Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabel Ponticello.
Isabel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello! My name is Isabel Ponticello and I am the face behind Hidden Picnics. A little intro about myself. I was born and raised in Panama City, Panama and moved to beautiful sunny San Diego in 2005.
I am a proud mother of two, a wife to the most supportive husband, and a full time healthcare worker.
Serving others has been one of my biggest blessings. I’m the type of person that believes you don’t need a special occasion to celebrate. Everyday is a gift from God, and that itself deserves a celebration.
Hidden Picnics was born after years of having intimate picnics with my family. I became so fascinated with picnics and events that I started implementing more details not knowing that I was already creating something bigger. My family has been my biggest support and they were the ones to see that I could create this passion into a business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. I think any business faces challenges and obstacles which I think are important factors of growth. One of the obstacles I had to face was balancing family, work and business. It wasn’t easy at first, but through the years it became easier to work around our schedule, having time for family, work, and managing a business.
Another obstacle I had to face as a small business owner was keeping up with the city rules that changed this year in San Diego. You are now required to have a permit in order to provide picnic/events services. What’s disappointing about this permit is that they are only giving “one” permit per vendor, per location, per day. That being said, only one vendor is allowed to have a picnic in one location. This has affected a lot of us in this industry because we are not allowed to have two or more picnics on the same day at a specific park.
On the brighter side of things, I have found ways to communicate different locations to my clients, that way they can get the service they need while abiding by the law.
We’ve been impressed with Hidden Picnics , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hidden Picnics specializes in Luxurious Picnics, Marriage Proposals, Tablescaping, Elopements, and Micro Weddings. Our purpose is to create unique and unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Turning your dreams into reality.
From small to large events, we are here for you. We value “the fine details” of every event with a high end Tablescape experience. Every set up is planned carefully with style, color, aesthetic, and fresh flowers. We customize your vision based on your needs.
We are known for—and what set us apart from others—is how detail oriented we are as a business, thriving for the best, leaving any errors behind.
Our guests and spectators walking by always compliment on how we’ve paid attention to all the details. We aim for perfection, so we’re very thankful for the feedback. All of our set ups are made with fresh florals. We strongly believe that this is a key factor that elevates any event and sets the luxurious tone to the ambiance of your event.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
As a business owner, several qualities and characteristics are critical to success, but perhaps the most important ones are strong organizational skills and effective communication. Keeping track of numerous details, managing timescales, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring every aspect of the event is in place requires exceptional organizational skills. This ability to manage many moving parts simultaneously is critical to ensuring events run smoothly.
Clear and efficient communication with clients, vendors, and team members is essential. Understanding the client’s vision, conveying instructions clearly to all parties involved, and resolving any issues that arise promptly ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards a successful event.
These qualities help to ensure that events are well-coordinated, meet the client’s expectations, and run without any significant issues.
Pricing:
- $250 Picnic para Dos- budget friendly
- $300 Traditional Picnic Package
- $570 Luxury Picnic Proposal
- $600 Luxury Elopement
- $900+ Luxury Heart Marriage Proposals
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hiddenpicnics.com
- Instagram: @hiddenpicnics
Image Credits
Renata Guzmán Martina Micko Michael Odom
