Turning Creative Visions into Profitable Businesses: Insights from La’Zendra Danforth

Creative ideas are easy.
Turning them into sustainable businesses is where things get interesting.

On this episode of This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast, I sat down with La’Zendra Danforth, CEO of Studio D Meetings & Events and founder of Konfetti Carts, to talk about what it really takes to turn creative vision into something profitable, scalable, and sustainable.

La’Zendra brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and event planning—and her approach is a masterclass in combining creativity with strategy.

From creative spark to business foundation

La’Zendra’s path into the event industry started long before Studio D officially launched. Her background in hospitality and large-scale event planning shaped how she thinks about experience design—not just logistics.

When she founded Studio D Meetings & Events, the goal wasn’t to replicate traditional corporate meeting firms. Instead, she focused on crafting thoughtful, mission-driven experiences for corporate clients. A big part of that, she shared, is understanding why an event exists in the first place. When you understand a client’s purpose, the experience naturally becomes more meaningful.

How Konfetti Carts was born

Konfetti Carts came from a simple but powerful question:
How do we add more joy to corporate events?

The idea grew out of a conversation with a repeat client who wanted to elevate the experience during event breaks. Instead of defaulting to the expected, La’Zendra introduced something playful and memorable—ice cream.

What started as a creative add-on quickly became its own brand. Today, Konfetti Carts serves weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of all kinds, with a focus on inclusivity and thoughtful details—including options for dietary restrictions.

Marketing rooted in emotion

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was La’Zendra’s perspective on marketing. She doesn’t see ice cream as a product—she sees it as an emotion.

Whether it’s a wedding day, a birthday party, or a company celebration, the experience around the cart is what people remember. Her marketing strategy reflects that. Instead of leading with features, she invites people to picture themselves there—to imagine the moment, the joy, and the experience.

That emotional connection is what positions Konfetti Carts as a premium brand rather than just another vendor.

Building a brand that feels intentional

From the beginning, La’Zendra made strategic choices to keep the brand polished and flexible. The carts themselves are intentionally minimal in design, allowing them to blend seamlessly into different event styles and themes.

That decision reinforces the brand’s premium feel while making Konfetti Carts adaptable across a wide range of events. It’s a great example of how early brand decisions can support long-term growth.

Community, visibility, and growth

Since relocating to Columbus, La’Zendra has leaned heavily into community involvement—and it shows. By participating in local events, forming partnerships, and saying yes to opportunities that created visibility, she’s built momentum organically.

She also shared something important for creatives: growth often requires stepping out from behind the scenes. Showing up, talking about your work, and being visible can feel uncomfortable—but it’s often where the next opportunity comes from.

Key takeaways

This conversation is a reminder that creativity alone isn’t the goal—direction is.

Understanding your client, designing experiences with intention, building a brand that supports your vision, and staying connected to your community are what turn ideas into businesses that last.

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
Turning Creative Visions into Profitable Businesses: Insights from La’Zendra Danforth
on This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcas