I’m a global event planner, coach, and travel enthusiast who believes that no occasion is too small to celebrate in grand style. 

hey, I'm bennell!

...a college degree, 13 law school applications (and subsequent rejection letters), an economy in shambles (thank you financial crisis of 2008), and suddenly all my years of hard work to head to law school had seemingly vanished overnight. 

With the job market tanking and post graduate jobs being the furthest thing from a guarantee, I had two (not so great) options. 1) rack up six-figures worth of student loan debt for graduate school OR 2) completely pivot away from the career goal I'd been working towards my entire life and try something completely different and pray to the high heavens it all worked out. 

Cue the dramatic music. 

the law career that wasn't...

My journey to becoming an event planner didn't start out in any sort of conventional way.  As I sat in my living room in 2010 contemplating my life choices — as I devoured a bowl of Truffle Mac and Cheese — this career path was the last thing I imagined I'd end up doing. 

How a bowl of Mac and Cheese changed everything...

Shortly after learning that law school wouldn’t be an option for me and being diagnosed with cancer a mere 6 months after landing my dream job
(…talk about a major plot twist), I decided to pivot in the most unexpected of ways. Taking the skills I’d cultivated over the years in logistical planning, project management and event design and production, I decided to launch a full-time career as an event planner.   

You're probably thinking by this point, okay great Bennell, but what does any of this have to do with event planning? 

MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT "PERSON" IN MY LIFE

My dog Lexie

I’m a firm believer in the idea that you can exist in a world of AND. You don’t have to choose between being a phenomenal planner or spending time with your family – you get to have both. Sound too good to be true? I’m living proof that it’s not. 

I was doing everything I thought I should be doing to run my business but barely having any profits to show for it. I knew I was great at my craft but didn’t know how to price my services to align with the value I delivered to my clients.  That was until, I learned the tools I needed to get to the next level.

That’s why I’m committed to coaching and helping other event planners borrow the lessons I learned the hard way, so they create an events business that is not only fulfilling but profitable and sustainable. You work too hard, sacrificing so much time away from the things and people you love to not have a bank account that reflects the true value of the absolute artistry that is event planning.  

I can’t wait to connect with you to help you have the business you’ve always dreamed of having. 

now, i help other event planners do the same.

it wasn't always this way though. FIVE YEARS AGO, I WAS OVERWORKED, OVERWHELMED, UNDERPAID AND RUNNING ON FUMES… 

After battling cancer twice and gaining an entirely new perspective along the way, I decided I didn’t want to plan ordinary events. Instead, I wanted to create a brand that delivered experiences that were as exquisite, luxurious, and stunning as the events I grew up attending and being inspired by growing up in New York City. 

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary, is that little extra.

ICED CARAMEL COFFEE

can't live without

CRAZY RICH ASIANS 

Favorite Event Design Movie

PLEASE, HELP IT MAKE SENSE!

Favorite Phrase

LUXURIOUS SCENTS 

Obsessed With

miss me with

early mornings
inconsiderate people 
bland food
small talk
poor grammar 

I'M NOT ABOUT

deep conversations
window over aisle 
color coding
travel adventures
food truck tacos

yes, all day

I'm ALL ABOUT

A look back on the past decade-ish

The year when a bowl of Mac & Cheese, 13 law school rejection letters and an unexpected cancer diagnosis took my career path from courtrooms to ballrooms. My introduction to event planning, however, would come in an unconventional way.

2010

Deeply steeped in the world of nonprofit work and celebrating a clean bill of health, I took on a role that had me traveling every two weeks, over 65,000 miles a year and planning over 10 events each quarter. This role would shape my love for and skill in, event planning and logistics.

2012

Living out of a suitcase for 3 years was exciting until it wasn’t, and a calmer, less stressful way of life was in order. Right as I was getting ready to transition into a new role…PLOT TWIST! Cancer diagnosis #2 (relapse) happened and turned everything on its head. 

2015

The official medical tally was now Bennell – 2 Cancer – 0. A renewed clean bill of health and a new role that saw me designing and producing record-breaking galas for nonprofits, I began to envision launching a company that would produce unique event experiences for private clients. 


2018

Spain - the solo trip that changed everything. Between endless tapas, far too many photos of the Sagrada Familia, and countless God whispers that provided confirmation of what my next big move should be, the idea for LaPorte & Company was birthed in Barcelona. Two weeks after my return to the States I officially handed in my resignation. 

2019

humble beginnings!

Ideas to Dreams... Now, Reality!

A mere eight months into the launch of LaPorte & Company, the entire events industry was brought to its knees with 5 letters and 2 numbers…COVID-19. Gripped with global uncertainty, this year proved far too eventful, in more ways than one, for our company. Biggest realization? Virtual events are NOT our jam. 

2020

With more events to plan than there are days in the week to cover them, I can’t wait to see what magic we create next. We’re just getting started…

2022

The trip that changed it all. Checking Barcelona off my bucket list and making some major life changes.

Come hang out with me as I share my musings on all things business, lifestyle, events and more. 

Browse the Blog

Learn insider tips and tricks to take your events from mediocre to marvelous, in 15 minutes or less. 

Check out my Podcast

WHERE TO NEXT?