12pm PST LinkedIn HowTo 101 - Michelle Ortiz

Michelle|WeDesign & Senza Fine Events

Born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula I am proud to be a native Californian.  I have lived around the Bay Area as well as San Diego, the Santa Cruz region plus the Big Island of Hawaii and through these nomadic travels I have found that wherever my travels have taken me I am passionate about working with people and of being of service and… in being a part of a warm weather climate!

Studying graphic design and photography at San Jose State University helped me to form a creative eye that trained me with visualization, design, style and planning.  I have been in the hospitality business for 25+ years and love every aspect of it; it's all about creating the guest experience from the moment you enter the space. 

I have two businesses that compliment one another.  Senza Fine Events and Michelle|WeDesign.  In this past year has the work life balance become blurred lines?  What I do with Michelle|WeDesign brings clarity to your home by creating form & function as well as beauty.  Your dining room is no longer an office/study room/break room.  We work together to co-design and I’ll guide you to define the spaces in your home.  

For me there really isn’t a difference between staging for an event or being your home design stylist.  It’s important to create the space and time to celebrate your momentous events in life.

I have included a new extension to my business, Michelle|WeDesign, a home styling service that truly brings a work life balance by creating beauty, form and function together.  For me there really isn’t a difference between staging for an event or being your home design stylist.  It’s important that you are comfortable in your home and find joy in the spaces and when you are celebrating a momentous event in life you will look back and remember how special the event was

My partner Dennis and I have been together for 15 years; he has been a grounding and loving force in my life.  Between the two of us we’ve blended our three sons and one daughter together for one big goofy, fun loving and caring family.  Our kids span the ages between 19-34 years; in our tribe the boys have the girls outranked by 8-14 inches in height!  Getting together for family events has always been paramount to us and blending both of our families (Dennis’s 3 brothers/families & my 5 siblings/families) means that sometimes that dinner table is set for 36+ people.  

I love to travel, cook, entertain, snow ski, golf, hiking, yoga, gardening and sports in general & yes sometimes I can be quite competitive!  Some of my Dot sisters have seen that in action while working out together!  

I enjoy the sisterhood I’ve found in the Polka Dots and love our San Mateo chapter for its support, collaboration and friendships.   In life and in whatever I do I thrive in my work with colleagues, challenges and in a fast paced environment that lends itself to creativity and thinking outside of the box, no mountain is ever too tall! And, life is too short to not dream big and be big.  

Born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula into a family where creative talents runs deep & she is proud to be a native Californian.  Having lived around the Bay Area as well as San Diego, the Santa Cruz region plus the Big Island of Hawaii have taught her that she is passionate about working with people, delicious food, good times and of being of service and… in being a part of a warm weather climate!

Studying graphic design and photography at San Jose State University helped me to form a creative eye that trained me with visualization, design, style and planning.  

While living on the big Island Michelle started her fine dining and catering using fresh local foods I have been in the hospitality business for 25+ years and love every aspect of it; it's all about creating the guest experience from the moment you enter the space.