Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Estevez.
Hi Justin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was nine years old the first time I called 911. My little sister was crying. My stepfather was drunk. My mother wasn’t breathing. That night, I realized I had to grow up before I was ready.
My childhood was defined by chaos — housing insecurity, addiction, domestic violence, and survival. My mother battled substance abuse and mental illness. My stepfather’s rage echoed through every wall. My biological father was behind bars during these years of vulnerability.
But even in that darkness, something inside me stirred — a quiet promise: I will not let this define me. I will become something more.
For years, my little sister and I bounced from home to home — a cousin’s couch here, an aunt’s spare room there. We never fully unpacked, because we never knew how long we’d stay. I’d press my ear to the wall at night, listening for the shift in tone that meant trouble was coming. In the morning, I’d walk my sister to school, pretending everything was normal.
I learned to be strong not because I felt strong, but because someone had to lead. Even as a child, I understood that leadership isn’t about age — it’s about responsibility. That quiet sense of duty became my driving force.
From that point on, I carried a vision of the life I wanted to build — one grounded in peace, purpose, and possibility. I became obsessed with growth. I poured my energy into school, work, and finding ways to become the kind of man who could not only transform his own life, but help others do the same.
I didn’t know exactly where the road would lead. But I knew this: one day, I’d create something meaningful — something that brought people together, made them feel safe, and gave them a reason to celebrate.
In 2018, my world quietly shifted. My mother passed away nearly 2,000 miles from where I was living at the time. I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.
I flew to her funeral unsure of what to expect. But what I found was something I never could’ve predicted: a room full of people whose lives had been touched — even transformed — by my mother. In her final years, she had become a leader in her recovery community, a guide for other mothers, and a source of strength within her church.
Hearing their stories, something inside me shifted. It was a powerful reminder: it’s never too late to become the person you were meant to be. And in that moment, I felt something lift — as if her final message to me was clear: Don’t just survive. Thrive.
After losing my mother, I was filled with a sense of urgency — a desire to become the kind of man who didn’t just dream, but built. I knew I wanted more out of life, but like many who come from humble beginnings, I didn’t know exactly where to start.
I took what I had — experience, grit, and discipline — and threw myself back into the field I knew best: property management. I worked 10-hour days, sometimes more, managing hundreds of units across New York City. Within a few years, I had climbed the ranks to oversee a 500-unit portfolio. On paper, it looked like success. But inside, I could feel something was still missing.
The work was steady, the title was respectable — but it didn’t feel like purpose. I had risen in my career, but the version of myself I was becoming felt further from the one I knew I was meant to be.
Around this time, I had a conversation with my father — no longer the man behind bars, but now a present, strong, and supportive figure in my life. He told me about the choice he made after his release: to walk away from fast money and start over from the bottom. “I was offered a lot of money,” he said. “But I knew if I took it, I might end up back in prison. And I will never be out of my children’s lives again.”
That moment landed deeply. His humility, his courage — it reminded me of everything I’d come to believe: that I was meant to carry forward a legacy of hope, love, and family. It reignited something in me.
Not long after, I felt the pull for change. A new opportunity opened the door to transfer from New York to Miami, and I took it. Five months later — just as the pandemic was beginning — I was managing a 360-unit high-rise on Miami Beach. On the surface, it looked like I had made it. But even with the ocean breeze and a new city, I still felt a restlessness I couldn’t ignore.
As the world shut down, I found myself working longer hours than ever — 10- and 12-hour days, managing crisis after crisis in a building that never slept. I had the job, the view, the status — but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant for something more.
Like many people during that time, I was forced to slow down and reflect. And in that stillness, I began to hear a familiar whisper: There’s more for you than this.
So I made the leap. I gave notice, stepped away from corporate security, and re-committed to my path of self-discovery. I didn’t have a polished business plan. What I had was vision, faith, and an inner compass pointed toward peace, creativity, and purpose.
During that time, I picked up part-time work helping a former college mentor with a grant project at Miami Dade College. It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt good to contribute to something meaningful. To supplement my income, I also began picking up freelance gigs — bartending, managing small events, working wherever I could add value.
