Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Ytuarte.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We started about 10 years ago. I always had a passion to host parties and just make people feel good about attending one of my parties. What honestly made me pull the trigger and take a stab at this was when I got married. My husband and I did our own planning (back in the day when venues didn’t require you to have an event planner). I made the fatal mistake of allowing a family member to get the DJ for me. We knew better, but she volunteered, and I didn’t want to be rude, so I agreed. She assured me he was good, so I took her word for it. Our venue location was in New Braunfels at the beautiful Castle Avalon. The day of our wedding anything that could go wrong went wrong. The limo that was to take me to the venue did not have a working AC (And this was in June). On top of that the glasses in the limo were dirty. So needless to say, I did NOT have a cocktail to calm my nerves. Finally, we arrive at the venue and 30 minutes later my Maid of Honor realizes she had left the ring in the limo and he was already headed back to San Antonio. Now fast forward to the DJ…we are having an outdoor ceremony and he is 45 minutes late. We have guests sitting in the heat waiting on this guy. He finally shows up and has forgotten his turn table back in San Antonio. We are in New Braunfels so there is no quick way to get one. He tries to use what equipment he does have. I was supposed to walk down the aisle to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t help falling in love” and all we heard was “Static” almost like white noise from this supposed DJ’s equipment. To add to the debacle, he (the DJ) has brought along a friend/helper who was literally dressed like she had clients set up for the night. Luckily, I had put all the songs I wanted on a CD. We had the groomsmen literally kick the DJ out of the venue. The venue had an AV system so for the reception we played the CD’s. Planning for a whole year and for one of the major things to be a problem is upsetting and can ruin your day. For that reason, I said to myself that I want to help every bride and groom I can to ensure their day goes off exactly as they planned. I want to make sure the DJ is equipped to handle his/her duties, the cake is there on time and the seating is exactly what they wanted. Each and every detail should be tended to. Most of all I love ensuring the bride and groom that their day is going to be beautiful and stress free. I am there every step of the way. And thus, JRay’s Event Planning and Savor the Sip Mobile Bar were born.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As in every situation, not everything goes smoothly. Life comes with challenges, but I truly embrace the late and great Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality “It’s a constant quest to try to be better today than you were yesterday and better tomorrow than you were the day before”
A few challenges we faced are:
1. The Challenge of Starting Without Recognition
When you’re new, it’s hard to stand out because:
● People often look for established names, reviews, or experience before committing to work with someone.
● You might not know the right people or have industry connections.
2. Questions like “What do I charge?” or “How much work is involved?” You might undervalue your work or overestimate your ability
3. Overcoming Self-Doubt
Putting yourself out there can be intimidating, especially if you’re afraid of rejection or failure. You have to remember, every successful person started where you are—uncertain, unknown, and untested. The key is to trust yourself, stay consistent, and embrace growth one step at a time.
Struggles are inevitable, but they shape your resilience and pave the way for long-term success
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a dedicated wife-and-husband duo who bring a unique blend of teamwork, experience, and passion to everything we do. Having supported one another both personally and professionally, we deeply value the strengths we each bring to the table. Our background in project management and working with diverse clients has equipped us with the skills to handle every detail with precision and care.
What truly sets us apart is not just that we’re a married couple working seamlessly together, but also the way we prioritize listening. We take the time to genuinely understand what our clients envision before offering any suggestions or solutions. This thoughtful and personalized approach ensures that every experience we create is tailored to their unique needs.
Brand-wise, we’re incredibly proud to offer more than one service, allowing us to meet a variety of needs and make each client’s experience as stress-free as possible. We decided to add a Mobile Bar Service and Photo Booth Service to our business which have both been huge hits. Above all, we’re grateful for the trust our clients place in us to be a part of their most special moments. That trust means the world to us, and we approach every project with heart, care, and dedication.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality I believe is most vital to our success is maintaining honesty and transparency with our clients. When there’s something we’re unable to do, we communicate it openly with our couples while proactively working to find alternative solutions that meet their needs. This approach ensures they feel informed and supported, fostering trust and a strong working relationship.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jrayseventplanning.com AND www.savorthesipmobilbar.com
