Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ana Cruz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I hope that my legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of so many clients that I have helped to celebrate a milestone. By way of mentoring and supporting colleagues and vendors, I hope that I have made the event planning industry better. In times when we don’t take being able to celebrate for granted, I think as event planners we should all know that what we do is not just “fluff”. It is important. Whether it is helping a family celebrate a milestone or helping a company reach their business goals, what we do as planners counts. I hope that my passion for what I do is contagious.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been an event planner for over 22 years. My love for event planning started while I held a position at Citibank where part of my job was managing employee recognition events. I later was promoted to the bank’s Marketing department where my role was to create events and experiences for the bank’s top tier clientele. When my position required that I move out of the state I opted to move on and managed events for the American Diabetes Association. After two years of holding a very rewarding position with the not-for-profit, I decided to open my own business. I took the leap to create a better work life balance as I had a young child by this point. Little did I know that I would work harder and longer hours for myself than I ever did for anyone else. My business was my baby. I named it Ana Cruz Event Planning. I wanted my name on the title so that I would never forget that with every event my name was on the line. It has been an amazing ride which included hundreds of events and getting to showcase my business on shows like Whose Wedding Is it Anyway? and Married Away. Both of the shows were on the Style Network and they were amazing vehicles to showcase my business. The opportunity to showcase my business to millions outweighed my apprehension of being on Reality TV. I have traveled the world creating unforgettable milestones for my clients while finding time for my husband and children. It has not been easy but when you do what you truly love, you never feel like you work. I feel very fortunate.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

For me the best part about creating events is getting to be an integral part of a milestone in someone’s life. It is very rewarding to be able to listen to a client and guide them to create an experience to celebrate a milestone or to help a company showcase themselves or reach a financial goal. I am very fortunate to get to work with a variety of other creative people to bring my clients’ vision to life. It is a blessing to have my event designs become a cherished memory for clients.

I am extremely proud of all of my events but one that really makes me proud was being the wedding planner for the amazing brides who led the charge in making it possible for same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses in Miami-Dade County. It was an opportunity to create and amazing wedding day for these brave women outside of the courtroom and the sea of reporters that swarmed them that fateful day in 2015. To have a wedding featured in the Smithsonian is truly humbling. Truly, to get to be a part of someone’s wedding day is so important and meaningful. I am so very lucky to have gotten do not so this for so many amazing couples.

Having been an event planner for so many years has also given me an opportunity to mentor other planners. I always welcome the opportunity to inspire and motivate others looking to break into this incredible industry. I have had the opportunity to speak to planners all over the world. It is very rewarding.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As the owner of Ana Cruz Event Planning my goals are simple. I listen to my clients and create events that are as unique as they are. I listen to their goals and dreams and take their vision to the next level. I never lose sight of the fact that what I do is very important because my clients trust me and my team with some of the most important moments in their lives.

My goal at this point in my career is to inspire others to take the baton and continue to elevate the event industry by never losing site of the importance of what we do.

For me, I have always considered myself my only competition. My philosophy is that if you are running in a race and you are constantly looking back to see who is about to pass you, that will slow you down. At that point, someone will pass you. For the last 20+ years I have ran my own race, on my terms. It is something I am very proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: anacruz.com
• Instagram: anacruzevents
• Facebook: Ana Cruz Event Planning
• Linkedin: Ana Cruz

Image Credits
Curtis Smith Photography Domino Arts Photography Geranios Flowers Delux Floral Xcaret Eco Theme Park