Well, hello there! I'm Nusrat - mama to a toddler, and the owner and creative director here at Nusfolio. My role here is multi-faceted. I'm a wedding designer, planner, and stylist who is inspired by art, love, creativity, home decor, fashion, and the smell of Chai. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your interest in learning a bit about me. I appreciate you already!
Designing spaces and creating experiences bring me absolute joy! There is an intense amount of thrill and satisfaction that grows within as we bring a vision to life and see the sheer joy our clients share. My clients are my people, who are important to me and whose dreams matter to me because they place so much trust in me to be a part of their wedding day. It's a big day!
Why event planning?
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After graduating from University of Maryland College Park with a bachelor's of science degree in Family Science - Public Health, I worked for various non-profit organizations supporting the national parks’ conservation, ecology, global health, fundraising, leadership development, and team building. My skills were employed in modeling better databases, streamlining business processes and building project management systems, using highly configurable web-based applications, to better manage projects, programs, finances, and various moving pieces. Although I strove to build a career in the public health sector, wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, I had to take some time off. I took that time to re-evaluate, both myself and my calling. I began seeking a creative outlet and building a life I loved.
I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but as a perfectionist (which can be both a gift and a flaw!) with absolute fear of vulnerability, I continued to sit on that idea. And soon, it found its way back on the shelf, accumulating dust. That proved to be a mistake… one we often make when wanting to start on something. I digress! Point is... I have to remind myself every single day: don’t wait for things to be perfect - Just start and grow! In my personal life, I started designing spaces and began organizing events for family and friends. When I transitioned into establishing an event-planning business, it was a natural fit. |
every life event and detail matters, and every person deserves to dream of a thoughtfully curated and beautifully-styled space and experience
How did Nusfolio come to be?
Nusfolio started simply as Nusrat's portfolio of creative projects related to art and decor. Quickly, it branched out to include the Nusfolio Weddings + Event planning business with the lifestyle blog, which incorporates the entertaining, designing, styling, and motherhood side of things. My project quickly turned into my business site and a hub of all my creative interests, stemming from art, style, struggles,, and family, that I wanted to share with you (thank you so much for being here!).
Nusfolio was founded in the core belief that every life event and detail matters, and every person deserves to dream of a thoughtfully curated and beautifully-styled space and experience, which speaks to his or her aesthetic personality - whatever maybe the budget. And it's my mission to create a pathway for that dream to come true. My goal is to build relationships and empower others to dream big. I want to create enjoyable experiences that please the senses and bring people together more thoughtfully and meaningfully. Let's chat, let's be friends, let's make it happen! My mother once said 'Remember, in everything you do, do it with patience (precision), art and grace.' Although her reference was to cooking (she is an amazing cook, by the way!) and needed way more patience than I was willing to practice at the time, it still resonated with me - just a little differently. At this stage of my life, I think my mother's words might be the reason why I am drawn to editorial styling, fashion, design, or anything pretty (or anything to prettify). I think it’s ingrained in my nature to want to spruce up, enhance or improve things - not just for myself, but for everybody who’d give me the opportunity. I must have been listening to my mother - even when I didn’t think I was listening. Some messages, experiences, things, and people in life impact us and shape us in ways we don’t expect them to.
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Driven by the desire to make a difference in the lives of others and to express an artistic nature
I found an outlet for this through designing and styling spaces and events. Whether it’s an informal and intimate party for eight, or a full-fledged event for hundreds, I’m committed to its success, through both creativity and passion. Having the honor of helping make someone's vision come true is just an amazing feeling.
That desire, wanting to make a difference in people’s lives, is what got me into public health. The desire, wanting to do something out of passion, is what got me into art. And, the desire to create moments and design spaces that moves others emotionally and aesthetically is what merged the two. It was the perfect blend of passion, purpose, and panache to making someone's dream come true.
Planning an event can be an overwhelming venture. Even with a vision and a sense of what you want, the process of bringing that vision to life, can be daunting and time-consuming. Achieving the desired results can be a challenge, even with proper resources, connections, an eye for details, and experiences in dealing with the demands of project and people planning. I believe that wedding coordination and event planning needs a professional who not only has the aesthetic and organizational skills required to bring a concept from creation to fruition, but who thoroughly enjoys the planning process, as well! If you have an idea or vision in mind, I have the curiosity to explore it with you. So, let me hear it! What do you have in mind?
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