We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Martinez Castillo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time I would have gone full time with my business. I decided to launch my business back in December 2017, but i was still juggling other part time jobs “just in case”. I had just graduated Cal Poly Pomona, fresh out of college not fully aware of what running a business truly meant. I wish I would’ve taken my business more serious, it didn’t matter how many followers I had, what mattered was the support system I had & still have. But God has a plan and I can’t complain about my journey with my career path, there has been many lessons. I am more mature today, think twice before saying something, and am more experienced in the event/ wedding industry.

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.

My name is Jessica Martinez Castillo, I am 30 years old, and I am a full time Wedding Planner in Southern California. I have a bachelor in science in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a minor in marketing from Cal Poly Pomona. I grew up in Los Angeles CA, Koreatown to be more exact. I was born in Michoacan Mexico, and my parents brought me to LA in April 1994. Growing up in a humble family truly shapes me till today the person I have become. My parents are hardworking traditional immigrants that all they wanted was for their family to succeed and be truly happy. I had no business being in this industry, I stumbled across events when I was an undergrad still trying to figure out what I would be good and enjoy as a career. I love challenges, creativity, problem solving, and a good time. The best of all worlds was in events/ weddings haha! Little did I know how much I was going to love emerging myself in the industry. The services I provide my clients are, month of coordination, partial planning, and full planning for weddings. I am familiar with smaller scale events and birthday parties, but my main concentration is weddings.

The problems we solve for our clients can range from vendor scouting, this includes the big ticket items such as their venue and catering to everything in between such as florist, cake, entertainment, stationary, attire, photographer and videographers and many more. We keep our clients organized, on track, and accountable for their big day, we’re there to provide support to our clients emotionally, and physically. There’s a lot of behind the scenes that need to take place to pull off a successful wedding. What truly sets me apart from others in the industry is the heart I put into every single wedding. No wedding is the same no matter the location, or vendors. The clients truly set the tone they want to bring into their big day. I am there to guide them, and prevent problems from occurring. If and when an problems were to occur my team and I are there to trouble shoot and execute your wedding. Our main goal is to make sure everyone is safe, eating, and having a blast!

I am most proud of the direction I’ve taken my business. The goal was always to make it full time, I sacrificed a lot during the first years to make my dreams reality. From sacrificing time with my friends, family, and at some point working 3 jobs in order to get my finances straight. Just like everything that is worth fighting for comes sacrifice and that was something I learned really fast. I am proud of myself for not giving up on myself.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

March 2020. This year I was tested just like everyone all across the board, COVID really shook me to the core. The same day Disneyland announced they were closing their doors, I was let go of my 2 jobs that were part of the hospitality umbrella, and 80% of my wedding contracts were canceled resulting in loosing money, and not knowing when weddings would be able to take place again without out restrictions, This truly took a toll in my business more than I thought it would. I was trying to be the bigger person and brush off what I was going through to have empathy for my clients but in reality everyone was going through the same or worse situations. I put my mental state in the back burner which took a while for me to gain myself back. Through all this almost 4 years later I have my ideal clients booking me, couples that trust me throughout the planning process, and I am in a much better place spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I worked as much as possible other jobs until I felt I had a good 6-8 month safety net for a worst case scenario before pulling the plug on going full time. I do not have a brick or motor, nor tangible expenses I had to save up for. Majority of my expenses are services such as my website, a big one insurance, and treating clients out for those first time encounters, networking events with others in the industry. Having a business will humble you and teach you how to budget, and experience a frugal life.

Contact Info:

• Website: simplysweetmemories.net
• Instagram: simply.sweet.memories

Image Credits
@lilytapiaphotography @joekatchka @andyseostudio @nicoleandphoto @inezjphoto @abbycoxphotography @gracedayphotography @symboll @jamieparkphoto