Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I started my business in 2017.
My first big event was B.o.B‘s album release party.
I knew after that event that I wanted to do this full time.
Since starting my business I have expanded my services to offer my own line of candy hookah tips, event staffing, bartenders, event furniture, and we will soon start hosting our own pop-up events.
I first got into hookahs while in school at Georgia State University where the local hookah shop was Anatolia Cafe & Hookah Lounge.
I liked the quality of their hookahs and I saw an opportunity to bring hookahs to private events.
I was a hospitality and business major, so events were already something I was very familiar with.
I started the business with two of my college friends.
One of them was from the Middle East and knew a lot about the traditions and culture of hookah.
My other partner had connections with social groups that gave us our first events.
After college I took a break from the hookah business and pursued a career in hotels and event staffing.
During this time I would still get calls from previous clients asking me to do private parties for them.
After working many long hours in hotels, I realized I enjoyed doing events on my own, so I relaunched my business in 2021.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been ups and downs all along the way.
When I first started I did not know all the techniques to make the hookahs run correctly if something went wrong, so in the beginning there was a lot of trial and error.
But now I know how to fix any hookah from looking at it from across a room.
I also had a learning curve in the beginning setting my pricing and getting business during slow months. I am fortunate to have friends that are also in the hookah business that I am able to bounce ideas off.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
Caterpillars Doorway can provide all your event needs from hookah rentals, bartenders, event staff and more.
We service all types of events such as wedding receptions, private parties, event spaces, lounges, and restaurants. What makes us different is our staff, experience and high-quality hookahs and supplies. We are not just a hookah service but a one stop shop for your event needs.
We have a large menu of flavors and add ons. We also can accommodate almost any budget by offering different levels of service. From a simple hookah drop off to a full service event where we bring the furniture, staff, and decorations.
We are most proud of our staff and quality of our hookahs. All of our staff enjoy taking events to the next level by delivering great service no matter the budget.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One lesson I have learned is to take quick action when clients reach out.
My goal is to give a full service experience from the first call, email, or text.
I find that the more attention I give clients when they first reach out the smoother the events go, and the happier the clients are at the end.
I also learned the Importance of keeping a pulse on the market in order to learn about the innovations in the industry. When I first started there were only two types of hookah bowls now there are +100. My goal is to make the hookah experience great for my clients here in Atlanta.
I started my business in 2017.
My first big event was B.o.B‘s album release party.
I knew after that event that I wanted to do this full time.
Since starting my business I have expanded my services to offer my own line of candy hookah tips, event staffing, bartenders, event furniture, and we will soon start hosting our own pop-up events.
I first got into hookahs while in school at Georgia State University where the local hookah shop was Anatolia Cafe & Hookah Lounge.
I liked the quality of their hookahs and I saw an opportunity to bring hookahs to private events.
I was a hospitality and business major, so events were already something I was very familiar with.
I started the business with two of my college friends.
One of them was from the Middle East and knew a lot about the traditions and culture of hookah.
My other partner had connections with social groups that gave us our first events.
After college I took a break from the hookah business and pursued a career in hotels and event staffing.
During this time I would still get calls from previous clients asking me to do private parties for them.
After working many long hours in hotels, I realized I enjoyed doing events on my own, so I relaunched my business in 2021.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been ups and downs all along the way.
When I first started I did not know all the techniques to make the hookahs run correctly if something went wrong, so in the beginning there was a lot of trial and error.
But now I know how to fix any hookah from looking at it from across a room.
I also had a learning curve in the beginning setting my pricing and getting business during slow months. I am fortunate to have friends that are also in the hookah business that I am able to bounce ideas off.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
Caterpillars Doorway can provide all your event needs from hookah rentals, bartenders, event staff and more.
We service all types of events such as wedding receptions, private parties, event spaces, lounges, and restaurants. What makes us different is our staff, experience and high-quality hookahs and supplies. We are not just a hookah service but a one stop shop for your event needs.
We have a large menu of flavors and add ons. We also can accommodate almost any budget by offering different levels of service. From a simple hookah drop off to a full service event where we bring the furniture, staff, and decorations.
We are most proud of our staff and quality of our hookahs. All of our staff enjoy taking events to the next level by delivering great service no matter the budget.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One lesson I have learned is to take quick action when clients reach out.
My goal is to give a full service experience from the first call, email, or text.
I find that the more attention I give clients when they first reach out the smoother the events go, and the happier the clients are at the end.
I also learned the Importance of keeping a pulse on the market in order to learn about the innovations in the industry. When I first started there were only two types of hookah bowls now there are +100. My goal is to make the hookah experience great for my clients here in Atlanta.