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Meet Trailblazer Cindy Arenas

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Arenas.

Cindy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I became engaged back in 2008, I immediately became obsessed with everything wedding! I watched every single show about weddings you can think of. My two favorite shows were “Say Yes to the Dress” and “Who’s Wedding is in Anyway?”. “Who’s Wedding…” was a show that put wedding planners in the spotlight. The planners designed, coordinated, dealt with drama and so much more. That’s how I really got a feel for what planners really do and what they go through. And then, I thought “I need a planner for my wedding day!”. I decided to reach out to a local planner featured on the show and immediately hired him for my wedding day management. I was obsessed with my planner. I loved how he carried himself and made me feel like a bride. He was so attentive and organized. Once my wedding was over, I went back to normal, married life. I could not get over the role of a planner and I wanted people to trust me and depend on me to provide them a perfect wedding day.

I got an opportunity to help plan a friend’s wedding in the spring of 2017. They had six weeks to execute a wedding on a budget. I jumped on this and finally got my chance to be a planner. I had the BEST time and loved every single aspect of the planning and wedding day. I learned a lot while planning this wedding and knew this was my calling.

In the spring of 2018, I decided to quit my job at The Walt Disney Company after 17 years of service. It felt like the right time to give me a chance to do something I loved and have always wanted to do. It was absolutely scary and all new to me. But, I had to do it. Ink & Rose Events was born and there was no looking back!

I am in my second year of business and it’s been a roller coaster! I have learned that networking is key. I have met and have become friends with the best wedding professionals in the business. I even met an amazing bridal salon owner I now call one of my best friends. She even let me have my own “Say Yes to the Dress” moment and let me be a consultant for a day. She even took me to a bridal gown market show! Now, this is a rare opportunity for a planner so I am so blessed to have been able to experience this. I have been very lucky to have worked with some amazing couples as well. They trusted me and delivered! I have wonderful weddings lined up for 2020 and I cannot wait! April 0f 2020 will be my 3rd year in business and I can honestly say, I am not doing too shabby.

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?
My journey has definitely had its ups and downs. My first year was rough. I had two official weddings under the Ink & Rose Events name. I also assisted a couple of planners at their weddings. Establishing trust with couples is hard, especially when you really don’t have a strong internet presence. My website was in the works and I was a bit rusty with Instagram. I had some very fast learning to do. I invested in Wedding MBA and really embraced all that the convention had to offer. I took those tools and finished my website, became more active on social media and just worked on obtaining more content. I also worked very hard on asking for reviews. The hardest part of owning your own business has to be rejection. I had some great calls and meetings with potential clients in the first year. But, because I was still very new, they decided to go in another direction. That always puts me in a sad mood and sometimes it takes a minute to pick myself up. I keep reminding myself this is part of the business. I have to be strong and be able to move on. My advice, to new entrepreneurs, is to have a backbone. Let the negativity slide right off your shoulders and be confident in what you do. I worked for top executives at Disney and they weren’t always the easiest to work with. I really am so lucky to have been able to gain strength from the corporate world. It really does help me in my new world of entrepreneurship.

We’d love to hear more about Ink & Rose Events.
I mostly specialize in wedding day management. Some people know this as “Day of” planner. I love getting to know a couple and getting to know about their family and overall wedding day vision. I have quite a bit of wedding under my belt and the biggest feedback I get is that I am in charge and organized in a professional and clean manner. I always take this as a compliment because I know I can be bossy and even sometimes pushy. I make executive decisions on a regular basis and it makes me feel good that my clients love that about me. I also speak fluent Spanish and that comes in handy at almost every wedding I coordinate.

I am also known to coordinate non-profit events alongside a local Chef. She hires me to run in front of the house so she can concentrate on the food.

Once a year, I donate my wedding coordination services to a deserving couple. I love hearing stories of how couples met and what they’d love for a wedding day. They can’t always make this happen, so I step in and reach out to other vendors that want to help. This has been successful for my 2018 and 2019 couples. I have my 2020 couple getting married in February.

I am a HUGE dog lover and have four rescues. I always want to give back so I donate 10% of my fees to a local animal rescue. In fact, one of my couples getting married in April 2020 is hosting a “Yappy Hour” with adoptable dogs at their wedding! I am so lucky to be part of this!

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
One of my biggest supports has to be Facebook groups. I am part of about 10 groups that I can honestly say have drawn in business for me. Whether it be a couple hiring me or getting to know new vendors. Another important source has to be Honeybook and Rising Tide Society. I am part of a “Tuesday’s Together” group that meets once a month. We meet, mingle and bounce ideas off one another. This is a great networking and support group that I depend on a lot. I love getting their feedback and asking questions in regards to the events industry. They suggested a book called “Brain Rules” by John Medina. It was a great read and made me feel more grounded in my life.

Pricing:

  • Wedding day management starts at $1,500
  • Full-service planning starts at $3,500

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Meghan Wiesman Photography, JZsquared Photography

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