We had the good fortune of connecting with David Santiago and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
A few habits I have incorporated into my daily routine that I believe have contributed to my overall success as a business owner revolve around my overall well-being and mental health. I believe that if I am not taking care of myself and prioritizing my well-being, I am doing a disservice to others including my team and their families who depend on me to make the correct business decisions to continue to take our company forward.

I start most work days at 4am and head to the gym. This time for myself helps me mentally prepare for the day ahead so that I can show up for my team with a clear mind. Moving my body first thing in the morning can be a challenge. Knowing I’ve already accomplished a big to-do for the day gets me off to a great start, even when the day doesn’t go as planned.

What should our readers know about your business?
The value that sets us apart as a company is that we go above and beyond for our clients.

Our role as an event rental company is to listen to our clients’ needs and provide them with a vast selection of products and services that will exceed their expectations. By having everything in-house, we’re able to position ourselves as the first choice for our clients. Our quick response times to new inquiries, emails or calls, having good processes and procedures in place give us the ability to act quickly, adapt and become nimble especially when things like inclement weather threaten the event environment.

We have many exciting projects lined up for 2024, including a few out-of-state and high-end weddings that will be featuring our new atrium pavilion structure tent.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday- we’d start the week with a morning workout to work up an appetite for some delicious authentic Oaxacan food and Cafe de Olla at my favorite joint in Inglewood, Lalo’s grill.

Tuesday- we’ll take a quick morning hike at Eaton Canyon for some great views of the San Gabriel mountain area then, we’d grab a morning breakfast burrito and iced americano at Cordova Cafe in Pasadena followed by dinner and a play at the iconic Pasadena Playhouse.

Wednesday- for lunch we’ll grab a bite at Philippe The Original for one of their signature French dipped sandwiches followed by a Dodgers game.

Thursday- we’ll keep it a little chill, local and grab a few other friends and throw an al fresco dinner party under a twinkle light canopy featuring all seating and tabletop rentals by yours truly, of course.

Friday- we’ll finish with a weekend trip up north to Los Olivos making a quick stop for some coffee in Santa Barbara at Caffe Luxxe. Throughout the weekend, we’ll explore Solvang’s Danish-style architecture, grab lunch at Industrial Eats in Buellton, grab dinner at S.Y. Kitchen in Santa Ynez and enjoy the many wineries nearby.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom! Without my mom and her dreams, her hustle and her business savviness. I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have the privilege of telling mine and my family’s success story.

As a first-generation child of immigrant parents from Oaxaca, Mexico, I learned from an early age what hard work looked like by watching my parents. From my mom I learned to take calculated risks, learned to speak up for myself, negotiate and to go after what I set my mind to. When she bought the business in ’98 off a struggling owner, she inherited a business that was operating in the red to bringing in six-figures in just three years, with only an elementary grade education. Her ability to read people and situations have proven to be among the most valuable skills I have learned from her.

Shoutout to my dad too! His unmatched work ethic is what I truly value and cherish about him. He instilled in me the value of family. Through his sacrifice, my brother and I were given opportunities that aren’t always accessible to first-gen kids.

Website: www.lapinataparty.com

Instagram: @davidrentsthings | @lapinataparty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaPinataPartyRentals/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-pinata-party-rentals-gardena

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidrentsthings

Image Credits
Julie Shuford Photography JVal Photography Abby Jiu Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.