About the Owner

Arlené Mantha

If holidays are the highlight of your year, you feel a need to create in all you pursue, and family, food and celebration fuel you, you may have something in common with owner of West Coast Nest,  Arlené Mantha.

Mantha was born June 22, 1975 in Los Angeles, California. Her love for food started at a young age, dreaming of holidays and watching her grandparents bake for her grandfather’s pie shop, Alice’s Pies, which may have sparked her niche for all things food and business. Growing up she sought ways to create that followed in her grandfather’s footsteps; Mantha worked at multiple bakeries and for catering companies, serving food at big Oscar parties in L.A. Other times, she forged her own path for artistry.

“When I was 16, I started my first business. It was called ‘Signs of the Times’ and it was a sign-making business,” Mantha said. “I would sandblast and work with wood. It was very creative. I’ve always loved working with my hands.”

Mantha attended Epicurean Culinary School in Beverly Hills, California where she was taught by a master chef. After living in New York City and Seattle, the fresh water, air and agriculture of Bellingham brought her north in 2005. There she opened twofifty | flora, a small eatery with amazing coffee in the Whatcom Museum.

Over time, Mantha noticed that catering was the most prominent area of business at twofifty | flora, as well as the being area that brought her the most joy. She found she couldn’t resist trying to get her hands on any other area of the event, creating an experience that built up to sharing a meal together no matter what the event. After some self-reflection and tough choices, Whatcom Gatherings + Event Design was born.

“[Whatcom Gatherings + Event Design] does everything from the food, to the venue, to floral, to bartending. It's all so much fun,” Mantha said. “I honestly feel like there are few occasions in life that define us, and I want to frame those moments with my clients' wildest dreams, whatever the occasion may be -- a wedding, celebration of life, a business's holiday party. It's all an honor to create an atmosphere for success for my clients.”

The event season has come to a momentary halt, however, due to the outbreak of COVID-19. For Mantha, this simply stirred her passion for projects and shifted her focus to her other business, West Coast Nest.

West Coast Nest was originally started four years ago when she closed twofifty | flora and wanted to do something different.

“Cleaning and organizing [for me] is what others may call a ‘Zen state.’ It brings me to the moment that is in front of me and it offers a great deal of instant gratification,” Mantha said. “It makes sense since it's connected to my need to make things beautiful. Plus, it's quiet, unlike an event, and I have really learned to enjoy the quiet, too.”

Mantha hopes West Coast Nest can one day be a place to employ marginalized women who may not have been afforded as many opportunities in the community.

“I love building women up, personally or in business,” Mantha said.

Outside of her businesses, Mantha is incredibly proud of her daughter Luciana, 20, son Wyatt, 16, and husband Ian, “dream boat.”

Other members of the family include Sammy, a golden retriever, and Kate, a Jack Russell terrier.

Mantha has a passion for all things lifestyle, puppies, politics and any experience grounded in an equitable and honest connection. For her, quality tops quantity 11 times out of 10.

“I would describe myself as someone with a need to create: create jobs, business, nourishment, experiences, beauty,” Mantha said. “I have a drive that drives people close to me crazy. I think they would say the same.”

 Arlené Mantha also owns Whatcom Gatherings + Event Planning which can be found here.