Suzanne and Jenny of Enthire on going into business with your best friend, and the art of curating a vibe

Putting the world to rights one sunny afternoon a little over a year and a half ago, longtime best friends Suzanne Carroll and Jenny Hartnett sewed the seeds of what would go on to become their luxury furniture rental business, Enthire, and it’s safe to say they haven’t looked back since.

With a combined experience of over 20 years in the events industry in Ireland, London and Dubai, Suzanne and Jenny know a thing or two about curating a successful evening from beginning to end. So, when they stumbled upon a niche gap in the furniture rental market while putting plans in motion for Suzanne’s wedding, they quickly realised that they could take things to a whole new level.

“Both of us worked within the events industry for so long, and we felt that there wasn’t really anything new, different or exciting happening in the area,” Suzanne says. “There was nothing for small, bespoke events. So, on that evening, we just decided that we would do it ourselves.”

While many may have their reservations about going into business with their best friend, Suzanne and Jenny had no doubts in their minds: “We are literally yin and yang — we’re polar opposites, so it was really a very natural progression for us to go into business together,” Suzanne tells me. “I would be focussed on the sales side of things, while Jenny is super creative and hands-on. She can see a blank space and come up with something incredible for the client. We felt we had a lot to offer as a business, but we didn’t want it to just be furniture rental; we wanted to be involved in the concept of the event, from the creation and the styling, to setting it all up.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Over the intervening months, Suzanne and Jenny set the wheels in motion at their own pace, and Enthire has organically grown from strength to strength since. Officially launching back in September, the pair chalk their success down to their shared passion and genuine enjoyment of what they do.

Speaking on how opposites tend to attract, Jenny says, “You need those different dynamics in a partnership, and we’re both versatile, so we can jump in and out for each other as required. We’re different, but we both have the same attitude. Get it done, the show must go on, there’s always a solution. Working in the events industry, you have to be a problem solver.”

Enthire provides high-quality, consciously curated and crafted furniture and décor hire for occasions ranging from intimate weddings and family affairs, to film, theatre, TV and photo shoots. Having built up a database of suppliers around the world early on, Suzanne and Jenny knew that they wanted to go down the artisan route from the get-go. Whether it’s their soft furnishings — cushions, rugs and textiles — sourced from Morocco, or their multifunctional units made by a local carpenter, the quality of Enthire’s stock is second to none.

“Our aim is to be in constant evolution. We want to keep up with trends, and get ahead of them.”

So, how does the process of hiring from Enthire work?

If you’ve got an event coming up, Enthire will make sure your vision becomes a reality.

Once you’ve sent across a brief of what you’re hoping to achieve to hello@hireenthire.com, Suzanne will arrange a call to discuss things in greater detail. From there, they’ll furnish you with a selection of options that might work for you.

Aiming to eliminate any and all stresses for their clients, Enthire are dedicated to going above and beyond to make sure your event gets off without a hitch. They offer a simple drop-off service, or an additional styling package that will involve a team member calling out to the site of your event and setting everything up for the evening ahead.

“Planning an event can be really overwhelming, so building up that level of trust is so important to us,” they say. “Our aim is to take the stress out of it for our client, so that they can utilise their time more efficiently and actually enjoy themselves.”

When it comes to the heart of Enthire’s offering, it’s all about making the smallest details pack the biggest punch. Whether it’s bringing a homely feel to corporate settings, or adding that je ne sais quoi to those special moments, Enthire are meticulous when it comes to curating a vibe.

From everything right down to their bespoke event survival kits, each detail has been thoroughly considered to make sure all Enthire events offer their own unique feel. “It’s not just putting furniture in a room — Enthire are concerned with the whole holistic feeling of an event space,” Jenny says. “We want to take things that step further, and really consider how people will feel stepping into a room for a special occasion.”

“A space has the power to change and alter your mood, and you have to focus on the materials you’re using and the light that fills a space. Even our rugs, they’re incredibly plush, but when you’re sitting on a stage in front of a room full of people, having that soft density under your feet will put you at ease.”

Best friends turned business partners, we had to get some words of wisdom from Suzanne and Jenny for those tempted to set up shop with a close pal.

“I just couldn’t do it without her. If I’m having a bad week or am feeling run down, Suzanne steps in,” Jenny says. “There have been so many times when we’ve looked at each other and said, ‘This is why we’re doing this’. When you go into business with your best friend, there’s always someone there to keep the wheels moving and the business booming. Starting a business is so scary but when you can support each other every step of the way, it halves those worries.”

For Suzanne, communication is key: “Communication is the biggest part of being in a business partnership. If a disagreement comes up, you need to talk it out, because you’re both very much entitled to your opinion on the matter, and we respect each other’s opinions. Life is short, so make sure you’re enjoying the process, and if you can do any bit of good in the world along the way, that’s all the better.”

If you want to find out more about Enthire, visit their website, or get in touch with an event brief at hello@hireenthire.com