Today we’d like to introduce you to April Manigault.
Hi April, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey began with a simple conversation between my son and me. One day, he asked, “Mom, what is your gift?” I jokingly replied, “I guess waking up.” He laughed and explained that he meant what I was truly good at. His question made me pause and reflect. I realized that I had always been creative and especially enjoyed designing celebrations for my own children. That conversation helped me recognize a gift I had never seriously considered turning into a business.
I started by creating custom party items. As people saw my work, they began asking me to decorate their events. One request led to another, and what began with party customs gradually grew into full event design and rentals.
I understood early on that creativity alone was not enough, so I made a commitment to invest in my education and development. Over the years, I have taken classes from respected event stylists and balloon artists, continually refining my techniques, expanding my knowledge, and perfecting my craft.
Today, that original idea has grown into CC Events & Rentals, a company providing event design, décor, and rentals at our venues and other locations throughout the Lowcountry. We now operate a full event-rental warehouse and three venues: Lullaby Studios, CC Event Center, and CC Event Center Park Circle.
Although I am the visionary behind the business, I have not built it alone. I am grateful for everyone who helps keep our operation running, but my husband, Corey, has truly been my rock. He is always on the front line—building my craziest ideas, handling late-night rental pickups, and waking up early to load trailers. His willingness to support my vision and help bring my ideas to life has been invaluable to both my personal journey and the growth of our business.
It is incredible to look back and realize that all of this began with one simple question from my son. What started with party customs and decorating events for my own children has grown into a business that allows me to create meaningful experiences for other families. I am proud of how far we have come, and I remain committed to learning, evolving, and becoming better with every event I design.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road, but it has certainly been worthwhile. One of my greatest challenges was identifying my niche and learning which opportunities aligned with my vision—and which ones did not. I also had to grow beyond the creative side of the business and learn how to develop the proper systems and procedures needed to operate multiple companies successfully. That included learning when to outsource, improving our delivery operations, building a dependable team, and creating processes that allow each company to run more smoothly.
Every challenge has taught me something valuable and allowed me to see my own growth. The journey has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. Most importantly, my faith has remained at the center of it all. God has carried me through every obstacle I have faced, and each challenge has made me a stronger businesswoman, leader, and creative.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My professional life sits at the intersection of event styling, luxury rentals, and venue ownership. Through CC Events & Rentals, I specialize in creating elegant, memorable experiences for baby showers, children’s celebrations, weddings, and other milestone events. What sets us apart is that we are not striving to become an average rental company that carries every basic fork, plate, or napkin. Our vision is to build a carefully curated luxury rental company known for distinctive pieces that elevate an entire event. We are continuously investing in our inventory and putting the right systems in place to bring that vision into alignment. My long-term goal is to offer an extensive collection of luxury seating—from lounge furniture and Chiavari chairs to cross-back chairs and other specialty styles.
Baby showers and children’s events will always hold a special place in my heart. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I drove a school bus, and I have always loved working with children. I am a mother before anything else, and that part of who I am naturally carries over into my work. It is also what inspired Lullaby Studios, which was originally created as an intimate venue for baby showers and children’s celebrations. Although we welcome many types of events, our signature packages remain centered around those occasions because they reflect my passion.
Weddings are also quickly becoming one of my greatest creative passions. Whether I am designing a baby shower, wedding, birthday celebration, or another special occasion, I take pride in transforming a client’s vision into a complete experience. I believe we have the creativity and versatility to make any celebration beautiful, while still giving each event its own personality.
I am most proud that my creativity has grown into multiple businesses and opportunities. We are now expanding into the restaurant industry, which is another exciting chapter in my entrepreneurial journey. Everything I put my hands on, I approach with faith, intention, and a desire to build something meaningful. My prayer is that God continues to bless each vision, guide every step, and allow everything we create to flourish.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are so many people who deserve credit for the success of my business and the woman I have become. First and foremost, I give all the credit to God. Through the tears, uncertainty, long days, and sleepless nights, He has carried me and continued to make a way.
My husband, Corey, has literally helped me build my dream on his back. From early mornings and late nights to loading trailers, picking up rentals, and physically building my ideas, he has been beside me every step of the way. He has continuously poured into me and supported my passion, and I am grateful that I now have the opportunity to pour that same love and support back into him as we work toward bringing his passion for the restaurant to life.
My mother, sisters, children, and close friends have also been an incredible support system. Hearing my mother and sisters say they are proud of me is one of the greatest feelings in the world. My children may jokingly believe that I am rich, but whenever I tell them I need help and ask them to come work, they show up. My inner circle has encouraged me, supported me, and remained by my side throughout this journey.
I also have to recognize my event sisters—Shante, Kyra, and Lanika. I know that when I truly need them, they will step in and help me get the job done. Having trusted people within the industry who understand the demands of this work is a blessing.
Finally, I am forever grateful for my clients, friends, social-media supporters, and community. Every review, referral, tag, mention, and recommendation has helped my business continue to grow. Many of my clients have supported me long after their events were over, and some have become like family. My village is much larger than I could ever name individually, but every person who has encouraged me, worked beside me, trusted me with a special moment, or shared my name with someone else has played a meaningful role in my journey. I truly love and appreciate every person God has placed in my path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cceventsandrentals.com
- Instagram: cceventsandrentals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cceventsandrentals
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-manigault
