Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Castillo.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
To be honest, I was on the path to becoming a policy lawyer but after I interned in Washington D.C. I decided that this path wasn’t for me. I joined a startup company right after graduating from college, which is how I got the courage and know-how to start my own business. I was also the catering manager, the venue manager and event planner at a university for two years planning 3000 events per year before venturing into what is now Michelle Isabel & Co.
Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest bit of advice is to invest in your professional development.
Starting and developing a business isn’t for the faint of heart. There were many instances where I wanted to give up and close my doors because that would be the easiest. While that was true, the idea of someone else designing my life for me working for someone else just didn’t sit well with me at the time. Plus, Michelle Isabel & Co now offers something extraordinary and the world deserves to experience it. I sucked it up (with lots of support) and kept going. I would say that the many hats we have to wear as entrepreneurs is8 the greatest struggle. On some level we’re marketers, designers, accountants, bookkeepers, sales teams, administrative assistants and the list goes on. It’s hard to do all that plus attend to our beloved clients. Make sure you’re making a profit and paying yourself because you can easily get sucked into a hole of just getting by that could be hurting your well being and family. Unfortunately, I’ve met many people who didn’t quite make it over the self-doubt, sacrificed their marriage, lost friends along their entrepreneurial journey and it’s simply not worth it. It can be avoided if you invest in professional development.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Michelle Isabel & Co story. Tell us more about it.
Every day, my team and I are driven to refine the art of human relationships and planning. As many of you know, the internet has connected us but also disconnected us. Weddings allow for these two ideas to really come together intentionally. Michelle Isabel & Co specializes in the art of planning intentional, timeless and intimate celebrations. I’m really proud of the level of service the team at Michelle Isabel & Co delivers to our clients. We take a select number of weddings a year per year to dedicate our undivided attention to our clients. There was (or maybe still) a time when planners/coordinators were springing up out of nowhere. These “businesses” weren’t delivering professional services because they hadn’t taken the time to invest in the business side of things. So then, we “planners” got a bad rap in the wedding industry. Michelle Isabel & Co operates under professional standards and provides high-level service to each and every one of our couples, which is what they love about us and what we love about us. The clients we support are modern, tech-friendly and most of all embrace diversity often times marrying into different cultures and blending backgrounds.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Mindset issues create huge barriers for women entrepreneurs. We’re very hard on ourselves and our history plays a pivotal role in the way we operate our businesses and lead. Our subconscious minds often times dictate what our conscious minds do, which could mean that we’re never really in control. That’s super scary to think about.
Mindset around money and competition are healthy topics that many women entrepreneurs are uncomfortable talking about, which sometimes leads to subconsciously placing a glass ceiling on our success. We often times feel bad about wanting more or making more when our worth is worth so much more. Tackling those mindset issues are the key to breaking barriers and exhibiting all the success you strive for.
Pricing:
- We require a minimum investment into our services of $5,000
Contact Info:
- Address: 2452 Palisades Dr. Unit 205
Corona, CA 92882 - Website: www.michelleisabel.com
- Phone: 7144798514
- Email: plan@michelleisabel.com
- Instagram: @michelleisabel_
- Facebook: michelleisabelco/
Image Credit:
Taryn Grey Photography, Personal photo by Crystal Nicole Photography
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