At only 26 years-old, Omar Lopez is doing something so out of the business norm and personally rewarding that you can’t help but want to learn more about this rising star. Omar, President and CEO of Marriagenyc, Inc., is utilizing his knowledge about the strict rules and regulations of obtaining a marriage license, his bilingual talents and his skill set in wedding services to become a top New York destination for wedding ceremonies catering to the Latino community. As an ordained Minister, Omar spends his waking hours juggling as many as 5+ weddings in a day. How does this entrepreneurial Minister make it happen? Like every other successful young professional commitment, passion and a good sense of time management. Learn more about his passion and zest for his work as we interview him in this week’s Young & Professional Profile.
Hofstra University, BS in Business Computer Information Systems (2004)
Work Experience
Registered Marriage Officiant for Marriagenyc, Inc. since 2005
Performed 105 wedding ceremonies in 2005 alone.
2006 Officiant for The Wedding of the Year(TM) by www.NYCityweddings.com
Ethnicity
Puerto Rican
About the company
Marriagenyc, Inc. is New York’s # 1 site for Bilingual Wedding Ceremonies catering to the Latino community. I help the bride and groom customize their wedding vows according to their unique personality. I conduct the wedding services as well as guide them in the process of obtaining the much needed marriage license.
Most notable milestones
Starting my own business just 1 year after graduating college at 25. I was also selected to perform The Wedding of the Year(TM) hosted by NYCityweddings and LIweddings.com. Also, I have performed over 105 wedding ceremonies in 2005 alone.
What’s the niche?
Besides my personality, I know the ins and outs about the strict marriage rules and regulations in the State of New York. It also helps that I am bilingual and can perform the wedding ceremonies in Spanish or English. I am currently working on “other” languages.
What’s the biggest challenge?
TIME MANAGEMENT! Trying to manage 5 plus weddings in one day when there are so many factors that you cannot control. For example: Traffic in NYC!
What’s in store for the future?
Expanding to full wedding planning services, again, catering to the ever growing Latino community here in New York and hopefully New Jersey and Connecticut.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
Seasoned vendors in the wedding industry that can help my business grow.
Keep learning about your desired field of interest. Even after years of experience, you never stop learning about the changing developments in the wedding business.
Guiding principle in life
Being available to the Latino brides that felt that there was no one out there that can perform their wedding ceremony at their desired location, in their language.
Yardstick of success
The wonderful testimonials from the couples who I’ve married.
Goal yet to be achieved
To perform a Latino Celebrity wedding (hehe).
Best practical advice
Do not give up. Remember you have to spend money, to make money.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
“Work harder then the average person and believe in your skills”
Mentor
My fiancée -; an established attorney.
What motivated you to get started?
I always wanted to own a business especially studying it on college. I saw an opportunity and I took it!
What keeps you motivated?
The potential growth of the unique business that I am in.
Like best about what you do?
Being able to witness such an emotional part in the couple’s lives and being a part of it.
Like least about what you do?
Budgeting the time. Weddings are unpredictable!
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Indy 500 race car driver. My mother always told me I had a “heavy foot”;.
What was your first job?
I was a paperboy at the age of 15. Saved my money and bought my first sports car. Though I couldn’t drive it until I was 16.
Biggest pastime outside of work
Venturing out to see all NYC has to offer in fine dining. I am my own critic.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Although he is not alive, he was Puerto Rico’s “Simon Bolivar”.
Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?
Bill Gates. He started his own business which is now an empire. I could use a few pointers.
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. English is my 2nd language (when most Latino-Americans have English as their 1st language)
2. I am a Minister.
3. I am planning my own wedding which is not easy at all even being in the business.
Three characteristics that describe you
1. Determined
2. Disciplined
3. Creative
These are all equally important when it comes down to what you need to succeed.
Three greatest passions
I would have to say that I have a passion in continuing dedication to helping minorities. The second would be my creativity; I strive to find ways to do things different from the traditional concept of marriage. The third would be my passion to study the structure of business and how it works so I can improve it.
Favorite book
“One hundred years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – great to re-read.
Favorite cause
Pan Americanism – movement toward commercial, social, economic, military, and political cooperation among the nations of North, Central, and South America.
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