In less than two weeks, Handbags of Hope Exchange (HoH) will be taking over the chic loft space of Roe 7 Studios right here in Mile Square City on March 6th! HoH is an amazing non-profit event curated to empower women around beauty, wellness and business, with all donations benefiting less fortunate women in need. Multiple beauty and wellness lovers, bloggers, professionals and community leaders will be in attendance, with a panel of female influencers sharing their tips and personal stories of empowerment. A wide range of generous sponsors are also helping make the event possible and are kindly donating their products and services. Throughout the afternoon as the inspiration flows, DJ Tedsmooth will be spinnin’ some tunes, while guests sip on cocktails and nibble on some yummy brunch.
HoH has requested every guest attending bring a gently used handbag filled with new toiletries and snacks that will be donated to a woman via Dress for Success in Hudson County. Your donated handbag will aid in restoring hope and rebuilding confidence in a woman who has experienced domestic violence, drug abuse, rape and/or homelessness. What better way to use that pretty handbag you have in the back of your closet you keep forgetting about?! Lots of positive vibes around this lovely cause. It’s truly beautiful! Additionally, HoH is benefiting Harvest of Hope Ministries, with all proceeds going to help assist abused women and children, as well as the homeless.
Be sure to purchase your ticket HERE!
Who is the brilliant lady behind Handbags of Hope?
L&H is excited to introduce you to the fabulous, Erika Hernandez! Erika is the Creative Director and Owner of EH Social Events, an event company based out of Hoboken focused on designing timeless experiences and gorgeous celebrations in the tri-state area and beyond. On top of being an entrepreneur, Erika is a single mother of two, a serious go-getter, a true fighter and a talented designer. She is the true definition of female influencer and GIRL BOSS. Erika recently started Handbags of Hope Exchange as a way to motivate and educate women, while also supporting other non-profit organizations that she holds near and dear to her own heart.
Erika has experienced both the highs and the lows in life, but she has never allowed anything to hold her back from following her passions. “Back in 2005, I was in a state in my life where I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. My oldest child was 3 years old, my marriage was a mess and I was overweight. I started self evaluating and decided to go after a dream of mine. I opened up a small party supply store in Old Bridge, New Jersey that literally was around 12 feet by 14 feet. I was truly happy. I spent time in venues creating favors and helping with decor and design,” said Erika. After a few years of owning her store, she finally took a step back and realized her customers took her opinion and loved her design direction. Erika explained, “I went back to school and received my event planning certification. In 2010, I started EH Social Events. My team and I plan and design all types of events ranging from product launch parties, weddings, business grand openings, sweet sixteens and so on. I get to be creative and that is my biggest passion.”
After going through a difficult year in business in 2015, Erika was inspired to do more. She had a calling to help other women who might be going through a similar rough period in their own life. “Handbags of Hope was an idea that was brought to me when I least expected it. I saw an Instagram photo of a lightly touched purse with toiletries and it was originally supposed to be for some type of ‘drop off event’ at a coffee shop in Jersey City. There was just something there that wasn’t enough for me. That whole thing kept replaying in my mind and I kept thinking to myself that I need to do more. I continued to brainstorm. I decided on a beauty and wellness showcase and I knew I wanted to empower women. I wanted all donations to go to Harvest of Hope Ministries, which is my own mom’s non-profit organization she started,” Erika stated. Throughout everything, Erika’s mom has always been there and pushes her to keep going. “My mom has been 100% percent supportive of me from the very beginning and she finally found something she is passionate about, so how could I not also support my mom and her non-profit!?” With the support of her wonderful parents and two awesome children and Erika’s relentless dedication, Handbags of Hope Exchange was born!
On top of this beauty and wellness showcase on March 6th, the plan is to gather around ten to fifteen women every six to eight weeks to continue the momentum and to inspire one another. “Ranging from a poetry night to a power dinner with a renowned speaker or celebrity to discuss business, women, life, beauty and so on – is my vision for Handbags of Hope. I want to continue to inspire one another. We all have a need and we can all help each other through many similar situations and experiences,” Erika concluded.
As a female business owner and leader, Erika is also filled with some VERY wise and truthful advice. L&H even asked her if she was certain that she was not also a life coach on the side?! 🙂
What is Erika’s biggest piece of advice for a woman in business?
“Follow your intuition. Don’t give up. Close your ears. Keep on going. You need to start a business that makes you smile and feel happy.”
What has allowed Erika to succeed?
“I have a very strong character. I’m me. I don’t change. Be yourself. Be who you are. I’m never going to change who I am for anyone. This is it.”
What is Erika’s style inspiration for events?
“Less is more. Timeless. Classic. I want people to look back and love their event. It’s just like a classic black pump. They will always be timeless.”
What does Erika do for fun?
“The best part about my ‘job’ is that I never have to work a day in my life. It is my definition of fun. I get to be creative. When I’m not planning events, you can find me restoring/flipping furniture or maybe even painting a wall in my house. My creative juices never stop flowing.”
We hope you will come support Erika and HoH in the coming weeks! L&H is looking forward to March 6th and all of the future events to come.
Xx LPH
I would like to thank you for the sharing a piece of my story; beautifully written. 🙂
Absolutely love this post! And can’t wait to see you at the HOH event next weekend! <3