Meet Dominique Fernandez | Event Designer

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

Hi Dominique, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Poppy Seats went from idea to reality pretty quick. In 2021, I had been frustrated with my job and wanted to create something that brought me joy. When everything started to reopen, I remember wanting to gather friends to eat and share space, but in a vibey way. I wanted to create an experience that was memorable for me and my guests. When I shared my desire with some close friends, they encouraged the idea and opened their home for me to host a dinner. That night turned out to be a success. It was an intention filled summer eve with good food and good people. I’ll never forget what it did for my confidence — it was the catalyst I needed to start Poppy Seats.

Looking back, I’ve been hosting and planning events since I was a kid. I used to put together our family thanksgiving dinners. It was a whole operation! I’d pick the menu, organize my mom and grandma on the cooking duties and then hop on my aunt’s old computer to print up a menu. It’s funny to think about, but really I was just doing what came natural to me. Those early seeds have now sprouted and I’m pretty sure I’m making my younger self proud.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I help others build and sustain community through intentionally designed events. What makes my style of work special is the level of detail and thought that goes into every process and engagement of my business. Often times, people think that event professionals just put together the pretty backdrops with the matching decorations and that’s it. To that I say, yes, that’s a big component on event day but in the larger scheme of things, it’s relatively small.

The work ethic of my brand is defined by the processes leading up to event day. The amount of thought hours that go into preparing for an event and ensuring positive client experiences is what sets my business apart. The things I do for my best friends, I do for my clients. I’m thinking steps ahead so the people I’m serving can embrace the feeling of being taken care of. When I pair that with thoughtful designs, clients usually cherish the moments Poppy Seats has curated.

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.
A trip to Snack Shack on the Eastside is a must. They have the best burger and fries — extra hot relish please. We’d probably bust a mission to Fountain Valley skating rink (RIP World on Wheels) and spend some time exploring the San Fernando swap meet. Then, Smorgasburg LA or Mar Vista Farmers Market on Sunday afternoon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, my boyfriend Michael and our sweet boys Maxx and Myel keep me encouraged on all the tough days of entrepreneurship. Of course, there’s so many people that have poured into me over the years and I owe them all my gratitude. But I’d like to give a special shoutout to Ben and Renee Loiz. I’ve known the Loiz’s, a dynamic creative couple, for over a decade. So many major life moments have happened in that time and they’ve always been there to listen, encourage, and inspire. When I decided to really pursue Poppy Seats, they were all in. Ben designed the identity and Renee was one of the first people to hire me. I’m forever grateful for their friendship and someday, I hope to inspire others the way they do.

Website: www.poppyseats.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/poppy.seats

Image Credits
Faith Buchanan, Kyle DeSean Johnson, Kai Calhoun