Los Angeles is flocked to for many reasons, but its social scene and exclusive events have retained the entertainment capital’s allure since the birth of the film industry. The teams who operate and staff these events play a subtle yet pivotal role in crafting that atmosphere that gives us quintessential Hollywood FOMO.

Celeste Durve founded VIPER—short for VIP Event Relations—after working in event production and wanting to create more equitable opportunities for those taking on unconventional careers in LA’s nightlife. Celeste recounts what it takes to become an entrepreneur in this industry, including its highs and lows, while looking ahead as VIPER evolves into a platform advocating for gig economy workers and their education, continuing to reshape the future of work. Through partnerships with prestigious clients like SoFi Stadium and the h.wood group, and the launch of the groundbreaking VIPER Academy, Celeste shares her journey and vision for the future of event staffing and hospitality.

VIPER has worked with prestigious clients like SoFi Stadium and h.wood group. How did these partnerships shape VIPER’s growth and influence your vision for the company?

We’re honored to work with some of the most influential and respected brands. Our clients inspire us to consistently raise the bar on our service and make sure we’re always innovating and improving.

Transitioning from nightlife gigs to founding VIPER is quite a journey. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on, and how did you overcome them?

Lack of capital was undoubtedly the biggest challenge. When I launched VIPER, I started with nothing. I had to build everything from scratch, and there were many times when I lost money. It’s the cost of doing business, but it’s never enjoyable. I had to learn countless lessons the hard way, from understanding the business landscape to closing clients, being an effective leader, scaling the company, and solving real problems. Nothing has been easy, but these experiences have shaped me into a strong founder.

VIPER emphasizes equitable pay and prioritizes the well-being of its team members. Can you elaborate on the importance of these values within the hospitality industry, and how they contribute to VIPER’s success?

We prioritize team well-being, safety, and equitable pay for all our employees. We have robust feedback loops that ensure we take their perspectives and opinions into account. We promote from within and encourage growth, which builds a strong team foundation. As a result, our employees are happier at work, and our clients really notice the difference in VIPER’s performance on site.

As a first-generation American Indian entrepreneur, how has your cultural background influenced your approach to business and leadership at VIPER?

Among many immigrants, there’s a mindset that emphasizes hard work and resilience. My mom has been a huge influence in my life. She came to the US with nothing—no family, no money—and worked her way up, always finding a way. This has been a powerful metaphor in my life, teaching me to always find a way to figure things out. Additionally, I’m very big on family-like culture at VIPER, it’s important to me that our team takes care of each other.

Celeste, VIPER Academy marks a significant new chapter for VIPER. Can you share what inspired you to launch this initiative now, and what you hope it will achieve?

VIPER Academy has me more excited than I’ve been in a long time. Over the past year, I’ve closely observed the shifting landscape of work culture. Young people are increasingly moving away from the traditional college-to-corporate path and seeking new ways to work. VIPER Academy addresses this by teaching essential skills like leadership, sales, and hospitality, shaping our staff into excellent candidates for temporary employment. This program prepares them to handle various situations effectively, making them a valuable asset to our clients.

VIPER has been instrumental in staffing Hollywood’s biggest events. How does VIPER Academy elevate the skills and opportunities for your team members, and how will it redefine excellence in event staffing?

This initiative redefines excellence in event staffing by setting a new standard for preparedness and adaptability. Our clients can expect a higher level of service, as our staff are trained to handle diverse challenges with competence and confidence. Through VIPER Academy, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, ultimately raising the bar for the entire industry, as we are creating the first of its kind. At VIPER, we’re committed to being the industry standard and we want to teach this curriculum to continue raising the bar.

Could you elaborate on the core values that drive VIPER Academy, especially in terms of fostering growth and well-being among your team members?

At VIPER Academy, our core values are essential in fostering growth and well-being among our team members. We strive for excellence and continuous learning, ensuring our staff are top-notch in hospitality. Integrity and teamwork guide our interactions, while innovation keeps us ahead of industry trends. We prioritize customer satisfaction, teaching resilience to handle any challenge. We also celebrate diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. These values make our team members happier, more confident, and better prepared to excel. Ultimately, we place a large emphasis on happy employees.

Your journey as a founder has been shaped by personal experiences. How have your own challenges influenced the development of VIPER Academy and its approach to hospitality?

As a founder, I’m a life-long learner. I love to read and further expand my perspectives and frame of reference, and I think that’s helped me succeed in my career. A Lot of the VIPER Academy is built on expanding emotional intelligence, which I’m a firm believer in. I want to help cultivate new leaders and take everything I learned from my own challenges and turn them into methods for success for my team.

Hollywood’s hospitality industry often comes with its own stereotypes and challenges. How does VIPER Academy address these, and what role does diversity play in your vision for the future?

We’ve always had a naturally diverse team, especially being based in LA, a vibrant melting pot. As we expand into other big cities, we actively seek out diverse talent. This diversity is key to our success, offering a variety of perspectives and enabling us to work effectively with different brands and their target audiences. For clients needing bilingual speakers or cultural insights, we can provide the right fit. Additionally, our commitment to diversity helps support local communities by ensuring equitable pay for individuals from various backgrounds, especially where other opportunities may be limited.

With VIPER’s impressive portfolio and clientele, how do you see VIPER Academy contributing to broader community impact beyond your immediate industry?

I hope the impact of VIPER Academy extends far beyond our immediate industry. Our goal is to create a sustainable environment where men and women can grow their skill sets and learn valuable lessons to improve both their personal and professional lives. As the culture of work continues to evolve, we aim to provide genuine thought leadership and teach skills in sales, hospitality, emotional intelligence, and leadership that have a lasting impact beyond VIPER events.

As an LA native, your commitment to the city and its community shines through VIPER’s initiatives. How do you envision extending these opportunities further, and what impact do you hope to have on the local and global scale?

Being born and raised in LA, it’s been a huge part of my mission to give back to the city and all our local communities. We’re a non-traditional place and thats why VIPER was built in a non-traditional way. We aim to deliver an impact that supports mental health and personal wellbeing and community. We want to bring more job opportunities across the board and be able to use VIPER academy to teach skills to further career development. In LA, we help shape culture and success for alot of these brands, so its only right that we are made part of the process when they activate. On a global scale, I want to innovate the way Gen Z and Gen alpha work, and help provide opportunities for them to get good contracted work and be able to contribute to their work life balance.

Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for VIPER Academy, and how do you see it shaping the future of event staffing and hospitality in Hollywood and beyond?

Looking ahead, my long-term vision for VIPER Academy is ambitious yet clear: I envision it expanding into a nationwide program and eventually evolving into a global summit for best-in-class hospitality training—accessible to all, regardless of college degrees. I aim to lead in reshaping the future of work for upcoming generations, pushing boundaries and setting new standards. Finding the balance between equitable pay, work-life balance, and prioritizing mental health within our communities is crucial, and I believe VIPER Academy and VIPER as a whole can spearhead this transformative journey.

Finally, for aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals interested in entering the hospitality industry, what advice would you give them based on your experiences with VIPER and now VIPER Academy?

Stay true to yourself and practice kindness wherever you can—it’s an invaluable skill that’s often overlooked. Gain as much experience as possible and always think about how you can improve upon it. Never stop learning and growing. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that resilience and adaptability are key. Build strong relationships, prioritize integrity, and be open to new ideas. The combination of passion, empathy, and innovation will set you apart in the hospitality industry.