Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Wong.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sweet Milk Collective didn’t start as a “big business plan.” It started as something I’ve always been known for… being the person who helps others celebrate.
Before Sweet Milk, I spent over a decade in hospitality and event planning, working with major hotel brands like Hilton, Wyndham, and Intercontinental. I coordinated hundreds of events, from corporate board meetings and multi-day retreats to weddings, baby showers, birthdays, quinceañeras, and family reunions. Hospitality taught me how to anticipate needs, keep things calm under pressure, and make people feel taken care of; and that foundation still guides everything I do today.
But life really shifted once I became a mom for the first time. Then a mom of two…then of three.
I loved my corporate career, but motherhood gave me a new perspective. I found myself craving a slower, more intentional life. One where I could savor my kids’ childhood and be present for the moments that matter. That season naturally pulled me into a world of volunteering, school events, community involvement, and planning gatherings that weren’t just “pretty,” but meaningful. I started noticing how important these shared experiences are. Not just for families, but for entire communities.
Even before Sweet Milk became official, I was already doing the work. I had always been the go-to person in my family and friend circles whenever someone had something to celebrate. Birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, graduations, you name it. If there was a milestone, I was usually the one bringing the vision to life. I genuinely love the process of taking someone’s ideas, spark of inspiration, or even just a feeling they want the day to have, and turning it into something personal, thoughtful, and memorable.
Over time, I realized something important: most people don’t struggle to plan and throw a celebration because they don’t care; they struggle because they’re busy. They want the celebration, but the planning and decision-making can be overwhelming, and the execution of it all certainly takes time, energy, and design confidence. That’s where Sweet Milk was born.
I created Sweet Milk Collective to help modern families, couples, and corporate & community leaders celebrate without the stress, all while still having something beautifully styled and intentional. I specialize in intimate gatherings under 100 guests because those are often the most personal and meaningful… but I also love a challenge, and there’s something exciting about bringing a large-scale vision to life when the moment calls for it.
Today, Sweet Milk serves Liberty Hill, the greater Austin area, and the Texas Hill Country. Whether it’s a micro wedding, a shower, a milestone birthday, or a community celebration, my goal is always the same: to create a space that feels warm, elevated, and welcoming. The kind of event where guests walk in and instantly feel like, this is special.
At the heart of it all, Sweet Milk is really about connection. It’s about honoring seasons of life, celebrating people well, and making memories that actually feel good and look just as good!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not completely! It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, but it has been worth it.
One of the biggest challenges has been building Sweet Milk while also being a mom of three, homeschooling while helping run a microschool, and managing real life. When you’re starting something from scratch, there’s always more you could be doing, and it can feel like you’re constantly catching up. Learning how to pace myself, protect my energy, and still show up fully for my clients and my family has been a growth process.
Another challenge has been transitioning from “being great at events” to running a real business with systems, boundaries, pricing, contracts, and clear communication. Event styling can look easy from the outside, but there’s so much behind-the-scenes work! Sourcing, creation & design, coordinating vendors, creating timelines, creating mockups, troubleshooting, and executing the day-of details. Learning to confidently own the value of what I bring to the table has been a huge part of my journey.
And honestly, one of my biggest struggles has been marketing… especially social media.
I’m over 40, and while I’m great with people in real life (face-to-face, networking events, over the phone, through email… that’s my comfort zone), I am completely out of my league when it comes to content creation and the whole social media world. Regretfully, it’s been a real obstacle because so much of the design space lives online, and most of my target audience is on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. That’s where people discover vendors now; and for a while, I honestly didn’t even know where to begin or how it all works.
So yes… my social pages are a little (or a lot) empty, and I know that has probably put me behind the game at times. But I’ve also learned that building a business doesn’t have to look perfect to be real, and everyone has a growth area. For me, 2026 is the year I commit to learning new skills, getting more comfortable sharing my work online, and getting “with the times” (LOL). Age is just a number after all, and I’m proof that you can start something new, learn new things, and go after what you love at any stage.
