We were lucky to catch up with Carla Perez-Abreu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Carla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
In December 2019, while planning a dinner party for my husband’s birthday, I quickly found myself overwhelmed when a small gathering turned into a 30+ person event. Despite my passion for hosting, I struggled to find reliable bartenders and servers on short notice, and ended up handling everything myself — from setting up to cleaning up — making it hard to enjoy the evening.
This experience inspired me to create Hostly, a platform that connects clients with professional hospitality staff to make hosting easier and stress-free.
Hostly enables customers to hire trusted, vetted staff for events and more, offering services like kitchen assistance, bartending, serving, and clean-up. We also partner with reputable brands to deliver exceptional client experiences, providing daily staffing as well as on-demand services for private events, conferences, sales offices, and more.
Can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’m a first-generation Miami native with a passion for helping others. What began as a project to enhance the hosting experience has evolved into Hostly, a thriving business that has staffed over 700 events and partnered with 9 businesses across South Florida.
Our mission is to revolutionize hospitality by offering a platform that connects clients with professional staff, allowing them to focus on enjoying time with loved ones and being more present when it matters most. We create a win-win: clients receive top-tier staffing, while service professionals gain flexible work opportunities, earning consistent income on their own terms.
We’re also committed to giving back, supporting local foundations like the Coral Gables Community Foundation and the Miami Children’s Museum. We look forward to growing and continuing to invest in our community.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Hostly operates in the hospitality tech industry, where delivering a great customer experience is key. To ensure client satisfaction, we interview and vet every professional on our platform, confirming they have the necessary experience and training to meet our clients’ needs.
Our team consists of of hardworking, dedicated professionals who provide service with a smile. We aim to make clients feel at ease, knowing our staff is ready to assist — whether it’s preparing a last minute cheeseboard, adding finishing touches to the dining table, picking up extra ice, or keeping the kitchen tidy so clients are not left with a mess once the party is over.
Thanks to the positive feedback from clients and guests, our services have spread through word of mouth, reaching the community and beyond.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
We work with a team of independent contractors who collaborate with Hostly as well as other agencies and businesses. Thankfully, our contractors have expressed their gratitude for being part of the Hostly team. We foster a community built on respect, communication, and teamwork—values that are crucial in our industry.
My advice is to maintain open communication, be empathetic when challenges arise, and stay positive and solution-oriented to ensure a strong working relationship. My attitude and demeanor impact how our contractors engage with clients, so it’s essential that they provide service with a genuine smile and can-do attitude.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hostlyworld.com
- Instagram: @hostly.world
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hostlyworld/
