Carolina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Over the years, I have always told myself that I wanted to start a small business of my own, but I knew I wanted it to be something unique and memorable for others. I have always had a passion for decorating and going the extra mile whether it was for my birthday or any special occasion. I love when things are aesthetically pleasing and a big fan of making things look simple, classy, and clean. One day during the pandemic, I wanted to have an outdoor picnic, but of course I wanted to go the extra mile. That is when it clicked, ‘How cute would it be to create a luxury picnic experience?’ That is when The Picnic Pop-Up was born. The Picnic Pop-Up is a unique, luxury picnic experience in Miami, FL. I had never seen anything like this before. I gathered my ideas and thoughts of putting together different picnic styles and packages. With my creative mind, I specialize in creating my client’s picnic dreams come true. This concept is something different and trendy because you can have a picnic just about anywhere. Whether you’re in the city, at the beach or even at home, you choose your favorite location and I take care of the rest. From an intimate anniversary or proposal date to group celebrations like birthdays or bridal showers, I will handle the planning, set up and break down. As I continue to grow my small business, today I am extremely happy of where I am at. Never in a million’s years would I have thought that since the day of the launch of The Picnic Pop-Up, I would be booked almost every weekend. I am still in the works of building collaborations with other businesses, adding other add-on services and future venues to offer more options. I have big expectations for growth for The Picnic Pop-Up and truly excited to see where the future takes me.
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?
The Picnic Pop-Up is definitely a new concept here in Miami, FL. From getting creative with different styles, to helping plan each one of my client’s picnics, my main goal is for my clients to have a memorable experience. As with any new business, I do believe there have been a few bumps in the road, mainly strict regulations in parks due to COVID-19 and weather predictions. I knew that launching The Picnic Pop-Up during a pandemic was not going to be easy in particular with enforcement of Covid-19 rules and regulations in public places which included social distancing. I truly wanted to make this a different, but a safe experience for everyone. The weather has been a factor since I started my small business during the summer. It can be raining one minute and sunny the next. Due to this, I have had to move picnics inside or reschedule with clients. I know weather conditions improve in the fall and there should be little to no rain in the days ahead. As for the rules here in Miami, I am limited to certain public locations due to rules of ‘no props’. Since my picnic set up is a new concept and is very eye catching, many individuals see it as a ‘big event’ or something bigger than what it is. I have had many clients come from out of state to book a picnic with the view of the city or even at the beach. I am hopeful that in the days ahead I can show others that my picnics create memories with celebrations, initiate new beginnings and even bring tourism to Miami in a positive way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A little background about my work. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in the Spring of 2020 during the midst of the pandemic from Florida International University in Business Administration including a double major in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics. With no physical graduation and entering a new normal, I started to brainstorm on creating something unique and different in my community. During the pandemic, I was furloughed from my internship for about three months. Later, I was brought back to my job at Seminole Hard Rock Support Services, where I currently have a full-time position in the IT department. I believe what sets me apart is my dedication in both my career and my small business. The business knowledge I learned. College has made me grow and balance different obstacles in both. Although it is not easy balancing a professional job and building a small business, I aspire to keep growing and moving forward in my professional career path while still managing The Picnic Pop-Up LLC.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
To say the least, I can say that I am eternally grateful for all the support I have in starting my small business. From my immediate family to my friends, I would not be where I am today without their help and support. I do want to highlight some specific people that have played a big role and deserve credit in the launch of The Picnic Pop-Up. First, my younger sister, Cecilia Rodriguez. She has been my right hand, from the moment I launched in coordinating and setting up every picnic with me for my clients. Next, my parents, what better advice than that coming from your parents. As a young entrepreneur, I have learned so much from making the right financial decisions to important tips from my parents. Lastly, my boyfriend, Luis Guerra and two of my best friends, Augusto Carlin and Nicholas Garcia. These guys have been by my side since the very start of The Picnic Pop-Up building our handmade picnic tables, doing the heaving lifting during a picnic set up and even just sharing a post on social media. I definitely can say that all these individuals mentioned above are a part of The Picnic Pop-Up Team. All in all, I am blessed to have such amazing people around me that will continue being my #1 supporters in helping my small business grow.
Contact Info:
- Email: thepicnicpopupmia@gmail.com
- Website: www.thepicnicpopup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.picnicpopup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepicnicpopup
Image Credits
@michgarcia @thealook
