Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesenia Gonzalez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always been creative and “inventive”. My cousin and her best friends were hosting a surprise party which they had me set up because they know I enjoy it and have my touch to it. After discovering how different and awesome, the experience was I decided to start doing it for other people. I’ve also always had a thing for flowers and would do small arrangements for friends so adding that along with the picnics was the perfect combination. It was pretty tough at first just because I had no clients, no idea how to market, what to do, where do go, how to run a business at all! I jumped into this so randomly, but that’s what I do. I may not know how at first but best believe if I have the passion for it, I will find a way! I came so close to throwing it away, but as an entrepreneur how many times do we not feel that way haha. It was all about patience and consistency. With time and teaching myself more about the industry, I was able to register my business, gain knowledge and be where I am now! I’ve built up a good clientele just by believing in myself and not giving up. Obviously, I’m nowhere near where I picture myself but I know I’m headed down the right path because I have the drive and ambition. This is only my stepping stone.
Alright, 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?
Not at all! Like I mentioned, I’ve had those “what if I just stop doing this, it’s too hard” moments. There’s times when I have no orders at all or because I mostly do this on my own, I get so busy that I’m constantly on the go and forget to catch my breath and end up burning out. Sometimes you feel alone and like you have no support, or having the people around you do not understand what it takes to start and run a business so it kind of bums you out. But that’s the beauty of this all, at least for me. Instead of sitting back and complaining of how bad it’s going, I use it all as an opportunity to take it as a growing lesson. What is this hardship teaching me? How can I learn from this mistake I made? What do I need to change to see a different result? Everything worth it comes with challenges, that’s for certain. But don’t allow that stop you. This is where you grow. I’m a sucker for quotes and one of my favorites is, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have my own company in Flower Arrangements & Luxury Picnic Experiences. I set up picnics all over Houston for dates, birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals. My famous location is the skyline view in Buffalo Bayou, but I al have the at-home option. Whatever you celebrate or if it’s just because I bring an enjoyable experience. I also specialize in flower bouquets (the size has no limit!), from a cow bouquet to hello kitty to whatever character or idea comes to your mind, my goal is to bring that vision to life for both services. I’ve done funeral arrangements, weddings, freestyle bouquets, the famous “buchon” arrangements which is an all rose arrangement (the bigger the better).
I’d have to say I’m super proud of the fact that I started all this with little experience and a lot of fear, but as time has passed, I’ve grown so much and become more experience. Never stop learning! I know that what sets me apart from others is that all my work, is me! It has my touch, my style, my creativity and passion into it and it shows! There’s many services similar to mine, but only one me.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a ball of joy! I had an amazing childhood! I enjoyed the outdoors, playing with my cousins all the time, and anything that had to do with me being hands-on and creative. Or the boss haha. My poor brother would always follow along with anything I chose to play. In elementary school, I remember being very active. I was in the talented and gifted program young drama club, My last year there I was the president of our student council. I was involved in any and all activities if I could. After my first year of middle school, the moving began… I went from going to one school only to have attended three middle schools and two high schools. From Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Colorado. That threw me off a bit just because every time I found an activity or program I wanted to be in we had to leave. I always had to meet new people and had a soft voice so trying to talk was my fear because kids were mean! Now being put in those situations, I benefit from it because I can talk and make friends like nothing.
Just when I was discovering more of me and what I liked, my dad passed away and that completely flipped my life. At 15, I felt like I needed him more than ever, especially being a daddy’s girl, and then he was just gone. I had trouble processing it and pushed it away for a while but long story short, I have an angel who watches over me and who I know I continue to make proud.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ygs.co_
- Other: Personal IG: @yesy.gs
