There are people who simply throw parties, and then there are people who create experiences children remember long after the decorations come down.

For Alyson, founder of The Event Cart, creating joyful celebrations has been part of who she is for years.

Before launching her business, Alyson spent a decade as a hairstylist before stepping away to become a stay-at-home mom, devoting six years to raising her five children. As her youngest prepared to start school, she knew she wanted to build something meaningful for her next chapter—something rooted in creativity, family, and the joy she'd spent years creating at home.

"My business may be one year old, but I've been planning kids' parties for over 10 years," Alyson said. "I know firsthand what kids want, how they think, and what makes them excited."

Then, in February 2025, life unexpectedly changed. Faced with becoming a single mom of five, Alyson leaned into the one thing she'd always loved: creating unforgettable experiences for children.

She realized there was a gap in the party industry. While most add-on services centered around food, she wanted something interactive that every child could enjoy—including her own child with celiac disease. That idea became The Event Cart, Michigan's first and only kids party cart experience, offering seven unique themed carts that combine entertainment, hands-on activities, and take-home favors into one memorable experience.

But the business quickly became about much more than party entertainment. Many parents come to Alyson after spending months planning a celebration and simply wanting to enjoy the day themselves. "We help parents enjoy the party they spent months planning," she said. "We bring the entertainment, the craft and the thank-you gift, so they don't have to worry about those details."

Whether she's celebrating a first birthday, Holy Communion, school event or birthday party, Alyson considers it a privilege to be invited into some of life's most meaningful moments. "I don't take lightly being welcomed into major life moments," she said.

Parents often tell her they're amazed by the experience. One family shared that the Slushie Boba Cart was such a hit at their daughter's birthday party that both kids and parents were still talking about it more than a month later. Others simply describe the experience as something they've "never seen before."

Still, one of Alyson's favorite memories had nothing to do with a party package. While filming content during an event, an 11-year-old girl stopped her mid-conversation. "Wait… is this like a job?" the girl asked. Before Alyson could answer, another child excitedly chimed in, "Oh, I'm definitely doing this!"

The moment resonated with millions after Alyson shared it online, but for her, its significance went far beyond the viral video. "I love showing kids that they can dream big and create a life they're proud of and love," she said. That philosophy extends into Alyson's own home.

Growing up in Clinton Township and now raising her family in Novi, life is full with five children, two dogs, weekly movie and game nights, and what she laughingly describes as a "what's one more?" attitude whenever another child wants to join the fun.

"Our house has an open door for everyone," she said. It's a spirit of hospitality and joy that naturally carries into every event she hosts. When asked what advice she'd offer others, Alyson didn't hesitate. "No matter what you do in life, do something you love, and the success will follow." It's advice she has lived herself.

By turning her creativity into a business, Alyson has built more than a unique party experience. She's helping families celebrate childhood, giving parents the freedom to be fully present, and reminding the next generation that imagination, resilience and a little creativity can open doors they never imagined.

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