We were lucky to catch up with Haylee Gonzales recently and have shared our conversation below.

Haylee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

As an event planner, the best attribute you could have is to be detail-oriented. As a performer, one of the most important things is your work ethic. Being in these two spaces allowed me to grow in the event and entertainment industry and learn how to be a “yes” man, essentially. Being detail oriented came from my nature of being an anti-procrastinator and managing my time efficiently while also meeting deadlines. My work ethic grew from my self-awareness. When I was younger, I was looked at as outspoken and naive by many people. My willingness to improve on myself and establish more credibility amongst my peers drove me to have an amazing work ethic I channel in my training.

I am not sure what could have sped up my training. I think everything in my life genuinely happened for a reason. Of course, getting started earlier would always be ideal. However, reflecting back to my younger self, I am glad I started when I did. I do not think I was ready to step into the responsibilities I have now and excel at them. With confidence comes success. I could have really leaned into creating a relationship with a mentor in my industry. Mentors are such a vital part one owns growth. Not only will they help you through the door quicker, but it is inevitable that your confidence will flourish.

The biggest obstacles that stood in the way of learning more was COVID. The event and entertainment industry really took a big back seat. I found myself in a repetitive sales job that I hated but paid the bills. It was easy to get comfortable in the role that I had because it allowed me to work from home, make good money, and have time to pursue my hobbies. After three years of feeling stuck and unfulfilled, I decided to get back to what I was passionate about: events and entertainment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a multi-passionate individual. My full time job is a Catering Manager for a hospitality company that owns quite a few hotels in the US. On the side, I am a freelance Event Planner, Aerial Performer, and Aerial Coach. I definitely keep myself busy, but in a way where it fills my cup.

In college, I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Special Events Management. Event Planning/Hospitality was always the plan for me. It was just a matter of getting a foot in the door, which feels impossible these days. My dad is a successful musician in the valley and had some contacts that I could reach out to to gain some experience in the field. I scored my first entry level job as an Account Coordinator for an event decor company. In the meantime, I was looking to live an active lifestyle that didn’t require me to go to the gym (I hated the gym). Thus, aerial was found. Simultaneously exploring both crafts actually benefited me eventually.

Telling people what I am after is what got me my first account as a freelance Event Planner. One day, my name was thrown out in a company meeting when discussing plans for a Company Gala in the winter. As I was scared to take on the whole event from A to Z, I knew that it would be something I could use to finally build my portfolio. I said “yes” regardless of my worry that it may not work out or I may not do a great job.

Around the same time is when my mentor in aerial gave me the opportunity to perform at a gig. I said “yes” again even though I was scared…again. This led to more and more performing and building my network. Events and entertainment go hand-in-hand. Not only did I expand my network, but I got a glimpse of what events looked like from a vendor’s perspective.

Alas, maybe a month or so after the Gala concluded, I updated my resume and soon got a job as a Catering Manager for a hospitality company. Now I know what events look like from a venue’s perspective, a vendor’s perspective, and an event planner’s perspective. This allows me to anticipate the needs of all parties involved.

The biggest compliment I have received from clients is that I am “so calm for an event planner”. I make all of my jobs easy by knowing what it looks like from all sides.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Networking is a big part of being a creative. However, for the longest time, I was under the impression that expanding your network was the best way to level up. As that may be true, the importance of the quantity of people in your network was something I had to unlearn. The quality of the relationships you had went farther.

I was burning myself out prospecting to find more business. Eventually, I took the pressure off of myself and started nurturing the connections I had right in front of me. I would go to hot yoga with the CEO of a solar company for no other reason than to share a similar interest and bond over that. In passing conversations, we would talk about my aspirations and I would pick his brain about how he got to where he is now. Through those small conversations, I landed my first event planning gig.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is curating an experience for a group of people. Planning can be stressful and it takes a lot of selflessness. Where event planners go wrong is that they think they know what is best for the client. That may be true operationally, however, many take it a step further and make their own decisions that do not suit what the client envisioned. The event you are planning is not yours. It is something that the client can call theirs. I would never think of taking that away from someone. Seeing my clients genuinely happy with the turnout means I did my part in being selfless and making things convenient for them to bring their vision and sense of creativity to life. That is the most fulfilling thing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: h_ylee or hoopofhaylee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haylee-gonzales-a8672351/

Image Credits

Taylor Cohen