April 3, 2017

Meet Chabeli Sanchez of P.S. & Associates Event Planning in Los Angeles

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chabeli Sanchez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The hospitality industry is something I was born into. My father and my uncle have been in the baking business since 1972. Product sampling, product packaging, marketing and of course customer service…I saw it all. As I grew up I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do as a “career,” but I knew I wanted it to be something that I could call my own.

When college was coming to an end I still wasn’t 100% sure what I would do, but while finishing up my last year I was part of an honor society that named me the event planner. I coordinated a few ceremonies and fundraisers and enjoyed it, but when it came time to plan the big graduation dinner lightning struck. Sitting at that dinner not only as a guest but as the person who designed and organized every single detail, watching people enjoy themselves amidst all my hard work, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. That was the moment I knew what I wanted to do.

A year later, I got a business license thinking that I would pursue a career in corporate events. Boy did that change fast! A wedding landed in my lap 3 months after starting the business and that was it. I was hooked. Weddings became my specialty. And while P.S. & Associates definitely caters to cooperate and social events of all kinds, weddings have remained my ultimate passion.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is what I do easy, has it been a smooth road? No way! Is it the most rewarding? HELL YES! I think one of the hardest things about owning a small business is being patient. Patience is key. When I first started 6 ½ years ago I wanted to be successful overnight (who doesn’t, right?). I would constantly get frustrated that I wasn’t busy enough, wasn’t popular enough, or didn’t have enough of a social media following. Today I still have lofty goals that I am always working toward, I’m constantly raising the bar for my business (and myself), but what we as a company have become is beyond my wildest dreams. And what we have planned for the future is going to be even better! I do what I love for a living, I am pushed and challenged every day and I am deeply grateful for that, even when I’m responding to emails at midnight.

I still struggle with patience. Sometimes my stress level is too high. There are days that I wonder if I will ever get the recommended amount of sleep. But then I get to witness the joy on the bride and groom’s faces when they walk into their reception for the first time, the celebration of love by a room full of people reveling in the beautiful details we worked on for months, the rush of problem solving and the satisfaction of walking to my car knowing we pulled off an unforgettable event…and every single time I am reminded that it’s all so very worth it.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
P.S. & Associates Event Planning is a full service event planning company located in Los Angeles, CA. In a nutshell we bring your dreams to life. We plan, design, and coordinate every inch of an event.

Specialize in weddings, though we get excited about pretty much any kind of party – especially the ones that let us get really creative with pretty things!

What makes us the proudest is seeing the look on a client’s face when they walk into their event. That look is everything. If a client is smiling from ear to ear, I know we did it…we brought their dreams to life. It is one of the most rewarding moments.

I think what sets P.S. & Associates apart from others in the industry is that I care deeply about a budget. If you tell me you have $50,000 to spend on your wedding we’re not spending a dime more unless you win the lottery, and I will still make your big day magical.

I also come from a service background – in fact my whole team does. Each of us has worked extensively in restaurant hospitality and knows how an event should run on a different level than many planners and coordinators might. We understand the flow of an event, the importance of multitasking, and the holy grail of running any kind of party: don’t panic. There is always a solution to a problem.

What were you like growing up?
I have always been upbeat, super organized (some may call it OCD) …I think that’s what makes me a great planner. Always been outgoing.

Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc.? I think we’re going to see the typical ballroom events slowly become rare. Nature and outdoor affairs will always be popular because they offer such a naturally beautiful backdrop for an event, you don’t have to bring in much to really wow your guests. I think the warehouse look is going to start to expand and become more and more popular; there’s something about the juxtaposition of industrial-meets-softness that creates a unique and stunning event setting. I think that the event industry as a whole is going to be more creative and design driven then it has ever been, and I’m really excited about that. The days of picking chicken or steak, choosing between white or ivory napkins, and picking between vanilla or chocolate cake are falling behind us; we are headed down a much more imaginative and artisanal path. I think weddings in general are taking a turn to be more of an experience than a standard affair. As event planners can we ask for anything better? Not really!

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