FWM: What attracts clients to you? What do you look for in a client?
Our business has always been about looking outside the box and giving brands more than just an event. We work with each brand before and after each event to grow their brand in both a B2B and B2C awareness and like-minded partnerships.
What we look for in the clients/brands we work with is a fresh and unique message. We’re very selective in what type brands we work with as we’re introducing them to not just talent, but press as well. We also have to look at our talent and press as well and what they’re looking for in brands they want to meet and possibly work with after each event.
FWM: Share your perspective on how to build a successful brand.
I believe with social media holding such a high level of importance, a brand needs to have a strong approachable message. It’s all about telling the story and why a brand’s story will connect with a diverse audience. In any brand category, the competition is endless and brands need to have that passion that shows why they are the “must-have” brand. Many times I’ve seen great brands that have a great product, but the experience and message is missing.
FWM: How have you evolved as an Entrepreneur? What advice do you have for young people?
Being a woman-owned business, I have found I’ve grown in looking outside the box as I work with such a broad base of clients. I honestly find the excitement in learning about our clients and helping them find new ways to bring brand awareness to their products and services.
I take great pride in working with young people and walking them through our process. Many companies think just to bring on interns, give them basic tasks, but what I think is important is that young people understand and be aggressive in asking to be a part of the process. Ask many questions, ask to be more involved, and always think outside of the box in what they can bring to a project. Also, connections start now! The more you can connect, reach out, and ask questions and learn about companies is a powerful tool. Having a strong database is key to jumping out as a young Entrepreneur.
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/luxuryexperiencecollc/
LinkedIN – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamcavoy/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LuxuryExperienceCo/
