We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Luxton Sierra Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa Luxton, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Both of us came from very demanding corporate careers—Melissa as a Trauma and Emergency Department nurse for 18 years, and Sierra as an aerospace engineer for 7. Because of that, we’re very familiar with high-pressure environments where decisions matter and there’s little room for error. That background has shaped how we think about risk—we don’t see it as something reckless, but as something intentional, calculated, and grounded in preparation.

Starting our business while still working full-time in those careers has been one of the biggest risks we’ve taken. There’s a level of security in what we do professionally, so choosing to build something on the side—with the long-term goal of stepping away from those roles—has required a lot of trust in ourselves and in our vision.

We’ve learned that sometimes risk doesn’t look like a single big leap—it looks like showing up consistently, putting in the extra hours, and choosing the unknown over comfort again and again. Launching Valley Girl Event Co earlier than planned is a perfect example. What we thought would be a future goal ended up happening just two months after starting Valley Girl Bachelorette, and trusting that momentum was a defining moment for us.

Now, we approach risk as a balance between intuition and strategy. We trust our instincts, but we also make thoughtful, informed decisions that support long-term growth. Every step we take is with the intention of building something sustainable that will eventually allow us to fully transition into this next chapter.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At the core of what we do, our “art” is creating experiences. Anyone can decorate a space, but what sets us apart is our ability to take a vision—or sometimes just a feeling—and turn it into something fully immersive and unforgettable. We focus on the details that make people feel something, not just what photographs well. Every setup is intentional, personalized, and designed to create a moment our clients will remember long after the weekend is over.

Our backgrounds play a big role in how we operate. Coming from careers in trauma nursing and aerospace engineering, we’re wired to be precise, adaptable, and solution-oriented. That shows up in our work through our level of organization, our ability to execute under pressure, and our commitment to delivering a seamless experience every time.

We’re most proud of the fact that we built this from the ground up. There was no blueprint—we taught ourselves, figured things out as we went, and continued to evolve with every event. What started as one idea quickly grew into multiple brands, and seeing that growth happen so organically has been incredibly rewarding.

It definitely hasn’t been easy. We’ve been building this business while still working full-time in demanding careers, which has required a lot of sacrifice, discipline, and long hours. There have been moments of burnout and uncertainty, but instead of letting those moments stop us, we used them as opportunities to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start—you just have to be willing to take the first step and stay consistent. We’ve also learned the importance of trusting ourselves, staying true to our vision, and not getting caught up in comparison.

What we want the world to know about us is that this brand is built on passion, resilience, and a genuine love for what we do. We care deeply about the experiences we create and the people we create them for. This is more than just a business to us—it’s something we’ve poured our hearts into, and we’re just getting started.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d kick things off with an elevated dinner at Three Thirty Three. What makes it so unique is the entire experience—it’s intimate, design-forward, and feels a little unexpected in the best way. The menu is curated and creative, the cocktails are intentional, and it’s one of those places where every detail feels thought out. It’s not just dinner, it’s an experience, and the kind of spot that makes a night feel special from the moment you walk in.

For drinks, we’d take them somewhere more immersive like Undertow for a completely transportive cocktail experience, and then over to Wine Girl for something a little more playful, aesthetic, and fun.

Of course, no trip is complete without a pool day (or two). We’d spend time at W Scottsdale Wet Deck for that classic Scottsdale daytime party energy. Then we’d switch it up and head out to Oasis at Wild Horse Pass, which is such a fun contrast—they bring in touring EDM DJs and host their parties at night, which is honestly the perfect reprieve from the Arizona sun while still getting that high-energy pool party vibe.

For activities, we’d go all in. A Wild West-style day with the Wild West Party Bus out to Buffalo Chip Saloon is always unforgettable. We’d also plan an ATV adventure with Ignition Powersports to get out into the desert and do something a little more adventurous.

And one of our absolute favorite days would be out on the water at Lake Pleasant with Seas the Day AZ—especially their pink party barges, because we love anything pink. It’s such a fun, unique way to experience Arizona and always ends up being a highlight of the trip.

Honestly, the best part of a week like this is the balance—there’s energy, adventure, great food, and those slower moments in between where you’re just enjoying being together. Arizona has such a unique mix of desert beauty, nightlife, and luxury experiences, and we love getting to share that with people.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the people who have supported us behind the scenes every step of the way. First and foremost, our shoutout goes to our significant others—they’ve been our biggest supporters, even when the late nights, long weekends, and all-in hustle of building a business hasn’t been easy. From encouraging us when we’re exhausted, to cooking for us when we’re too busy (or too tired) to even think about it, their patience, support, and belief in us have meant everything.

We also want to give a special shoutout to Kinsey Kendrick with Liquid Caterers, who has been an incredible mentor to us as we were getting started. Having someone who has walked this path before and was willing to share guidance, insight, and encouragement made such a difference in those early stages.

And honestly, we owe a lot to each other. Our partnership and friendship is the foundation of everything we’ve built. We balance each other, push each other, and genuinely love what we’re creating together—which makes even the hard days worth it.

Website: https://valleygirleventco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valleygirleventco

Facebook: https://www.pinterest.com/valleygirleventco

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/valleygirleventco

Image Credits
Sierra Rose, Valley Girl Bachelorette (1, 2)
Sierra Rose, Valley Girl Event Co. (3, 5, 6, 8)
Ryan Lindsey Photography (7)
Tyler Garlej Photography (Personal Photo and 4)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.