We recently connected with Jen Hernandez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen, thanks for joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

I think the biggest comment I get in regards to my industry is “you’re so lucky, you only work weekends”. It could not be further from the truth. Just because we are physically producing events on weekends does not mean that we don’t spend all week preparing for it along with months of planning and logistics behind it. Same goes for the typical thought that just because we create parties and happy moments for a living that it isn’t stressful and all consuming. Personally, I dedicate myself a lot to my clients and my work and my job is quite literally to absorb their stress so they can enjoy their big moments.

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

As a kid I was always picking little wild flowers and making bouquets or arrangements for my mom and teachers. I was always eager to help my mom decorate for any event happening in our house. Making things pretty for everyone to enjoy always caught my attention.

When I was 14 my parents asked me if I wanted to throw a quinceañera and I like the rebellious teenager we all once were, said no. It wasn’t till just a month before my birthday that I said I wanted a party and my mom quickly said “ok but you’re going to plan the whole thing since you waited till last minute”. When I tell you I was THRILLED! I loved going to every meeting and going over every design choice. It really sparked something in me.

Straight out of highschool I started working in the construction industry and was in school for Interior Design. As fate would have it, my friends started throwing parties and I started offering to decorate them until one day it was all I was doing.

In 2018 at just 22 years old, I went all in and became a full time business owner. I took every chance possible to put myself out there. Every single event and client was special to me, as they continue to be. I always say that my clients aren’t just another number in a database. I get to know them personally and by the end of the process when their weddings or events are over I always miss them! Every event is meaningful to me.

It all started with planning and coordinating and soon enough I realized my passion for floral design was just as strong and so I incorporated the service into my company. I have truly loved every moment that I have spent working with flowers.

I pride myself in having a very compassionate, flexible and human approach towards my clients. Its always a judge free zone and we are here to figure out what will work best for YOU. My work is no good if I produce a dream wedding with a sad or upset client.

Any advice for managing a team?

I am blessed to have a team that I love working with. They have all been such a massive support for JenCraftsEvents.

My biggest piece of advice would be to always treat others how you would want to be treated. I am constantly looking into things I never liked when working for someone else and make conscious efforts everyday to ensure I don’t do those things to my team members.

I always make sure my team is happy and comfortable because if they’re not okay then I’m not okay. I am very transparent, I try to prepare them as much as possible prior to working our installations and events and I am extremely honest with them. Maintaining a clear line of communication with my team will not only guarantee the best outcome for them or me but it’s whats best for my client.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My favorite things to hear someone say is “it’s even better than I thought it would be”. That to me is everything. To exceed your clients expectations while creating your art, it really is an amazing experience.

It’s even more satisfying when the client didn’t even provide photos of inspiration to begin with cause then it just means I completely understood everything my client said to me and that I really took the time to get to know them and their needs.

Creating happy and beautiful moments for others through my art is the best feeling in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JenCraftsEvents.com
• Instagram: @jencraftsevents

Image Credits
Studio by Lala Troy H Photo De La Rosa Weddings Angie Lilian