Sacramento Team Helps Latinas Manage Their Memorable Birthday

QUICK PITCH: 
MakeMyQuince is the first to bring online event planning and crowdfunding to Quinceaneras.

THE BUSINESS:
Users will be able to sign in to Make My Quince website/app using their instagram account where they can brainstorm ideas for their quinceanera by creating “dreamboards” from the most popular quinceranera hashtags. Once they are ready to begin planning, they can create a custom planning check list and budget that fits their Quince needs. Make My Quince will provide recommendations on items they have chosen on their checklist. They will also have the option to have “Madrina crowdfunding” where they create a custom page and invite family and friends to contribute to various items needed to have the perfect quinceanera.

THE “AHA” MOMENT: 
Our team met at StartUp Weekend Sacramento in November 2014. Co-founder Fatima Ruiz pitched the idea of “crowdfunding for Quinceaneras” and as a team we developed a business plan, revenue streams, brand identity and won 2nd place that weekend. We have continued as a team since November 2014. We have had three focus groups and each one lead to big “AHA” moments – these have shaped our direction and validated the need and desire for our service.

HOW DOES IT MAKE MONEY?: 
The company will make a money from two distinct revenue streams. The first is through a percentage of the crowdfunding for the quinceaneras (5% of the money collected for the event through the site), and the second is through vendor advertising.

BUSINESS IT COULD DISRUPT: 
Make My Quince brings Quinceanera planning to the digital/mobile age and provides an empowering tool for our users to plan a once in a lifetime event all in one place at any time.

The business could have a negative impact on event planners, as girls and their families take more control of more details involved in putting on the event.

The business could have a positive impact on many of the local businesses that serve quinceaneras. Families may have more money for the event as the financing for the event is confirmed.

MARKET SIZE: 
We look to provide a service to anyone planning to celebrate a Quinceranera.

The market size is determined in part by the population we serve. It is a niche market consisting of girls from Latin American backgrounds in their early teens, and their families. The primary markets include the U.S. market (market size estimated at 400,000 quinceaneras per year), as well as girls in Latin American countries (approximately 6,500,000 fourteen year old girls).

LIKELY COMPETITORS:
WeddingWire, an online marketplace, connects event planners with merchants and creative professionals servicing weddings, reunions and more.

Pinterest is a social bookmarking site with a virtual pinboard interface that visually showcases the user’s interests.

Latina Magazine, Quinceanera Magazine

Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform empowering people around the world to fund projects that matter to them.

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform for creative projects such as movies, music, art, theater, games, comics, design, and photography.

Instagram is a free photo sharing application that enables its users to take photos, apply filters, and share them on social networks.

Wedding.com.my- We are a visual content discovery & social commerce platform for wedding industry, bringing bridal community and vendors together. (Malaysia)

WeddingLovely is a collection of wedding tools and directories for promoting small business, local and independent wedding vendors. (US)

WeddingPlz.com is an online platform designed to find the best wedding vendors in town ! It’s a one stop solution for all the wedding needs. (India)

Wedding Channel is a wedding portal, including planning, checklists, dresses, photos, etc.(US)

The Knot (www.theknot.com) is the Internet’s most-trafficked one-stop wedding planning solution. (Pre-launch: The Knot provides a number of resources for couples looking to plan their weddings) (US)

PARTNERSHIPS OR COLLABORATIONS: 
Manos Acelerator & Google for Entrepreneurs

MANAGEMENT TEAM:
-Fatima Ruiz: fatima@makemyquince.com
-Chris Cacciatore: chris@makemyquince.com
-Ramona Maurer: ramona@makemyquince.com
-Laura Gonzalez: laura@makemyquince.com

WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS?: 
As a team, we value time for our families and sharing our family history. All of us honor our families in pursuing this start-up and making Make My Quince a successful service that our users enjoy. Our role models are our families, youngest to oldest, all supporting our dream.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?: 
In entrepreneurship, there are no limits to making your vision become a reality. It takes continuous commitment (hour by hour) and the ability to bounce back from every failure and roadblock. Ironically, at these lowest moments is where a vision is reignited with energy, hope, and the passion for executing better.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE THAT ANYONE HAS GIVEN YOU?: 
Fail Quick and Fail often. Failure shapes your vision, deliverables, experience, and execution.
People will tell you what they want, all you have to do is listen.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS?: 
Be open for all feedback and learn to get comfortable asking for feedback, advice, time, and money. Do not be afraid to ask for things your team needs to create amazing products and services – be fearless in your asking. You will get turned down, but you will also meet people who believe in your vision and will help you see it through.