Today we’d like to introduce you to Odalis Saldana.
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?
I moved to Houston at the age of ten years old. I was raised by my single mom at the time, who lived paycheck to paycheck, putting food on the table for me and my younger brother. As soon as I turned 16, I started working at a local chicken restaurant, working drive-thru and tables. I always enjoyed working. It was motivating to me to see if every week I can work more hours than the week before! Although I started working young, I didn’t have to. My mother never forced a job upon me.
I did it for myself. I had an unexplainable hustle at such a young age. Maybe cause I wasn’t always able to get anything I wanted having a single mom, but once I started working, anything I wanted I bought myself. I graduated high school in 2014. By then, I had already worked at several nearby restaurants, movie theaters, even a local country club. Which I very much enjoyed.
By 2017, I started working for the industry, bartending, serving, waitressing, working 10-hour shifts. Getting out of work at 2.34 am. I never complained. I’ve always loved what I do. No matter what I’m doing. One thing I noticed about working for the industry and nightlife was that networking is everything. I had the opportunity to meet so many people around Houston. To this day. I’ve made so many friendships. Having the opportunity to meet so many people, I was always invited to party’s and events. I felt like at almost every event I was invited to, something was missing.
There was always a photographer, but I used to think how fun it would be if there was a photo booth running. I remember being a kid and every single time I went to the mall, I always wanted to snap a photo at any photo booth I came across! I just slid those 5 dollars in and snapped away! By the age of 23, I decided to purchase my first big girl purchase, which was an airbooth photobooth which was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Now at the age of 25, I own three different photo booths and am working on my 4th one!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
So, my business has definitely had its rough times, but nothing in life comes easy. And I’m a big believer that you’ll always push yourself to go as far as you want to in life. My business is only at the beginning of what I want it and see it to be. At the age of 24, only a year into launching my business I got pregnant. Such an amazing blessing. My son is my world.
It is not easy juggling a growing business and taking care of a newborn but it’s not impossible, and everyday I manage and I kill it! My son has turned into my biggest motivation, and for that, I’m forever thankful. And I’m just nowhere near satisfied; there is so much I want to do and am going to do, and it’s just the start.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently a stay-at-home mom running two businesses at the moment. Working weekends all day. One being my photo booth business, and the other being my newest investment which is our marquee letters and numbers, which will soon be rented out apart from my photo booth business which I will be sharing 50/50 with my business partner.
I’m always looking for new ways to make more money or add to the party industry, which is something I am already in. I hope to soon own my own “Refresqueria” which is what I am working towards today.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Definitely understanding the culture of photography and the photography industry in general. It’s not easy, but it’s super fun and motivating to learn something new at every event. Adapting to themes is everything.
Everyone is celebrating something at least every day. Rather it’s a birthday, graduation, wedding, or even just a small gathering. I’ve gotten to work so many different events, and I love it! Taking a photo is the easy part, but having the best quality for your clients is the best part, and we’re always updating our software to have the best.
Pricing:
- 2 hour booth rental $180
- 4 hour booth rental $340
- 6 hour booth rental $480
- 360 hourly booth rental $125
Contact Info:
- Email: Photosrushtx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/photosrushtx?utm_medium=copy_link
