On this week’s edition of ‘The Founder,’ we feature a young, dynamic, entrepreneur; Treshan Weerasooriya-Pereira. An alumnus of St. Benedict’s College, he is a Management Accountant by profession, having obtained his CIMA qualifications, as well as his Masters. He has worked in the corporate sector for over ten years, and he initially commenced his career working as a Management Trainee, and went on to climb the corporate ladder in a short span of time, eventually working as a Head of Finance and Administration, specializing in cost control. He is a perfectionist by nature, and is a creative soul with excellent PR skills. He is a true people’s person and boasts of an extensive network of contacts in both Colombo society and in the media circles. He is a go-getter and he didn’t allow the global pandemic to dampen his entrepreneurial skills. He launched his Event Management and PR and Communications company in 2019 and has been innovating and creating unique experiences for his clients even during the pandemic.

Share with us in summary details of your company, Haut Monde Event Management and PR? Haut Monde Event Management & PR, aims to focus on creating luxurious experiences for our clients. We intend to curate exclusive one-of-a-kind, high-end events in Colombo. Be it a Launch Event, Fashion Show, a Fine Dining Experience, Wine Tasting, Birthday Party, or even an exclusive Wedding Reception or Homecoming; we aim to bring in exclusivity and a touch of luxury to all events. Our core strength is in our ability to pay attention to detail and our unmatchable time management skills. We work with the best suppliers in the industry in order to deliver nothing but the best for our clients. Our Public Relations (PR) arm is one of the most effective ways to build on marketing strategies and create a solid reputation for a brand.

What inspired you? I launched this company to fulfil a passion of mine. Following a successful corporate career, I left the private sector to embark on a career in Hospitality and Event Management. My inner drive to bring in luxury experiences coupled with my extensive travels across Europe and most of the world, have inspired me to introduce international experiences in Sri Lanka. Having frequented almost all VIP events held in Colombo for over a decade, I was fortunate to befriend many important figures in different social circles. I was exposed to journalists, high net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, retailers, politicians and high-end designers, who have all encouraged me to start my own Event Management and PR Consultancy company in Colombo.

What was the journey like, starting from scratch and building the business up to where it is right now? It’s been quite challenging, to be honest with the pandemic, and rather frustrating too, but we have a bigger problem out there that needs to be settled, and I believe we have to be socially responsible citizens in order to continue moving forward.

What were the hardships you faced as an Entrepreneur, and what was the toughest one yet? Challenges and hardships are a part and parcel of any business. I, fortunately, haven’t faced a major hardship as such.

Being an Entrepreneur, what was it like facing the global pandemic? How did it affect the business? For an industry such as Event Management, not being able to conduct our events has been quite difficult. The ongoing restrictions and lockdowns have been a major roadblock towards organizing large-scale events. We have had instances where we have had to go back and forth with dates, multiple times. However, I personally think it is our duty to follow protocols and be conscious as a business for the welfare of all citizens.

What has been the most frustrating thing about being a start up? The constant pressure to make the business a success, overnight.

Explain a few marketing strategies you have implemented, and what makes them successful? Word of mouth and social media marketing tools are the best and have proven effective in my line of work. So far, we have successfully worked with more than fifteen brands in a short span of time. The response and feedback have been positive, motivating and very encouraging.

What motivates you to keep going on a daily basis? My inner drive to make everything perfect! I am known to be a perfectionist. Punctuality and timing are everything for me; I like to be productive and efficient at all times. Meeting deadlines is crucial. My passion pushes me to work harder.

What separates Haut Monde Event Management & PR from its competitors? Our dedication, commitment, and perseverance in ensuring everything is looked at in the most meticulous form. We maintain a close relationship with our clients; our communication is top-notch and I look into everything directly. We specialize in offering curated events or PR that is most suitable to the brand.

What is your definition of the word ‘success’? Success is subjective! One person’s definition of success is not the same for another. For me, success is achieving the personal and career goals that I have set. I am not in a race with anyone! I believe if you do what you do, and do it with complete honesty and genuinely, your business is sure to succeed.

When did you discover your passion for your business? This is something I have never contemplated on; but over a glass of wine, a friend convinced me stating that I have what it takes, and here I am!

Who are your role models? Sir Richard Branson.

Was your family supportive of your new venture? Initially, they were skeptical but eventually, they supported me.

Have you tried and failed with anything in the past?

Yes, many times! One must fail to know never to repeat the same mistake twice.

What is the end goal? To be an internationally renowned Event Management and PR Consultancy Company.

What advice would you give other start-ups?

I strongly believe you must do what you are passionate about, in order to achieve true success. Believe in your dreams and work towards it, don’t let financial barriers or your fear of failure get into you; we may fail once, twice, or thrice, but if you truly believe in your dreams and if your committed to it, you are sure to make it work! Go for it. Never give up.