Amid the frustration of closing her business, a Venezuelan woman in the United States discovered her passion for decorating spaces for events. Susseth Añez, from Marabá, began learning by watching tutorials on YouTube and today she is in charge of organizing parties for clients, including the artist Marko Music.
From Struggling Business Owner to Successful Event Designer: Susseth Añez’s Inspiring Journey
A Venezuelan mother’s need to give her son security and a future led her to emigrate to the United States in 2015. What Susseth Añez didn’t know was that the dreams she had in her suitcase would be joined by another full of creativity: party decorations.
Her first project in the United States did not work out. For a year and a half, Añez, 32, struggled daily to maintain her business, which rented furniture for events, but she never made a profit.
She said she didn’t have the budget to hire staff, so she had to take care of the logistics, loading the furniture, delivering it and then cleaning it. “Those were very tough beginnings. I sold all my jewelry to keep it going,” she said.
One day, she received a call from a Venezuelan client who was traveling to Miami for a baby shower. To Marabina’s surprise, the compatriot was not only interested in renting the furniture but also asked her to take care of decorating the room for her special day.
“I admitted to her that it was the first time I had done this, but I accepted. I charged her very little and empirically watched YouTube tutorials to learn how to make centerpieces and floral arrangements,” she said, adding that the only people she received assistance from in setting up were her son and husband.
After experiencing the emotion of seeing people happy with her work, there was no turning back. She closed her business to embrace a new dream: Susseth Event Designer (@sussetheventdesigner).
Venezuelan-style events
Añez, who is an architect, is in charge of organizing parties “from beginning to end,” she says. She is the one who communicates with the cake baker, the caterer, the sound person and the entertainment.
She assures that she only informs them about the theme and guides them because her goal is for each party to be a place where everyone can shine for their work and authenticity. The Venezuelan said that she has had the opportunity to organize events for artists such as Kerly Ruiz and Marko Music.
“When I throw a party for people from another culture, they like it when I do the designs like we Venezuelans do and include Venezuelan food in the event. Wonderfully, Americans love an arepa, pastelitos and tequeños,“ she said.
I will always miss my country
Añez is the mother of two children, ages 5 and 15. Although she left her country convinced she was making the best decision, she says she misses “the joviality of the “Maracuchos” (term used in Venezuela to refer to people from the state of Maracaibo), the jokes, the food, the complicity and the walks on the lakefront.”
“Miami has become a small Venezuela, but above all, I will always miss my country,“ she said.
Her next goals include continuing to prepare and integrate architecture into her projects. For example, she would like to not only participate in the decoration of a baby shower but also offer the family the service of designing the baby’s room.
About Party Decorating Business
Party decorating can be a very rewarding business for those with a passion for creativity and design. Here is a guide to what makes party decorating a good business:
- One of the most important elements of party decorating is creativity. The ability to come up with unique and visually appealing designs is what sets successful party decorators apart from the rest.
- Party decorating is all about the details. From the color scheme to the placement of decorations, every element should be carefully considered to create the perfect atmosphere for the event.
- Party decorating is a flexible business that allows you to work with a variety of clients and events. Whether it’s a small intimate gathering or a large corporate event, the possibilities are endless.
- Building a strong network of contacts is critical to success in the party decorating business. Building relationships with event planners, vendors and other industry professionals can open up new opportunities and help you grow your business.
- As with any business, effective marketing is important to attract new customers and grow your business. This can include creating a website, social media presence and advertising in local publications.
- The ability to adapt to the client’s preferences, budget and style is an important aspect of the party decorating business. A good decorator should be able to work with clients to create a personalized event that meets their specific needs and vision.
Overall, party decorating can be a great business for those who have a passion for creativity, design and attention to detail, combined with the ability to network, market and adapt to client needs.
How can I decorate my birthday party on a budget?
Planning a birthday party can be a daunting task, especially if you’re trying to decorate it on a budget. However, with a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can have a beautiful and memorable birthday party without breaking the bank. Here are some steps you can take to decorate your birthday party on a budget:
- Set a Budget: Before you start planning, set a budget and stick to it. Decide how much you want to spend and then make sure you don’t go over that amount.
- Look for Deals: Shop around for the best deals on decorations, supplies and food. Take advantage of sales and coupons. There are also plenty of online resources to help you find great deals.
- Get Creative: Get creative and make your own decorations, centerpieces and other elements. For example, you can make your own birthday banners or centerpieces with items you have around the house.
- Reuse and Recycle: Look for ways to reuse and recycle items you already have or can borrow from friends and family. This is a great way to save money and still create a beautiful atmosphere.
- Think Outside the Box: Think outside the box when it comes to decorations. Instead of buying expensive decorations, consider using everyday items like streamers, balloons and lights to create a festive atmosphere.
How to decorate a party without balloons?
Decorating for a party doesn’t require balloons – with some creativity and planning, you can create a beautiful and memorable event with a festive atmosphere. Whether you are planning a birthday, holiday, or just a fun gathering, here are some tips to help you decorate without balloons.
- Start with the basics: Choose a theme for the party and use it as your guide for decorations. Consider colors, textures and patterns that fit the theme and use them to set the tone for the event.
