We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julie Pozo-cepeda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julie , appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

“My hero is my mother. She taught me everything I know about business and about balancing all the different roles I play in life—as a businesswoman, a mother, a wife, and a friend. What makes her story so remarkable is that she did all of this with just a grade-school education.

She immigrated to this country illegally and faced being deported twice. Yet, she never gave up. After nine years, she finally obtained legal status. In the meantime, she worked in a factory and came home to sell Tupperware, Avon, and wholesale clothing for a profit. She even worked as part of the cleaning staff at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, but she still made sure we always had dinner on the table and a smile on her face. She taught me the power of mastering and juggling different projects at the same time and not skipping a beat.

My mother taught me the meaning of perseverance. I never heard her complain, despite the struggles she faced. She showed me what true entrepreneurship looks like—long before it was a buzzword. She didn’t just take a seat at the table; she built her own table. She taught me to walk into rooms with confidence, even when the environment wasn’t always welcoming. She encouraged me to speak up, to use my voice, and to stand firm in my beliefs.

Above all, she pushed me to pursue my education and to chase every goal I set for myself. She led by example, showing me that professionalism, hard work, and never giving up are the keys to success.

My mother passed away eight years ago, but every day I strive to make her proud. Her sacrifices and her strength are the foundation of who I am today, and I continue to honor her by building the legacy she started.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a daughter of an immigrant. Dominican -American, Afro-Latina. I am the Director of Events at a higher education institution, and I also run my own corporate event planning business, where I create a wide range of events for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. My journey into the event planning world started organically. I began my career in higher education as an administrator, but because of my natural creativity, I was often tasked with planning events—everything from holiday parties to award ceremonies. Over time, my career began to shift, and I realized that event planning was not just a task, but a passion.

In my personal life, I’ve always been the one planning family gatherings—holidays, birthday parties, baby showers—and it was during these events that I truly realized how much joy I found in bringing people together. In 2013, I decided to turn that passion into a business. Event planning, to me, is an art form. It’s not just about food and décor; it’s about crafting experiences. It’s about creating moments that connect people and make them feel something, and I find that incredibly rewarding.

I specialize in managing events from start to finish, whether for a corporate setting or a personal occasion. My approach to planning is unique because I bring over 20 years of experience and expertise into every event I create. What sets me apart from others is the depth of thought and attention to detail I put into each project. I approach every event from multiple angles—ensuring that the experience is not only seamless but memorable. My background in fashion also adds a distinctive flair to my work, bringing style and sophistication to the events I design.

My clients consistently feel a sense of relief when they bring me on board, knowing that I’ll go above and beyond to bring their vision to life. I’m proud to have built a reputation for being not just a planner, but a true partner who understands their needs and executes flawlessly. Above all, I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with clients and the lasting impact I’ve made through the experiences I’ve created.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients or followers to know, it’s this: When you work with me, you’re not just hiring someone to coordinate an event—you’re collaborating with someone who lives and breathes event planning, who’s invested in making your vision a reality, and who will ensure that every detail is handled with the utmost care.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started my business, I was open to planning all types of events—sweet sixteens, baby showers, milestone birthdays, and corporate events. However, I quickly realized that there were challenges with some of the social events. Oftentimes, when people reached out for these types of events, the conversation would start with requests for discounts, sometimes before the hello, without fully understanding or appreciating the level of work involved. When I was contacted by certain clients, it often felt like they expected me to do all the work without fair compensation, which became disheartening.

After reflecting on these experiences, I decided to pivot and focus primarily on corporate events. I felt that this direction better aligned with my interests and the level of professionalism I wanted to maintain. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately, I chose to turn down events that didn’t align with my values or that didn’t appreciate the full scope of work I was bringing to the table. This pivot allowed me to focus on clients who valued my expertise and the high-quality, customized experiences I create. It also gave me the opportunity to concentrate on events that truly inspired me and aligned with my long-term goals as a business owner.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of cold outreach and referrals. I’ve had great success with reaching out directly to companies—introducing myself, showcasing my services, and highlighting the value I can bring to their events. These cold emails have proven to be an effective way to secure new clients, as they allow me to directly connect with decision-makers and start building relationships.

Even more rewarding, though, has been the power of referrals. My clients have been incredibly supportive, and I’m always honored when they refer me to their colleagues and peers after seeing the results of an event I’ve produced. Their positive experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations have helped me grow my business organically, and it’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of what I do. Building trust and strong relationships with my clients is at the core of my strategy, and it’s truly helped me expand my network and grow my business over time.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @julzbox for business and @miminjulz for fashion
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-pozo-cepeda/

Image Credits

Photos @lavidamiaproductions
Mia Cepeda
La Vida Mia Productions