We were lucky to catch up with Chanel Cardenas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chanel, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
In the event decorating industry, one of the biggest challenges to profitability is balancing client expectations with the actual cost of materials, labor, and time. Many people see the beautiful setups and assume it’s highly profitable, but behind the scenes, expenses like high-quality decor, customization, and transportation add up quickly.
In my experience as a small and upcoming business, one of the challenges I face is sometimes dipping into my own profits to ensure I’m delivering something exceptional. It’s a habit I’m working on breaking, but it’s tough when I’m passionate about elevating an event, even on a minimal budget. Balancing creativity with financial sustainability is a constant learning process.
For example, I once worked with a bride who had a budget of $3,000 for her wedding. After reviewing her vision, I realized that sticking to her budget would mean cutting corners, leaving little room for the impactful details she wanted. I created visuals to show her what $3,000 could achieve versus $5,000, explaining how the added budget would allow me to bring her vision to life with the creative touches it needed. She was a tough negotiator, but ultimately, she went with the $5,000 option after seeing the value in the upgrades. Being transparent and honest helped her trust me, and it allowed me to deliver an event that truly stood out.
Profitability also depends on consistent bookings, which can vary with seasons. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to provide affordable yet stunning options to keep clients happy while maintaining my business goals.
Chanel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Chanel Cardenas, and I’m the founder of a growing event decorating business that’s rooted in creativity, passion, and a deep love for helping people celebrate life’s most special moments. My journey into the event decorating industry started with a simple love for creating visually stunning spaces. I’ve always enjoyed designing and bringing concepts to life, and after organizing a few personal and family events, I realized this was my calling. Turning that passion into a business has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.
My business specializes in designing and executing custom event setups, including everything from baby showers and birthdays to weddings and corporate events. In addition to full event styling, we also offer floral arrangements, balloon designs, and rental options for walls, pedestals, and other party necessities. I pride myself on providing a range of options, from budget-friendly setups to more elaborate designs, ensuring that every client can have a beautiful event, no matter their budget. I focus on creating personalized experiences by incorporating unique themes, color palettes, and décor elements that align with my clients’ visions.
What sets my business apart is my dedication to detail and my willingness to go above and beyond to make an event truly special. I don’t just decorate; I create an atmosphere that brings joy and lasting memories. My ability to transform spaces while working within varying budgets is something I take great pride in. Whether it’s a simple, intimate gathering or a grand celebration, my goal is to deliver exceptional quality every time.
One of the challenges I help solve for my clients is taking the stress out of planning and designing their events. I understand how overwhelming it can be to bring a vision to life, especially when juggling time, resources, and ideas. I simplify the process by guiding my clients through creative options, staying transparent about costs, and ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully executed.
I’m most proud of the connections I’ve built with my clients and the trust they place in me to make their moments unforgettable. Running this business has not only allowed me to express my creativity but also given me the opportunity to be a part of so many meaningful celebrations. What I want potential clients to know is that I approach every event with genuine care and passion. My work is not just about décor; it’s about creating experiences that bring people together.
Ultimately, my mission is to bring joy, beauty, and ease to life’s celebrations while ensuring my clients feel heard, valued, and supported. My business is more than just a service it’s a heartfelt contribution to the moments that matter most.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that I needed to say “yes” to every opportunity in order to grow my business. In the beginning, I felt like I had to take on every client, every event, and every request—no matter how unrealistic the budget or how demanding the project was. I thought that by accepting everything, I was proving my dedication and building my reputation. But in reality, I was stretching myself thin, overworking, and sometimes even losing money just to make sure an event looked “perfect.”
One experience that really opened my eyes was when I took on a last-minute event for a client who was extremely indecisive. She changed her theme multiple times, kept adding new requests without increasing her budget, and expected me to accommodate every change without question. Because I wanted to please her, I kept adjusting, thinking it would pay off in the long run. But by the time the event was done, I was exhausted, frustrated, and had barely made a profit. And to top it off, she wasn’t even fully satisfied because she still wished she had added more despite not wanting to pay for it.
That was a wake-up call. I realized that not every opportunity is the right one, and saying “no” is just as important as saying “yes.” Now, I set clear boundaries with my clients, stick to fair pricing, and only take on projects that align with my time, energy, and business goals. It’s made a huge difference in how I run my business and has allowed me to work with clients who truly value what I bring to the table.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Meeting my fiancé and his mother felt like divine timing like faith had already set things in motion before I even realized it. His mother had always been in the event industry in her younger years, creating stunning setups for family and friends, planning weddings, baby showers, and birthday celebrations. But before I came into the picture, she had stopped. Life had shifted, and she moved away from doing what she once loved.
Then I came along, already fueled with this fire to bring event designs to life. The passion was there, but fear held me back. It took me almost two years to finally take the leap and start this business. I questioned if I was good enough, if I could really make it work, but the truth is I would be nothing without her. She is everything and more to this business. Her experience, her eye for detail, and her natural talent for creating beautiful moments have been the foundation that strengthened what I started.
And my fiancé? He’s just as much a part of this journey. He’s hands-on in ways people don’t often see printing foam cutouts, designing vinyls, and bringing innovation to our setups. He thinks outside the box, finds creative solutions, and is always looking for ways to elevate our work.
This business isn’t just mine, it’s ours. It’s built on faith, family, and a shared passion for making moments unforgettable. And I truly wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.celinesboutiquenj.com/
- Instagram: _celinesboutique
