Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Unick.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From my very first job at age 12, I discovered I had a natural ability to solve problems, accommodate others, and create positive experiences. Some might call that “people pleasing,” but I’ve always viewed it as being client-attuned—the ability to read what people need, anticipate concerns, and ensure they feel genuinely taken care of.
That mindset led me naturally into Hospitality and Tourism. I enjoyed the work so much that I continued to grow within the industry, holding a variety of professional roles over the years. While the titles changed, the heart of the work never did: creating seamless, meaningful, and memorable experiences. That passion is what ultimately led me to own and operate U-neek Events.
Entrepreneurship was a natural fit for my spouse, Scott, and me. Owning our business gives us the freedom to shape our future, set our own standards, and operate with intention. We care deeply about the details, and our clients feel that. In large corporate environments, it’s easy to lose the personal touch—people clock in and clock out, and the level of care doesn’t always reflect pride in the product. We operate differently. We run our company like a family, and because we built it from the ground up, we truly care about the quality of both our equipment and our service. That commitment is what allowed us to grow quickly.
U-neek Events began in 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska with just two bounce houses as a side hustle—something we could do together as a family with our kids. In 2021, we made the decision to expand into tents, tables, chairs, and full-scale event rentals. Growth came faster than we ever anticipated. We secured contracts for Husker Tailgates, which opened the door to expansion into Lawrence, Kansas and KU Tailgates. From there, our reputation within collegiate events continued to grow.
Today, teams and organizations choose U-neek Events because we are reliable, detail-oriented, and uncompromising on cleanliness and quality. When clients book with us, they don’t have to worry about whether the job will be done on time—or done right. That peace of mind is what we’ve built our business on.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, sometimes I feel like I am driving on a minimum maintenance road after a thunderstorm — I don’t think meaningful growth ever comes easy. As U-neek Events expanded, especially at the pace we did, we faced several challenges that tested both our operations and our leadership.
One of the biggest ongoing challenges has been staffing. Event work is physically demanding, detail-driven, and time-sensitive, and finding people who care as deeply about quality as we do takes intention. That’s why either my spouse or I are on-site for every event setup. It’s our way of ensuring standards are met, supporting our team in real time, and ultimately protecting the client experience.
We also experienced significant growing pains as demand increased. Rapid growth requires building systems while still delivering at a high level. We had to quickly learn how to scale without sacrificing the cleanliness, reliability, and personal touch that our clients expect.
Expanding operations into another state added another layer of complexity—different logistics, longer travel, tighter timelines, and higher stakes. It forced us to become more disciplined, organized, and proactive in how we plan and execute events.
On a personal level, owning a business carries a unique kind of stress. You’re not only responsible for your own livelihood, but also for the livelihoods of your employees and their families. That responsibility weighs heavily—but it’s also what drives us to be thoughtful, ethical, and consistent in how we operate. Keeping people employed, supported, and proud of the work they do matters to us.
Looking back, those challenges shaped who we are as leaders and as a company. They pushed us to build stronger systems, stay hands-on, and lead with accountability. The road wasn’t smooth—but it made us better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I cover a little bit of this in a previous questions. However, as the Owner and Director of Operations of U-neek Events, I lead both the strategic vision and day-to-day execution of our event rental and planning company. My role spans operations, logistics, and client experience, ensuring every event is delivered with precision, professionalism, and care.
We specialize in what I call the foundation of an event—tents, tables, chairs, linens, staging, and pipe and drape. By focusing on essential infrastructure, we support both our clients and the broader event community, complementing décor and design partners while ensuring events are safe, seamless, and well-executed.
U-neek Events is known for high-quality, impeccably maintained equipment, competitive pricing, and exceptional communication. Our Lincoln, Nebraska location has earned over 120 five-star Google reviews, reflecting our consistent commitment to service and reliability.
What I’m most proud of is our growth without compromise. We’ve scaled while maintaining strict standards for cleanliness, quality, and customer satisfaction. What truly sets us apart is our hands-on leadership—either my spouse or I are involved in every event setup—giving clients confidence that their event will be done right, every time.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve learned that mentorship doesn’t always come in a formal or obvious way. Some of the most impactful guidance I’ve received came from people I respected in the industry—vendors, colleagues, and leaders, other business owners—by simply paying attention to how they operated and being willing to ask thoughtful questions.
When it comes to networking, what has worked best for me is focusing on building genuine relationships, not collecting contacts. I show up prepared, follow through on commitments, and look for ways to add value before asking for anything in return. Consistency and reliability go a long way, especially in the events industry where trust is everything.
My advice to others is to seek out people whose values and work ethic you admire, not just those with impressive titles. Be curious, listen more than you speak, and don’t be afraid to ask for insight—most people are willing to help when they see sincerity and effort. Over time, those conversations naturally evolve into mentorship and long-term professional relationships.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.uneekeventsks.com and www.uneekeventsne.com
- Instagram: @uneekeventsne
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uneekeventsne
