We recently connected with Monica Reyes and have shared our conversation below.
Monica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Never been happier being my own boss! I truly love what I do, and I will hustle for it everyday then being at a regular 9-5 job where I am miserable. Yea, it’s hard owning a business and having a regular is comfortable. There is nothing wrong with regular jobs. But if you have passion, creativity for something you truly love, I believe you should be a business owner. Here’s a quote- “If you don’t build your dream someone else will hire you to help build theirs.” ― Tony Gaskins
My job makes others happy, its love, and there’s nothing more rewarding than that.
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.
Hey Friends, My name is Monica Reyes, Owner and Wedding Planner at Events with a Promise. Here is a little about me,
I am a Cuban/Nicaraguan woman who was born and raised in Miami, FL. I am a believer, my faith is super important to me and keeps me going. I love all things Anime, Star Wars, Marvel, DC and Disney. Guess you can say I am a HUGE Nerd. I love my dogs, I have 3 chihuahuas Minnie, Taz and Daisy. I am a big food lover, my dream is to travel all around world and try everything. I love spending time with my family and friends. Family is Everything to me, especially coming from a Military family.
My journey started when I received my degree in Business Administration and wasn’t sure where to go from there, until one day it hit me, “I want to be a wedding planner.” As a child, one of my favorite things to do was decorating for parties, whether they were holiday parties or birthday parties, I enjoyed the picking themes, visualizing a design, and see it come to life. Wedding planning combines my passion for all things love and parties with my organization and planning skills. I am great with details and challenges – I approach problem solving with a move forward attitude. It was a perfect fit and I knew in my heart that is my purpose in life.
It was then I decided to go back to school. At Miami Dade College, I became a certified Wedding & Event Planner through The Wedding Planning Institute in 2015 and I continued schooling in 2016 to get certified in Signature Wedding & Event Design by Preston Bailey. One of my greatest accomplishments was having the opportunity to intern with David Tutera from WE TV’s My Fair Wedding at Your Wedding Experience – I was certified for the internship and had the opportunity to meet the Chief Executive Director of Wedding Planning Institute, Cho Phillips.
This year 2023 I became a member of NAWP (National Association of Wedding Professionals). I love being a part of a Community where it’s all about “community over competition”.
I created Events with a Promise to help couples relax and enjoy the build up to their wedding. I work with you and for you. On my first meeting with you, I spend some time getting to know both of you as a couple – listening to your dreams & ideas as well as noting what you don’t want, everything needed to build your perfect day.
To each event I bring a design that is truly all about you. Together we can create the ambiance your looking for with the decor, music, menus all to your style. When planning one of the greatest moments in your life it is important to have a professional that is trained and knowledgeable in all areas of the industry. I will help you negotiate contracts so that you get the most out of your budget. I will also provide detailed management so the planning, timeline and the day of the event runs as smoothly as possible.
I have 3 packages to choose my client can choose from:
The Everlasting Love
It is also known as Full Planning, For the couple that would like someone to assist them throughout the planning process from beginning to end – we will hold your hand through every detail. Our company will create wedding ideas and designs, help assemble a team of vendors, keep your wedding Task List and Budget. We will provide advice and manage every detail of the wedding day to make sure nothing is overlooked. Relax, and experience the happy months of your engagement!
The Greatest Moments
It is also known as Partial Planning, For the couples who are more hands-on and wish plan parts of their wedding but are still looking for professional assistance. Our company can help with decor details, hiring & management of vendors all while providing professional advice beginning 8-6 months before the wedding day.
The Ultimate Promise
It is also known as Month of Coordination, For couples who want to plan it themselves and leave the details to a professional. These services consist of: preparing a detailed timeline for the wedding day, organizing the rehearsal / ceremony, confirming with all vendors, distributing final payments & gratuities to vendors and looking over every detail to make sure your day goes perfect!
These are our Core Values and what set me apart from others.
PROFESSIONALISM AND PERFECTION-
We at EWAP are professionals & perfectionists.
