Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Valenza & Nicole Beglau.
Hi Jenn and Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Jenn Valenza: My background is finance and accounting and I am a licensed CPA. I spent the majority of my career in corporate finance, but growing up I ALWAYS wanted to be a wedding planner. I used to sketch wedding designs for hours as a young girl. I found myself restless in my career a few years ago with a feeling of unfulfillment and a desire for something more creative and hands on. After briefly exploring a few things that didn’t work out, I was feeling a little lost and hopeless until my dad brought home some childhood attic boxes with a “you are in your 30s and you can store these now” message, haha. Going through them, I stumbled on my old wedding drawings in a spiral notebook. I thought…what if just maybe? I got on farmsandranches.com and Camino was one of the first listings. It was in bad shape but had all the makings for something special. Nicole was an acquaintance of mine in the industry as we have mutual friends. I had been a fangirl of hers after taking a few photography classes and knowing how much work and talent it takes to really excel at that craft. I asked her to coffee to pick her brain shortly after and we quickly teamed up. She has been the right brain to my left brain and brought so much amazing creativity and design to the space. We worked our butts off physically, mentally, and emotionally to bring this vision to life during the pandemic, not knowing if it would pay off. Thankfully our clients have appreciated the uniqueness of Camino like we had hoped. Now Nicole and I are versed in tractors, septic systems, construction, SBA financing, contracts, property management, sales & marketing, and the list goes on. What an amazing, fulfilling, exhausting, and beautiful this experience this has been for us both and we are so excited for all the love that will be shared at our Camino.
Nicole Beglau: The Austin wedding industry has been my home away from home for over a decade. I started my photography business, Nicole Ryan Photography, in 2010 and have loved immersing myself in all things weddings ever since. After a few years of the wedding photography grind, I began to consider my future in the industry away from the camera. I quietly dreamed of buying a property and starting a venue. I have roots in the hospitality/service industry, and my dad has owned bars and restaurants for my entire life, so the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in my family. At home, I’m constantly rearranging the furniture (much to my husband’s confusion) and I adore setting up an inviting scene and watching it come to life when our guests arrive. Applying that passion to the design and buildout of the venue has been incredibly thrilling and honestly the most fulfilling work in my career history. I was able to apply my years of wedding photography experience to create a space that is inspired by and designed for photographers. Watching other photographers enjoy the space and seeing the magic they create at our venue is a dream come true… I get emotional just thinking about it! I’m eternally grateful to Jenn for trusting me to join her on this adventure. Our incredible partnership is the cherry on top!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Jenn Valenza: *laughs out loud*….definitely not a smooth road. So many challenges and fire drills put out along the way. We joked often that sometimes when we thought it was the end, Camino found a way so it must be destined. Construction was very challenging. It took us a long time to find contractors we trusted and who kept their word. Contractors who respected us for the two bright women we are. Financing was incredibly tough as we were trying to open an Event Venue during a pandemic, but thankfully we found a bank and an advocated who believed in us. There were many challenges that came with turning an existing property into a venue rather than designing something from the ground up where everything was thought through. Challenges with learning how to navigate dealings with the local jurisdictions. Challenges with how to even make a Greenhouse venue work in this Texas heat. Challenges with our first weddings and realizing what worked well and what didn’t I think we have come to terms with the fact that the struggles will never stop and there is a solution to every problem. We just have to figure that solution out and get it done!
Nicole Beglau: Three words: blood, sweat, & tears! We started this venue not with a team of investors and millions in capital, but as two women with a dream (and very supportive husbands). Renovating the property to suit the needs of a wedding venue was insanely challenging, as some of our buildings date back to the 1940s… and it showed. Being two women navigating the male-dominated world of construction made it extra tough (if you have 2 hours and a bottle of wine, let us tell you all about how we plan to disrupt that industry in a future life). Through countless construction surprises, financial setbacks, and the coronavirus pandemic, we kept plugging away and finally found a team of people to help us get to where we are today. And at the end of every tearful phone call or panicked moment, Jenn and I have learned that, together, there is nothing we can’t handle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Camino Real Ranch is a one-of-a-kind wedding venue tucked away in the rugged countryside of central Texas. Palms fronds rustle in the breeze as the sun shines brightly upon Camino Real Ranch. The ranch is a beautifully designed property surrounded by a modern desert landscape featuring palm trees and agave, juxtaposed with the iconic Texas hill country terrain. The property has been designed with a minimalist, clean aesthetic that takes full advantage of the region’s ample natural light. The distinct arch of its Quonset Hut is a standout space to gather for a small reception or cocktail hour. The modern xeriscaped courtyard lit by romantic bistro lights leads to the crown jewel of Camino, the Greenhouse. Its bright white color scheme paired with minimal décor (bar some select plant life) allows the room to breathe, highlighting its spaciousness. The back wall of vintage windows showcases a grove of mesquite trees and the sparkling pond. Surrounding the event the couple can relax and unwind in the 1940s farmhouse. A blend of mid-century modern and vintage design creates a space that is uncommonly stylish, featuring natural materials and polished hardwood floors. The owners have put a lot of love and care into building the venue, and this is complemented by their commitment to serving couples in style. They can provide expert photography services to capture every moment of each big day as well as further services such as wedding day management, photo-booth services, in-house floral services, and in-house catering and bartending. Camino Real Ranch strives to be everything a boutique venue should be: hospitable and stylish without pretension. We can’t wait to host you!
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@caminorealranch.com
- Website: www.caminorealranch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camino_real_ranch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caminorealranch/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Image Credits
Vanessa Lain Photography
