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

Christopher, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

If the pandemic has taught us anything (besides staying sanitized) it’s how to be more flexible in hosting events and parties. Being an event space owner, I see a lot more people wanting to have intimate and smaller gatherings with the people that are closest to them. This means cutting the guest list by over 50%. This gives the host a better opportunity to create a memorable experience with those that are most special to them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been planning parties and events since I was 12 years old (ask my mom, she’ll vouch). I have always had a love for entertaining. One of my biggest enjoyments is seeing the face of someone at a party. I love seeing them smile, having fun, and wanting more! I turned this passion from a young age into a successful business and now run an event space in the heart of Minneapolis. I now provide a venue for clients that are looking to host an intimate event with some of their closest loved ones. I think what sets the APT apart from other venues is our ability to adapt to the client’s needs and offer them a seamless experience. We have created a number of packages to take the burden off of the client so they aren’t stressed or full of anxiety when planning an event. We take that pressure off of them so they can focus on one thing, having fun and enjoying themselves.
I am most proud of our ability to be flexible to the client’s needs. One thing that I’ve learned in hosting events is every client comes with a different set of expectations. I try to meet all of those expectations because in their mind if their expectations are met, they are the happiest!

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

Everyone starts off with an idea but not many start off with a big enough bank account to see that idea into reality. I was one of those people. Thankfully I was introduced to an individual who helps new small business owners get the capital they need to start their dream. They were able to redo my individual taxes for the 3 previous years under my new LLC to help get me money back from the IRS which was the funding I used to open my new business. All that money that I got back ended up going right back into my business. Something I would have never thought was a possibility. Back then when my dream was just a dream, I thought that’s what it would always be as I didn’t have the funds to get it off the groud.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Networking! To some people, networking not only seems like a chore but gives them anxiety. Being a new business owner, word of mouth is still king! If other small business owners in your industry know about you, know you as an individual, and know your brand, they won’t hesitate to mention it to other people they encounter. I use every opportunity I get to talk about my business and take pride in talking about it and how happy I am to be the owner. People respond to that in a positive way and naturally want to help by spreading your story and brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theaptmpls.com
• Instagram: @theaptmpls
• Facebook: @theaptmpls
• Linkedin: @theaptmpls
• Twitter: @theaptmpls
• Youtube: @theapt9908
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-apt-event-space-minneapolis?osq=event+space

Image Credits
Group Wedding Cheers – Photo by Jessica Knighton Photography Runway Model – Unknown Dinner Table Cheers – Adam Kennedy Photography Gay Male Couple – Adam Kennedy Photography Lesbian Couple Getting Ready – https://bokehpd.com/ LOVE Couple – Emperia Studios Photography Champagne Cheers – Jeannine Marie Photography