Business Takes Root During Time at Nashville State

Rebekah Abraham saw opportunity knocking.

With an associate degree in Hospitality Management from Nashville State she is turning opportunity into reality.

Abraham came to Nashville State hoping to find a way to pair her creativity with opportunities in the business of event planning and management.

“I’ve always been a creative person,” Abraham said. “I like seeing things come together.”

Instead of following a traditional employee-employer path, Abraham struck out on her own, starting a party and event management business called Lovestruck Nashville.

Her company specializes in working with the ever-growing bachelorette and bachelor party scene that has boomed in Music City.

It was in the hospitality program in the School of Business and Professionals Studies at Nashville State where her idea grew.

As s part of her studies, she enrolled in a special topics class taught by program director Thom Druffel, a longtime executive and expert in the hospitality industry. 

Working with Druffel, she laid the building blocks for what would become Lovestruck.

“She had the motivation,” Druffel said.

“The more I talked to her, the more she expressed how important it was for her to do something special. And she had a great idea.”

Helping students find success is what Druffel loves about teaching.

“My job is to help fulfill their dreams. How do I get these students to the next step?”

“It [the course] helped me tremendously,” Abraham said. “He adapted the class, and I was able to create a business plan.”

Using that plan, Abraham launched Lovestruck in February. In addition to providing clients with specialty events and party planning, she is building partnerships with event venues and others while working to expand and grow to other types of events.

Abraham says the flexibility offered by Nashville State allowed her to keep working while obtaining her degree and that working with the faculty has set her up for success.

“I enjoyed my time there...the teachers there want you to succeed,” Abraham said.

Druffel takes pride in being adaptable to student needs. “I try to work on something specific to their interest.”

But, beyond just the skills needed to succeed, Druffel hopes his students take away one key message, “I believe I can do this.”

“I want to create a sense of hope and possibilities,” Druffel said.

It is that sense of care and student attention Abraham credits with helping her along the way.

“Mr. Druffel has been awesome. He has been there for mentorship and advice,” Abraham said.

“They don’t have to care, but they do.”

While Lovestruck Nashville is in its early days, anyone who speaks to Abraham can see she has the drive and passion to succeed.

As she combines that drive with the skills and knowledge from Nashville State, the possibilities are endless.