One day, I accepted a bartending shift through a temp app. I didn’t know it then, but that booking would change everything. The client I met that night would become a mentor, a champion, and ultimately a friend — someone who saw potential in me and spoke life into it. He continued to hire me for events, introduce me to others, and open doors I didn’t even know existed.
That single night — showing up, doing the work, and leading with integrity — became the spark. Slowly, and maybe even unknowingly, I began attracting a new circle: entrepreneurs, visionaries, creatives. People who were building lives around passion and purpose. Their energy reignited mine.
The more I surrounded myself with creative, purpose-driven people, the more clearly I saw my path. I wasn’t just good at managing events — I loved curating moments that made people feel seen, celebrated, and fully present. It was more than logistics; it was about creating experiences that left a lasting impression.
On June 27th, 2023 — just four days before my birthday — I gifted myself a new beginning: Serenity Soirées.
From the name to the mission, everything was intentional. I set out to build a company rooted in elegance, professionalism, and joy — one that could bring people together, honor life’s milestones, and create a sense of ease in every detail. What started as a few bookings quickly grew into a steady stream of referrals and repeat clients.
At Serenity Soirées, we don’t just plan events — we turn events into experiences.
Today, I’m focused on building the next chapter of Serenity Soirées with clarity and purpose. Every event we take on is an opportunity to create something meaningful — a moment of joy, connection, and celebration that lingers long after the lights go out.
Personally, I’m embracing this season with discipline and vision. I’ll be spending time abroad, training in Muay Thai in Thailand — a lifelong goal that symbolizes both mental focus and physical resilience. When I return, I’m entering a season of intense creativity and growth. I’ve committed to scaling my business sustainably, growing my digital presence, and saying yes only to what aligns.
I’m no longer chasing success — I’m building significance. And I’m doing it on my terms: rooted in intention, driven by purpose, and fueled by the belief that even the most challenging beginnings can lead to the most beautiful transformations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been the smoothest road. As I have elaborated on most (not even all if you can believe it) of my personal struggles I will focus on the business struggles here. I think like alot of us I can point at my two biggest struggles being “impostor syndrome” and knowing just were to being. I have found myself amongst intimate gatherings that have included sitting presidents, politicians, professional athletes, Hollywood stars, and titans of industry and I suppose it is only natural for someone from such humble beginnings to question their sense of belonging. The second of course is where does one begin! My parents had never started a business, my family although wanting to be supportive come from a fear based mindset where the emphasis lies in surviving not thriving.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Serenity Soirées is an event design and staffing company rooted in intentionality, elegance, and emotional intelligence. We specialize in curating unforgettable experiences — from high-end social gatherings and intimate private events to branded activations and corporate functions. Whether we’re managing a rooftop cocktail hour, staffing a political fundraiser, or producing a private yacht celebration, our focus is always the same: create a sense of calm, connection, and celebration.
What sets us apart is our philosophy. At Serenity Soirées, we don’t just plan events — we turn events into experiences. That means thoughtful hospitality, polished presentation, and a seamless client journey from first inquiry to final toast. We believe the best events don’t just look good — they feel good.
Our team is known for being highly professional, impeccably trained, and warm-spirited. We approach every occasion with the mindset of a fiduciary — treating our clients’ visions, budgets, and reputations with respect and care. I’m especially proud of the way our brand has grown through word of mouth and return clients — a testament to the relationships we’ve built through trust, reliability, and presence.
We don’t sell packages — we craft atmospheres. From bartending and VIP service to day-of coordination and full-service event management, we tailor each experience to fit the energy, story, and intention behind it. We’re based in South Florida, but our events — and our reputation — travel well.
For us, it’s not about being the biggest name in the industry. It’s about being the most intentional. The most present. The most trusted. That’s Serenity Soirées.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be inquisitive never hesitating from asking that question, be vulnerable even with the parts of yourself that maybe aren’t so polished, be a person of integrity who says what they mean and means what they say, and finally alot of folks like to use the term “go getter” but I once read a book that discussed the idea of a “go giver”. This means you look to add value and help others keep the faith the universe will always provide for those who help others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.serenitysoiree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenitysoirees/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-a-estevez
Image Credits
Morgansophiaphotography & Philnicecreative
