Since its modest beginnings in 2000, children’s event planning firm It’s a Piece of Cake has watched its business flourish through good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth. The brainchild of San Francisco-based entrepreneur Simla Akyol, the company allows clients to dream up their party entirely from scratch, or choose from a lengthy list of theme parties – ranging from “Make a Movie,” “Rock’n Roll” and “Luau” to “It’s My Cup of Tea,” “Star Wars” and “NASCAR.”
Yesterday’s basic balloons, generic decorations and “pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey” game are replaced by artistically executed, personalized theme parties that a child will remember with fondness for years to come. All the props used at It’s a Piece of Cake’s parties are personalized to the party child, and handmade by Akyol herself from simple, everyday materials. “Nothing is store-bought. I think it’s interesting for the kids to see me bringing out all of these simple , handmade props and crafts,” she says.
The company’s event planning services can cost anywhere from $500 to as much as $12,000. In addition to customized parties and events, It’s a Piece of Cake also hosts etiquette workshops, aptly called “Elbows Off The Table.” Akyol also recently expended her services to provide entertainment for children at wedding and corporate functions.
