Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Rodriguez.
Hi Hannah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve worked as a display artist for Anthropologie for the past 7 years. Learning the ins and outs of creating window/interior displays and building fixtures for merchandise. I always wanted to bridge the display installation gap between retail spaces and events. I felt a loss in the event industry for these specialty backdrops, hanging installations or signage that slowly started to grow more in the last few years.
I started Vim + Venture in the midst of the pandemic when we all weren’t too sure where the wedding and event industry was going to go, but I knew that’s where I wanted to be headed. I started with making and selling macrame for home decor, and slowly started reaching out to planners, florists, venues and photographers in the wedding industry and completely took off.
The outpour of positive feedback and intake of clients I’ve had in just this first year has proved to me that this is where I need to be. Right now, I am still toggling the two industries of events and retail displays, still working at Anthro and reaching out to smaller boutiques in need of special installations.
I offer both rentals and custom backdrops, display moments and signage for all types of budgets in events. I focus seasonally on window display for retail, already starting in on Holiday for Anthropologie. So far everyone has been so supportive and have received positive competition where everyone wants to help and raise eachother up.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Everything has been super positive so far. Having to work 16 hour days to get your business off the ground can be stressful. With an artist brain versus a business brain it can be super challenging sometimes. But that is the beautiful thing that I’m learning along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Everything that I create is by me and me alone, by hand. In window display, every single thing I do is different using different mediums, colors and textures, with a unique style everytime. For example, one year I can create a lifesize bison (super proud of him, his name was Nigel), made out of chicken wire, wood, tape, and paper mache. Another year I’m making custom put plexi dyed with alcohol ink in the silhouettes of mountains.
In the event industry, my rental inventory is an array of mostly backdrops for boho and modern couples to deck out in florals.
When I work on things more custom, I get with the couple/planner to talk in detail about their vision for what they’re wanting. Maybe they have a theme that they want a specific photo op or backdrop. Maybe they want a custom sign with a meaningful quote on it. It couple be a Winnie the Pooh themed baby shower and they need character cutouts, or love the mountains and want a water colored photo op backdrop of a mountainscape. Vim + Venture is that one stop shop for all decor.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
It will never be “perfect” before you launch, so just do it! And you will learn and tweak things along the way. Also, everything will take twice as long as you think it will!
Pricing:
- Rentals range from $20-$500
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@vimandventure.com
- Website: Vimandventure.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/vim.and.venture
- Facebook: Facebook.com/vim.and.venture
Image Credits:
Saraboydphotography
Laningphotography
stefani.kovacevic.photography
