Meet Julisa Chavez | Event Planner & Decorator

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

Hi Julisa, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a word that embodies so many negative emotions—fear, doubt, failure, etc. But I think of something John A. Shedd once said: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” This quote has completely changed my perspective on taking risks. Too often, we grow up with such a strong fear of failure that we stop ourselves from taking risks. Only when we learn that risk is an essential part of growing do we truly understand the beauty of it.

I will admit, it’s much easier said than done. For most of my life, I’ve avoided risk, always prioritizing caution and taking the safe route. You could say it’s the “first child, granddaughter, and niece” in me. As I got older, though, I began to shed that fear of taking risks and slowly began to unlearn behaviors that were holding me back. I started to take chances and began to see the reward of navigating outside of my comfort zone, gradually leading to my biggest risk to date: leaving a steady job to discover my purpose. The amount of thought that went into this decision would take too long to explain, but I can share that at the end of that conversation with myself, I knew it was now or never. This past year has been a journey for which I will forever be grateful. It’s taught me to trust in myself, accept failure as growth, and above all, take those risks.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We specialize in creating custom decorative pieces, offering event planning services, and designing unforgettable event decorations. We are known for our balloon backdrops, custom centerpieces and focal pieces, custom tablescapes, personalized drinkware, apparel, and versatile decor.

What truly sets us apart is our highly personalized approach. We provide a customized experience for our customers from beginning to end. We treat every client as a friend and use our strong organization and planning skills to execute memorable events. One of the greatest compliments I often receive is when my customers say, “This is the least stressed I have ever been planning a party.” That’s the ultimate reward— knowing that with our help, anyone can have their dream events and custom pieces become a reality.

The most breathtaking destinations often lie at the end of the most challenging roads. I can certainly say this about my journey. Life has presented me with challenges that seemed insurmountable. But over time, I’ve come to see that every obstacle carries a lesson. It’s taken time, dedication, and passion to see that within each of these setbacks lies the potential for personal, professional, and emotional growth.

There were times when I was too hard on myself, quick to blame myself for not being prepared or not catching a mistake before it happened. That mindset, although rooted in my desire to do well, was not emotionally or realistically sustainable. Eventually, it chipped away at my confidence. I learned that growth cannot happen without grace and self-confidence.

At the end of it all, I want others to see the passion that I have for what I do— celebrating others. It’s the acts-of-service lover in me, but through my work, I love to see people’s faces light up when they receive a custom piece, balloons for any occasion, or an incredible setup that has been taken right out of their dreams. Our business is founded on passion, love, and fun, and we are determined to show that through our work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love this! I often have family and friends come to visit, and one of my favorite things to do is take them on tours of L.A. If I could plan an ideal week, I would start by taking them on an early hike in Griffith Park, where we get a great view of all of L.A. and its surrounding cities. To refuel, we would then go to Bea Bea’s for a delicious brunch. We would end our first day by having dinner at Malbec with an amazing Argentinian dinner and ambiance.

We would spend the following day enjoying the beautiful art collection at The Getty before grabbing a late lunch at Northern Cafe and dessert at Diddy Riese. The next day, we of course would visit Echo Park Lake and ride the swan boats right before having some of the best Chicago deep dish pizza at Masa of Echo Park. To end the night, we would visit a rooftop cinema in downtown.

We would definitely need to spend a day exploring downtown L.A., visiting Olvera Street, exploring the Downtown Flower Market, and enjoying the massive food options at Grand Central Market.

And lastly, after a long week, we would wind down by spending a relaxing day at Hermosa Beach and catching dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been blessed that along my journey, I’ve made incredible connections with people who have mentored, supported, and guided me; it would be difficult to just recognize one person. However, the most influential people in my life have been my parents, who never held me back but instead gave me a legacy of hard work, loyalty, and perseverance.

Both of my parents had to take on an enormous responsibility at a very young age. My dad was the oldest of his family and had to start working at age 16. Soon after, my dad became a trusted superintendent for a construction company, which ultimately led him to start his own business. Through the ups and downs, he constantly put his family first, ensuring that we had a strong foundation to build our dreams on. My mom immigrated to the U.S. at 19, where she held multiple jobs. In every position she held, my mom showed tenacity and dedication, gaining the trust of her employers. Together, my parents expanded our horizons by teaching us basic life skills like how to work in a team, encouraging us to travel, and modeling how to be part of a community. I’m confident that without these skills, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. While no one is perfect, I will forever be grateful to them for actively choosing to grow, breaking the generational chains they could, and teaching us that we are capable of anything we set our minds to.

I also can’t finish this question without thanking my brother, who has been such a great support to me ever since I decided to start my business. Whether it’s helping me on a job (for free), helping me load heavy equipment, or just cheering me on, I couldn’t do it without his support. Thank you, Broski.

Website: https://juliescraftsanddecor.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliescraftsanddecor/

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/julies-crafts-and-decor-san-fernando

Image Credits
Joel Pullido, GenJotek Media Productions
Julisa Chavez