Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine De Paz.
Hi Katherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Throughout the course of my life event planning has always sparked such an interest in me that I came up with the name of my company at the young age of 10. Over the years, I would help decorate our small family events. It was never anything too formal, but my mom always encouraged me to turn my liking for event design into a business.
I never gave the idea a second thought given that my 9-5 job was my priority. The idea itself of owning and running a company that was mine was terrifying to me. Being that I grew up raised by a single mother and seeing her work two jobs just to make sure there was always food on the table for my sister and I, I never thought that someone like me could even think of starting something like this. I grew up with the mentality that I would have many bosses and eventually came to find out that I could be my own. Through fate, I met my first business partner who I connected with on so many levels and who helped foster the passion I had into something much more serious and defined. The partnership gave me the courage and the desire to step out into the world as the planner that I am today. Although our partnership went separate ways due to creative differences, it was still an important experience that paved this path as the businesswoman I am today. Now, I am the sole owner of my business to which has grown immensely, giving me the opportunity to plan more events from baby showers, weddings, birthdays to high profile events.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road at all. I wish! What exit do I take to get on that road?! The beginning of my event planning journey was rough! I couldn’t quit my regular job so I would work Monday through Friday in marketing and spend my weekends working on events. I did that for a couple of years until my company gained some traction. In the midst of it all, I was also learning what creative direction my company was headed in and the direction my style and design was headed in as well. The biggest challenge, as I’m sure is the case for every business, is being able to adjust with the curveballs. Some things just happen that are so completely out of my control that all you can do is adapt and adjust. From a product breaking the day of an event to large scale situations like Covid 19. You just never know what could happen but you can always try your best to be prepared.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an event planner based in Los Angeles that specializes in lavish events like baby showers, birthdays, weddings, and Sweet 16s. What sets my company apart from others is the incredible detail I incorporate and the whimsical design that really is much more of an experience for all of my clients and their guests. I’m definitely proud of what my company has become and even more proud of what my company can do for people. It’s the most rewarding experience to be able to share these special moments with each and every one of my clients and be able to say that I was able to contribute to that special moment in their life.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned along this crazy journey has been really about the expectations I set for myself. In the event world, things need to run smoothly and according to plan. It hasn’t always been easy to accept when those things don’t go the way they need to. So really, I’ve come to learn that while I want my business to be PERFECT and run smoothly that isn’t always going to be the case. Things happen and a successful business owner rolls with the punches and learns from them. That is who I’ve come to be and I hope to grow that part of me as I continue to move through this journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.storybookending.net
- Instagram: @storybookendingevents
Image Credits
Head shot: @bguizarphotos
