Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Hernandez.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up we had A LOT of family parties and I remember always helping my mom put them all together. We always made sure to have centerpieces and party favors… no detail was forgotten.
When I was 14, my parents asked if I wanted to have a quinceañera and I said no. After attending my first quinces, I came home begging for my own party (my birthday was in 1 month!) My parents said absolutely.. but you have to plan it completely since it is so last minute. It was the first time I took the reigns. I did it all with my mom beside me, every meeting, every budgeting detail, every DIY project there was.
Once I graduated high school, I went to school for interior design, which led to me working at a construction office to then starting my own construction business. However, it was never fully satisfying and I wanted more for myself.
From one day to the other, I changed what I did for a living. I had planned multiple friends’ events but wasn’t till 2018 that I went full-time into my business. Just like that I left corporate and started JenCraftsEvents. I honestly never looked back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would like to say it’s been perfectly smooth sailing but let’s face it… I would be lying.
I was 21 when I started my business and though I had a lot of experience, it was a new field to navigate. I’ve never taken a course so it’s all been trial and error. I constantly face having potential clients- especially clients’ parents- think I’m too young to know what I am doing. It’s always fun to prove them wrong.
We started taking off as a company as soon as I got pregnant. Having had a difficult pregnancy, I fully relied on my family to help me get setups installed and weddings done.
Once the pandemic hit, I had a newborn and a business and felt so scared. We pushed through and continued to do events as we could based on all the guidelines set in place. Events were postponed but we were still able to help all our clients make their big day happen.
I’ve dealt with difficult people and difficult clients along the way but I am fortunate enough to say that almost every single client I have had has been a dream! I don’t dwell much on the difficult because it all comes as preparation and lessons. I learn what I can from each experience and keep pushing through.
Being a creative person, I always dealt with the constant “you either stick to one thing or you won’t have anything”. It could not be farther from the truth. While I do believe you need to niche down a bit into what you love, I also believe you don’t need to put off anything else just because it doesn’t fit into that niche. Do all the things that make your heart soar because as long as you’re happy you have everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am mainly an event planner and florist but there is more to what we do. Our specialty is definitely WEDDINGS! We love weddings here! My most popular services for weddings are day of coordination, florals, officiant and signage rentals.
I am most proud of the fact that I am extremely human with how I treat my clients. Most of us become friends by the end of the process and that makes me really happy. I try my hardest to be flexible and understanding because at the end of the day we are human and life happens. I give all my clients as many options as I possibly can and make sure someway somehow, they can get what they want and not just what they need. Hearing a client tell me that they never fully considered having a real wedding until they talked to me is one of the highlights of my work.
My clients are very special to me and it is always an honor to be trusted with such important moments in their lives.
Being a creative person, I always find ways to branch out and express myself. Our most recent adventures as a company include partnering with my mom to create our earring line @claybyjce on Instagram and opening our first studio together!
I based my business on family and without them, I really wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The most surprising thing would have to be that I had a construction company and went to school for an interior design prior to officially having an event planning company. Everyone is always shocked when I tell them!
However, I feel like it goes hand in hand. Any build-out projects that I need for events or when it comes to designing a wedding… It always comes in handy!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.JenCraftsEvents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jencraftsevents/
Image Credits
Photographers Angie Lilian Photography, De La Rosa Weddings, Andy Nasta Weddings
