Meet Trailblazer Erika Sandoval

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Sandoval.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Erika. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey as a planner started way before I even knew it was my passion and what I was destined to do. Birthdays were a huge thing when I was a kid and my parents and I planned our first themed party when I turned 13. It was a 50’s themed party where even my big brother dressed as Elvis to entertain my friends. I just remember how fun it was and how much everyone laughed and had a great time. I loved seeing people happy. In high school, I always took the lead on anything creative and it just continued throughout my life. I was always the person someone went to for creative advice. I had my heart set on Interior Design for college but being that I was the second person in my entire family to go to college and the university I wanted to go to was out of my parents reach, I knew I had to do something else. I went to MSU Denver for general studies but left college my second year to take a break and then life happened. I worked at as a financial advisor for a bank and made good money but I wasn’t happy. I knew I was meant for something else but I didn’t know what it was.

In 2008, I got married to the love of my life. Our wedding was more than I could have dreamt of. I was one of those people that had dreamed of their wedding day since they were five years old and I wanted everything to be perfect. On our wedding day, as we were taking photos, I got a phone call from our venue coordinator that our cake had fallen on the floor. I was devastated but my husband and I were determined nothing would ruin our day. When we got to the venue we were rushed to the Bridal Suite until it was time to announce us before dinner. There we were, an hour later and we were still in there. Finally, my maid of honor got the venue coordinator and she informed us no one was to be let in the main hall until the cake was cleaned up. When I asked her why it wasn’t taken care of she responded with, “it’s not part of my job and we don’t want to be liable for it falling.” There we were, stuck in the bridal suite trying to figure out who would clean it. I told them I would go and do it myself and then finally my caterer stepped up to do it. I still had to call the baker to bring us additional cake and all in all, we lost more than an hour on our wedding day. I just remember that I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way. So after our wedding, I told anyone and everyone I knew that was getting married that I would be their “go to” person if they needed any help in. That’s were my journey started.

Fast forward to 2012, as I am helping a friend plan her destination wedding when she tells me, “Erika, you are too good at this! You are too creative to be working at a bank!” I think I replied with, “You are crazy!” or something like that. I mean, “Who is going to pay me to have fun?” I thought. This was something I loved doing but I didn’t think people would pay me to do something I loved. Our conversation sparked something in me though so I quit my job completely and went back to school that same year! I switched my major a few times until I found something I loved… Event Planning! I graduated from MSU Denver with a degree in Hospitality, Tourism, and Events in 2016 while having three kids and planning weddings part-time. I have to say, going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I’m so proud to have done this for my family and for my kids to see me work so hard!

I’m happy to say I am planning weddings full time now and trying to push through to be one of the best. Planning events has been my passion all along, I just didn’t know it. Just knowing couples can enjoy their day to the fullest, knowing they are making great memories and having the time of their lives, makes me utterly happy!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a wedding planner has not been all fun and parties like people think. It’s hard work and stressful at times. You have to be very organized, detail oriented, and most of all gracious even when you don’t want to be! Behind the scenes I am constantly sending emails, calling vendors and clients, networking and I have to make sure no detail is missed. I think the biggest struggle I have is balancing my work and personal life. It’s hard because my business is also my baby and I work hard to take care of it and build it. Personally, it has been a struggle working just eight hours a day or getting off on time. I am still sending emails at 11 p.m. sometimes and my kids do complain that I work too much!

My advice to young women would be to work under an event planner to see if it’s something you want to do or go to school. Many planners don’t have event management degrees but it definitely helped me learn so many things I wouldn’t have otherwise. Also, don’t undercharge! This was a hard one for me. Know your worth and know that your time is very valuable. Many people think, “oh, it’s just time” but HELLO! Time is the most valuable resource we all have because there’s not enough of it! So, know your worth people!

We’d love to hear more about Erika Sandoval Event Planning & Design.
Erika Sandoval Events is a full-service event planning, design, and coordination boutique specializing in creating elegant and timeless weddings for modern couples.

Something that all my couples and vendors alike tell me is that my events are the most organized events they’ve seen and I am truly proud of that. I value my relationship with my clients and love to be transparent with them, never hiding anything and keeping them informed at all times. I truly care about my clients and their special day and know the memories they make are important. I am there to help out with details so they can have fun, relax and enjoy their day to the fullest!

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
A great piece of advice that I got from my professors at my university is NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! Relationships with vendors is a great part of what we do! Referrals from them are the best. You also have to build your trusty list of the very best team members and networking helps with that. You aren’t going to know people if you don’t get yourself out there!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erikasandovalevents.com
• Phone: 720-341-6948
• Email: erikasandovalevents@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/erikasandovalevents
• Facebook: www.facebook.om/erikasandovalevents

Image Credit:
KB Digital Designs, Elevate Photography, Martin Muriel

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