We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lyanne Diaz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lyanne , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
My entire life I was known as a wallflower. I would pray that I was never chosen to read in class, be paired up for a project with others, or to have to sit next to a new person because they might ask me a question. My confidence was nonexistent. However, when you run an event planning business, where talking to people and executing some of their special milestones is my priority, these are important qualities to have figured out. To this day I would say that some of these qualities follow me around. But I have certainly come so far from where I began.
Allowing myself to walk into “uncomfortable” situations has been what’s helped me overcome my lack of confidence and self-esteem. I use quotations because, in the beginning, it was extremely difficult to navigate. Part of my planning is to set up a design meeting with my clients. The majority of my meetings are video calls. Every week I have the privilege to meet individuals that are no different than you and me. I could make it easy and request a simple phone call and call it a day. But building a trusting relationship with my clients is important to me. Hence, when I am able to look my clients in the eye, ask them to share their story, and share a few jokes back and forth on a regular basis, this is what helps me overcome any negative throughs.
The simple fact of trusting that what you bring into any situation is sufficient and uniquely you, is what will take you further than you can ever imagine. We all have a little voice in our heads that keeps up from taking that step into the wild. Yet continually allowing myself to sit next to that stranger, and look at someone in the eye to ask them to share their story, has been the practice I didn’t know I needed to develop the confidence and self-esteem I strongly rely on to run Lyanne’s Touch.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve been running my business for a little over 3 years now. In the last year I have pivoted into calligraphy and special event rentals. I believe this is truly where my passion for creation shines.
When I first started my business, I focused on creating custom handcrafted wooden signs. It was extremely rewarding in many ways. But I constantly found myself burnt out and dreading projects. In the mix of it all, I built a few backdrops for events and collected a few vintage peacock chairs and rented them for special events. I quickly developed relationships with my customers and found myself styling many special milestones. Such as birthdays, engagements, bridal showers, weddings, and baby showers. I loved the creative process so much that I knew it was time to make a few changes to my business.
Today, I continue to focus on special events, the majority of them being weddings. Making good use of my woodworking skills in all my projects, I enjoy creating stylish statement pieces. I’ve worked extremely hard to develop my calligraphy skills in order to offer a unique design that is not commonly found on a design program. Soon after my own wedding, I recognized there was a demand for wedding signage rentals. Post-wedding, or any special event for that matter, there is no need to end up with 15 table number and a seating chart. I create rental packages revolving around my client’s vision and needs. Getting down to the day of details, e.g. Welcome sign, seating chart, bar signs, table numbers, and statement wall backdrop.
My focus is to offer a customizable design package where each customer has the luxury to execute their vision at a rental price. Working with incredible clients, vendors, and venues have allowed me to find my true passion for event design. I look forward to continuing to execute incredible designs for my clients for years to come.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I recognize that communication, boldness, and always being willing to learn are some of the most important parts of my journey.
At the beginning of my journey, as I mentioned previously, my communication with my clients was not the best. I was often afraid to ask questions due to the fear of them thinking I didn’t know what I was doing. Continually working towards building a strong relationship with each of them is what has allowed me to continue this path with many more individuals. Never be afraid to ask all the questions you need to ask, admit any mistakes you have made, and/or be as honest as you need to be. At the end of the day, people appreciate that.
Understanding that in order to run a successful business being bold is what will make that tiny difference between you and another business. Taking that time to find your unique design and touch to no only offer an incredible service, but create a “WOW” moment is something you should never be afraid of. Sure many people can DIY their weddings and showers, but no one will have your touch. Finding those pieces and designs that will make you stand out from others lives within you. Find that and never be afraid to be too much.
Lastly, always being willing to learn is something that made a huge difference in my journey as well. Something I will forever carry in my personal life too. All it took was one single You Tube video and a few wooden pieces and I am now running an event rental business. One can never hold too much knowledge. Learning to wood work has been rewarding because as a woman, I don’t need to rely on a man in order to execute any project. Taking online courses to learn how others operate a successful business has opened my eyes to so many possibilities. There are so many things we can learn in life that can make a huge difference in our career and personally. Never feel like you’ve heard enough. That’s when you should open the door to new possibilities.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
In the mix of this, I have to acknowledge my husband, Marc-Anthony. Although he has his career as Journeyman Lineman and has been very successful in that for over 10 years now, he is the backbone of my success.
He listens to every single new client email I read out loud over and over that I am about to send out. Because I want to make sure I make perfect sense. He sees the crazy mess in between the design and the final product and always says “it looks awesome”. Even though it actually might not. He has taught me many things in the wood-shop that have made a huge difference in my craft. But most importantly, he has taught me everything I need to know about work ethic and having fun while creating. Without these skills I truly don’t think I’d still be doing this job.
I’ve watching him wake up at 4 AM for years with a smile on his face, come home after a day in 110 degree weather, and still manage to be extremely positive and kind at the end of his day. Being around someone like him everyday truly drives me to be the best I can be with the little I have. Because when hard work, kindness, and a little fun are in the picture there is no end you can’t achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lyannetouch.com
- Instagram: Lyannestouch
- Facebook: Lyannestouch
- Other: Tiktok- @lyannestouch
Image Credits:
Imagine Images Kami Olavarria Photography Lisa Rhea Photography Ashleigh Long Photography Everyday Forever Weddings
