Today we’d like to introduce you to Ara’yiel Brooks.
Hi Ara’yiel , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a passion for hospitality and customer service from a young age. I started in the catering industry and eventually worked my way into event coordination, which quickly became something I truly loved. I enjoyed being part of people’s biggest moments and creating experiences that made them feel celebrated, comfortable, and cared for.
At the time, I didn’t fully understand how to sustain a long-term career in the event industry because the business side of hospitality was still very new to me. In 2019, I decided to take a step back and pursue a career in the Air Force. That experience changed my life in many ways. It gave me structure, confidence, discipline, and the opportunity to grow mentally while serving alongside incredible people. More importantly, it showed me that I was capable of building something of my own.
Eventually, I realized I still had a deep passion for hospitality and wanted to return to it—but this time with purpose and vision. I created Themed because I wanted to offer an elevated experience that still felt approachable. I saw a gap in the market where people often had to choose between affordability and quality, and I wanted to create a space that provided both. My goal has always been to make people feel special without making luxury feel unattainable.
What makes Themed unique is that we focus on creating curated, stress-free experiences. I wanted clients to walk into a fully transformed environment and simply enjoy their moment instead of feeling overwhelmed by the planning process. Hospitality, to me, is about serving people well and creating meaningful memories.
Right now, I’m in a season of building and learning. Every event teaches me something new, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support from my community, neighbors, and social media supporters who have helped Themed grow through word of mouth and genuine connection. Watching people trust my vision and celebrate important moments in a space I created has honestly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
This journey has required faith, resilience, and a willingness to bet on myself, and I’m excited to continue growing Themed into a brand that people genuinely connect with.
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?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s part of building something meaningful. As a first-time business owner, there was a huge learning curve that I honestly wasn’t fully prepared for. The hospitality and customer service side came naturally to me because that’s always been my passion. The more challenging part was learning the operational side of business—contracts, paperwork, budgeting, permits, marketing, and all of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that people don’t always see.
One of my biggest struggles has been marketing and getting visibility for the business. Creating a beautiful experience is one thing, but making sure people actually know you exist is another challenge entirely. Social media has been a huge tool for us, and thankfully the support from our community and word of mouth has helped Themed continue to grow.
Funding has also been a challenge at times. Starting a business requires a lot of faith, sacrifice, and creativity, especially in the beginning stages. There are so many upfront costs that people don’t realize come with opening a venue and building a brand from the ground up.
At the same time, every challenge has taught me something valuable. We’ve only been open for about six months, but we’re continuing to trend upward, and I’m incredibly grateful for that progress. Seeing people connect with our vision and trust us with their special moments reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Themed is a curated event venue experience designed for people who want beautiful, elevated celebrations without the stress of starting from scratch. We specialize in intimate events and micro celebrations, including weddings, receptions, birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, corporate gatherings, and curated social experiences. Our focus is creating thoughtfully designed spaces that feel luxurious, welcoming, and personal while remaining approachable for everyday people.
What makes Themed different is that we are more than just a blank venue rental. We provide a fully styled experience where décor, ambiance, setup, and hospitality are all part of the vision. I wanted to create a space where clients could walk in and immediately feel taken care of instead of overwhelmed by endless planning decisions. We focus heavily on presentation, atmosphere, and the guest experience because I believe people remember how a space made them feel just as much as how it looked.
One thing that really sets us apart is our commitment to quality hospitality at a moderate price point. I saw a need for experiences that felt upscale and intentional without feeling unattainable. A lot of people want beautiful events but don’t necessarily have luxury-level budgets, and I wanted to bridge that gap in a way that still feels polished and memorable.
Our brand is also deeply rooted in service, connection, and community. I genuinely love people, and I think that comes across in the way we interact with our clients. We are very hands-on throughout the process, and I pride myself on creating an experience where clients feel heard, supported, and celebrated from the first inquiry to the final event.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Themed has already started building a strong reputation through word of mouth and authentic community support in such a short amount of time. We’ve only been open for a few months, but seeing people trust our vision, return for future events, and recommend us to others has been incredibly rewarding.
I want readers to know that Themed was built with intention. It’s a space created from passion, faith, resilience, and a genuine love for hospitality. My goal is for every guest who walks through our doors to feel like they experienced something thoughtful, beautiful, and memorable.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely. I truly believe that no one builds something meaningful alone, and I’ve been incredibly blessed to have people around me who believed in my vision even during moments when I doubted myself.
My family has been instrumental throughout this entire journey. My cousin and realtor, Davionne Andrews, has been one of my biggest supporters from the very beginning. She helped me secure the space and continuously encouraged me throughout the process of building Themed. Having someone who genuinely believed in the vision and pushed me forward made a huge difference.
Of course, my mother Yulsef, deserves so much credit as well. She is truly my biggest supporter and prayed me through this entire process. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, and she constantly reminded me of my purpose and why I started. Beyond emotional support, she also supported me financially during critical moments, and I’ll always be grateful for that sacrifice and belief in me.
My best friends, Michaela, Alycia and Kiara of Tasty Mamas catering. They have also played such an important role. They’ve helped brainstorm ideas, refine concepts, give honest feedback, and step in wherever needed to help move the business forward. Their support has gone far beyond friendship—they’ve truly become part of the foundation of this journey.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to Two Sisters Sweet Creations. They saw me during a difficult season and used their platform to help bring visibility and attention to Themed. That kind of support meant more than they probably realize, and I’ll always be thankful for their encouragement and recognition.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that community matters. Themed was built on hospitality, connection, and creating opportunities, and so many people have poured into this vision along the way. I’m proud that this business represents not just my dream, but the love, faith, encouragement, and support of an entire village behind me.
Pricing:
- Base pricing for the venue rental starts at $950 for a 7 hour rental
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themeddfw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeddfw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583355512761
