Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Jimenez.
Hi Vanessa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The creative entrepreneur I am today could not have been accomplished without the courage to explore different creative avenues. I’m Vanessa Jimenez, and I’m the founder of Be Here Now, a music and art events company located in Long Beach, CA. I’m a creative by nature and an entrepreneur by trade. The freedom to express myself started in my early years through dance and continued into my college years at CSULB, where I primarily studied Graphic Design, earning myself a BA degree in Studio Art in 2016. I owe the opportunity to have studied and practiced so many different mediums to my mom, Elia Jimenez, for supporting me through the years in everything I do. Although I knew my life would always involve the arts, I still felt lost as to what I wanted to pursue as my everyday lifestyle and career. I spent many unpaid hours as an intern for companies like Boy+Girl, CLD PR, LAFW, and Nailed it! media, where I did a variety of work, such as social media, graphic design, event production, and sales. During that same time, I worked full-time in manager retail roles, which eventually led to a marketing coordinator position for an Australian swimwear brand called Seafolly. It activated my skills to creative problem solve through different marketing initiatives like in-store events, which I was also able to explore with a brand called Aviator Nation in 2019. Aviator Nation is a 70’s-inspired clothing brand with built-in stages inside their retail locations. It had been my first taste of event planning, that included the chance to book musical talent. Fast forward to January 2022, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, during a sushi dinner conversation with my best friends Anaik Melissa Martinez and Gerardo Arellano that I finally declared to take the leap to create something of my own – Be Here Now. Gerardo helped me find my footing when I first decided to start my own events company. I’m also very fortunate to share space with such a supportive partner. My boyfriend, London Guzman, has been in the music scene for a very long time, helping me meet more people I can connect with beyond the connections I was already making. As of today, I only operate in local music venues and event spaces, but I have a huge endeavor to have my own music and art festival here in Long Beach in the near future. I speak it into existence every chance I can get.
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?
My first event was called “Dear Long Beach,” where I showcased local bands, DJs, and artists of different mediums at Beach Garden Social House, a gay-owned restaurant and bar here in Long Beach. I had generously gave myself 6-months to pull the event off scheduled for July 16th,2022. I’m happy to say it was a huge success, giving me the fuel to push forward. Later that year, I had an event called ” Lost Lucidity” at Grey LB/Productions, which would later become my employer and current employer today. The event was a success in which people were impressed by the production and programming, but on paper, I had indeed lost money. Outside of having to move my original event date, I had gone over my budget, and not enough tickets were sold to cover my investments. I was proud of what I had created but I knew I still had so much to learn with more opportunities to redeem myself. In May 2023, I decided I wanted to produce more events, adding ” Last Call,” a funk and hip-hop showcase at the Edison Theatre in DTLB, to my list. I had curated my first all ages show, with the longest programming hours I had attempted. To say the least, I again was proud of what I had produced. I didn’t lose any money, but attendance was still lower than I had anticipated. Nonetheless, I was grateful for each season’s lesson. We then return to what is now an annual event, ‘Dear Long Beach,’ with a venue change to Grey LB for another successful event showcasing Long Beach’s Local talent. My love letter to this incredible city of creatives. Soon after the troubling question of ” Are you bringing back Lost Lucidity?” knocked at my door for its potential return at the end of the year of December 2023. I decided to give the event another go. If you were there or had been following my journey you would have agreed, it had become one of my best events to date. A punk and dark wave event that still lives rent-free in my happiest memories. A special shoutout to my friend Yvette Aispuro who was a part of the art showcase and who helped me curate the events line-up. I look forward to collaborating with her again. So, in the words of gallery owners and my friends Liz and Artos from Open Gallery LB… ” Trust the process.” words to live by if you are a creative needing encouragement to keep going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the founder of Be Here Now, I spearhead all of my events. I am able to handle wearing many hats at its current production level and slowly building an admirable team to support me when it’s time to scale. I love putting together shows that have a lot of intentionality and uniqueness. As an avid eventgoer myself, I’m constantly thinking of ways I can elevate my events for those who attend. Every detail matters. I want people to feel welcomed and excited to be there. It starts at the door, friendly faces to greet you, an immersive art display to spark joy, and a large room filled with people who you can connect with over an incredible line-up of music and visual displays. I’ve build roots in Long Beach as an event producer that has helped revive the culture of DIY events. A blank canvas to me has endless possibilities, and as a visionary, I’m thrilled to always try something new. I’ve built a platform for many artists and musicians who have never been given the chance to be a part of something that can also be theirs. I am their biggest cheerleader and fan. I want everyone I work with to know that they matter in this world and that their gifts should be shared. I care immensely for those who take part in my events. Everyone matters. Everyone plays a part in the success of each event. I’m proud that each event I’ve done has not only surprised others but myself included. Constantly filling my head with ideas and sharing them with my community has been my most fortunate opportunity. Something special I like to give out at my events are zines created by my friend Louie under the zine publication name “All We Do is Float,” where we highlight the artists and musicians and capture the essence of the event through Louie’s interpretation. Music and Art are the pillars of what brings me joy. There’s nothing better than to exercise my passion through the event work I do. This Spring, I invite you to an event that will have a strong presence in the Psychedelic genre. A genre that I have loved for countless years. TRIP OUT is set to happen April 27th at the historic Edison Theatre in Long Beach. Healing Gems, Little Sister, Pleasures, Soundfrom, and DJ Rumpshaker Maker have been confirmed for this event. Along with an immersive experience by visual artists Moirebender and Stranger Liquids and a photo gallery featuring Carlos Garcia. It’s going to be epic!
What does success mean to you?
Success can be channeled in different ways. I like to measure the success I’ve had by the amount of people I have been able to help recognize their own potential. A chance to give someone something to look forward to. To feel praised and honored for their talent and hard work. To feel connected with those who live the same lifestyle and connecting the dots to help people find each other. Most of the talent I book work multiple jobs or stressful jobs that they are forced to juggle while attempting to have a successful art or music career. My friend Calinnah is the perfect example of that where she is a nurse by day and singer/songwriter by night. It’s not anything new for a creative, and that’s exactly why I want to continue to create more spaces where artists can be discovered and recognized. To have a fighting chance to seek out their wildest dreams… as the late Cameron Boyce once said, “What you leave behind should be bigger than you.” I hope I can do that by helping as many people along the way of accomplishing my own dreams.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @beherenowaffairs
Image Credits
Danielle Holmberg
Adrian Gutierrez Monge
Yvette Aispuro
