We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joseph Taveras a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joseph thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Starting my own business was always a dream of mine. Just the thought of being my own boss fueled a lot of passion and perseverance. It all started on October of 2017, where I attended a family birthday party. At this event the DJ was an old family member that I grew up with as kids. I used to always go over his house after school and play video games. That day at the event he gave me the opportunity of a lifetime but at that moment I didn’t know how big it actually was. He needed help with his event company and he gave me a position as a rodeo, which is the bottom of the barrel in this industry but it was a start. As I started in this new field I was in events every weekend doing multiple tasks that included installing equipment, talking to clients, and organizing events. As the time went by I immersed myself in learning, devouring every resource I could find and honing my skills with relentless dedication. Through hard work and determination, I gradually conquered the skills needed to thrive in my industry. I fell in love with proving endless moments for people at their events such as capturing photos with Photobooths and providing the special effects during a couples first dance. Eventually, I turned my vision into reality. I turned into an expert over the years of doing multiple events every weekend for about 6 years straight. I felt like I was ready to do this on my own as I already was managing a whole successful company. So I decided to go on my own and the formation on PEPI Productions LLC was formed in January 2023. Today, I stand proud of what I’ve accomplished—a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of believing in oneself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My job field blends creativity and technical skill, focusing on creating memorable experiences at events. As a photobooth expert,I design engaging setups that encourage guests to capture fun moments. My lighting expertise ensures that every photo looks great, using techniques and equipment to enhance the atmosphere. As a party planner, I coordinate all aspects of events, from themes to logistics, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This combination allows me to make your celebration a one of a kind experience by also making them visually stunning and enjoyable for everyone involved. I provide all finds of Photo Booths that include 360 videos, prints, and digital images. For special effects, I provide smoke effect and sparkle effects. The combination of both create a special magical moment at any event.The thing that I am the most proud of is that I work my clients probably their most important day of their life being their wedding and I have to execute to perfection. One thing that separates me from the rest is I devote my time to your event, this isn’t a side gig that I look for, for extra money this is my life now.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Before I got into the entertainment industry I was working with my father. My father was a manager at Empanadas Monumental which is a food chain created in the Dominican Republic. I was the do it all employee. You would find me at the counter taking the order, running to the kitchen to make the food, and getting on a bike to make a delivery. There was a month during that span of me working for my father where he had took a month vacation where he had left me with all the manager responsibilities. that month I learned a lot of things that would help me in the future with my business now. Some of responsibilities where desposting money into business accounts, accounting daily revenue, purchasing products needed to continue running the business smoothly.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the world of business, trust can be a double-edged sword. For me, that lesson hit home when a trusted partner manipulated their goodwill, convincing me to invest money in a business venture that ultimately went nowhere.

Feeling betrayed and disillusioned, I had to face a pivotal choice: to dwell on the deception or to forge a new path. Choosing resilience over resentment, i decided to harness this experience as a catalyst for change.

I set out to create my own business with determination—a venture grounded in authenticity and integrity. This journey not only allowed me to reclaim my financial investment but also transformed a painful experience into a powerful motivation for success.

I navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, learned invaluable lessons about trust, perseverance, and the importance of building a business that reflects one’s values. This story serves as a reminder that even in the face of betrayal, there is always an opportunity to rise and create something meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pepiproductions.com/
• Instagram: @Joe_Pepi