_____________________
Q: Take us on your average day? What changes did you make?!
The first step I took was that we officially changed the showroom hours, Tuesdays- Fridays we are open from, 11-5 and Saturdays are for appointment only. Reason being Saturday's are now by appointment. I was finding myself having to leave for drop offs for weddings that my dad or Chris couldn't do. Or a lot of times, when we would arrive on site. Planners would want to meet with me or brides too. While Sundays-Mondays we are closed to recover from events. Although Mondays are when I send recap emails to my brides that I have for the week.
So let's pretend it's Tuesday, My alarm goes off at 8 AM. I normally don't roll out of bed till 8:45-ish that way I can shower, get dressed and make breakfast for everyone... yup, the pups too! lol I honestly don't know what it is to sleep in after 9 AM. I thought that putting myself in a routine would be rough, but truthfully it's not. I have learned that once it hits 5 PM, I'm clocked out and I'm pretty strict on myself about it.
_____________________
Q: so... how is it going, was it hard to adjust?
ummm at times it is... I literally have "time" for everything, the first two weeks I was so overwhelmed. I felt like the second I became full-time with Miami writes inquiries stared flooding through like cray! *super blessed* Especially for someone who has adult ADHD, it can get a little rough to adjust into a new routine. I feel like now I'm getting the hang of it. It truly can be rough to be your own boss, but you gotta be strong!
_____________________
Q: Self employee life.. Was it everything you hoped for?
Absolutely, I have time for my fiancé, my pups and my family and friends! I can actually attend events or even go out like a normal person and not have to stress about pending items! I felt like my life was 24/7 work and no play and it's horrible to be like that! We are human, we have needs and if your anything like me. You'd know that my happiness is my family and friends. At one point of my life, I was so stress that all I would do is bicker at Chris. Any little thing he'd do I'd get upset. That's when I really knew I needed to leave my job. My relationship with Chris isn't perfect, but he is my best friend and having to argue with him or even fight with him puts me in a funk and I would find myself crying and praying for me to stop being like this. Now, if he does something I don't like, I brush it off. I love that I have time for new projects, but most importantly I can actually meet with my clients!!
_____________________
Q. What are the next plans for MWC?
We just updated our photos for the business, THANK GOD! The next milestones for MWC is updating our website, which that's in the works as we speak! Revamping my Bridal line...I'm even changing my name of it ;) -stay tuned. I have SZN 3 of Horoscope ready to go, just need to make the final touches on it, but I cannot wait for you all to see.
_____________________
Q. We all want to know... How's wedding planning?!
haha, Wedding planning is great! I feel like that needs a new blog post too! but I just finished designing our invites! Next is designing my Bridal shower invites. My Bridesmaids just had their first dress fitting, next is finalizing the groomsmen that Chris has selected to walk our wedding... ( it's been a roller coaster, especially when your getting married to a groomzilla. ) But overall, We're having so much fun planning! I catch myself everyday saying that I cannot wait to get married!
_____________________
Overall, I wake up happy! I love to waking up and tell myself I'm ready to take on any new challenges that come in our way for our brand. I'm genuinely happy that I am finally doing what I've dreamed of doing since I starting MWC. I truly do not know what the heck I was so scared of. I wish I would've done this sooner, but God does things in mysterious was and there's always a time for everything!
talk to you later,
Kels.
]]>
__________________________________
Let me start off saying that my time at the University of Miami has been nothing but a blessing! From having such an amazing group of colleagues to having the most understanding, supportive and amazing bosses! Before the pandemic I would often find myself crying due how overwhelmed I would get from working at UM and MWC. 2020, was supposed to be the year where I left my full time job... Ha! but God sure did had different plans. The pandemic hit us all in ways that were good and bad and if you have been following us for a while, you'll know that in the middle of a pandemic Chris and I took the next step in our business and decided to open our showroom in the heart of Coral Gables. Fast forward to December 12, 2020... we had our grand opening and Chris took the next step in our relationship and proposed to me. That day, I made a promise to myself... that in December 12, 2021 I would have left my job at UM or at least submitted my resignation letter. On November 22, 2021, I officially did just that! my resignation letter has been submitted and I would be informing my department that my last day working for them would be January 28, 2021.