Even with the challenges, I’m grateful. Every obstacle has stretched me and continues to stretch me in the best way… and it’s making me a stronger business owner, designer, and leader.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sweet Milk Collective?
Sweet Milk Collective is an event design and styling business based in Liberty Hill, serving the greater Austin area and the Texas Hill Country. At the heart of it, what we do is simple: we help people celebrate by crafting unforgettable moments in beautifully styled spaces.
We take meaningful moments, big or small, and turn them into beautifully curated experiences that feel personal, welcoming, and effortless.
We specialize in intimate gatherings, typically under 100 guests. That includes micro weddings and elopements, engagement parties, bridal and baby showers, milestone birthdays, styled dinners, holiday gatherings, corporate appreciation events, and community events. While I love the warmth of smaller celebrations most, I also enjoy the challenge of larger-scale events and building out multiple spaces with a cohesive design story.
What I’m most known for is bringing a client’s vision to life in a way that feels elevated but still comfortable. Never stiff, never overly trendy, and never “one-size-fits-all.” My style is thoughtful and design-forward but always rooted in hospitality. I want guests to walk into a space and instantly feel two things:
1. wow, this is beautiful… and 2. wow, I feel good here.
What sets Sweet Milk apart is that I don’t just focus on making things look “pretty.” I focus on the entire experience. My background in hospitality taught me that details matter, but so does flow, comfort, timing, and how the event feels for the people in the room. I’m very hands-on, highly organized, and I truly care about the client experience from start to finish. I also limit the number of events I take on (never more than 4 total per month) so I can give each celebration the attention it deserves. For larger events, I only take 1 per month.
I’m also proud of how accessible and flexible Sweet Milk is. Some clients want full-service styling and execution where they don’t have to lift a finger. Others have already purchased décor or have a clear theme in mind and just need help pulling it all together. I love being able to meet people where they are. Whether they want a full design partner or simply someone to help bring cohesion and calm to the process.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust people place in me. When someone hires Sweet Milk, they’re usually in the middle of a meaningful season: getting married, welcoming a baby, celebrating a milestone, or gathering family and friends. I don’t take that lightly. I’m proud that my clients feel supported, heard, and cared for, and that their events reflect who they are, not just what’s trending online.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s that Sweet Milk exists for the people who want a beautiful celebration, but don’t want the stress that comes with trying to do it all themselves. My goal is to make the process feel exciting, not overwhelming, and to create gatherings that feel intentional, joyful, and memorable long after the last guest leaves.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out to start.
For a long time, I thought I needed the “right moment,” more time, more confidence, more knowledge, a clearer plan. But building Sweet Milk has taught me that clarity comes through action. You learn by doing, by trying, by adjusting, and by being willing to grow as you go.
It’s also taught me to trust my strengths. I may not be the most naturally tech-savvy person or the fastest at keeping up with trends online, but I know how to connect with people, how to listen, and how to take care of them…and that matters! My clients remember how I made the process feel, not just what the event looked like.
And maybe the biggest lesson of all: it’s never too late to build something that feels like you. Age doesn’t disqualify you; it gives you perspective, experience, and grit. If anything, I feel more capable now than I did in my twenties because I know who I am, what I value, and what kind of life I want to create.
Personally, I’ve also learned to give myself grace. I’m building this while homeschooling and raising three kids, and I’ve realized that consistency matters more than perfection. Progress is still progress, and you can build something meaningful one step at a time.
Pricing:
- Consultation Calls: $75/hr
- Skim Milk package – DIY Design Kit (Digital Only): FROM $350+
- 2% package – Event Styling Only: FROM $450+
- Whole Milk package – Event Styling + Design Support: FROM $850+
- Crème de la Crème – Full Event Design + Styling: FROM $1500+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetmilkco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetmilkcollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583657525274#
