Michelle Carazas, CEO and Founder - Host Events

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Part-time work to pay off student debt led Michelle Carazas to the opportunity she’s pursuing in her startup, Host Events. Her tech-enabled service provides insured and vetted bartenders to liven up corporate events at companies that seek to create a welcoming culture for Millennial employees. Fast and profitable growth, together with funding from Launchpad Venture Group are validating Michelle’s idea. Great interview with a compelling founder who expresses beautifully what draws her to startup life.

Highlights include:

Sal Daher Intro – The Opportunities that Abound in Boston’s Unique Startup Ecosystem Michelle Carazas Bio: Founder and CEO of Host Events What Host Events Does and Why It’s Important “…Host is a way to create culture in the workplace and that's what we really strive for.” “We're living in a world where we're so connected, but we're also so disconnected because we easily use Slack or email or text as a way to communicate.” “Our mission is really to create community through every experience that we service.” The Founding Story of Host Events The Competitive Landscape for Host Events “So, people book us because of the insurance and they come back, I really say because of the people.” How Michelle Carazas Connected with Her Co-Founder, Brian McGill Michelle and Brian Ran Host Events as a Side Gig for a Year – It Eventually Became Their Full-Time Job The Virtues of Bootstrapping On Raising Capital: “Could we have done it without raising capital? Absolutely.” Michelle Carazas: “One of the beauties of Hosts is that we make money.” Sal Daher: “…My resolution not to invest is dissolving.” Sacrifice: “I sold my car. I bought a $78 bike to ride to work. Brian sold his car; he left his apartment. He moved into our apartment. My boyfriend allowed him to live in our spare bedroom. I mean really-“ The Upside of Being a Founder – “There's no playbook. You're in control of your own destiny.” Sal talks About Portfolio Company FineTune Learning Whose Platform is Being Used by the College Board to Correct Essays on the AP Exam How Host Events Is Going to Market “Now, we're rolling out multiple cities at a time.” “We've actually brought on someone that's done this quite a few times elsewhere…” “Since last year at this time, we grew 256%. And our LTV is about... It's pretty high and really I think it's because we've built personal relationships with a lot of these companies as well.” ‘So ezCater is a great compliment to Host.” Michelle’s Thoughts on an Exit for Investors in Host Events Where Host Events Will Be at in Five Years? How Michelle Came to be an Entrepreneur “And so, growing up I just always had that ability to think bigger and that there was no cap, and that it was never stopping anywhere.” Sal’s Experience with a Peace Corps Volunteer in Brazil Sports & Leadership Michelle Carazas’ Parting Words of Wisdom “…I think the best place to start a business is in Boston, no doubt.”