__________________________________
I wanted to create a new blog post for the person who is having doubt and fear of leaving their bread and butter. TRUST me, It's normal! Only you yourself know when it's time. Is it possible to work full and and run a full time business? Absolutely it is... I do not care what others tell me, but if you are just as hard working and honest as I am then it is possible. I guess you can say that I learned this trait from my father. Growing up, my dad always had 2-3 jobs. Working for the cargo department at United Airlines sometimes even working nights to having his own services logistics company. (in which he still has today) Seeing him bust his ass every single day made me the person I am today. There's not one day that doesn't goes by where I thank God for making me exactly like him!
__________________________________
Reason 1) Security blanket.
Now, I know what I'm about to say really determines the relationship you have with your job and the people you work around. If working in a negative environment with people who genuinely suck just might make this easier transition into leaving your job. but, let's talk about why you should do it when your physically and mentally ready. When I started MWC, I had no idea that this little idea of chris's would be where it's at today... no-one gave me a dime to help me out. I wouldn't even let Chris buy me things I needed. and man, let me tell you, I wasted so much money on trial and error when it came to finding the right materials! Thank God I had my full time job to help me out on this portion of our start up. Reason one of not leaving your full time job just yet... you have extra cash to fall back on! Save as much as you can, truthfully and as honest as I am, I treat my bank account with MWC as my personal savings (I know, it was stupid in the beginning because of the logistics of taxes and business expenses. but look a business wouldn't be a business without mistakes!)
__________________
Reason 2) Stop the negative talk.
As cliché as it sounds, being a negative person does weigh you down ALOT. Now, were their days I would say " I cannot wait for the day I leave this place" of course!!! Now would I go around and spreading the negative vibes to my co-workers? no. On the counterair, so many of my coworkers would ask me when do you think your time is coming? I would simply answer back, "when the time is right, that's when I'll leave." If you guys know me very well, adulting is just not me. I hate it. My anxiety goes alllll over the place. The day that I told my boss that it was time for me to move on, my tears wanted to come out (I had to hold them back) my leg was bouncing up and down and don't even get me started on how bad I was picking at my skin on the side of my thumbs.... ( sorry tats). For her to only say, " I am so proud of you, you're going to do great" She knew that it was time for me as well. Now, I am going to tell you that I was or am the type of employee that loved to challenge myself, always open to help others and go the extra mile for my department. To the point that I got the opportunity to do the social media account and create graphics for their insta page! I guess what I am trying to say here is.... don't be a negative Nancy, try to be a positive patty and just keep manifesting your dreams! I promise you, it will happen!! and God will test your limits because man.... he sure did with me!!!
__________________
Reason 3) Patience is a virtue... Lord knows I don't have it, but I learned.
If one of my family members are reading this their probably saying "and you still don't have it" This could go tied into reason two, but I felt like it needed it's own expatiation. Be EFFIN' patient!! so many people would tell be, " but just leave already you don't need UM anymore. lol, I would laugh it off, but then in my head I would say- "yeah, but are you going to pay for my insurance?" and quite honestly, I am still nervous about the portion I will need to pay for my insurance, but we will cross that path when we'll get there. Now, in my scenario I am very blessed to have Chris by my side to help me out with anything I may need help in. or like I tell him " alright buddy, it's my turn for you to be my sugar daddy. lol When the pandemic hit, Hospitality was hit extremely hard and chris almost went a year without a job, but as a joke I would always tell him that we will be okay, that I would hold it down for a few and be his sugar mama. lol but in all seriousness... to those that don't have a significant other to fall back on. Just be patient, save your money and to not touch it!!! it'll feel great to know that you'll have extra $$$ to fall back on to pay for this extra needed expense!
__________________
After reading this over again, A lot of this sounds the sames and quite frankly... it's all common sense. I am just so excited to finally get to wake up everyday and get to be a REAL business owner. I get to drive to my office, focus on new collections and launches and better yet... have REAL store hours.
