Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenilee Castillo.
Hi Jenilee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I always loved planning and coordinating any events my family needed help on. But what really got me started was planning my dad’s 73rd birthday. My dad was in hospice care and knowing it would be his last birthday with us, I wanted to plan a special birthday celebration. Although it was small and intimate, I spent sleepless nights making sure everything was perfect with every little detail and staying within budget. Needless to say, my dad had a memorable last birthday.
After my dad’s birthday planning, I offered to help my cousin plan my niece’s 5th birthday. I was the main point of contact for all vendors, designed and customized items for the birthday party, created a timeline of for the event, and made sure there was constant communication. Thats when I realized, I knew this was something for me. From there, I knew I wanted to be a person that someone can count on to plan and coordinate their event.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a little bit of both. Before my daughter started school, I was juggling being a wife & mom to a 4year old while working a full time corporate job at home. I’ve had a lot of long nights of emailing, researching, budgeting, and creating, but it all comes together towards the end for my client who doesn’t have to worry about a single thing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an event planner. I am responsible managing budgets, booking venues, coordinating vendors and suppliers, planning logistics like transportation and accommodations, and overseeing all event activities to ensure a successful outcome. No event is too big or too small.
I think what sets me apart from others is knowing that clients have celebrity inspiration pictures and being able to have their vision to come to life in the budget they have. I love being able to give them a memorable event without breaking their budget. One of the events that i am most proud of and probably the hardest was my dad’s funeral. As a grieving daughter, I I put on my professional pants on & planned and coordinate his celebration of life. When it came too, my only job (and everyone else) was to grieve. Nothing needed to be done or taking care of for those two days since it was taken care of before hand. As sad as it sounds, looking back at that, I’m pretty sure I was crazy, but at the same time very efficient.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is honestly spending time with my cousins. I come from a big family on both my mom’s side and dad’s side where both sides live in NorCal, SoCal, & Hawaii. I was born in Los Angeles and my family moved to Sacramento around 2nd grade, but I realize how much of a privilege it was to grow up and just be kids with them.
Before internet was a thing, I remember writing letters to each other and mailing them off during the school year, but also folding it in that special paper origami. You know, the one that says “pull here” with the little tab. I actually still have those letters in a binder thats in a bin sitting in my garage. Now that i’m older, I try to make sure my daughter grows up spending time and making lots of memories with all of her cousins as much as she can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hanaleievents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanalei.events
Image Credits
Photos by Rov & Sweet Day Studios.
