Designing for People Through Customization and Care

Role: Co-Owner and Client Experience Designer

The Challenge

Event planning can be overwhelming — especially for clients juggling timelines, budgets, and emotions. While most caterers focus on food alone, I’ve learned that clients often need more than a menu. They need someone who anticipates details, asks the right questions, and helps them feel confident in their decisions.

At Something Small Catering, our business model is built around customization. Every menu is unique, and every event is shaped around how people want to feel. The challenge was to design an approach that guided clients through uncertainty with empathy, structure, and care — without making the process feel rigid or transactional.

The Process

My approach is intuitive, rooted in conversation and observation. I listen for hesitation or overwhelm and adjust my response — sometimes through gentle prompting, sometimes by offering checklists or visuals, and often by simply taking small tasks off their plate.

For a September wedding, I noticed early on that logistics around dinner service hadn’t been fully planned. When I asked where the dinner plates would be, the bride explained that it would be a buffet with chargers and silverware already set at each table. This detail prompted a useful adjustment — she informed the MC to announce the setup so guests would know what to expect. Though a few still carried their chargers to the buffet, that brief conversation prevented major confusion and helped the event run smoothly.

At a May wedding, a planner was anxious about flipping the venue between the ceremony and dinner. I connected her with another planner we’d worked with at the same location, allowing them to share strategies and manage expectations. Together, we ensured the transition happened smoothly, even when the bride requested that dinner plates be pre-set on tables for a plated-style aesthetic.

I also worked closely with a mother planning her daughter’s last-minute wedding — and later, a baby shower. By helping her clarify decisions, handling service logistics, and maintaining open communication, I transformed what could have been stressful events into moments she still talks about fondly.

The Outcome

Clients often describe working with me as easy, calming, and collaborative. They feel supported through what can otherwise be an overwhelming process. My role goes beyond catering — it’s about designing an experience that helps people feel taken care of from first contact to final plate.

This people-first approach strengthens not only client relationships but also vendor partnerships. Planners, photographers, and venues return to collaborate again because they know communication will be proactive, flexible, and kind.

Reflection

Designing for people means anticipating needs, building trust, and creating moments of relief in the middle of chaos. I’ve learned that empathy is one of the most powerful design tools — it bridges gaps, clarifies expectations, and turns logistical details into lasting impressions.