Meet Ian Ramirez | Opera Singer & Wedding Venue Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ian Ramirez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ian, what matters most to you?
People matter. Relationships are key. At the end of the day, the people in our lives, whether they be friends, family, professional colleagues, or other, and the relations we have with them, are most critical to our success and happiness. We not only lean on others to learn and grow, but the commitment and help we offer them strengthens our community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Major milestones reached in the first phase of my career include completing graduate studies, holding a position a regional opera company (Portland Opera), and singing in the German opera system (Opera Stuttgart), as well as opening my private voice studio. After laying the foundation for my life’s dream, I am now transitioning into the next phase of my career.

Marrying my experience as an opera singer, as well as my position as a Venue Director of a wedding venue, learning a new industry has been my biggest professional challenge thus far. Not one to shy away from a challenge, I immediately dove into all things wedding, reading articles and blogs on trends, attending workshops across the nation, as well as involving myself with local industry leaders and organizations, including the International Live Events Association. In two short years, I have learned an incredible wealth of knowledge from serving as the Venue Director at Madera Estates executing over 150 weddings and events, as well as by attending educational workshops and conferences. So much so that I have been invited as a featured speaker to share my expertise at the Wedding MBA in 2019 and 2020 in Las Vegas, NV.

Harnessing the opportunity to gain business and management experience, I have thrived in in the Venue Director position. Over the past two years, my leadership at Madera Estates has led to a revenue increase from $1.8 million to $2.3 million; the development of a sister company, Madera LUXE; increased visibility through social media, business development, and community involvement; and several awards including The Knot Best of Weddings, Wedding Wire Couples’ Choice Award, Bridal Extravaganza Show Best Wedding North, and the International Live Events Association’s 2018 Best Wedding Award, among others.

In the end, I overcame the fears and challenges of this transition by immersing myself in an industry previously unknown to me and by relying on my skills learned as an opera singer: communication, commitment, the nuances of working as a team, and many more. Through my desire to learn and ability to translate my operatic experiences, I was more prepared for this transitional phase of my career than I thought.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Houston, I would most likely take them to see a few shows at the Alley Theatre or Houston Grand Opera, as well as enjoy some beer or cocktails at local bars and breweries. St. Arnolds and Bar Boheme are definitely at the top of my list.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
From my artistic endeavors to my career as the Co-Owner and Venue Director of Madera Estates, my parents, Kim and Larry Austin, deserve a shoutout! They have not only supported me in all of my goals, but have been instrumental in my success.

Website: www.maderaestates.com

Instagram: @maderaestates

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.co/in/ian-jos%C3%A9-ramirez-2b8a8991/

Twitter: @mymaderaestates

Facebook: @maderaestates

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaderaEstatesWeddingsandEventsConroe

Image Credits
Ian’s Headshot: Ivan Garcia Studio Wedding Images: Ama by Aisha