Exploring Life & Business with Mackenzie Quinonez of The Engagement Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mackenzie Quinonez.

Hi Mackenzie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a modern traditionalist at heart, lover of doodles, mama of one, and self-professed recovering perfectionist, I have always been drawn to the details that make life meaningful. Those little touches, the colors, the textures, the way a room feels, have long whispered to me the possibility of turning moments into memories.

I have been planning and designing in my mind for as long as I can remember. While most kids daydreamed about fairy tales or adventures, I imagined parties, tablescapes, and the quiet symphony of bringing a vision to life. That inclination led me to study entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona, where I began building the foundation for what would become my life’s work.

Motherhood entered the picture in the midst of my early adult years, and rather than derailing my ambitions, it sharpened them. I became more intentional. I wanted something I could build around both my dreams and my responsibilities.

To ensure I had the credentials and craft behind the passion, I dove into interior design and earned my event planning certification. But formal education was only part of the story. I immersed myself in the field, working with established planners, collaborating with florists, connecting with vendors, and learning the choreography behind a successful event. Those early collaborations taught me that every team member matters, from the first sketch to the final moments of a reception.

Over time, these experiences, relationships, and lessons culminated in clarity. I could build this for myself. In 2018, The Engagement Co. officially came to life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. After our soft opening in 2018 and public launch in 2019, the company quickly gained momentum with incredible projects that found their way to our doors. Then, in 2020, Covid struck just days after one of our first weddings of the spring season, and we watched our beautiful, booming industry collapse almost overnight. Months went by, and I think I drove my family and team a little crazy designing and redesigning even the spaces in our home just to keep the creativity flowing. It is true, we are happiest in our creative bubble.

When restrictions were finally lifted and we could create moments for others to celebrate publicly again, the world had changed. Even as large scale events resumed, the emotional and social dynamics of our clients had shifted. People approached gatherings with a new perspective, and we had to adapt alongside them.

As of 2025, we have technically been in business for seven years, though I personally do not count 2018. In these six official years, I have built this company, created momentum, spent a year I will always cherish raising my little one for kindergarten at home, watched my assistant get engaged and married and start a beautiful family, and weathered the hardships our world went through together. Twice, the company has had to restart. The first time was difficult, but the second was even harder.

Today, I see us in a stage where we are about two years old again, ready to stop walking and start running. It has been incredibly hard, both personally and as a company, but we came back, reopened the doors, turned the lights back on, and let our creativity flow. Now, we are stronger than ever, excited for the projects that are still out there waiting to find us. This year, we are approaching events that will demand all our hearts and soul, and next year, we will be packing our bags and heading back East for one of our favorite destination weddings. Stay tuned.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Engagement Co.?
At The Engagement Co., we believe every memory is worth planning for. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, we specialize in creating sophisticated, intentional events that reflect the unique stories of our clients. From weddings and corporate gatherings to lifestyle celebrations, we bring together the art of interior design and the precision of event planning to craft experiences that are as beautiful as they are meaningful. Every detail matters, because we know these are the moments people will remember forever.

What Sets Us Apart

The Engagement Co. is defined by our ability to combine creativity, strategy, and a deep understanding of our clients’ vision. We are known for our elevated design sensibility, meticulous attention to detail, and the way we make every client feel heard and understood. Rooted in relationships, we guide our clients from the first consultation to the final farewell, turning ideas into moments that feel personal, intentional, and unforgettable.

Our Offerings

We provide full service planning and design across multiple areas:

Weddings: From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, we curate every detail to ensure the day is as memorable as it is magical.

Corporate Events: Tailored experiences that reflect your brand and engage your audience in meaningful ways.

Lifestyle Celebrations: Personalized events that honor life’s milestones, from intimate gatherings to birthdays,
anniversaries, and more.

Interior Design: Transforming spaces to reflect style, purpose, and personality.

What We’re Most Proud Of

Beyond the events we create, we are proud of the relationships we build along the way. Clients often describe us as a seamless extension of their vision, bringing expertise, care, and heart to every project. Testimonials reflect our dedication and passion: “Mackenzie and her team at The Engagement Co. are incredible! Look no further if you are on the fence about using her for an event, wedding, or interior design work.” These words capture what we strive for every day: a thoughtful, memorable, and joyful experience.

Our Invitation to You

We invite you to explore our collections and see the difference of working with a team that treats your celebration as our own. At The Engagement Co., we do not just plan events, we create memories to last a lifetime.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk has been an integral part of my journey, both personally and professionally. Starting The Engagement Co. was, in many ways, a leap of faith. I left the security of traditional roles and invested not only time and money, but my heart and energy into building something entirely of my own design. Launching a company while raising a child and balancing life’s uncertainties was a risk that could have easily felt overwhelming, but the potential for creating something meaningful outweighed the fear.

The biggest risks have often been intertwined with growth. From leaving a steady career path to pivoting the company after Covid disrupted the events industry, each decision carried uncertainty. I have had to trust my instincts, lean on my creativity, and rely on the resilience of my team. Some risks have been calculated, testing new ideas, expanding services, or taking on ambitious projects, and some have simply been about stepping into the unknown and seeing what we are capable of.

To me, risk is not about recklessness; it is about thoughtful courage. It is the willingness to move forward even when the outcome is not guaranteed, knowing that every challenge brings lessons and opportunities. Taking risks has allowed The Engagement Co. to grow stronger, more innovative, and more aligned with the vision I dreamed of from the very beginning.

Pricing:

• Pricing Overview
• I do not often speak of pricing because every project is one of a kind. Each client comes to us with a wishlist and financial parameters, and from there we discuss the full scope of work with our team. We provide recommendations, outline the percentage charged based on the project’s scope, and once agreements are in place, we sign contracts and hit the ground running. This approach ensures that every project is customized, intentional, and aligned with the client’s vision and investment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theengagement.co/#home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theengagement.co/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theengagement.co/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/theengagement_co/

Image Credits
Laura Murray Photography, Ryann Lindsey Photography, and Ashley Rae Photography