Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Romero and Patricia Rule.
Patricia Romero, please share your story with us.
Patty’s Linen Rentals started with Patricia Rule like any other party rental company began – at home. My mom was a single mom and had three children to raise on her own. With VERY little knowledge of the English language, my mom had to make ends meet. She was inspired by a cousin of hers doing something similar in Mexico. So, she began by renting out a limited selection of white linens to vendors only, such as caterers, venues, other party rental companies. With time, my mom began to add a selection of colors. Soon, the Garage was piling up with linens, sashes…then the living room into the dining room… soon enough, my mom found herself in an interesting situation. In mid-2008, she had 15 days to find a shop. The City said she couldn’t work out of her home garage. So, 15 days later, she finds a spot in National City… 2601 Hoover Avenue Suite A.
Patty’s Linen Rentals officially opened its doors to the public (definitely did not have this in mind). Having only 1,300 square feet of room to work with, my mom began to expand her inventory from basic linens to organza and satin. Little by little Patty’s Linens began to grow.
I, Patricia, left for college and did my best while gone. I managed the company by taking orders over the phone and emails in between college classes. In October 2009, I got sick with H1N1 (aka Swine Flu)… Patty’s had a wedding and they were doing the set-up. My mom sought out the help of friends and family to go and set-up the event. She refused to stay in San Diego while I had just been diagnosed and had to be taken to the emergency room. This was one of the first hardest lessons that were learned. Help was needed.
A few months later in 2010, my mom found Lily who came on board to help out in the shop.
While on college break, I would come into the store and help out as much as possible and teach Lily how to use the computer and take orders. Little by little, Lily was able to take on the challenge. She did sales and everything needed to grow the shop.
In 2012, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Sociology and decided to pursue a legal career. To be honest, I wanted nothing…absolutely nothing to do with the event rental industry. Having grown up in the industry I wanted a change. So, I went on to pursue the paralegal career… three years later, I found myself back at Patty’s Linens helping and one day it just clicked… I belonged in this industry. Just like that.
In 2015, I stepped in full-time to help take over the family business. With a fresh perspective and new goals, I decided to make it my mission to provide new colors and styles of linens. It didn’t take long for changes to come about – especially with space.
Today, 2018, Patty’s Linens celebrates its 10 year anniversary in National City with over 5,000 square feet of space with a tables, chairs, and a linen inventory consisting of specialty and custom made linens, including but not limited to Sequin, Stripes, Pintuck, Crinkle Taffeta, Jacquard, Shantung and more.
Please tell us about your business.
Patty’s Linen Rentals is a family owned and operated company located in National City, CA. Patty’s Linens is operated by a mother-daughter team (Patricia Rule & Patricia Romero – both Patty’s). Patricia Rule (Mother) founded the company and operated it on her own up until 2015 when Patricia Romero (Daughter) decided to make the family company her career. Today, Patty’s Linens is able to accommodate any size event with rentals including, but not limited to linens, tables, chairs, China, glassware, lounge furniture and more! As a linen company – Patty’s Linens holds one of the largest inventories of linens throughout the San Diego County.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! We believe that no dream is ever reached without many ups and downs. One cannot grow without making mistakes. Making mistakes is what creates growth, wisdom, and knowledge. Some the struggles were:
1. Learning to accept that we are not perfect.
2. Learning to work as a team. Being a Mother-Daughter team, we tend to have different opinions and we are very strong headed. It was very hard at first because we have different styles, ideas, and perspectives. With time, it also led to being the best thing in the world. We have learned a lot from each other and continue to learn to trust each other’s judgments. We have each other back no matter what at the end of the day.
3. Learning what to invest in and what not to invest in. Sometimes you see everything that is coming out (trends) and you just want to get it all, but it doesn’t work that way. I had to learn this lesson the hard way.
4. Being too trusting. Sometimes you want to believe people when they say the right thing(s), but it’s not always like that.
5. Accepting that we cant do everything and that it is okay to ask for help.
6. For my mom, Patty, trust me, her daughter, to take new approaches to the business. The business she created and raised on her own.
7. There were times where we just didn’t know what to do and we had to take a step back and observe and claim our mistake(s), accept, and move forward.
8. Accepting that is perfectly normal to have obstacles. There isn’t just every now and then. Every day is a new challenge and a new obstacle – and we take pride in it because that means we are growing.
9. My biggest obstacle was accepting that I belonged in this industry. I was against the idea, but life has its own way of putting you on your path and this is mine.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Patty’s Linen Rentals story. Tell us more about the business.
Patty’s Linens is truly now a Party Rental company. We do more than just linens, even though our name doesn’t say it.
Although Patty’s Linens provides more than just linens, both Patty and Patricia have decided to maintain the name of Patty’s Linen Rentals as significance were Patty began and with the goal to specialize in Linens. Both Patty and Patricia believe that it’s better to specialize in a couple of things than 100 things.
Our true specialty is Linens. We have one of the largest inventory of linens in San Diego. We are extremely proud to be able to say that we have this type of inventory. We look forward to continuing growing this side of our inventory.
We are also known for our customer service. Patty’s Linens Rental’s goal is to continue its strong reputation of providing each customer with quality linens at an affordable price and to help each and every one of their customer celebrate their special occasion; whether its a wedding, birthday party, 50 year anniversary, quinceñera, corporate party, bar/bat mitzvah, and so on, Patty’s Linen Rentals wants to help each customer create that special moment into a memorable day.
Patty’s Linens and staff take pride in dedicating every minute possible to their clients to ensure they can provide the best of the best – from the rentals to the customer service. Whether a client’s order is an office pick-up or delivery, they make sure that each client has a great experience and hassle free event.
At the end of the day, as a company we are proud of a few things:
1. Our team – we wouldn’t be where we are without them.
2. Our customers – without our customers, we would not be able to grow and learn every day.
3. Our Core Values:
– Respect. Our customers are family – not just another invoice number. No event is better than the next.
– Quality. Each linen is hand picked and made of fabric quality and color.
– Delivery. We deliver on our promises.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Trends are always changing and I hope they do too. Trends allow clients to express their creativity. I think our industry will always be growing – there is no stopping it. The question is can we keep up?
I am a strong believer that it is our customers that create change in our industry. They choose what is fun, new, and in trend.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2601 Hoover Avenue Suite B National City, CA 91950
- Website: www.pattyslinenrentals.com
- Phone: (619) 336-0467
- Email: patty@pattyslinenrentals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattyslinens/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattysLinens/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PattysLinens
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pattys-linen-rentals-national-city-2
Image Credit:
True Photography , Vacay Photo , CJ Thomas Photography
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