Exploring Life & Business with Chantal Silva of Mi Cielo Event Planning

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantal Silva.

Hi Chantal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story begins with my upbringing from my Hispanic community, as a first-generation daughter of a Mexican father and a South American Mother, my childhood was always surrounded with Musica, Delicious Food, Familia, and Celebrations of Love, Milestones, and Accomplishments.

As I began to grow older and continued to attend all of our large family social gatherings and events, I really began to have more of an inside scope on what it really took to truly organize these types of events. Since I am a first-generation daughter, and my family speaks predominantly Spanish, when it came to booking venues and finding the music and catering for our big family events, I took on the role of not only doing the research for my family but taking the initiative of contacting all these important vendors, while also making sure they would fit in my family’s budget. As I continued to assist my family with their events, I began to realize that not only did I have a knack for this, but when it came to the big day of the event, I was truly filled with joy & happiness as all the different parts of the puzzle would come together for my family’s big day!

Moving forward to today, when anybody asks me why I decided to start Mi Cielo Event Planning, I share with them that the root of this business comes from first and foremost, wanting to contribute back to my Latin community. How may I contribute back, you ask? Well, by understanding and growing up with their culture and traditions, I am able to not only provide my professional service to my community, but I am also able to truly identify with them on a much more personal level. When a client or a family decides to work with me, I do not want them to see me as just another vendor, but I am hoping that they see me as familia. The reason being is because I truly treat them as if they were my own familia, con mucho cariño y respeto (with much love and respect). Mi Cielo Event Planning focuses on making sure that you are treated first with the utmost respect and courtesy while of course, making sure that we keep all your traditions in mind and execute them the way that matters the most to you!

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?
Starting up my very own event planning business, especially in Los Angeles County, has definitely not been easy. This industry is so huge and at times can be very intimidating! Besides the imposter syndrome that comes along with starting a business, as well as making sure you keep your business successful. Another hurdle that I had to jump is the reality of not seeing many event planners who look like me. When I began to look into this business, I noticed that most successful event planners who have been featured on magazines and websites were a majority of your cookie-cutter typical planners. I am hoping that putting myself out there as a true authentic Latina pursuing my dreams in event planning while maintaining my authenticity with my culture and traditions will definitely inspire others to do the same as well, no matter what their dream is.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mi Cielo Event Planning?
My Event Planning Business offers many packages based on my client’s needs! The main purpose is to make sure our clients feel taken care of but also that they feel seen and heard. We want to make sure that we are taking care of their event needs from the very start to the end.

Mi Cielo Event Planning offers the standard packages such as Month of Coordinator, Partial Wedding Planning, Full Time Wedding Planning package, but we also offer a couple of other tailored packages, again based on the client and their event needs. For example, we offer a tailored Quinceañera package based on what the family needs assistance with. We also offer Bridal Shower Packages, as well as a Bridal Dress Shopping consultation Package, where I coordinate and organize all your bridal dress shopping needs, and I am also with you during the Bridal Dress Shopping period to make sure you don’t go over your budget which includes your bridal accessories and added alterations. I am basically your conscience during your bridal dress shopping period because the most disappointing thing is trying on a dress that is outside your budget and then loving it.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely more on the shy side as a kid, since I am the middle child, I was always surrounded by my siblings and cousins! I have been fortunate to grow up with a very loving family; my parents were your typical Hispanic parents who took you everywhere as a kid, even if that meant falling asleep on the couch or chair because your mom was preoccupied talking with your tia until 2 o’clock in the morning during a Carne Asada. If you know, you know!

As I grew older, I went on to college and got my degree in Communications at the University of La Verne, Woo! Go Leos! I definitely became more of an extroverted person during my college days. During this time, my interests were merely focused on utilizing my degree for media purposes. I then moved on to getting a Master’s in Education, and now a Certification in being a Certified Wedding Planner, where I have access to unlimited workshops and courses on keeping myself updated on all the latest event trends and changes.

I truly enjoy spending time with my loved ones, especially my family and fiancé. I enjoy a good Cafecito in the morning, and for dinner, I am always down for some good pizza and wine! I love to explore the outdoors as well, as we love going to Yosemite in the summer and just riding our bikes out there!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://micieloeventplanning.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micieloeventplanning/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/micieloeventplanning/