Today we’d like to introduce you to Esmeralda Lopez.
Hi Esmeralda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Esmi, owner of Move 2 Improve Party Rental. One summer, my seventeen-year-old son at the time, Gianni, was intent on getting a truck. Eager to join the workforce, he earned a lifeguard certification and got a job at our community pool. Unfortunately, even though he lived frugally (a habit he learned from his grandfather), he was disappointed when at the end of the season, he did not have enough for a down payment. Feeling defeated, he almost bought himself an old beat-up truck that would not last a week. Instead of a very temporary solution, we advised him to keep his money and consider entrepreneurship. “Think about a product or service that would be easy to sell because not a lot of people are offering it.” “Dance floors!” was his answer.
Gianni was trained in Latin dance and loved the social functions that changed dramatically due to the pandemic. Because of Covid, more parties were held in open areas and backyards where grass and dirt made it difficult to spin and style in salsa or bachata fashion.
He knew the dance floor would be easy to rent, but he did not have enough money to purchase even the smallest commercial dance floor. We offered to invest in his dream if he could sell it to us. Using cardboard from an Amazon box, he showed us his numbers and plan. He was convincing so we gave him the difference and in less than two weeks, he was open for business. At first, it rented out slowly, but referrals and repeat customers helped pick up the pace. Then clients started asking for cocktail tables, barstools, bars, tents, tables, and chairs. So, we said, “we want to invest again!” Now, Gianni’s goal has become a family dream with a plan for expansion and diversification.
And he’s enjoyed it so much that he’s now majoring in psychology and minoring in entrepreneurship at the University of Houston.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The first thing I would advise anyone thinking about entrepreneurship is to lose the false expectation that it’s supposed to be smooth. That’s a setup for unnecessary frustration and temptation for quitting because you think you’re doing something wrong. It’s not supposed to be smooth. You will have to learn skills like sales and marketing. Learning can be frustrating! You will have to move in the face of uncertainty. That can be scary! You will have to make decisions that end up being good ones and bad ones. Bad decisions can seem devastating! But make decisions, because the more decisions you make, the better you get at making decisions. And the sooner you can pivot when you realize you’ve made a bad one. If you let it, entrepreneurship can be a journey of personal development. And you learn to reframe your wins so it’s not just about the money. In business, sometimes you don’t make money right away and sometimes you lose money. But you can always make gains if you expand your definition of a payoff to a lesson or skill learned, an impact on an individual or group or being a source of growth for others.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We believe in delivering the best design and decor elements. That’s why we continuously learn and seek certifications from industry leaders around the country. And we are a unique one-stop shop. We bring structures and furniture for events (tents, tables, chairs, lounge furniture, bars, LED furniture, floors, etc.), and we decorate the space to transform it. We want clients to enjoy the entire process and not be stressed by the minutia. Our clients are busy building their dream life and achieving milestones. Their time, attention, and emotional state are very important to us, so we lighten the load. Our motto is “We work. You celebrate.” We have met many amazing vendors and artists and believe in the power of collaboration.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
One of the most important lessons is to find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who have gone through the journey. When I did not know anyone in the industry, my tribe of mentors was books. Business books have become a favorite genre. I read them or listen to them on tape while exercising or driving.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: move2improvepartyrental
- 713-269-3544 text or call
