Meet David DiCicco of Marc Hall Design in South End

Today we’d like to introduce you to David DiCicco.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Marc and I met in October of 2012 through a mutual friend who invited us both to attend the GLAD Gala. After randomly being seated next to each other, we naturally struck up a conversation about our careers. I had always been interested in interior design and not knowing much about what I like to now call “temporary interiors”, however, couldn’t figure out how to break into it. I was working in the corporate world as a financial recruiter, but ready for a change. Marc and I loosely kept in touch over the next year and sometime in September of 2013, Marc was ready to expand his staff. I had just started a new job as a corporate recruiting manager for TJX Companies – a great opportunity that was ultimately hard to walk away from. So after 3.5 weeks at my new job, I left to work for Marc and in October of 2013 I started my new career in event design. Almost 4 years later, taking that risk was the best decision I could have made.

After only a year with MHD, I was promoted to Director of Design and Sales where I manage a team of 5, and have had to opportunity to partner with some of the most talented Event Planners, Lighting Designers, Photographers and Hotel Directors in Boston while being able to work in the top venues this city has to offer. My first wedding, my first week at MHD, I was on site setting up for a high end client with Planner Janie Haas of Janie Haas Events, Lighting Designer Suzanne Lowell of Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design, Photographer Cheryl Richards of Cheryl Richards Photography, Nightshift Entertainment managed by Bill and Karen Garside and working at one of most favorite venues to date, the Four Seasons Hotel Boston with Assistance Director of Catering Sales, Philip Deschamps. I look back at that first week and realize how not only lucky I was, but also how naive! Today, I couldn’t be more grateful for where I am, but also, who I’ve learned from.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think anything in life is going to present challenges, especially a new job. I had always been in sales at some level, but I now had to learn my product in order to sale it. With event design, the sale isn’t just a product. You are selling yourself, your personality and if you aren’t confident in who you are, how can someone trust in what you are designing for them? I learned a lot about myself in my first year and quite honestly grew more personally than professionally. Being genuine will get you far in life. And so will being yourself. If people don’t click with who you are, you can’t take it personally. You won’t always be the perfect fit for everyone, but staying true to yourself will sure make it easier!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Marc Hall Design story. Tell us more about the business.
Marc Hall Design is structured in a way that is unique to most companies in Boston. We offer full service event design. Everything from floral, lighting and rentals to custom fabrication and installations. I’ve worked with foragers, welders, carpenters – you name it. If a client has a vision, we will find the right person to help us make it happen. I think what sets us apart from others is that we will take an idea, a picture, a piece of inspiration a client brings us and not reproduce it, but reimagine it. People don’t hire us to create something they have seen before. They hire us to come up with something that is original and reflects their personality.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck and I have had a funny, ever-changing relationship. I do get lucky on occasion, but for the most part, I’ve accepted that I always learn the hard way. If an outcome can go horribly wrong, it will. The important piece is how you react to it and ultimately learn from it. Let’s just say I do my best to hedge my losses when at all possible.

I recently was fortunate enough to attend the most recent Engage Summit which is a luxury wedding business summit where that hosts an intimate group of the industry’s top players. Event Designer Preston Bailey, who I have always looked up to, spoke about his experience with things going wrong during events. His positive attitude towards mishaps, as extreme as tall centerpieces literary falling off the table onto a guests head and ultimately leading to a lawsuit (of which he lost), was inspiring to see and hear through someone with so many years of knowledge. You have to keep your energy positive at all times so I make sure to smile as much as possible.

Contact Info:

• Address: 535 Albany Street, Suite 105A
  Boston, MA 02118
• Website: www.marchalldesign.com
• Phone: 617-482-6272
• Email: ddicicco@marchalldesign.com
• Instagram: @theworldofmarchall
• Facebook: Marc Hall Design

Image Credit:
Genevieve de Manio Photography, Person & Killian Photography, Marc Hall Design

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