How could you say “no” to this face?
(no but really, how could you? Oh, there’s a lot of text on this page. I got carried away!)
Here is the quick, short version. Keep scrolling if you want more.
I have a rich combination of experiences that stem from being a Bag Packer and Stock Boy at C-Town and Bravo Supermarkets, a File Clerk at a law firm, the youngest Assistant Manager at Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at MoMA, Catering Manager for Splashlight Studios, Executive Event Producer at The Style Marc, Director of Special Events at Punto Space, and most recently, the Director of Special Events and Corporate Relations at The City University of New York. Whew, that was a lot. All this to say, my mix of past work experience integrated with my studies, basic knowledge of life growing up in a humble household, and a brain that never stops thinking, have given me the ability to hone in on my skills as a creative. I have a vast understanding of what people don’t know they need and my background in Hospitality Management helps me figure out the most strategic way to give it to them.
I thrive when I create moments for people. But I am most happiest knowing that the moment created will be the backdrop to a life full of accomplishments. This is why I launched Felix Vargas’ Branding Forward. My need to share my knowledge with others and yearn to show them what they can accomplish, fulfills my existence. Needless to say, I am a selfless brat that can never stop giving! So as I mentioned in the Home page, *hire me*!
Humble beginnings.
I was born in the Bronx, New York to Dominican parents on the same day as Spencer Smith, former drummer of my favorite band, Panic! at the Disco - I digress. Truth is, I’m a mama’s boy and I am not shy about letting that be known. In creating this site, I had to dig deep to share my authentic self and what I found is that I am a replica of my mom. I am as insatiable as she is and our desire for perfection has been a gift and a curse. Oh, and my entrepreneurial spirit - that comes from her, too.
As a kid, I remember mom starting multiple side hustles. From the in-home salon that came with a full on shampoo bowl, to selling jewelry, accessories, and clothing that we’d buy from the wholesale district (a.k.a Tchatchke District), selling food to local workers from our first floor living room window, a full on child care center for 20+ years, and most recently, a Drink (a.k.a. Dominican liquor store where patrons can consume their beverages at the store. Basically a liquor store/bar). She’s done it all! Anyway, you get the point. I am her and she is me. *insert “oh well” emoji*
Fun facts.
I was always attached to my mom’s hip. So much so that in this pic I may have been trying to mimic her pose, sans beer.
As a kid, my cousin and I once thought we were smarter than the bodega man and cut a one dollar bill in half in an attempt to buy two dollars worth of candy and chips. $2 went a long way in the 90’s.
My cousins and I would “film” horror thrillers as kids and I was typically chosen to play a homeless person because I ABSOLUTELY loved wearing torn and worn out clothes at home. I low-key still do.
I have a total of two sisters and five brothers - no, not all from the same parents.
Now you can scroll down to read up on my involvement with the Fyre Festival (I swear it is what everyone is most interested in).
Image courtesy of IMDB.
Hot as Fyre.
*infomercial guy voice* As seen on Hulu’s, Fyre Fraud Documentary!
Though both the best and worst experience in my career, I have been able to move past the trauma this brought. For those of you who do not know, I was brought in as part of the production team serving as Assistant Creative Producer. Once in Miami in what we called the “war room”, I had a feeling it would be a mess and I should’ve trusted my instinct. Let’s be real, though - as an event professional of color working with white, high level event professionals from all around the world, I felt I hit the jackpot and this would be the beginning of new relationships and partnerships.
Long story short, my counterpart, Ben McRoberts and I (shout out to Ben!) managed about 200 men on site every day as we tackled build-outs and populating tent interiors. With the annual Regatta festivities taking place the same weekend as the first weekend of our festival, resources were scarce and manual labor was even harder to find. We proceeded as best we could with little to no direction from “higher ups” and made it work to the best of our abilities.
Fast forward to the day before guests were slated to arrive and a storm hits the island. Power is knocked out and all tents and their interiors are drenched. Mind you, tent assignments were flawed to begin with as we did not have the proposed tents (because they never existed) but managed to assign them as best we could. Morning of was an utter mess. We scrambled to get all items dried in time for arriving guests but it was to no avail.
You know how the story ends. Billy McFarland (24 years old at the time) on top of a table in front of the Blue House instructing guests to find an empty tent and settle in. *insert pandemonium cue here* Guests are running to find a tent, a bed, sheets, their luggage, etc. - Watch the rest on Hulu’s Fyre Fraud.
The Fyre I’m really made of.
I gained my skills in Hospitality and Special Event Management since my early days in high school studying Hospitality and Culinary Arts. With an affinity for events, I co-founded Squizit (pronounced es-quisite), an events and catering company, at the age of 18 and successfully produced over 15 events throughout NYC in two years! Squizit was also responsible for launching educational programs to support the Teens in Fashion initiative, which ultimately led to stylist and designer, Indashio to win VH1's hit reality show, Glam God, Hosted by Vivicka A. Fox.
My career has been influenced by my first jobs assisting top trending venues, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at MoMA. A natural progression introduced my new role as Catering Coordinator at Splashlight Studios where top clients included photo shoots for publications the likes of O Magazine, The Source, New York Magazine, V Magazine and retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Macys.com, and Bloomingdales, to name a few.
An internship at The Style Marc (formerly Marc Wilson Design) in 2011 gave way to a full-time role as Event Services Manager. I provided support in re-imagining the brand to include renaming the brand, creating new marketing materials, restructuring the company’s infrastructure, and assisting with the launch of a destination management department. Furthermore, we produced mile-marker events for clients that include Magic Johnson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Essence Magazine, Apollo Theater, Jennifer Lopez, Central Park Conservancy, FIRST Global Events Agency, and more.
In 2014, I became the Director of Special Events at Punto Space – a multi-level, minority women owned venue in the Fashion District. This catapulted my career as I was an integral part in the development of the overall brand from the very beginning. In doing so, I managed and produced events for high-level brands Print the Future, HBO, Netflix, Hulu, and Diageo.
As of 2017, I am the Director of Special Events and Corporate Relations at The City University of New York (CUNY) where I plan and produce high-level events for The Chancellor, Board of Trustees, and our staff including annual Conferences, Receptions, Employee Incentive events, and more.
By night, however, I am out saving the world! I kid, I kid - *discreetly rips white button down and exposes Superman costume*.
In conclusion (as if I were writing a high school paper), I provide Brand Reconstruction and Creative Direction, via my Felix Vargas’ Branding Forward service for niche and emerging brands who would benefit from a concierge style, one-on-one experience.
(Yes, this pic was cropped, and I am going to make it work cause it’s one of my all-time favorite pics of me at my brother’s wedding! Don’t think my friend would be too happy I excluded her).