Marshaunda Isaac: ‘M Bellush’-ing A Lifetime Of Memories For Her Community

Durham, NC – When it comes to displaying creativity and planning a memorable event, Marshaunda Isaac, Founder of M Bellush Event Planning & Design has been the go-to for her local community to get the job done. Marshaunda effortlessly immerses herself in the vision of her clients to ensure an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Marshaunda is a Durham native and believes in supporting individuals and businesses in the community during life’s precious celebratory moments. 

I had the opportunity to connect with Marshaunda and experience her passion for event planning and orchestrating beautiful designs as she served as Activities Director for a local assisted living facility. While I continue to witness her passion to assist others through her gift in bringing forth lasting memories, I recognize that she is someone who will continue to take the event planning and design industry by storm. Marshaunda candidly shares her gift (and samples of her work below):

Santisha Walker (SW): Tell us about yourself?

Marshaunda Isaac (MI): I am a native of Durham. I attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where I studied nursing and then shifted my studies to social work. I also enjoyed being a cheerleader while at NCCU. I am one who loves to serve and my heart’s desire is for others to simply be okay in life; therefore, I spend a lot of time volunteering in downtown Durham, specifically at events such as backpack drop off drives, as well as the Durham Rescue Mission during the Holidays. Because of my service to the community and volunteering more than 100 hours, I have been blessed to be a past recipient of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award. I am a God-fearing woman and believe in giving back and paying it forward. I also have had the pleasure of being married to my best friend, Dwight Isaac, for over 3 years. Family is extremely important to me. I appreciate being connected to my family and grateful for the closeness we share. I love life. I love to dance and sing. I enjoy making things beautiful, decorating and organizing ideas. I enjoy having a good time and will find any reason to celebrate or throw a party. Life is about enjoying the good times!

SW: How long have you been in the event planning business?

MI: M Bellush Event Planning & Design has around for 2 years officially, since 2018. I previously began planning events around 2010, but at that time I did not take it seriously. It all began as a hobby. I started out planning birthday parties, then weddings, and now my services have evolved to include many themed events. Initially, I was organizing about 4-5 events per year. Now I am planning 30-40 events annually. 

SW: What attracted you to event planning? It is often perceived as a stressful field.

MI: I love witnessing the memories created when an event is complete. The process of taking what someone has in their brain and putting it into 3D is so attractive to me! I adore creating from nothing or just a simple thought. It’s innately a part of who I am. Creativity runs in my family. I inherited it from my mom, although she didn’t realize how creative she was. Growing up my parents allowed me to roam free with my imagination. I was allowed to make clothes for my dolls and meander freely in the kitchen while they were cooking meals. I’ve always worked with my hands by taking things apart and putting them back together. While in school, I loved art class. I got accepted into an art and dance school, but I chose to decline because I desired to stay close to my family. While in college, I decided to not proceed with a path in creative arts but chose to operate in a creative space in a different capacity. I realize my organizational and planning skills paired with allowing myself to create, brings joy to others. While operating M Bellush Event Planning & Design, I’m able to be creative with other’s concepts and help bring them to life. I’ve come to find that when someone feels good about their ideas and begin to witness them in “real color” or 3D, they usually begin to feel good about themselves. Event planning and designing allow me to serve others, operate in a creative space and also make a living.

SW: How do you manage all the moving pieces associated with event planning?

MI: I am not a one-person team. If I have a smaller event or project, I will take care of it myself; however, I will enlist my team for larger events or concepts. I have different team levels. Those I work closely with are my first points of contact, such as my husband, sister, and brother in law; then I will expand from there with my other contacts and resources as needed. For example, I will contact my go-to chef for food options for an event with greater than 60 guests. 

SW: What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into event planning? 

MI: I would say you have to give much attention to detail. This is what will truly matter with bringing the event together, as well as setting your event apart from others. Listen to your client’s heart and find out what they want to portray and what their true vision consists of. Communicate often with the client and your team to ensure everyone is on the same page. There’s a lot of advice that can be given when it comes to event planning. One thing you cannot learn, but you have to have naturally is being a people person. Although you are “in the background” so to speak, you still have to have great customer service. You have to want to be kind and receptive to other’s thoughts and ideas about their event.

SW: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

MI: Right now, I am still working on a full-time 9-5 job. It’s challenging to work full-time and operate a full company and give the same effort on both ends. I believe in putting out my best work with everything I do, and if I feel I can’t do both great, I will have to ultimately make a decision. This year I envision continuing to increase my clientele. In the next 5 years, I desire to have my one-stop storefront where clients can pick up food, select and purchase decorations, I can offer planning services and consultations, as well as provide a space for event hosting. I desire to operate this store and space on a day to day basis. 

SW: How do you manage to be an entrepreneur/business owner and work a full-time 9-5 job? 

MI: This is a great question! I’m still finding the balance as my business grows, but it takes a lot of late nights and early mornings. However, at the end of the day, it’s worth it. To know the ultimate goal is to work for me is what keeps me going. I am also honest with myself about what I can and cannot do and honest with my clients.

SW: Tell us, how can we find out more about M Bellush Event Planning & Design and the services you offer?

MI: You can visit www.mbellush.com for a list of our wedding packages & décor elements, services for parties and social events, sweets buffet, and catering menu. You can also email us at mbellushdesign@gmail.com or give us a call at 919-798-4675. You can also find us on Facebook @mellusheventplanning&design.

M Bellush Event Planning & Design (samples of Marshaunda Isaac’s work):