Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Gilmartin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We began our story in Weddington North Carolina where our family quickly became part of the community. Our home naturally turned into a gathering place for friends, neighbors, and school events. Hosting came easily to us, and what started as simple dinners slowly grew into larger and more refined celebrations. We found ourselves arranging tents, tables, chairs, lighting, dance floors, umbrellas, and thoughtful touches that made each event feel special. Guests often remarked on how beautiful everything looked, but for us it was simply something we loved doing..
As our children grew up and left for college the pace of life shifted, yet our love for entertaining remained. When our son and his fiance returned to the area the idea of turning years of hands-on experience into a business became a real possibility. We formed an LLC, began investing in quality inventory, and started offering rentals throughout the region. What began as a family project quickly took on a life of its own.
Today we have grown into a trusted event rental company serving weddings, private events, corporate gatherings, and community celebrations. Most of our business has come through word of mouth which speaks to the care and reliability our clients know us for. The name Hadley Event Rentals was chosen by our daughter in law Caitlyn who wanted to honor our neighborhood Hadley Park where many of our earliest memories and hosted gatherings took place. It reflects our roots and the values we built this company on.
We continue to grow at a steady and intentional pace while staying committed to the same principles that guided us from the start. Our goal remains simple…. provide the community with dependable service, thoughtful event design, and spaces that bring people together in a meaningful way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part it has been a smooth road. In the beginning there was the normal fear of the unknown that comes with starting anything new, especially when you are investing time, money, and trust into an idea. But once we began working with clients and saw the response to our service that fear started to fade. We learned quickly that consistency and care go a long way in this industry. Of course there were moments of trial and error as we figured out logistics, inventory needs, and how to scale at a responsible pace but none of it felt discouraging. Each challenge simply helped us refine the business. Looking back we feel fortunate that the growth has been steady and that the support from our community has made the journey feel far more reassuring than uncertain.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Hadley Event Rentals specializes in providing bespoke, high quality rentals for all types of events and celebrations. What began with simple tables and chairs has steadily grown into a curated collection that reflects the styles and details people look for today. Our inventory now includes custom designed Tuscan and European style umbrellas, hand selected vintage silver serveware, curated Lennox plateware, tents, lighting, and a wide range of pieces that elevate any gathering. We deliver, set up, and work closely with clients on site planning so the experience feels thoughtful and personal from start to finish. We want every client to feel that their event matters to us as much as it does to them..because it genuinely does.
One thing that sets us apart is the inventory we have sourced and continue to build. We stay open to custom requests, knowing that inspiration today comes from everywhere. Clients often see ideas online that are not readily available in the area, and we never want them to feel limited. We source from all over, we hunt for unique vintage pieces, and we design items when needed so each event can reflect a client’s individual style rather than a generic template.
We are proud of the quality of our pieces and the care we bring to our work, but we are equally proud of how we treat people. We are not the kind of company where you place a call, receive a price, and never hear from anyone again. We stay in close communication, guide clients through the process, and make sure the experience feels supported and easy. That consistency and commitment to service is something we value, and we believe it is a large part of why our business continues to grow.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One resource we really enjoy and find helpful for our work is the podcast This Takes the Cake by Stunning and Brilliant Events. It follows a local event planner and management company, and the insight she shares about the industry has been incredibly valuable. Her experience gives us a deeper understanding of what planners and clients need on a job site, and as an event rental company that matters. It helps us not only serve our clients well but also support the other professionals we work alongside. Having a good sense of how an event flows and what challenges planners face makes us better at what we do.
We also enjoy Lennys Podcast which is more geared toward entrepreneurs. Even though it covers a wide range of industries it is surprising how much you can take from someone else’s story and apply to your own business. It is a reminder not to get tunnel vision and to stay open to ideas outside your immediate field.
And honestly since we spend a lot of time on the road or setting up events Spotify and some great music helps us through the long days. Sometimes that is just as important as anything else…haha!
Pricing:
- We do not list specific pricing because every event is different, but what is important for readers to know is that we see ourselves as a tool for our clients. Our inventory is meant to give people the ability to build the exact event they envision, and with that flexibility comes control over their budget as well. Clients can scale their selections up or down based on what feels right for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hadleyevent.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadleyevent/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hadley-Event-Rentals/61576207031927/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=9qqHge8bEa0OJ5Gy&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1aMuSNPUWR%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
