by Connie Paglianiti
For over 40 years, I thrived in the fast-paced world of event management, creating unforgettable experiences with celebrities like Susan Sarandon, Sophia Loren, Jane Seymour, and Goldie Hawn. From intimate charity galas to large-scale festivals for thousands, my work earned state awards in Victoria, including for the La Dolce Italia Carnevale Masquerade Ball, a finalist for Best New Event. It was a glamorous, high-pressure life. But behind the scenes, I was battling a personal struggle that would eventually threaten everything I had built.
When Success Collides with Adversity
My journey took a dramatic turn when a business deal went horribly wrong. I was deceived by someone I trusted, and in an attempt to recover my losses, I turned to gambling. What began as a desperate effort to regain control spiraled into a destructive addiction. My life, once defined by successful events and accolades, began to unravel.
The losses weren’t just financial—they were deeply emotional and spiritual. I made choices I deeply regret, choices that eventually landed me in prison for two and a half years. The shame, guilt, and fear of losing everything I had built were suffocating. When I was released, I spent another two and a half years isolating myself, convinced my life and career were over.
Rebuilding From the Ground Up
Recovery from addiction isn’t easy, and my journey was no exception. But through therapy, support groups, and the strength of the people around me, I began to rebuild my life.
One of the most powerful lessons I learned along the way is that no matter how successful or in control you seem, adversity can strike anyone at any time. The key is how you respond to it.
This realization has been invaluable in my professional comeback. When I returned to the world of event management, I had a renewed sense of purpose. My career wasn’t just about executing flawless events anymore—it became about championing causes, inspiring change, and giving back to the communities that supported me. This shift in focus gave me not only personal fulfillment but also a new way to lead with authenticity and purpose.
Leadership Through Reinvention
In business, challenges can feel overwhelming, but they often provide opportunities to innovate and grow. My setback led me to re-evaluate how I approached my career. Instead of seeing myself only as an event manager, I saw an opportunity to become an educator and mentor.
I’ve now written eBooks on event management and developed online courses to train the next generation of event professionals. This has allowed me to scale my expertise and create multiple streams of income. These courses don’t just focus on logistics and execution; I emphasize the importance of ethics, sustainability, and resilience—qualities that are essential for long-term business success.
Practical Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Leaders
Through my journey, I've learned that resilience and adaptability are critical for thriving in the modern business world. Here are some key insights that have helped me rebuild my career and could serve as valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and professionals alike:
1. Learn from Failure, Don’t Fear It: Setbacks are inevitable in business. What matters is how you respond to them. View failures as opportunities for learning and innovation. After my business collapsed, I had to pivot, leveraging my experience in a new way—through education and public speaking.
2. Diversify Your Skills and Revenue Streams: Don’t limit yourself to one career path or business model. While my core expertise remains in event management, diversifying into eBooks and online courses has allowed me to reach new markets and stabilize my income.
3. Lead with Purpose: Today’s customers and clients are more socially conscious than ever. Leading with a mission that aligns with your values, whether through supporting a cause or ensuring ethical practices in your business, can give you a unique edge.
4. Invest in Your Personal Growth: No matter how experienced or accomplished you are, there’s always room for personal and professional development. My journey through addiction recovery was also a journey of self-discovery. Learning to embrace vulnerability and seek help when needed made me a better leader.
Looking Forward
It’s been a long road from the pinnacle of event management to addiction, prison, and finally, recovery. But the journey has taught me that success isn’t just about accolades and achievements—it’s about resilience, self-compassion, and leading with integrity.
Today, I’m proud of the work I’ve done and the person I’ve become. My story is one of redemption and reinvention, and if it can offer hope and inspiration to others, then every challenge I faced was worth it. I continue to manage events, speak about addiction recovery, and teach the next generation of event professionals how to succeed—ethically and sustainably.
The business world is fast-paced and ever-evolving, but if you stay true to your values and embrace the lessons in adversity, you can find both personal fulfillment and professional success. Connect with Connie
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