Today we’d like to introduce you to Essence Pugh.
Hi Essence, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started A Touch of Essence from a genuine love for creating beautiful spaces and helping people celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. What began as a passion gradually grew into a full service event planning, design, décor, and floral company.
Over the years, I continued to learn, build relationships, strengthen my craft, and reinvest in the business. After more than 16 years in the event industry, including several years of running the business full time, A Touch of Essence has grown far beyond what I originally imagined. Today, my husband Daris and I operate multiple event venues, A Touch of Essence Events, and A Touch of Essence Florals, with locations serving communities throughout the Upstate.
The journey has not been without challenges. Growing a business requires sacrifice, consistency, faith, and the willingness to keep evolving. There have been seasons where I had to learn through experience, adjust the vision, build a stronger team, and trust God even when I could not see what was coming next.
Today, we provide everything from weddings and milestone celebrations to corporate events, floral services, rentals, and full event production. I’m especially proud that we have been able to create opportunities for others, serve our community, and build a brand centered around affordable luxury and meaningful experiences.
For me, this journey is still unfolding. Every new venue, every client, every floral arrangement, and every event reminds me of how far we have come and motivates me to continue building something that my family, my team, and my community can be proud of.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has definitely not been a smooth road. Entrepreneurship has come with many lessons, sacrifices, and growing pains. One of the biggest struggles has been learning how to balance being a creative person with actually running a business. I had to learn that having talent and passion is only one part of entrepreneurship. You also have to understand finances, contracts, policies, staffing, customer service, marketing, and operations.
Another challenge has been building the right team and learning that everyone may not understand or carry the vision the same way you do. I have had to learn how to delegate, create systems, set expectations, and sometimes make difficult decisions that were necessary for the growth of the business.
There have also been financial challenges. Growing a business requires constant investment, and there have been times when I had to take a chance on myself before I could see the return. Adding venues, expanding our floral services, purchasing inventory, and maintaining day to day operations all require faith and discipline.
I have also learned the importance of boundaries. In the beginning, I wanted to accommodate everyone, but I quickly realized that saying yes to everything can hurt your business. I had to become comfortable with policies, pricing my services appropriately, charging for additional work, and understanding that protecting the business allows us to continue serving our clients well.
Through every challenge, my faith has been a major part of my journey. There have been moments when I did not know exactly how things would work out, but I continued to pray, work, adjust, and move forward. Looking back, many of the struggles helped shape the business owner and leader I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
A Touch of Essence is a full service event planning, design, décor, and floral company specializing in creating beautiful, memorable experiences from beginning to end. We design weddings, milestone celebrations, baby showers, corporate events, galas, and other special occasions. We also provide floral design, rentals, custom décor, and venue options, allowing our clients to have many of the services they need under one brand.
I would say we are known for taking a client’s vision and bringing it to life in a way that feels polished, intentional, and personal. Our style is affordable luxury. We believe you can create an elevated experience without losing the warmth and personality of the people being celebrated. Whether we are designing an intimate gathering or transforming a ballroom, we pay attention to the details and the overall experience.
What sets us apart is that we truly offer a one stop experience. Because we understand planning, design, florals, venues, and event operations, we are able to look at an event from more than one perspective. We are not simply focused on making a space look beautiful. We think about how the event will flow, how the guests will experience the space, and how all of the different pieces will work together.
I am most proud of the growth of our brand and the fact that we have been able to turn a passion into something that serves our community, provides opportunities for others, and continues to grow. Expanding into multiple venues and growing A Touch of Essence Florals has been especially meaningful because it represents another level of the vision becoming reality.
I am also proud of the relationships we have built. Awards and recognition are appreciated, but having clients trust us with some of the most important moments of their lives and return to us for future celebrations means even more.
At the heart of A Touch of Essence is service, creativity, faith, and family. We want every client to feel that their event matters to us. Our goal is not simply to decorate a room. We want to create an experience that people will remember long after the event is over.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would encourage anyone reading this to keep going, even when the vision feels bigger than your current circumstances. Building something meaningful takes time, consistency, sacrifice, and faith. Do not be afraid to evolve, start over, learn from mistakes, or take a different path when necessary.
I also believe strongly in community and collaboration. There is room for all of us to succeed, and some of the greatest opportunities come from supporting one another, building relationships, and being willing to share resources and knowledge.
For me, A Touch of Essence is bigger than events and flowers. It is about creating a legacy, showing my children what is possible, creating opportunities for others, and using the gifts God has given me to serve people.
I am grateful for every client, team member, vendor, family member, and supporter who has been part of this journey. We are still growing, still learning, and still dreaming. I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Pricing:
- Party and celebration packages typically begin around $1,500 to $2,000
- Baby shower décor and venue packages typically begin around $1,500
- Wedding décor packages typically begin around $4,500
- Venue rentals are available at multiple price points depending on the location, date, and number of hours needed
- Floral services are available for everyday occasions, weddings, sympathy arrangements, and special events
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atouchofessenceevents.com/contact-6
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atouchofessence_events
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atouchofessence
