Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Juliana Hernandez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Juliana, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is a strong testament to the incredible strength and determination I have witnessed in my mother. Growing up watching her commitment to providing for her family and pursuing her goals despite facing numerous challenges has influenced me to have the same capabilities as she did. I feel inspired and grateful to be able to see in me how her values of hard work, perseverance, and faith have helped me make a difference in my journey as an entrepreneur.
The lessons I’ve learned from my mother’s journey – the “I don’t know how I will do it, but I will do it” mindset – have become a guiding force in my own life. Embracing challenges with faith and the belief that everything meant for me will come to me is a powerful way to show you how she has taught me to believe in myself and have faith in my strengths and dreams. The ability to reflect on my childhood and apply those principles to my own life is truly extraordinary and to be able to have her here with me today to share these principles and continue to help guide me in my journey is one of the greatest blessings I could ever have!
It’s evident that her teachings has shaped not just my work ethic but also my understanding of the importance of family, love, and determination. My resilience, like hers, is a source of strength that allows me to navigate life’s obstacles with courage and conviction. Embracing the spirit of “never giving up” is a powerful foundation upon which to build a fulfilling and successful life.
My story is a reminder of the profound impact parents can have on shaping the character and resilience of their children. My mother’s journey has left an indelible mark on me, and by embodying her teachings, I continue to carry forward a legacy of strength, perseverance, and faith.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a Boston-raised Latina from the Dominican Republic, Juliana has transformed her love for social events and interior design into a thriving enterprise, DEZ Collective, a Premier Luxury Event Furniture Rental Company Located in Stoughton, Ma.
Juliana recognized the opportunity to provide clients with the necessary event pieces for their special occasions, leading to the evolution of DEZ Collective. Her ability to apply her design skills to curate pieces for each event sets her business apart, emphasizing a personalized touch for each client.
Beyond being a successful entrepreneur, Juliana is focused on becoming a compelling speaker, using her platform to inspire women to prioritize intentional relationships on their journey to success. Her commitment to building a family legacy with her business speaks to the broader message of women empowerment and resilience, breaking barriers as a Woman/Latina-owned company.
As a wife and mother of four, Juliana’s personal experiences and childhood upbringing play a significant role in shaping the vision for her company DEZ Collective. Her love for social events, is translated into a company focused on providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for clients through her customer service. Furthermore, she emphasizes a supportive work environment, aiming to help employees advance in their careers and provide better opportunities outside the conventional settings.
As DEZ Collective continues to grow, Juliana’s dedication to excellence and innovation promises exciting developments in the luxury market and the world of home interior design. The anticipation for the premiere of DEZ at HOME and the introduction of a new event space location adds an extra layer of excitement to Juliana’s entrepreneurial journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It’s evident to me that friendliness, confidence, and ambition have been key factors for me in my journey.
Some advice for those early in their journey to develop or improve on these qualities are:
Friendliness and Customer Skills:
* Seek regular feedback: ask for feedback from clients, colleagues, or mentors. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement and help you refine your customer service skills.
Confidence is key!
* Your Confidence comes from your knowledge and expertise in things. The more you know about a particular area the more confident you are speaking about it. Stay updated on industry trends, be open to acquiring new skills, and seek opportunities for professional development. Embrace continuous learning. The more knowledgeable you are, the more confident you’ll become. Also, do self-affirmations. Begin to remind yourself of your achievements and capabilities regularly. A positive self-talk can boost your confidence and help you get through those challenges with a resilient mindset.
Ambition:
* Set clear goals + Stay Adaptable! Define both your short-term and long-term goals for yourself. Your ambition is able to thrive best when you a clear direction of your goals. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and celebrate them along the way. Being ambitious individual we can often encounter setbacks or unexpected changes. Cultivate adaptability to navigate challenges, reassess goals when necessary, and continue moving forward. The importance of being able to move on is crucial for the ambition to fire up again and again.
In addition to these 3 skills and qualities, I want to also include 2 major important factors that have made an impact for me in both my personal+ business journey.
1. Building a Supportive Personal Support Group:
Surround yourself with positive influences. Choose friends, colleagues, and mentors who inspire and uplift you. Avoid toxic relationships that drain your energy or hinder your growth. You will miss your own blessings by not removing yourself from negative enviorments. It is important to Give when you receive. Building a strong support system is a two-way street. Offer support and opportunities to others in and outside your group aswell, and you’ll find that reciprocity fosters a collaborative and mutually beneficial environment.
2. Networking:
Attend events and conferences not just in your area of choice but also outside of your industry as well. Actively participate in industry-related events, seminars, and conferences. Networking opportunities provide a chance to meet like-minded professionals and potential collaborators. Use online platforms like Social media and professional networking platforms to expand in your network. Engage in conversations, share insights, and connect with individuals who share common interests or goals.
Personal and professional growth is a continuous journey. Cultivate these qualities to help find yourself well-equipped to navigate through the challenges and make meaningful relationships and progress in your journey.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
It is important to recognize and leverage your strengths, but also to acknowledge the areas where improvement is needed. When you bring in experts to complement your areas of weakness, you will create a well-rounded team that can operate in excellence!
Understanding that it is okay not to be an expert in every area is crucial to your personal growth. Realizing this allows you to put focus in the areas where you can excel the most, significantly contributing to the overall success of the business. The idea is to hire individuals who are better than you in your areas of weakness. This not only strengthens the team but also fosters a learning environment where everyone on the team can benefit from one another’s expertise. The key is to manage your weaknesses effectively through collaboration and delegation.
My past experience from working in different environments like Hospitals, College group classes and Private practices where I was able to operate in a role that allowed me to best excel in my areas of strengths has had a positive impact on me and my understanding of being able to create a diverse team for DEZ Collective, with each member being able to excel in their own specific roles.
This strategy not only elevates the overall efficiency of our business but also allows for the continued personal and professional growth of each of our team members to collaborate and learn from one another. Allowing each team member’s strengths to contribute towards the collective success of DEZ Collective.
Contact Info:
- Website: DEZCOLLECTIVE.COM
- Instagram: @DEZ.Collective
- Facebook: @DEZCOLLECTIVE
- Linkedin: @IAMJULIANADEZ
Image Credits
Mariah Gale Creative Fuertes Photography
