Betting on Herself: How Jean Cabrera Mendoza Built Party Gal Rentals

Jean Cabrera Mendoza has a simple philosophy about entrepreneurship: Bet on yourself.

That philosophy has helped the Rochester native turn a longtime love of parties, decorating and bringing people together into Party Gal Rentals, a growing event rental and coordination business serving weddings, community celebrations, corporate events and private gatherings throughout the region.

Since launching Party Gal Rentals in June 2023, Cabrera Mendoza has built an extensive inventory of event items like tents and bounce houses designed to bring celebrations of all kinds to life.

But for Cabrera Mendoza, the business is about much more than renting equipment. It’s about helping people create moments that matter.

A Love of Celebrating

Cabrera Mendoza has loved planning and decorating parties since she was a child. As she got older, she and her sister became known for throwing elaborate private events for 100 or more people, including birthdays, Christmas gatherings and Halloween parties.

“I loved building parties since I was a child,” she says. “Getting things together, decorating and getting creative — that’s really what drew me in.”

The sisters jokingly called themselves “Party Gals,” and the name eventually stuck.

But Cabrera Mendoza took an unconventional route to turning that passion into a career. She worked at LensCrafters beginning at age 17, later became a surgical technician at Mayo Clinic and then moved into customer service at Think Bank.

Along the way, she built Party Gal Rentals on the side. Eventually, she decided it was time to see whether she could make it on her own.

So she made the leap — and never looked back.

Building a One-Stop Shop

Today, Party Gal Rentals is part rental company, part creative partner and increasingly, part event coordinator.

Clients might come to Cabrera Mendoza knowing exactly what they need — or simply carrying a few inspiration photos and an idea. She asks about the number of guests, location and desired atmosphere, then helps bring the pieces together through her own inventory or connections with other local businesses.

“I like to make it as affordable and convenient as possible,” she says.

Her inventory has grown considerably, giving Party Gal Rentals the flexibility to serve everything from intimate private gatherings to large community events.

Even more impressive to Cabrera Mendoza is how she acquired it all.

“I don’t owe anything on all those supplies,” she says. “I don’t owe anyone a dime. I’m so proud of myself. I fully funded it myself. I took a risk. I bet on myself.”

Becoming Part of the Moment

Party Gal Rentals now works on roughly nine or 10 events in a typical month, with weddings, corporate gatherings, private parties and community events making up much of the business.

Cabrera Mendoza is especially active in community celebrations. For three years, she has participated in Rochester's Back to School Celebration at Soldiers Field, and Party Gal Rentals has supported similar events in surrounding communities. She also provides tables for Latino Fest and works with other organizations throughout the region.

One of her favorite recent events was a masquerade celebration organized by Somos Latinos, a Mayo Clinic employee group. She helped create a red-carpet experience, providing backdrops and a photo booth.

Other events carry a different kind of significance. Cabrera Mendoza recalls receiving a last-minute rental request for a memorial and being able to quickly accommodate the family.

Experiences like those remind her that what she provides is more than equipment.

“People are trusting me with very special moments,” she says.

The Pressure Behind the Parties

During peak season, Cabrera Mendoza estimates she works about 60 hours a week. Her event week often begins Wednesday and doesn't end until Monday. When she's not delivering, setting up or tearing down events, she's managing inventory, billing, marketing, social media and the many other responsibilities of running a business.

There are also problems that require quick decisions. Weather changes. Equipment breaks. Plans shift.

Cabrera Mendoza recalls one event where a tent was accidentally moved by a client when it shouldn't have been, resulting in damage. Her priority was to solve the immediate problem, get the event back on track and deal with insurance and billing afterward.

“Every moment matters,” she says.

Yet the logistical challenges aren't what she considers the hardest part of entrepreneurship. It's the internal pressure.

“That's my biggest battle,” she says. “Am I doing enough? Is it working?”

The continued growth of Party Gal Rentals is helping quiet those doubts.

Building What Comes Next

Word of mouth has been the biggest driver of Party Gal Rentals' growth. Cabrera Mendoza doesn't pay for advertising; customers who trust her recommend her to others.

Now she's looking at what's next.

Party Gal Rentals' busiest season runs roughly March through October. Cabrera Mendoza is working to grow the event-coordination side of the company, which she sees as an opportunity to expand the business during the slower months.

She's also continuing to build her own skills. Owning Party Gal Rentals inspired her to go back to school to study marketing.

For someone who has dreamed of owning a business for years, the hard work feels worthwhile.

“I always knew I was going to be a businesswoman,” she says.

She remembers telling a teacher at Rochester's John Marshall High School that she would own a business someday. Years later, when she announced she was opening Party Gal Rentals, that teacher reached out to congratulate her.

“Do It”

Cabrera Mendoza is particularly passionate about encouraging other women to pursue entrepreneurship.

Her advice isn't complicated.

“Do it!” she says. “Start now. It's never too late. I believe women should open their own businesses, no matter how small. If you have a hobby you enjoy, open a business. Don't hesitate. Go for it. Have faith in yourself.”

She also rejects the idea that entrepreneurs have to view one another primarily as competitors. Cabrera Mendoza regularly collaborates with other business owners, shares resources and refers clients when someone else can better meet their needs.

Her philosophy comes from a Spanish saying she paraphrases this way:

“There’s enough sunshine for everyone.”

Cabrera Mendoza is proof of what can happen when you step into it — and bet on yourself.