Member Spotlight

Short Bio:

Sarah O’Connor is the Founder and CEO of Lumina Events, an award-winning event management company based in Dublin. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality and event management, Sarah has built a reputation for delivering bespoke corporate and private events throughout Europe. Her passion for creating unforgettable experiences, combined with strong business acumen, has propelled Lumina to become a market leader in luxury events.

Interview with Sarah O’Connor

1. Tell us a little about Lumina Events and how it started.
   I founded Lumina Events because I saw a gap for highly personalised, end-to-end event management. Big agencies were focused on volume, not relationships. I wanted to bring a boutique, bespoke approach to the corporate and private events sector.
2. What has been your biggest break in business so far?
   Winning our first international client. It gave us credibility beyond Ireland and opened doors to larger, more complex events.
3. What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced?
   The pandemic. We went from a full calendar to zero overnight. It forced us to innovate quickly with virtual events, which in the end strengthened our offering.
4. What do you believe is the single biggest driver of your success?
   Obsessive attention to detail. No matter how big or small an event is, clients remember how you made them feel — and details are everything.
5. How would you describe your approach to business philosophy?
   Be transparent, be reliable, and treat every client like they’re your only client.
6. What's one piece of advice you would give to your 25-year-old self?
   Trust your instincts more. And invest earlier in building a really solid team around you.
7. How do you keep yourself motivated?
   I love seeing a vision come to life. Every event is like a living project, and the energy from happy clients is incredibly motivating.
8. How do you define success today?
   Success is about impact — on clients, on my team’s careers, and on the industry standard for what great service should look like.
9. What's the best advice you ever received from a mentor?
   “You can't do it all yourself — the right team multiplies your strengths.”
10. What key habit helps you succeed?
    Daily prioritisation. Every morning I list the top three things that must move forward that day. It keeps me focused amid the chaos.
11. Who is a business leader you admire, and why?
    Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. She stayed true to her vision, bootstrapped her way to success, and built a brand around authenticity.
12. How important are networks like Spark Business Network to entrepreneurs like yourself?
    Incredibly important. Business is built on relationships, and Spark offers access to a trusted community where real opportunities can develop.
13. In what ways could you help fellow members of Spark Business Network?
    I can offer insights into client relationship management, branding through experiences, and navigating business growth challenges, especially in service industries.
14. In what ways could your fellow members of Spark Business Network help you or your business?
    Collaborations, referrals, and advice on expanding Lumina Events into new sectors and international markets would be invaluable.