Today we’d like to introduce you to Mateo Carvajal
Hi Mateo, 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?
Growing up, I remember how my mom and aunties would always make a big deal out of every celebration—birthdays, holidays, even Halloween. They would handcraft and create the most beautiful decorations for me and all my cousins, making each celebration feel unique and special.
As I got older, I realized that I had a natural inclination for creating, visual aesthetics, and decoration. I always enjoyed planning surprise birthday parties for my family and friends, I mostly loved the decorating part.
In 2017, after a huge existential crisis, I came to the U.S. trying to find my way. I was supposed to stay for 3 months attending an English school, but I’ve now been here for 8 years. I compare the experience of living on my own in a new country with no friends or family nearby—working several jobs and taking care of myself—to the journey of building a business. Without those difficult personal years, I don’t think I could have created T’estimo Events.
When I met my now husband, I learned that he had a deep passion for baking. I often suggested we combine his love for baking with my passion for decorating to create a business. However, there were always a million doubts holding us back from taking the leap.
After we got married in January 2020, during the COVID lockdown, I found myself without a job. That’s when I realized this was the perfect moment we had been waiting for. So, we decided to create a logo online, chose a name that held special meaning for us, and that’s how T’estimo Events was born. with a name, a logo, and zero experience or idea of what we were doing.
.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have been very fortunate—our business has grown every year. But, of course, there have been many struggles and a lot of hard work. I needed to learn, and am still learning, how to run a business while also navigating an industry that was completely unknown and not always friendly or kind to me, all while mastering the technical aspects of the manual work I do. It’s been a huge learning and growing experience, and although it comes with challenges, uncertainty, and struggles, it also brings a tremendous sense of purpose and excitement.
.
There is also always the struggle with that little voice inside telling you that you’re not good enough or not as good as others, or that you don’t really deserve the great things that you or your business are achieving. Working on your own business can be a lonely place, where you find many questions and no one to answer them. You have to figure things out as you go and be quick to learn. I’ve been fortunate to have so many wonderful people who have helped along the way, including the support and endless cheering from my family and husband.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
T’estimo Events offers luxury event design. Our most popular services include 4-foot marquee letter rentals, balloon decorations, and large shiny ball rentals.
First, I am incredibly proud of building a successful business from scratch and not giving up on the process.
In just 5 years in business, I went from hoping someone would hire us to create a balloon garland for $100 to working on large-scale installations for major companies like Live Nation, UCLA, USC, Rare Beauty and many others.
Mostly, I am proud and grateful of always embracing the challenges, saying yes even when I had more doubts than certainty, allowing myself to learn along the way, and rising to every occasion without letting self-doubt limit my opportunities.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would say perseverance, punctuality, responsibility, stubbornness, and an intrinsic need to always do things well and go the extra mile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.testimoevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/testimoevents?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Image Credits
5th image (Genius transcript) Drew Stevens
