Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Burns.
Cristina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career in the events/marketing industry 15 years ago. I always thought I was going to be a journalist, but fate had different plans for me and the events industry turned out to play a major in my life. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of events, however, I will say the highlight of my career (so far), okay maybe there are too! The first highlight was when I was asked to join the production crew for Elton John’s Aids Foundation Oscars Viewing Party. It was the most surreal experience and I remember having a moment to myself that I’ll never forget. I was standing right outside the red carpet, staring up at the white Hollywood lights in the sky, and I said to myself, “You did, you made it.” It was that moment when I knew I was made for bigger things, experiences that would lift me, opportunities where I could make a change, owning my future.
I continued to work in the events industry for other people for about two years, but that stopped the moment I realized I didn’t need anyone else to succeed. I wanted to continue writing my own story with my own adventures. I was newly married to my amazing husband Adam when I decided the time was then to quit my job and open a wedding and event planning business in San Diego. My experience as a business owner was incredible and the people I met along the way were so inspiring and taught me new things daily about my skills, my brand, who I was, and who I wanted to be. I managed hundreds of weddings and events, however, it was highlight number two in my life that really gave me purpose in this industry. My husband and I moved to the Bay Area for two years and during that time I traveled back to San Diego for my events and clients at minimum twice a month. While I was up there though, I figured, why not expand! I continued to do weddings and events up there and met some incredible creatives. Along that journey, I reached out to the Make A Wish Foundation Greater Bay Area and offered my services. One day, I received a call from the director and they wanted me to plan a ‘Frozen’ party for a little girl fighting Leukemia. Obviously, I jumped on the opportunity and my life was forever changed. That opportunity led to another and I had the pleasure of planning a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ ball for a young girl who lost her vision. Some may wonder how do you grant a wish for a girl who cannot see the party, well, that’s where it was amazing. I focused on textures and smells. I had a wedding designer make her a custom dress so she could be a part of the fittings, the linens all had textures, the flowers and roses we used had strong fragrances, but the best part was I had a step and repeat made for her and we added brail so she could read her name on the red carpet.
Every time I was a part of granting a wish, I got that same lump in my throat, I held back tears, and my heart was filled with an overwhelming amount of joy. That’s the moment I knew I want to help people.
Fast forward… I had two children 14 months apart and realized owning a business was too much for me and one or the other was suffering when I tried to do both. I made the decision to close my business for five years. That’s when Mama Likes to Party was created! Just because I was a mom now didn’t mean I lost my passion or drive, it just meant I needed a new approach at fulfilling my creative side. This blog has given me an opportunity to showcase my work, discuss real-life mama drama, and to help others. Since starting this blog, I’ve had the opportunity to support many people with their trials, I’ve been a mentor to women who feel discouraged, I’ve shown other moms they can still dream and do big things, and I have worked with young women on their career goals. This platform has given me opportunities to connect and has also helped me grow. It’s a daily reminder of who I want to be, how I want to be portrayed, what my personal brand is, but more importantly, I feel like I’m helping people by encouraging them. That’s enough for me, I’m finding my purpose (aside from being a badass mommy and wife)!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This has actually been the bumpiest road, however, I truly believe that every struggle I encountered shaped me into who I am today. I wish I could tell my younger self to stay strong because one day, every challenge I faced will make sense and I will come out on top.
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my career was when I was 25 and my boss sexually harassed me. I hear the stories in the media now and half the time I’m thinking to myself, “Wow, he got away with so much more!” Not only was this challenging because I was put in danger, but I chose to speak up and instead it backfired on me. Women at this place started to talk about me and rumors even started to spread that I tried to pursue him. In addition to this, my HR was not supportive because unfortunately, my boss was good friends with the director. Needless to say, he got to keep his job (even got paid leave), and I got to keep a reputation AND continue working under him daily.
I fought hard, at least I thought I did at the time, but now I know my rights and that was NOT OKAY. It’s difficult being a young woman in the workforce, especially when there are still creeps out there for bosses or even women bosses who are sometimes threatened with having a young good looking female on their time. With that said, I want young women to take the time to get to know themselves, know your worth, speak up if it’s the right thing to do even if you know there will be backlash, be transparent, be strong, be humble, and be a good person. When you’re confident in yourself it’s so much easier to face challenges especially when people try to bring you down. Write your own story and surround yourself with people who lift and encourage you!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Mama Likes to Party! – what should we know?
So, in addition to my blog, I work from home full time for a company that offers me the flexibility I need for my family. In this job part of my role is also supporting and mentoring colleagues in their career development, goals, action planning, and being available for support. I blog in the evenings when my kids are asleep, some feel I’m putting too much on my plate, but I like it. I love inspiring people and this platform has given me the opportunity to do just that through encouragement, real talk, and showing my creative side. I’m most proud to know I am reaching people. I write for myself and from the heart, this is basically an online diary for me. So often I’m just telling a story about my experiences, hardship, parties I’ve coordinated, etc. I write like I’m the only one reading this, so when I get an email or a message from someone who read what I wrote and they tell me they needed to hear that or even open up to me about their struggles I feel whole. Knowing I touched one or more people is humbling and makes me feel good. In a world where there are so much comparison and doubt, it’s nice to know you can relate to someone out there, you’re not alone. I’m happy to be that person!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Both of my parents were entrepreneurs, so I guess you can say it’s in my blood. I watched both my parents work very hard, nothing was given to them, in fact, they gave my sister and I a childhood that didn’t have themselves. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us and taught us to work for what we want, to be strong, independent, yet be humble and kind people.
I have to say I’m the same person they raised, maybe just a little more driven, way more confident, and ready to conquer anything!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mamalikestoparty.com
- Email: mamalikestoparty.cristina@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamalikestoparty/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mamalikes2party
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/milkdrunkmommy/
Image Credit:
Shiloh Colleen Photography, Stewart Marcano
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