Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Fagan.
Hi Kathryn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the restaurant business. My first job at 14 was making salads at Jimmy DiNicola’s Beach Club Restaurant in Hollywood, Florida. I love the industry. During school breaks and summers, I would always fill in at the beach club or snack bar. Meeting new people and remembering the repeat customers always made me happy! My mother Judith Martyn Fagan is a gourmet chef and owned restaurants. Her influence moved me to a place I never thought I would be, a personal chef. I was in awe of her talent and ability to put together meals that were simple yet incredibly delicious. I grew up in the resort town of Jupiter. She owned The Toby Jug restaurant in Tequesta that folks still speak of today… Growing up in Jupiter was surreal in the 70’s and 80’s. Everyone had a boat, sometimes before a car! I learned to love fish and all the delicacies’ that go with seafood. I was so spoiled by my fishing buddies, I didn’t eat fish in a restaurant until the late 90’s. We had it made going to the Bahamas for lunch, or rather “catch” lunch!
I went to Palm Beach Junior College and studied Commercial Design and Advertising with a minor in Marketing. I took a job with the Boca Raton Newspaper in 1985. After several years in this field, I fell back to the love of food. I started working in private homes on the weekends, assisting with parties and small-scale events. At the time, living in Boca Raton, all the snowbirds loved to have dinner parties. The more I worked for them, the more I loved what I was doing and left the world of Advertising.
Fast forward, my sister moved home from Colorado and we began working together. Katrina had an insatiable appetite for fun. She was truly the funniest person I have ever known. She pushed me to begin catering and that’s where it started. She was the bartender, I the cook, we had wonderful girls to serve and we loved what we were doing.
After getting married in 2004, I realized how important it is to have a planner for your wedding. I planned my 135 guest event, with no help really did not know what I was doing, but I did it! It came so natural to me. It was thru that experience I wanted to become a certified planner. There were so many little details, I did not realize and I wished I had help….this made me want to assist others to alleviate the pressure of doing it alone. With the catering background first, I feel it gives me a much different perspective, as I understand the food side of the event entirely. That is truly one of the most important components. The love of catering prevailed and the planning took a back seat until 2013.
I planned a 50th birthday party for myself January 19th, 2013. It was a huge event, live band, 165 guests, family & friends from near and far, it was so wonderful. Unbeknownst to anyone, I decided to make it a “white” party. I was quietly paying homage to myself for being a cancer survivor, twice. In 1987, with a stage 4 Melanoma, I was given 18 months to live. Needless to say, making it to 50 was the last thing I expected. I worked with a doctor (in 87) who recommended I do visualizations to heal myself mentally while going thru surgery and chemo. I guess you can say “mind over matter”. My visualization was PacMan!! It was the 80’s….why not! The white PacMen were the good cancer cells eating the black PacMen. The white ones always won….so that was why I had a 50th white party! To celebrate the win! I catered all my own food and turned the event over to my fabulous staff and dear friend Arlene Rodrigues, who made the night absolutely perfect! That evening I was celebrating myself and my surviving. During the night, four different lifelong Jupiter friends approached me and stated they wanted me to cater and host their daughter’s wedding. I smiled and laughed and of course, I said okay…..having no idea I would really accomplish that. Over the next few years, I did all 4 and that is why I became a wedding planner!
One week after my party, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. God has a funny sense of humor. I underwent a major surgery in Feb 2013. By June, I was packing my Boca Raton home and by September 2013, it was sold and I moved home to Jupiter. Those lifelong friends are still here and now so am I. I am very busy with events, dinner parties, weddings and all sorts of things and I love it!!!
I have met so many new people and last year challenged the event business like no other! From all to nothing and then to small was how it went. I do favor the small intimate gatherings where you can dote on your client, make beautiful presentations, create special meals and “serve” them with the best of everything. That seems to be a lost art. Restaurants do not give training like they used to that provides the “fine dining” experience, that is unfortunate. The big events are wonderful too. The weddings are amazing! The joy to see the bride walk down the aisle always chokes me up. I feel so blessed that I have the ability to create these moments in people’s lives. It is hard work, yes, but it never seems like a job. It feels like a passion. Unexpectedly, I seem to have landed the “niche” of the Jupiter Civic Center. In 2019, I hosted 36 events in Jupiter and Palm Beach. 27 were at the Jupiter Civic Center. I get teased by my friends because I am always there..….but have you been there?? What a great spot to be stuck on the weekend. The million-dollar view of the beach always makes me smile. Since I do not sunbathe, I enjoy the view and YES! it is spectacular. Don’t get me wrong, it has its challenges….no AC and yes, there are some VERY hot days!!
I am a survivor, not just of cancer, just of life in general. The challenges are many, the dreams are big, the rewards are plentiful. My goals are forward-thinking. I want joy, happiness, health and love for myself, my family, my friends and those nearby. I am a people person. I am happy, mostly. I want to share the joy of life with others. 2020 and Covid have been quite the challenge for someone like me. I am a social person. I love my friends and family. 45 days of lockdown, wow. I am immune-compromised so I listened. I miss not being with everyone on a regular basis, especially my sister Chris in California. Sadly, we lost our sister Katrina in 2016. Not a day goes by that I don’t say, “I would not be doing this had it not been for her”. For that, I am eternally grateful. I am blessed beyond measure. While the obstacle is huge, so is the reward.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the age of 24 changed everything. My perception of life was completely altered. The unknown was present, so for three years, I lived every day as if it was my last. Finally, my choice to be optimistic and see the glass half full helped me deal with the daily obstacles. I have had 22 major surgeries. I have a permanent disability with my right leg called Lymphadema. (No fluid circulation, so it holds water thus increasing the size x4.) Unfortunately, there is no cure for this. I struggle with the extra weight in my leg which affects everything. I do anything I can that provides relief. Physical therapy or lymphatic wrapping.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a caterer, wedding planner, event designer/decorator. I can be hired to do anyone for those jobs or hired for all (in a package). The choice depends on the client, their venue/location, the type of event, the budget. I will schedule a full consultation to determine their needs, we will build a custom package together.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My brother Michael Fagan, who always encourages me, and built my first website! My sister Chris, just because. My husband Joe, I just could not do it without him. Last, but by far the least, Arlene Figueiroa Rodrigues. We have worked together for 19 years. My business is successful with the help of her knowledge, professionalism, support, loyalty and dedication. This is her business as much as it is mine. I could not do it alone.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@kathrynfaganenterprises.com
- Website: www.kathrynfaganenterprises.com
- Instagram: @kathrynevents
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kathrynfaganenterprises
