Carol Brancatella
Events By Carol
Carol is one of those ‘go getter’ people. Always busy but never too busy to help out. She is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm and has recently started her own business ‘Events by Carol’.
Why did you start your business?
The lovely story is that Monique, Carol’s daughter was the one who encouraged her Mum to start her own business. Carol was already helping people out with parties and functions and Monique and some of Carols’ friends were emphatic that she should become more ‘official’.
Monique is obviously a businesswoman in the making, as it was her that named the business, made Carol register it, and then set up her Instagram page.
Why Is your Business Successful?
Carol feels that her success is due largely to the fact that she absolutely enjoys her work and that vibe and enthusiasm are passed on to her clients.
Carol’s main focus is her balloon installations and the fact that she has been one of the first installing the new balloon artistry that we see has meant that she is in demand.
All of her work has been through word of mouth from happy clients.
Carol uses good quality product that she imports and also offers schools and charities a great deal on her services.
Challenges
Most of Carol’s challenges revolve around her actually doing the physical work to get the installations done.
She feels that venues don’t allow enough time for the whole process., for example measuring up for centrepieces, bumping in, blowing up balloons and installing. She can have trouble finding parking as she needs to unload all of her hardware etc. And of course, fitting blown up balloons in a car!
There are also formalities to meet with various venues such as filling out induction forms. The fact that she uses gas cylinders means she has to provide extensive details on these such as supplier, storage etc.
Why Support Marcellin?
And support Marcellin she does, being on both the MCCA and Rugby committees.
Carol feels invested in Marcellin as not only is it the school her son (James Year 11) attends, but her husband Sandro (OC ’92) also came here. She feels part of the community and loves it. She thinks volunteering allows her to see a little bit behind the scenes and for example get an insight into where the money raised by the MCCA and Rugby goes to.
She also gets a chance to speak to various Old Collegians and loves hearing about their experiences and how much they love their old school.
Fun Facts:
Nickname a school: Buck
Favourite subject: Media Studies
Favourite Holiday Destination: New York
TV show you’d like to appear on: Home and Away
Favourite canteen food: Pineapple donut
Favourite singer: Madonna
Famous person you’d like to meet: Oprah
AFL team: Collingwood (in fact a Collingwood game was Carol’s first date with husband Sandro)
Car: Porsche
Cats or Dogs: Dogs