We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alondra Varela. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alondra below.
Alondra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
This is a great question, I think about this all the time. I launched my photo booth business with a 360 booth in October 2023, and by January 2024, I expanded by adding a basic iPad photo booth. Eight months later, I made a transformative decision to upgrade to a DSLR photo booth, and that choice completely elevated my business. The impact was undeniable—between October 2024 and December 2024, my earnings surpassed the total revenue of the previous eight months combined with the basic booth. This experience showed me the immense value of investing in high-quality equipment.
Although I am knowledgeable in personal and business credit, If I could start over, I would strongly consider utilizing a business credit card or loan to secure premium equipment upfront. Starting with the best tools could have accelerated my growth and allowed me to deliver a top-tier experience from day one. That said, I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made and don’t regret my decisions. I have fallen in love with the journey of building my brand. This journey has shown me that success isn’t just about where you start but about how you adapt, grow, and learn along the way. Every decision, even the slower ones, contributed to the strong foundation of my business, and I’m excited to continue building on that success.
Alondra, 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?
As a proud Latina, I was raised by two incredible, hardworking, and ambitious parents who devoted their lives to providing for my two younger brothers and me. From an early age, they instilled in us the belief that we could achieve anything we set our minds to, as long as we were willing to put in the work. I watched my dad transform from an overworked employee to building a thriving six-figure business in less than three years-a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. Growing up in a family where entrepreneurship was the norm, with many of my relatives owning successful businesses, I was surrounded by an inspiring energy of ambition, resilience, and success. I knew I was destined to follow in their footsteps; it was just a matter of discovering the path that aligned with my own passion and purpose.
In 2017, I became a NASM-certified personal trainer and turned my passion for health and fitness into a career. My ultimate goal was to one day own my own fitness facility, and for a while, that dream fueled me. But as time went on, I realized that this vision no longer resonated with me. I felt lost for about a year, unsure of my purpose, yet I knew I was meant to make an impact in a meaningful way. In 2021, my journey took an unexpected but exciting turn. I secured a position with a respected businessman whose success and leadership deeply inspired me. Under his mentorship, I gained invaluable knowledge about running a thriving business. It was like taking a masterclass in entrepreneurship, where I learned everything from strategic planning to the art of building strong client relationships. This experience lit a spark within me, reigniting my drive to finally build something of my own. With this newfound knowledge, I decided to help my father rebrand his successful welding company. It was an exciting challenge, and seeing the business flourish after the rebrand gave me the confidence to start thinking seriously about launching my own venture.
In October 2023, I founded Social Booth LLC, a company dedicated to creating interactive photo booth and 360 booth experiences for events ranging from weddings to social gatherings. While the initial launch was thrilling, I quickly realized I wanted to elevate my services even further. By the end of 2024, Social Booth had undergone a major transformation into a luxury photo booth business.
Today, we offer clients the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of elegance and sophistication through our upscale photo booth experiences. From custom designs and high-end props to crystal-clear photo quality and seamless professional service, we provide unforgettable moments for every event. What began as a simple idea has flourished into a thriving business that combines creativity, innovation, and exceptional service to help our clients create lasting memories.
My journey has been far from straightforward, but every challenge and lesson has shaped me into the person I am today—a resilient entrepreneur driven by purpose, passion, and a commitment to excellence. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited for what lies ahead as I continue building Social Booth into the premier name for luxury event experiences.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
As I mentioned, I have been a highly knowledgeable and experienced certified fitness advisor since 2017, but my journey in the fitness industry began in 2012. During that time, I discovered a deep passion for health and wellness and, more importantly, a passion for helping others take control of their lives and unlock their potential. Over the years, I had the privilege of working at several respected organizations, each of which helped shape my skills, deepen my knowledge, and refine my understanding of what it means to truly serve others. These experiences inspired me to dream of one day opening my own fitness facility. However, as the years went by, I came to a difficult but necessary realization: the dream of owning a fitness facility no longer resonated with me the way it once had. What had once been my driving goal began to feel more like a closed chapter. I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of what was next but determined to move forward with clarity, purpose, and excitement for a new path. I knew I wanted to start my own business that allowed me to be authentic, connect with others, and do work that I genuinely enjoyed doing. After a lot of reflection and brainstorming, I found myself unexpectedly drawn to the entertainment industry. At first, it felt like an unconventional idea, but it stuck with me, lingering in the back of my mind for months. Then, one day, everything clicked. While attending a wedding, I experienced a photo booth for the first time. Watching people laugh, pose, and create keepsakes from such a special event sparked something within me. It was as if the universe was confirming the idea I’d been reflecting on. That moment gave me the clarity I needed left the wedding knowing that I was going to start my own photo booth business.
In October 2023, I officially launched my business, and it has since become my passion and primary focus. Although I haven’t completely stepped away from fitness—I still train a small group of clients in the mornings—my energy is now fully invested in growing and refining my brand. This venture allows me to combine my creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and love for connecting with people, all while creating unforgettable experiences for clients at weddings, social events, and more.
Looking back, I can see how every step of my journey from my early days in the fitness industry to now- prepared me for this moment. The skills I developed over the years, like building personal connections, selling myself with confidence, and providing exceptional service, have seamlessly transitioned into my work in the entertainment business. These lessons have been invaluable in helping me create memorable, high-quality experiences for my clients. I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead and deeply grateful for the challenges, pivots, and opportunities that brought me to this point. This journey has taught me the importance of trusting my intuition, embracing change, and having the courage to take the first step even when the future feels uncertain.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I was 19 when I began achieving many of my initial small and big goals, moments that made me genuinely proud. Naturally, I wanted to share these wins with the people around me or on social media. I felt joy and confidence in celebrating my hard work and accomplishments. However, over time, I noticed how some people reacted. To the wrong audience, my pride in my achievements came across as arrogance, as though I was “showing off.”
Their judgment affected me more than I had anticipated. I started to care about what people thought of me and began second-guessing myself, wondering if I was being too much or if celebrating my successes made me seem self-centered. As a result, I began to dim my light, fearing how I might be perceived. Gradually, I stopped sharing my wins publicly. I developed a fear of being seen, worried that if I let myself be visible, I would open myself up to criticism or judgment. Instead of standing confidently in my achievements, I shrank back to avoid being labeled as arrogant.
Unlearning the belief that “to be seen is to be arrogant” has been one of the most important lessons of my journey. I’ve realized that sharing my successes doesn’t mean I’m boastful; it means I’m proud of my hard work. It’s okay to take up space, celebrate my wins, and share my confidence with the world. I’ve come to understand that the people who perceive pride as arrogance are often projecting their own insecurities. Their reactions have little to do with me and everything to do with how they view themselves.
When I stopped internalizing those negative perceptions, I discovered that being visible isn’t just about celebrating myself; it’s about inspiring others. My wins can remind someone else that their dreams are possible too. By hiding out of fear, I wasn’t just holding myself back; I was also missing the opportunity to connect with and encourage others.
Now, I choose to stand confidently in who I am and what I’ve accomplished. Being seen is not arrogant, it’s an act of self-love and empowerment. It’s a way of showing up for myself and reminding others that it’s okay for them to do the same. When I embrace being visible, I free myself from the weight of others’ opinions and step into my authentic power. I’ve learned that the right people will celebrate with me, while those who don’t were never meant to stay.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://socialboothrental.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialbooth.atlanta/
