Meet Nelson Cruz

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nelson Cruz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nelson below.

Nelson, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

My journey to self-esteem began as a challenging and humbling experience when I immigrated t
o America from Ecuador at the age of ten. The language barrier was a significant hurdle; my limited English made even basic communication embarrassing, and I endured teasing for my lack of understanding. This fear of public speaking persisted through high school. Seeking a way to build confidence, I focused on physical fitness, believing that a strong appearance would compensate for my accent. In college, I confronted my fear head-on by enrolling in a public speaking course, forcing myself to present weekly. After overcoming this hurdle I craved an audience which eventually led me to dance, where the confidence gained through performance further bolstered my self-assurance. These cumulative experiences equipped me to overcome my anxieties, ultimately leading to my current role as an event planner and MC for audiences over a thousand people. While a touch of nervousness remains, a testament to my continued care, speaking in front of large crowds now feels natural and enjoyable.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

For the past 22 years, I’ve been immersed in the dynamic world of events and entertainment, a journey that began with my passion for dance and evolved into building Nelson Cruz Entertainment. This wasn’t just a career; it’s been a privilege to transform my love for performance into a thriving business, having orchestrated over 3200 events, ranging from intimate DJ sets to large-scale productions for over 1000 attendees. What truly distinguishes me is not just the breadth of experience, but the unwavering passion and relentless drive I bring to every project. My extensive network of top-tier entertainers, event venues, and wedding planners, cultivated over decades, is unparalleled. From establishing a strong presence in New York City and Boston, I’m now thrilled to expand into sunny Florida, bringing our unique blend of talent and dedication to Naples and Miami.

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?

In the dynamic entertainment field, three qualities stand out as absolutely crucial. First and foremost, passion is the lifeblood of this industry. It’s about more than just a job; it’s a deep-seated love for performance, a genuine desire to connect with people, and a constant drive to create memorable experiences. Living and breathing this passion fuels the energy and dedication required to excel. Secondly, communication is paramount. It’s the intricate web that connects every aspect of an event, from the initial client consultations to coordinating with entertainers, kitchen staff, and waitstaff. Clear, concise, and proactive communication ensures seamless execution and fosters strong relationships, which are essential for success in this people-centric business.

Finally, the third absolutely vital skill is relationship building. In this industry, every interaction matters, from the head chef to the valet. Cultivating genuine connections with everyone in the room, even within a limited timeframe of three to four hours, can lead to invaluable referrals and long-term partnerships. Whether you’re engaging with a small gathering or a crowd of 300 or 2,000, these relationships are the cornerstone of growth. This extends to building strong ties with your talent, venue personnel, clients, equipment engineers, and even your online and social media audience. These multifaceted relationships are not just beneficial; they are essential for sustained success in the entertainment business.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As Nelson Cruz Entertainment expands, I’m actively seeking to forge strategic partnerships and collaborations within the vibrant event industry. I’m eager to connect with wedding and event planners, venues, florists, bands, photo booth providers, dance floor installation specialists, and any other talented individuals or businesses within the entertainment sector across Boston, New York, and Florida. While we boast a comprehensive in-house resource network, growth thrives on collaboration. I invite anyone interested in exploring partnership opportunities to reach out via social media, email, or, preferably, a phone call. I genuinely value conversation and believe direct communication fosters the strongest and most fruitful relationships.

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