Aarathi Arumugam

What do you do for a living?

I have vast experience curating community events around celebrations that involve food. COVID saw the need for a reinvention, so now I work as a Finance Manager with Daughters of Tomorrow.

How did your business come about?

I was looking for someone to help me plan my daughter’s first birthday and everyone out there was so cookie cutter – I decided then that I would do it myself. I met my ex-business partner who had similar feelings and The Party Elves was born. Our children’s parties were our first parties as a test to see what kids and adults who came to them thought of the planning and details and voila!

What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?

Executing Kitchen Movements series in 2019, raising $20,000 for Daughters of Tomorrow as a result, and being a recipient of Brands of Good double honour in 2019.

What challenges have you given yourself?

I recently sailed the Atlantic Ocean with 13 other women whom I had not met until I got on that sailing vessel – I had never sailed seriously before other than a 3 day regatta which seriously was more drinking than sailing. We sailed from Plymouth to the Azores to research the effect of plastics on the oceans. Between the crazy weather of winds at 70 knots or waves that went up 30 feet to the volume of plastics we were finding in our samples of water from the sea, it was a challenge to stay upright, focused and hopeful that we will be able to save the seas and ourselves from ourselves.

What is one thing that bothers you most about the world today?

The fact that I am 40+ and we are still talking about how women need to be given a seat at the table… the fact that there is still so much to do around changing mindsets around how women move up. But at the same time I fear that with all the focus on women, the boys of my sons generation will be forgotten. There is a need to be inclusive in how we grow and nurture our children.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Just DO IT

Who do you look up to and why?

My late mother. Many times I look up in prayer for strength (LOL) – in all seriousness I know we all think our mothers are legends – but she really was for me. She worked a serious day job (ophthalmologist and helped so many people with their eyesight) and still found time to spend time with us, be up to date with all our homework and various assignments and classes, still cooked up a storm at home, and was always always well turned out. Because of her I learnt the importance of volunteering, and always do something first – don’t think about what it would earn you – if your gut says you should do it, just do it for the experience … probably not great advise from a business point of view but … it has given me so many insights and I have met so many people as a result of this. She was strict and gracious, and so hardworking.

What is one of your favourite quotes?

It is what it is …

How can someone win a gold star with you?

Be kind, and pay me attention 

If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

The power to do admin, filing at the blink of an eye and fix a wifi connection.