We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yesenia Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yesenia, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
When I first started this ,I honestly didn’t think it would go anywhere because their was so many balloon artist in Austin and event planners as well..I thought I was competing with everyone but slowly I realized I wanted to create a platform where I can show create and help discover other small business like myself come together and work together..Sometimes it’s hard to find the right fit in this industry with other vendors or similar vendors because you tend to compare yourself and sometimes it feels like a competition but it doesn’t have to be like that I believe that my job is to find those amazing small business vendors that go with my business so I can create the best experience to my client.Even though I do most of the decor ,my clients always look for my opinion in what vendors to used for their events and it’s nice to help bring other along in this journey with me.it makes me so happy to bring other vendors in my events wether is big or small.I have preselected these vendors carefully to bring the of the best to my clients while helping others with their small businesses.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi there my name is Yesenia Lopez.I am the owner of Fiesta Time Events and Designs LLC.I’m just a regular new mom that decided to go for it.This idea of being a party planner/decorator started back when I was working at Wells Fargo..One of my good friends was doing a Chavó del Ocho party for her daughters birthday and she was pregnant so she ask for help and I took over the party.She said I’ll pay you but I was like no you just buy everything I need because I didn’t know what to charge.We did used coffee containers from our job to create the barrel where the Chavó lives ,I mean I don’t know how much she spend on it but it was amazing that feeling of being creative.As I child I was always painting ,love coloring and doing arts and crafts so she was just so happy with what I did for her which was not perfect and she insisted in me starting a business.If I remember correctly I got some cards in vista print back then but never did anything because I was scared ,I had a stable job and well I was just not ready.Fast forward to me becoming a mom ,I got laid off from my job and then I was just at home spending too much money as my husband would say but I’ve never been the type of person I just sit steel so for my baby shower I planned it and decorated which was a disaster looking back at it cause my belly was so big but I wanted it done right my way,I I reached out to people I noticed this installs were pricey so I decided to just do it myself,I know dumb right? But her that pushed me to start that’s what really my 1st step.Then I tried again for my baby’s 1st birthday since COVID was happening it was just our immediate family and that balloon garland was also a Fail but still still learning.And finally I did my cousin baby birthday as well that one was a little better but that one was to actually put out and see if this was going to be a business.So I did my best and I posted on Facebook and I started doing them for $20 no matter the size.I got so many jobs I was so excited my husband was so mad because he just didn’t see how I was making any money,which I wasn’t but who wouldn’t want a balloon garland for $20 like no brainer right? I was thinking well sure it’s cheap but I just wanted the opportunity to show people I could do it.So I did that for a couple of months and then after New Years I invested in education and just kept going to continue to learned.Practice ,practice and practice until I couldn’t no more and still learning new tricks.That’s the fun part of this theirs no right way because everyone has their own styled and it’s a process like everything,my stuff was not going to look the way people that have been in this industry for years was because I didn’t have the practice and experience.Every install is different you learn as you and I love it because it’s never the same thing.When I was working in the bank it was always the same thing and I got bored and stress and here I can work 24/7 and sure I get tired and sometimes I question why I’m still doing it but I believe in my brand I believe that it’s not just balloons it that joy,smile you get from your clients face when your done.That wow factor!!and of course I do to have the freedom to be with my baby monday -Friday and do what I truly enjoy.I love being my owned boss.Fiesta Time our goal is to offer everything you need for your events.We currently offer event planning,balloon decor,rentals,florals and so much more is coming!!!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I would have to say just being consistent my clients find me.Communication is key.I always like to keep in touch with my clients and make sure there getting exactly what they asked for.Working with budgets is a big part of my job.I always like to provide my clients with a couple of options within their budget.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Word of mouth and social media have been my biggest source of new clients.We lived. I’m a world that if don’t post it it didn’t happen so staying consistent I’m posting and bringing along my followers to my set up’s ,talking about what’s coming keep everyone interested in what else we will do next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Fiestatime.events
- Facebook: Fiesta Time Events and Designs