Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisela Vasquez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Marisela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in the East End, I’m a fourth generation Mexican American. I went to some of the best schools that HISD had to offer which meant I was bused two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. You really get to know the streets and neighborhoods of Houston after so many years of commuting back and forth. I was exposed to all types of nationalities and social classes at an early age which I’m definitely grateful for that experience.
I started working when I was 15 but being the oldest grandchild, college was always a must. I went away to SFA in Nacogdoches for a year, big city girl in a little town didn’t really work for me, I came back to Houston and got a job in banking while attending HCC. I received my Associates and transferred to UH. I received a few promotions at the bank, so I put school on hold. I was career driven and money hungry. After 10 years of banking, I decided to make a career change and got a job as a Marketing Manager for the Houston Dynamo. Four years of meeting so many amazing and talented people, planning events, purchasing media and creating campaigns, I thought I would be there forever, then my daughter was born and my world changed. I then made the decision to become a stay at home mom. In 2013, I finally graduated with a degree in Communication Studies from UHD. I also had my son during that final semester which was a real challenge but I made it happen. Excited to say that we only have one more left in our family to get their college education. My grandmother has 13 grandchildren whom will all have graduated college by 2020.
I found my groove as a stay at home mom but my creative side was eager for attention. So, I started an Etsy shop. I would start after our kids were asleep. In the morning my husband would ask me, “Were you up all night working on your project?”… pretty much. That’s where the name of my business Up All Night Projects came from.
It was a true trial and error but I finally found my nitch, selling party decorations. I mean who doesn’t love a theme party? So, as the parties became more elaborate and “extra” so did the decorations. That’s when flower backdrops were born. I’ve been honored to do backdrops for Ford, Latin Women’s Initiative, Lopez Mexican Restaurant, Houston Latina Bloggers and Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. It’s a great feeling to see your work bringing smiles to others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As you can see, no one’s story is exactly the same. My story is what worked for me. If you’re a mother, student or just simply starting your journey know that it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s not going to be perfect, It’s going to be hard but it will be so worth it in the end. Also, know that no one is going to tell you what you need to do. Make a plan, find a good mentor, volunteer, and trust me you’re going to have to push yourself every day even when you don’t want to. I love social media but when you are trying to build a business and a brand, you spend 2-3 hours looking at things that don’t help your business grow so you need to re-evaluate your time. Make sure that you’re using your time wisely by reading articles and blogs on other inspirational women that started where you are. Use that time to get inspired! Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Also, always surround yourself with people who inspire you and believe in you. Be cautious about who you give your energy to because not everyone deserves it.
What should we know about Up All Night Projects? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m known for my paper flower backdrops but I believe that I’m now getting recognized for my concha wall. Thanks to Connie Gomez with Houston Latina Bloggers, I was able to bring my vision to life at one of their meet-ups and it was a hit! It’s now one of my most request backdrops for parties. I’m always changing, trying to create themes and ideas to keep events fresh.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Right now, I’ve been listening to The Influencer Podcast with Julie Solomon. She’s great at social media branding and making you think outside of the social media box. Latina Theory podcast is great when you need a reality check on the world around you. They are so refreshing and inspire me to give my inner Latina Chingona, it’s all every day. Pray. Pray in the morning, pray at night. Pray when things are great and when they’re not.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.upallnightprojects.com
- Phone: 832-549-9897
- Email: mari@upallnightprojects.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upallnightprojects/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upallnightprojects/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/UpAllNightDesig
- Other: http://www.siemprelatinatx.com/
Image Credit:
Jordan Vasquez
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