Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Jackson.
Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved to entertain. I have always loved going the extra mile with holiday gatherings and my kid’s birthday parties. I gave my girlfriend a “Tea Party” for her bridal shower and one of her guests asked me if I had ever considered event planning as a career. I told her no, but I was in search of a career at that time. I was in school and my children were very young and my husband was the provider. Then another one of her guests asked me to plan her 50th birthday party in three years!
So I prayed and ask God to show me what He wanted me to do and if this was something I should pursue to show me how because I knew nothing about event planning at this time. That same week, I was driving past Dominquez Hills University and the school marque read big as day…Event Planning Courses Enroll Now!. I did just that. I told Eban, my husband and he said ok. I enrolled in the Event Planning Certificate Program and my eyes were opened to a whole new world of event planning. That was August 2003. March 2004, I opened my business and never looked back. Since then, I have planned weddings, milestone birthday parties, corporate events, non-profit events, and grand openings. I have really enjoyed taking on my client’s dreams and bringing them to reality. I specialize in event design, so those clients that are looking for something unique are a welcomed challenge. Since COVID -19, the event planning industry has come to a halt but is slowly coming back with restrictions and special guidelines, but I have been blessed to pivot into interior decorating. Since my specialty in event planning is event design it has been easy for me to transition into creating homes and spaces that my clients enjoy, can entertain in, and spend time in with their loved ones.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think when you take on the task of being an entrepreneur, you know that there will be challenges. The key is being able to stand through those challenges and not give up. There has been a time that I wanted to give up because business was slow, but my business truly makes me happy and I’m good it! I have a wonderful support system and I have been blessed to be surrounded by like-minded friends and family members so we encourage each other through the process. What I have learned is that you have to continue to move to get where you need to go. There are people to meet, new experiences to learn from, and hurdles to jump. If you give up, you miss out on those situations that make you stronger and get you to the next level. I’m here to move forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Being creative if fabulous. I love how a color, a piece of furniture, a picture can inspire an entire event or space for a client. I specialize in event design. I love listening to my client’s event dreams or even my interior design clients’ space dreams, how they want their guests to feel, what they want them to remember, and create that. Looking at various colors and pairing them, adding texture and different design pieces bring me joy. With event planning as well as interior decorating there is planning involved. Hours of research, shopping, field trips I like to call them when you go out and visit different vendors or find items that will help you develop your client’s event or space. I am proud of being able to make my clients happy. I am proud of not giving up. I am proud of so many of my clients becoming my friends. Professionally, I am proud of speaking at the Special Event in Arizona and competing in tabletop competitions and being a favorite among my peers. Design is a very seasoned industry with lots of great people! It is always an honor to be recognized.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My clients being completely satisfied with the completion of my projects makes me happy. To be able to create an event or space that has never been seen before and was only in the mind of your client is a huge accomplishment and that makes me happy. My family makes me happy. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me make me smile!
Pricing:
- Consultations start at $125/hr
- Event packages start at $2500 for basic coordination
Contact Info:
- Email: jennifer@jjeventsanddesign.com
- Website: www.jjeventsanddesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjevents_design
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jjeventsanddesign
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jjevents_design
Image Credits:
Jordyn Jackson Elroy Mcdaniel
