San Antonio’s Southside is home to a very special community of creators, hard workers, and people that inspire—many of which own small businesses in and around the Southside. Our Southside Makers and Shakers blog series is all about highlighting the people making their mark on SA’s Southside. Each addition to the series offers new insight into the community and the gente that make the Southside so unique. In this blog, we meet Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas employee and the founder of The Parting Planner, Lynn Blanco Pérez.
Interview With Lynn Blanco Pérez
Tell us about yourself.
I have lived in San Antonio my whole life. I grew up on the Southside and graduated from Southwest High School. After moving away for a few years, I eventually made my way back and settled on the Southside. I started working at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas and eventually purchased my first home near our historic Missions. In addition to my position at TMMTX as a Production Control Analyst, I am the Founder of The Parting Planner. I am a proud graduate of UTSA (Go, Runners!). I am also married with four adult children and a toddler. Needless to say, I lead a hectic (and full) life.
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What inspired you to become a business owner on the Southside, and what keeps you motivated to continue your work?
I founded The Parting Planner, an event planning service specializing in celebration of life and memorial services in San Antonio. This venture was motivated by personal experiences of significant losses in my own life, particularly the passing of my father-in-law. Having navigated the process alone, I recognized the need for someone to handle the logistics and arrangements. Thus, I took it upon myself to establish this company. Over time, my platform has expanded to encompass various aspects of commemorating the life of a loved one.
How do you give back to San Antonio, foster collaboration, and build partnerships with other organizations and leaders?
In both my personal life and professional career, I have consistently remained engaged in the community. I take great pride in my roots and possess a genuine dedication to supporting individuals during their most challenging moments. Through The Parting Planner website and our social media channels, I readily share my expertise and resources with the community.
I also currently serve on the board of Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying, where we love and care for people at the end of life at no charge.
Looking to the future, what initiatives or projects are you most excited about, and how do you believe they will benefit our city and its residents?
I am currently relaunching The Parting Planner Podcast as a way to showcase other professionals in the industry and in the community and to open more conversations about death. My hope is to eliminate the stigma that currently exists in our community so that people can speak openly with their families about their wishes.
What makes the Southside unique compared to other parts of San Antonio?
The Southside is unique from other areas in San Antonio because so many of us who live and work here—we’re grown here. Because of this, we care for it as our own. We support and give back to one another because we want this area to continue to thrive for generations to come.
Where can folks find more about The Parting Planner?
@thepartingplanner on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok
Website: thepartingplanner.com
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rUsffNi25D1YnoCTJcw2f