How Stephanie Cuevas Creates Memorable Experiences and Events

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

Stephanie Cuevas is the founder and CEO of SoCo Hospitality Group. She is a seasoned restaurant professional with 15 years of experience working with acclaimed venues such as Paloma Venice, Damian DTLA, Level 8, and the Moxy Hotel. She has a proven track record of opening successful nightlife/restaurant venues and consulting six-figure businesses to achieve their goals.

As the founder of a Latin-owned events and client relations agency, Stephanie has built a reputation for delivering exceptional experiences, offering everything from full-service reservation bookings to comprehensive event planning and production services. She has collaborated with major beauty brands like Smashbox and Urban Decay, showcasing her knack for detail in events of all sizes.

Her business is self-funded which demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence.

Who are your customers?

Restaurant, hotel, & event venue owners.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I worked in hospitality, fine dining, night-life and decided to branch out and start my own agency to better service my growing list of clients.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?*

I saw a lack of attention to detail when it came to planning events, so I wanted to bridge the gap between basic events and turn them into fine dining, culinary experiences at premiere venues throughout Los Angeles.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My business has solely been word of mouth from day one. My biggest break was securing the Pacific Design Center for an NFL Owners Dinner - After that event, I knew I had made it. 

In being 100% word of mouth, my high-end clients sought me out after I started my own business. I was able to secure 3 large partnerships in the same year - Soho House, H Wood Group & Paloma Venice.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Hiring has been the biggest challenge for me. Finding the right people to bring on to my team and developing them in their careers has been a real challenge.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

I am extremely proud of the accomplishments I've made with such a small team - specifically having 4 different venues hit six figures in revenue in under 1 year because of my management and development of their spaces/teams, etc.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes - I curated a 40 person private dinner at the Flamingo Estate for an investor dinner and I brought in Damian, one of the restaurants I partner with for dinner.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Growth is next for my business. I plan to keep expanding my team and the amount of partnerships I have. My portfolio is expanding internationally with Pujol CDMX among other venues.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Prioritizing and time blocking my calendar each day.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

Daily meditation, journaling, making sure I move my body throughout the day.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I would like to get better at disconnecting when I spend time with my family - That has been a challenge for me.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I would have known the tools to find funding right away - As I worked 3 different jobs when I started my business.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

Tell me about a time you made a mistake and what you did to correct it.

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

Being present for moments I need to be there for - Taking my daughter to school, being present when she wins an award, plays a sport, etc.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Calm - My daily mediation practice keeps me going.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?*

Tripleseat - Allows me to manage all of the venues I work with

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Don't allow anyone else's thoughts/perceptions lead you to how you should create your business. Have a mentor and network.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!