Atlantic Ave Magazine April 2024

Nicole Grimes
REGULARS | CITY PEOPLE
Nicole Grimes is known around town as someone who
lights up a room like a 200-watt bulb. But her light is
often tilted toward helping others feel their greatness.
If you mention Grimes’ name to Max Zengage he will
send emojis with boundless smiles and offer his
opinion on the subject.
“Nicole is a guiding light bringing people (and crazy
wonderful ideas) together, making dreams a reality
and going above and beyond with charitable visions.
She gives back and creates beautiful experiences and
once-in-lifetime events,” said Zengage, creator of Delray
Beach Concours.
Grimes has also been described as a powerful force of
nature. But it is not happenstance that creates this centrifugal
feminine force. It is willpower and hard work.
“I am never a bare minimum person. I always give
more than what is expected and end up going forward
in my career, a show, an initiative and a promise,” said
Grimes, who grew up in Ft. Lauderdale.
Her background supports this ambitious theory.
Grimes first job was at McDonalds where she worked as
a cashier, drive through helper, and cook.
She also grew as a business leader at the tender age of
15. “I was able to take courses at the McDonalds’ school
on quality and professionalism. The courses instilled
and shaped how I do business today.”
That is saying a lot because Grimes has traversed a
path of leadership and ambition that has garnered her
success and fulfillment. She currently owns Grimes
Events & Party Tent. She started out with two employees,
an old truck, and a home office, but now has 45 employees,
a fleet of trucks and assorted warehouses.
It’s been quite a ride for this Florida gal, who came
from a family with four siblings and step-siblings. But she
sees it as a blessing, not something that hid her thunder.
“With eight people in the family everyone was always
talking over each other. There were eight conversations
going on at the same time. But I saw my mom’s strength
running the household and I knew that I wanted to be
independent and in charge.”
That is precisely what she did. Her first foray of independence
was at McDonalds, but she swiftly moved
on to Target. Grimes started as a cashier while in high
school and worked her way up to cashier manager.
Though she was firm in her conviction to be a leader,
Grimes turned to her General Manager at Target to find
her way in the world. “I did not know what to do with
my life so I asked my manager at Target what I should
BY DIANE FEEN | PHOTO BY MELISSA KORMAN
The Graceful Covering
of a Great Supporter
do. I only knew I wanted to do something where I would
be in charge. She told me to become a teacher.”
So that’s what she did.
She started out as an elementary school teacher at
Plumosa School of the Arts and later became an administrator
for Palm Beach County Schools. “I would go to
struggling schools, diagnose their deficiencies based on
the test scores, and provide support.”
Grimes also climbed the educational ladder equipped
with the right tools. She got a BA in Elementary Education,
a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a
Master’s in Curriculum Writing.
After 10 years she swiftly changed gears. She joined
her husband Marc in the event and party tent business.
“He thought I was going to be his assistant, but he quickly
learned this was not going to happen. I just took the
reins and kept running.”
You bet she did. Like an Olympic athlete she entered the
tent and party event business 10 years ago at the speed of
lightning. Everyone around town is happy she did.
“Nicole inspires us all to be great leaders, treat your
teams well and give back to your community. Her grace,
passion, casual style, and professional approach to her
work is extremely refreshing and truly inspiring. The
world would be a better place with more people like Nicole
Grimes,” said Laura Simon, Exec. Director of Downtown
Development Authority.
Simon is correct. Those who know Grimes marvel at
her tenacity and compassion. When Covid hit, she paid
her employees for two weeks and told them to go home
and take care of their families.
She also called Palm Beach County Building Dept. and
offered to donate tents to cover the homeless. The largest
ones gave shelter to 1000 people. She also helped
restaurants during the pandemic by supporting an
“Outdoor Dining Initiative.”
This included planning and implementation of putting
umbrellas, tables and chairs outside so people could
eat outdoors. “I dropped the prices in half so restaurants
could conduct business outside. These were our neighbors
and could lose everything; we had to help.”
Her team also built outdoor classrooms at FAU. “We
designed and installed 15,000 square-feet of classrooms
so students could attend classes.”
Grimes continues to support (and sponsor) local non-
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86 | APRIL 2024 | WWW.ATLANTICAVEMAGAZINE.COM