It all started when I was hired at the Hughen Center which was a residential facility for students with disabilities in 2004. The staff needed someone that would oversee the decorations for the student activities such as Christmas and prom and I agreed to help them out. I worked there off and on for about three years and enjoyed every bit of it, especially when it came to making their parties something to remember. Phyllis Branch was the head cook at that time at the Hughen Center and she saw that I had a talent for decor. In 2008, Phyllis approached me about decorating for the Diamond-Netts annual Christmas Ball.

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The Diamond-Netts is a local nonprofit organization and take pride in being a part of the community. As the years went by, I accumulated a variety of decor inventory and was only using it once a year. In early 2015, my partner Adam and I discussed ways to bring in some additional financial resources which were needed. I thought of a decor business because we already had inventory and I had a passion for making things beautiful. We didn't pursue the business because it became a bit overwhelming to think about initially. In December of 2015, we were sitting at the Diamond-Netts ball, and we started discussing the potential business venture yet again. Adam could see that it made me happy, and it only made sense to put the decor inventory to good use. That night we agreed that it was time to launch our business. So, on January 1, 2016, my partner Adam Arceneaux and I decided to officially launch Cruz Events. The business was a part-time venture since we both had full-time jobs. The years went by, and we continued to grow within the community.

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In March 2018, I decided to leave my job and manage Cruz Events full-time. I was experiencing some things in my professional career and needed a change, so this seemed like a natural transition. However, I quickly realized I was not fully prepared to handle full-time entrepreneurship and the financial responsibilities that came with it. After four months, another door opened with a big opportunity that led me back to education, and Cruz Events went back to being a side gig and continued growing at a slower pace. I felt defeated in that moment realizing that the full-time business venture failed; at least that's how I viewed it. The dream of owning and running a business was shattered, but in the back of my mind I knew it was only a test of what was to come and that test would allow me to inevitably have the opportunity to overcome.

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With life and the changes it brings, in April of 2021, I decided - yet again - to manage the business full-time. I was armed with lessons learned from the previous attempt and was determined to bring the business to its full potential. Of course, there were times when I wondered what I was doing and if that was the right decision. Thankfully, business was improving, and we were able to book a variety of events, with each event leading to another opportunity. With the continued interest in our services, I began thinking of the next steps to ensure the business was moving in the right direction. One of those decisions was to create a website, and in the fall of 2021, www.cruzeventsdecor.com was launched.

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By February 2022, we became a limited liability company. Three months later, we officially hired three amazing team members who have been the foundation to help grow the business. 2022 was a year of new experiences, growth, and developing vital business ownership knowledge. We are proud to say that we pay business taxes, both local and federal, unemployment taxes, sales taxes, workers' compensation, business insurance coverage premiums, and we offer our team members life insurance coverage. I realize that I can only have part-time employees and that does not always come with great benefits or a livable pay rate. My goal was to provide the team with livable wages and benefits they deserve. In order to build a strong team with strong buy in, the company must invest in its team members. When you show the team that you care they will return the favor by giving it their absolute best for the business. This journey has not always been smooth. I have had my fair share of bumps in the road, but I have learned to take it as a lesson to improve.

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The year 2023 taught us to continue striving for excellence. The team made improvements in design and the business was able to gain additional weekday events. This was a goal met as it was important to be able to sustain the team and their employment. The biggest accomplishment that year was that we were able to secure the Mardi Gras Ball for 2024. This particular event was decorated by a non-local business for over 15 years. The fact that Cruz Events was able to bid and gain the contract was something to be proud of. We immediately began building a team of local businesses that would come together to create a stunning masterpiece. As part of the team-building process, we sponsored the Cattle Barons Ball's balloons instillation. This allowed the team to work together on a large-scale balloon design which would ultimately prepare us for Mardi Gras. The year ended on a high note and everyone was excited for 2024 and the first large event.

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In 2024, we successfully achieved the Mardi Gras Ball design. This installation lasted three days total to complete an event which would host over 1,100 guests. A professional videographer captured the feat, and this video was utilized by each vendor to help promote their local business. We were honored to have been a part of several large and detailed events. This was trying, but at the same time, very rewarding and beneficial to our continued growth. This was going to be the year of business accolades. We were first nominated for the BBB Torch Spark Awards and were awarded as a finalist amongst several strong businesses. The news then came in that we were named the SDBC Hispanic Small Business of the Year. This brought tears and joy to the team. We were then given the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Ignite the Vision competition hosted by the SBDC.  This was a tedious process which required a lot of focus and time. We submitted our application and met all requirements prior to the deadlines given. The final step was a presentation to a group of almost 300 attendees. My nerves were bad, but I managed to make it through, and Cruz Events was named the first-place winner. That award came along with $10,000.00 which would be used to purchase our 300 gold Mosaic specialty chairs. The year continued and as the owner, I felt like I needed additional funding support so that the business could continue expanding. I began seeking someone to be the Chief Operating Officer while also looking for employment within the local industry. My mind was running wild with ideas and the feeling that I needed to do more in order to achieve the dream of expanding. We finally made a decision on an individual and they are currently training as an administrator. Through this all, we managed to catch the eye of additional industry clients including Valero, Doggett Automotive, and ExxonMobil. These are all huge feats, and we proudly executed their event requests.

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Today is January 1, 2025, and we are looking forward to another year of newly implemented designs.

 

We have always had immense pride in our community and are committed to giving back to our friends and neighbors. We are able to do this in a variety of ways, including offering donations or discounts on decor to schools, churches, and nonprofits. We have donated more than $9,000 to local cat rescues and established the Cruz Events Community Impact Scholarship on October 7, 2022. Since then, we have awarded three scholarships totaling $3,500 to local first-generation students seeking to continue their education after graduating high school.

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I always thank God for His guidance and grace. We will forever thank our clients, community, families, and friends for their continuous support. A huge thank you to those who have been helpful with events when we needed additional resources. Thank you to all the local businesses we have collaborated with. We look forward to a bright future for Cruz Events LLC.

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#CruzEvents #WeCanMakeltSomethingBeautiful

#MoreThanJustDecor #ShopLocal #Communitylnvolvement