I went ahead and asked on our IG story, "what made you want to follow MWC" that I knew would make me so emotional... (here come the waterworks) I'd love to post them on here to show you all what some of our followers, friends, and clients had to say:
__________________
]]>
"- If you don't have a planner, have someone you trust that knows how things should look!"
@johanna_Junco29
"Hire a day of coordinator!!!"
@tatiana.marieee
"for the love of God, Hire a wedding planner!!!!"
@evy.munoz5
____________________
"hire a badass and credible photographer!!!!"
@_arleneherrera
"have a lot of time for photos!!"
Melissa from @lashhouzz
______________________
4. Florist Vibes
LOL, so fun fact. I wanted NO florals in my wedding. I wanted leaves and only monstera leaves. Until I got the death stare from my mom... Lol. But get ready because this will be another BIG expense for your wedding too. My recommendation is don't go cheap and low ball the florist either. Believe it or not, they are the last of the LAST vendors to leave your wedding. Their the first ones to really work sun up to sun down! I decided to move forward with my girl, Erika from Miami Centerpieces . Her work is just simple yet beautiful, she has supported me since day one! From my workshops to now my wedding! I mean, I can only say thank you by hiring her for my wedding <3 When she sent my my proposal, she knew my vibes! To the point that I was like can I just have a leaf bouquet? lol, she started dying of laughter. If your having a hard time looking up florist for your big day here are my top 3!
Document every conversation with vendors & get ready, your going to want to kill your fiancé the week before the wedding!
-@tatiana.marieee
Eat before the speeches or you will be chewing during you video!
-@hana.banana.xx
do a first look and enjoy the moment, make sure to take it all in becuase it goes by way to fast!
-@nikkiedesigns
5. HOLY -ISH, your going dress shopping!
I think for me this was the day that gave me the most anxiety! I don't even know why nor will I understand why my nerves were outta control! I knew what type of dress I wanted and the style I was aiming for too. Luckily, Amable Bridal made my dress came true! I came to learn about the designer I wanted probably a few months after I was engaged. Because, let me tell you, your going to ask yourself okay... where the hell do I even start! Pinterest def helped me out, but of course here I was falling in love with a brand and they were not even in Miami, but Amable Bridal sure did make my dreams come true! Their located over at Coconut Grove and if you are looking for something small, intimate and private then Amable Bridal is your go too! The designer name of my dress is Sarah Seven, and man was it so effin' hard to pick!!! The day of me going dress shopping I ended up not putting my deposit down.(and i recommend you not doing it too!!!) It wasn't till the 1st week of May when I decided to go back and have my best friend tag along with me too. I also wanted to be 100% sure that my dress was the one... and it was!! you're going to have your moment where your going to tell yourself; "man, did I pick the right dress? " "Did I pick a dress just because everyone liked it?" I legit had a nervous break down because I wanted Chris to be with me, I wanted him to come with me to make sure this dress was the one- don't ask me why, but Chris is truly my best friend and although he may drive me insane 365 and 24/7, his opinion matters the most to me. I know, I sound so ridiculous right now, but you'll see what I am talking about when it's your turn.
"Get your wedding dress 8 months before!!!"
@tatiana.marieee
"you are never TOO early to book stuff or to dress shop!"
@marielchristina_
__________
That's all for now, I won't say too much because I prefer for the day and the photos to speak for themselves! but, if there is one piece of advice I have to say is make sure to involve your fiancé in EVERYTHING. Don't leave them out, even if they don't show interested, TRUST me they are. Next, for your engagement shoot, make it fun and original! For example, Chris and I met at E11even Miami, there's no secret... we know what it is and if you don't lol, well click on the link. But, I was ONLY there to support my cousin DJing at E11even, not for the actual "entertainment" LOL!!!! "iiiiregardless" I had part of our engagement shoot at E11even! fun fact: my outfit is a small replica of the one he met me in!
but overall- ENJOY THIS MOMENT AND TAKE IN EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT TOO. There are moments where you're going to tell yourself -F it, let's elope, but control yourself!!!
PHOTOGRAPHY: Danielle Margherite Photography
]]>Later on, we decided to included our first kids tees! Now, remember how many of you were requesting for "Corazon de Melon" in an adult tee? Here's why I never did it!