Today we’d like to introduce you to Reymundo G Hilburn.
Hi Reymundo G, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 46 married 6 years, with my husband 12 years. Never liked social media till two fiends made me jump on and show my planners and sticker I use. 3 years I networked my ass off and have collaborated/affilitate or PR with some of the Big Planner companies in the community. From Happy Brands Happy Planner, Kell of a Plan, Live Love Posh, Mojo Jojo plans, and the love for helping the community I love helping small shops as well and have a ton of my friends that own shops and love to help promote them. I came the west side of San Antonio went to dropped out of school, started working and fell into addiction and was a working addict for many years, I was homeless me and my dog Dosha together till this day I owe her my life, and I have her spoiled for that reason. My husband knows who comes first lol. I’ve now been sober 11 years and after a fall out of social media with a friends and completely deleted all socials.. big mistake I know I was close to getting monetized on YouTube but had my Mariah Carey glitter moment. And the community reached out any way they could and I came back with a fuck you attitude and made a Newsletter The Planner Collective which is some planner related items and a little sassiness and new IG page for inspiration same name. Also opened up my sticker shop called Planner Vida, which focus on Latin culture what I call Sanchos and munecas with are stickers or all skins tones with a Latin twist as there was no representation for out culture when I started my shop, and now there a few but like to think I started that trend. The planner community embraced me and i love the support from them. I just did the newsletter and shop not to get rich but to give back to the community that helps me daily from stress and my sobriety. Also trying to be one of a few men in the community that actually have a successful shop in the community and women empowerment is very very big. And I don’t mind I get it. But I have never felt as I’m not one of the family at any event. And I also have an event on November 21 which is small only 60 people but for it to be sold out means a lot to me. And for me one year old shop and 3 years on social media, putting on an event is a struggle but I’m getting done with help, and sponsorships and my money from my shop and my own job, let’s say I wanna be the next go wild or little craft fest.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a struggle, with my mom being deported last year and worried about that plus my 9-5 and traveling to Mexico Juerez, to see her it been a struggle, also during this time my husband was going through his own work issues and I was sole provider so still catching up on bills but the light is there and will never stop reaching for it. My faith in it will never fail me and I know as a gay man a lot will say how do I have faith but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Big Sandals walking through the rough patches in my life. From addiction to working for the state of Texas as supervisor.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been an employee of the state of Texas for 6 years but have always had a creative side. I used to decorate cakes but needed a more sustainable job for me and my family so making the switch the state was a big change. This is when I looked at planning differently. It became a creative outlet for me and even therapeutic on my tougher days. I was never into social media until my best friends encouraged me to share my talents on Instagram. This started my journey into a planning journey I could have never seen had I not have created my practicalplanswithRey page. After several months of posting and showing my creative side, I began getting outreached by large ref planner groups who wants me for their PR teams. Some of my favorite companies were asking me to rep for them! This then got my wheels spinning, how come I don’t create my own sticker shop with my vibe. That’s how Planner Vida came to be. I take so much pride in my work and we are now working on our very first planner conference. It’s already sold out!! It’s hard for me to say what I am most proud of because this journey makes me proud everyday. I am watching myself creative the dreams I’ve always wanted for my life. Being a gay man of color in this world can be difficult but in the planner world, it has me standing out from the rest as I’m working in a predominantly women world. I come with my own set of rules and I refuse to let anything stand in my way.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking in general is so beneficial but it’s about creating those connections and relationships that aren’t surface level. I out my time and effort into getting to know who it is I’m networking with. And they know I’m always willing to put in the work
Contact Info:
- Website: https://substack.com/@theplannercollective and https://plannervida.shop/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalplanswithrey
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17ykNqGJ3g/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Plannervida
Image Credits
All are personal photos.
