It might sound too good to be true, but you can bet your bottom dollar that you won’t have to drop a penny for Brittany Birch’s venue sourcing service. It’s simple – clients send Brittany their event brief, she offers a curated selection of venue suggestions, then Brittany is rewarded for her knowledge, connections and hard work through successful bookings. It’s a system that only those who are good enough at what they do can offer and still succeed. As for Brittany’s Resonance Place venue sourcing biz, the proof is in the pudding.

Tell us a little bit about Resonance Place and how the service works. Resonance Place was born from my passion for events. My background is in theatre, so I’ve always been drawn to the magic of gathering and the idea that something unexpected or inspiring can happen when people come together. Whether it's meeting someone new, being moved by a performance or just experiencing a space in a different way, I love curating those moments. I work best with clients who need support navigating the initial planning stages, from sourcing venues to refining the event vision.

To give you a quick overview of the process, once I receive an event brief, I will provide five to 10 venues that suit the specifications in a collated report. My client will choose two or three spaces they’d like to compare, then I request formal quotes and set up site inspections. Once finalised, I connect my client directly with the venue to execute a fantastic function! Over the years I’ve also built incredible relationships with suppliers in styling, entertainment and activations, so I’m often called upon to offer ideas around theming and team activities too.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Resonance Place | Events Curator (@resonance_place)

How are you able to offer your services for free? It surprises people, but this model is actually quite traditional. I operate on a success-based system: my clients don’t pay for the sourcing service; I’m paid by the venue when a booking is confirmed. There is quite a bit of education involved but the beauty of this model is that it allows me to support a wide range of people and businesses. It also means my success is directly tied to building strong, respectful relationships, both with clients and with venue partners. Because I work on trust, I only take on briefs where I know I can add real value. I love that my role sits at the intersection of creativity and strategy. I’m helping venues grow their visibility while helping event planners discover the perfect space. Everyone benefits.

What led you to starting your own company? I started out at MAC Cosmetics, working on artist masterclasses, retail campaigns and brand activations, then moved into corporate events. As you’d expect, it involved a lot of nights and weekends – which isn’t ideal for a young family. My husband has always been incredibly supportive and encouraged me to believe in my own abilities, and after helping a few other start-ups behind the scenes, I finally decided to launch Resonance Place during maternity leave. The response was honestly overwhelming. The clients I’d worked with over the years were incredibly excited for me and things took off quickly. I’m so grateful for the early trust everyone placed in me. The timing could not have been better, and it has been a rewarding journey from day one.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Resonance Place | Events Curator (@resonance_place)

What else are you working on at the moment beside venue sourcing? Lately, I’ve also added event styling into the mix alongside my dear friend who’s an incredible interior designer and stylist. It’s been a natural extension of helping clients bring their vision to life. My work often branches out into creative projects that celebrate Australian art, culture and design. I’m passionate about providing platforms for artists who may not typically have access to certain spaces, and I love fostering unexpected collaborations that bring unique event experiences to life. Over the years, I’ve produced everything from fashion shows and art exhibitions to immersive theatre. Right now, I’m producing a documentary exploring Melbourne/Naarm’s sustainable fashion movement. I’m also a registered art therapist and will soon be launching a workshop series focused on rewriting personal narratives as a tool for crafting a more aligned and meaningful future.

What were some of the obstacles you came up against when starting your own company, and how did you overcome them? One ongoing challenge is how venues define an “event.” Many venues only offer referral fees for bookings over 30 people – anything smaller is just considered a standard reservation. From my perspective, it's never really about guest numbers – rather the intention and budget behind the booking. Some of the most incredible events I’ve curated have been for just six VIP guests. It’s why I’m so focused on clear communication, educating new clients about what constitutes an event, how we can work together effectively, and how to get the most from their brief. Every event – big or small – deserves care and consideration.

What does a typical day look like for you? It’s a pretty wild challenge to start a business when there’s very minimal routine, but that’s part of the fun. I usually check emails over while cooking breakfast – my husband and I alternate on kiddo duties – then I’m sourcing venues or responding to briefs for the rest of the morning. Afternoons are for site visits, meetings or venue walkthroughs. I often have the kids with me for pick-up, snack time, or the occasional background commentary on a call! Once they’re in bed, I’ll tidy up my inbox and prep for the next day. It’s all on me at this stage – content creation, sales, partnerships, admin. There's also the frequent midweek venue showcase that I love bringing clients along to – it helps me to stay connected with the latest spaces around Melbourne and they offer so much inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Resonance Place | Events Curator (@resonance_place)

What is your favourite kind of event to source a venue for? It’s hard to choose because I genuinely love the diversity from large-scale conferences to celebrations and intimate dinners. But the events that excite me most are those that blend creativity with purpose. I have a deep love for art and fashion, so when I get to incorporate emerging artists or designers into a corporate event or brand launch, I’m in my element. A lot of my clients trust me to bring new ideas to the table. They want inspiration as much as they want logistics. Connecting people through meaningful experiences and adding that unexpected layer to an event is what keeps it exciting for me.

What is something that has surprised you about running Resonance Place? Honestly, how supportive and understanding people have been about me being a working mum. There have been plenty of calls with a toddler babbling in the background or meetings where I’ve had my baby strapped to me in a carrier. Rather than judgement, I’ve been met with encouragement and kindness. It’s shown me that professionalism and parenthood don’t have to be at odds. Finding the balance is hard – but flexibility, empathy and a strong work ethic can co-exist. It’s been both grounding and empowering and it reminds me that I’m building something that not only serves others but works for my own life too.

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