Making the Most of an Opportunity

Maya Kalman’s foray into event planning unexpectedly began with her own wedding. She was sitting in a New York City café with a friend discussing plans for the ceremony when a producer from the Food Network tapped her on the shoulder. “He had overheard our conversation and was looking to do a show about the food and design of five weddings in major cities. He asked if I would want my wedding on TV, and the answer was ‘Yes!’” 

The show aired multiple times in 2001, making Maya a mini-celebrity. At the time, Maya and her husband were the owners of a dot com startup–but when the industry went south, they sold the business. Unsure of what to do next, it wasn’t until a friend reminded her of how well-received her wedding had been that she got the idea to go into wedding planning. By December 31, 2001, Swank was up and running. 

Since then, Swank has grown from a one woman wedding planning company to a firm of five that creates luxury weddings, corporate events and social parties for NYC’s hottest socialites. “I love everything about the job, even the stressful parts,” this proud CEO admits. 

For Maya, starting her own company has allowed her to make her own rules. She and her husband decided to share an office space when they both started companies of their own. The workplace has become a family affair, as they now bring their daughter and dog to work with them every day as well. “If you find what you love, then it doesn’t feel like work; it’s just something that you want to do all the time,” Maya reveals.

While Swank often holds elaborate celebrations, Maya knows that you don’t need to spend a lot to host an elegant Thanksgiving dinner. She suggests constructing a centerpiece of carnations, nuts, pine cones, or leaves en mass, and to add color and creativity to the table with colored napkins or glasses. But most importantly, remember to sit back and enjoy the holidays with the people you love. 

–Lindsay Putnam