Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica De Quesada.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I opened my business at the age of 19, in 2001. I started doing balloon decor and then quickly was approached those same clients to plan their full event. At that age, I was planning events for clients like Air Jamaica, American Cancer Society, Ford Motors, Make a Wish Foundation, American Express and numerous celebrities in South Florida such as Lili Estefan, Sean Taylor. I also planned Amor 107.5’s Roxanna Garcia’s wedding, El Zol 106.7’s Betzy Vazquez- La Gatita’s wedding, and Spanish singer and songwriter Natalia Jimenez’s wedding. In the past 19 years, I have planned over 500 events, not only social but corporate and specifically the past six years, I have been doing much work for non-profit foundations.
I served as the lead event producer for the Live Like Bella Foundation from its Inaugural gala year until their 4th gala year, overseeing all of their event and fundraising efforts. I have been planning and producing for two years now all of The De Moya Foundation’s events, we assist young adults with developmental disabilities, which is a cause very dear to me. For the second year as well, I will begin planning the City of Miami’s Chief of Police Gala and we also plan the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Gala, and Ronald Mc Donald House Charity South Florida gala amongst others.
I have also worked as Catering Manager & Director for several properties in South Florida throughout the years, as I grew my business in the earlier years giving me the hands-on experience in the catering & sales side of the industry. My family has always been in the advertising and marketing industry down here in South Florida giving me a strong background in those fields as well.
I take pride in making special moments completely unforgettable. I believe building a foundation with sturdy plans for your event is the best way to accomplish your finished product. As I have evolved in the industry, I have also now created a new division of the business along with my husband Chef Luis Moreno, which is Catering in Color which services primarily the high-end children’s event industry. Bringing a creative themed fun spin to food for children’s events. We also own a fast food joint called The Crazy Toston which is located in Kendall and open for the public to enjoy on a daily basis.
Most importantly, all of the relationships I have developed and nurtured throughout the years are the ones that assist me to be able to achieve all that I do daily, without the team of powerful women that I surround myself with I could not do what I do.
I am a wife and mother of two beautiful children who inspire her to continue to serve others every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My struggles have been trying to be the best mother I can be while building my business. My oldest son is 13 now and is special needs, fighting to get him the assistance he needs on a daily basis is a struggle, just getting through daily routine is a struggle. However, both of my children motivate me to do more and build more for them daily.
Being able to balance it all is still a challenge, but one that each day, I do my best to be able to continue to serve my clients and my family with the best of me.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I think what sets me apart from other event planners is one my background and experience. I offer a very complete line of service for my event planning clients. When it comes to non-profits, we assist with the building or rebuilding of their brand, image, assist with fundraising strategies, concepts and then we make it come to life. For galas, we handle as little or as much as the client needs. We assist with decor, production, silent auction, entertainment, registration, dealing with vendors, etc. For community events, we handle vendors, logistics, media presence and more.
When it comes to catering, we don’t just provide a menu, we customize the menu to the theme and make it look as if its part of the decor. It’s all creatively designed for that specific event.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel that passion is the one characteristic that sets me apart from most. Passion for my clients, for my work as well, as for the causes I choose to represent gives me the edge because it’s what makes me go above an beyond every single time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheEventPlannersMiami.com
- Phone: 786-203-3941
- Email: theeventplannersmiami@gmail.com
- Instagram: @theeventplannersmiami / @cateringincolor / @thecrazytoston
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