It’s in our blood! We have
the experience and knowledge in the
industry since 2015. The way we work
will always be professional with much
love, respect, and hard work. We want
you to know that as professionals you
can trust us on what we are doing, You
hire us for a reason! And at the end of
the day, we are the best investment
and we show our clients that everyday.
RELATIONSHIP BEFORE SALE-
Our connection with our venues and
vendors is based on relationships. We
have a no-commission salary structure
because we believe in community
over competition. And that’s the
same goes to you, we want to know
you, your partner, your friends, and
family because we care!
ONLY YOU-
What makes us a Boutique company
is that we put our 100% focus on each
event. We are limited to our events because
we DO NOT do multiple events
in one day or multiple events per week.
We are there for you every second of
your big day, from start- finish.
MUST COMMUNICATE-
We are a team so that means we must
communicate! Always! Just like you
tell your partner everything, you can
trust us with everything too. It’s the
only way to ensure a perfect successful
wedding. And not only just about
that but if you need anyone to vent
too whenever you’re down or stressed.
We can always listen because we care.
STRESS FREE AND FUN-
I am not going to lie to you here. Wedding
planning is HARD! And it can be
stressful. But who says it can’t be fun
either? This is what we do! It’s our job
INSPIRED BY YOU-
Be the You and no one else, you are unique,
show it off to the world! We are inspired by
you and your personality. Incorporation
that into your wedding, whether you like
nerdy TV shows or play sports. It shows a reflection
of you. We can do fun themes like
Harry Potter or Star Wars! Or incorporation
into something smaller like your pets as
cake toppers or wearing sneakers! We can
help you design the best version of you into
your dream wedding.
EVERLASTING MEMORIES-
That’s our PROMISE! Planning & Designing
a wedding takes a whole year,
so enjoy every second of it because it
will fly by in a blink of an eye. We want
to create everlasting memories for you.
Because at the end of the day, your
wedding will become a memory but
it will be an everlasting one and to be
a part of such a special day is magical
and that’s why we do what we do
OUR MISSION STATEMENT-
To plan and design everlasting memorable weddings &
honeymoons that are authentic to each couple we serve,
representing their collective love story, personal values,
and style.
OUR VISION-
To create wedding day experiences that cultivate deeper,
lasting connections between each couple and their
guests by celebrating the collective life experiences that
brought them together and will continue to impact them
throughout marriage.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
So I don’t want to call it a side hustle, But I always wanted to become a travel agent and travel the world. let me tell you a story: 3 years ago it popped in my head and I was doing a lot of research on how to get started. 2 years ago I was doing online school to become a travel agent. I failed the test and gave up on the idea. Last year 2022, I met someone who is a travel agent, she is very successful, travels all around the world, and helping others do the same. I said to myself ” I want that”.
I asked her if you can become my mentor and to teach me.
I did a lot of training for MONTHS! Hustling! Fasting forward on October 2022- I am now a Certified Full-Service Travel Agent. My second company’s name is Travel with a Promise.
I became a Honeymoon & Destination specialist. Sandals Specialist, Disney, and Hawaii specialist as well. I will continue my education and become specialist in a lot more places.
I can now offer Destination weddings, book my clients honeymoon packages, bachelor & bachelorette trips also!
But I can also book any types of travel for anyone. Flights, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, car rentals, excursions, concert tickets and more.
Events with a Promise & Travel with a Promise are sister company’s. I love being a Wedding planner and I want to do it all around the world.
Never give up on your dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. It’s not a race, its about the journey, you will get to your top eventually, just don’t give up.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy will be referrals. Building relationships with all types of vendors. Instagram, Facebook, your website I believe as well. The way you show your brand will attract the clientele you want.
Google and SEO’s are very important as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: eventswithapromise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventswithapromise/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventswithapromise/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicareyesewaptwap/
- Other: If you would like to follow my Travel Business also Website: Travelwithapromise.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Travelwithapromise/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Travelwithapromise/
Image Credits
Calvin Hernandez Megan Fernandez Rey Zamora