We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carla Arias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carla below.

Carla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Overall, my family and I have been incredibly blessed, and we are immensely grateful for the journey we’ve embarked on together. I currently serve as the main point of contact and oversee the majority of our teepee setups. However, one significant challenge I’ve encountered is the language barrier and the need for confidence when communicating. English is not my first language, and I often feel a sense of nervousness when reaching out to customers, fearing that my messages may not be fully understood or convey the professionalism I strive for. Fortunately, my daughters and husband play a pivotal role in assisting with translation, texting, and communication with our valued clients. Despite this challenge, I am dedicated to improving my language skills and reducing the anxiety associated with conversing with our customers.

Additionally, about a year ago, our business faced a significant hurdle when I lost access to both my personal and business social media accounts. This setback resulted in the loss of all our followers, likes, reviews, and previous conversations with our clients. Despite our best efforts to regain access, we were forced to start from scratch by creating new accounts. It was undoubtedly one of the most challenging moments for our business, and we continue to feel the impact as some customers still face difficulties contacting us. However, as a family, we banded together, with our daughters and husband, who possess more tech-savvy skills, taking the lead. This collaboration allowed us to swiftly get our business and social media presence up and running again.

Navigating these obstacles has not only strengthened our business but has also been an incredible opportunity to work closely with my family. It highlights the resilience, determination, and unity that define our entrepreneurial journey. We remain committed to overcoming challenges, improving communication, and offering exceptional teepee experiences to our clients.

Carla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Moonlight Teepees began over 4+ years ago when I wanted to celebrate my youngest daughter’s birthday with a teepee sleepover party. As I searched for options in the Cedar Park area, we realized none were available. My husband then offered to build the first eight teepees. The celebration was a hit, and my daughter loved it. After the party, I decided I could rent our only setup. Two weeks later, we got the first teepee party reservation. Moonlight teepees was born! As of today, we offer more than 25 different themes and have set up more than 250 parties in Austin and surrounding cities. We rent setups for overnight sleepovers, picnic tables for any event, and kids of all ages! The way it works is that customers pick a theme (or we can work together and design a new theme based on their ideas), and we do a hassle-free quick setup and take-down the next day, all worry free!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The most significant source of new clients for our small business undoubtedly comes from client referrals. We are truly fortunate and take immense pride in the fact that word-of-mouth recommendations have consistently proven to be our most effective means of connecting with new clients. In addition to the invaluable support of client referrals, we have embraced the digital age and harnessed the power of social media, primarily through platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

What makes this journey even more remarkable is the opportunity it has provided us to connect with numerous wonderful families within our community. Building these personal connections and becoming an integral part of our clients’ lives is a truly incredible aspect of our business. It’s a testament to the strong sense of community and trust that we’ve fostered, and it motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service and building long-lasting relationships.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I firmly believe that the foundation of our reputation within our market is built upon our commitment to the finer details of our teepee setups. From the very beginning, our approach has been to understand our clients’ unique visions and ideas, and place an emphasis on the details that matter most to them. Whether it’s a garland, pillowcase, or nightstand, we ensure that every component of our teepee setups is creative and looks amazing. We understand that our clients entrust us with creating memorable moments, whether it’s a child’s birthday party or a special event, and we take that responsibility to heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.moonlightteepees.com/
• Instagram: http://moonlight.teepees.atx.llc/
• Facebook: Moonlight Teepees
• Phone #: (512) 909-4775