- Use lighting and music to create ambiance. String lights, candles and lanterns can add a cozy atmosphere and create a warm glow. Choose music that fits the theme and mood of the party.
- Hang decorations from the ceiling. Garlands, banners and fabric can be hung from the ceiling to add color and texture to the room.
- Use centerpieces for the tables. Choose centerpieces that fit the theme and make sure to mix and match colors, textures and patterns.
- Add decorations to the walls. Hang artwork, posters, or photographs that fit the theme. You can also use wall decals or stencils to create a unique look.
- Incorporate fun activities. Having activities like a photo booth, games, or craft projects can make the party more interactive and entertaining.
- Use tableware and glassware to add to the look. Choose plates, cups and cutlery that fit the theme. Add a personal touch by using monogrammed or custom-made glassware.
- Include fresh flowers in the decorations. Flowers can add a touch of elegance and beauty to any event. Choose flowers that fit the theme and color palette.
- Choose your party favors. Give your guests something to remember the event by with personalized favors such as mugs, keychains, or magnets.
How do you make a party look expensive?
Here are some tips on how to make a party look expensive:
- To give the party a luxurious feel, invest in high-quality decorations, linens and tableware. Avoid cheap or flimsy materials that can make the party look cheap.
- Use soft lighting, candles and string lights to create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting. This can make the party look more expensive and sophisticated.
- Select a color scheme that is elegant and sophisticated. This can include neutral colors such as white, black and gold, or bold colors that complement each other, such as black and gold.
- You can add a touch of elegance to any party with flowers and greenery. Use them to create centerpieces and decorate the room.
- When it comes to creating an expensive-looking party, less is more. Avoid clutter and keep decor to a minimum. A few well-chosen statement pieces can be more effective than a lot of small decorations.
- Consider hiring a professional event planner, caterer, or decorator to help you create the perfect party. They can offer expert advice on how to create a luxurious look while staying within your budget.
- Personalize the party as much as possible, including custom invitations, favors and decorations, which will make the party look more expensive and unique.
By following these tips, you can create an elegant and sophisticated party that looks expensive, even on a budget.
How do you do a low-cost party?
To help you plan an inexpensive party, here are some tips:
- Decide how much you can afford to spend on the party and stick to it. This will help you prioritize and decide what is most important.
- Allow plenty of time for party planning. This will allow you to take advantage of any sales or discounts that may be available and to find the best deals.
- Get creative and use items you already have around the house or make your decorations instead of buying expensive ones.
- Ask guests to bring a dish to share instead of hiring a caterer. This can be big savings on food and beverage costs.
- Make a music playlist or have guests bring their music instead of hiring a band or DJ. You can also play games or host a movie night.
- If you host the party in your own home, you can save money on the cost of renting a venue.
- You may be able to take advantage of lower costs for services such as catering or entertainment if you can plan your party for a day or time that is not busy.
- Be on the lookout for deals and discounts on party supplies, decorations and other items. You can find them online or at local retailers.
What is a $5 party?
The five-dollar party is organized and decorated on an extremely tight budget of five dollars or less. These parties usually feature minimalist decorations and focus on inexpensive, simple and creative ways to entertain without breaking the bank.
To plan a $5 party, you’ll have to get creative with the decorations, the food and the activities. For example, you can use simple things like streamers and balloons for decorations, or you can make your decorations with craft supplies like paper, cardboard, or fabric.
Foods can be simple and inexpensive, such as chips, popcorn, or cupcakes, or you can plan a potluck and ask guests to bring a dish.
As far as activities go, you could opt for games or activities that require a minimal amount of props or equipment, such as charades, Pictionary, or karaoke.
Overall, the key to a successful $5 party is to be creative and imaginative and to focus on what matters: spending time with friends and family and having a good time.
What is a penny party?
A Penny Party is the type of party or event where guests are asked to bring pennies (or other smaller denominations) to contribute to the prize or charitable fund. Everyone contributes a small sum and it all goes towards doing something fun and meaningful.
For example, a penny party can be held to raise funds for a charity or local community project, where guests are asked to bring as many pennies as they can to contribute to the cause. Guests can bring as many pennies as they can to the party and the money raised can be used for charity or community projects.
Another example is a Penny Party game night where guests are asked to bring a certain number of pennies and the money collected is used as a prize for the winner of the party game.
What’s important to note is that PennyParty is a creative approach to fundraising that can be used at any event, can be adapted to any setting and is a budget-friendly way to host a fundraising event.
How do I host an event with no money?
Putting on an event with no money at all can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips on how to host an event without spending a lot of money.
- Brainstorm free or low-cost activities: You could consider hosting a potluck dinner, a game or movie night, or an outdoor scavenger hunt.
- Ask friends and family to help: Hosting an event with no money can be challenging, so reach out to your friends and family to see if they can help out with food, supplies, or other items you might need.
- Utilize free or low-cost venues: Look for free or low-cost venues in your area that you can use for your event. For example, your local library might be willing to let you host your event for free.
- Solicit donations: Reach out to local businesses to see if they are willing to donate items for your event.
- Promote your event: Use social media, word of mouth and other free methods to let people know about your event.
- Have fun: Have a great time at your event and make sure everyone is having a great time too!
