Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Goldklang.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey towards Party Crush began 20 years ago as an executive assistant to two prominent television producers. I thrived in the entertainment industry, inspired by the endless possibility and opportunity to exceed high expectations.
My bosses at the time asked me to plan their children’s birthday parties on the side and I fell in love. Word got around and soon other producers asked me to do the same. Requests kept coming so I left entertainment and started my first business as a party planner.
I taught myself how to cook and bake and learned how to caterer on the job. I really enjoyed every aspect of parties from the food to the decor. It felt like I was in my element.
Eventually, I took some time off to have children but I incorporated my love of entertaining into my family life. My community started to ask me to provide food for events. If I didn’t know how to make something they requested, I figured it out. I grew my culinary expertise until I was ready to launch my second business, a boutique catering company. I specialized in fresh, beautifully presented cuisine and catered all over the greater LA area.
My company was eventually absorbed into a much larger catering company. I took on the role as creative director redesigning food presentation and menus. I learned the ins and outs of large scale parties and found I was drawn to the bigger picture. Clients noticed my creative eye and sought my opinion on vendors, design, and timeline.
Once again, following my instinct, I decided to take a leap and open a full-service event planning company. Several years later, Party Crush continues to be my passion. I wake up every day grateful for my work. I love what I do!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always struggles in business but that is the journey. Accepting that being an entrepreneur is a constant rollercoaster is part of the experience. A good amount of time it’s about weathering the hard days and staying focused on your goals.
I think one of the most prevalent obstacles in owning a business is feeling isolated. In order to counter that I constantly try to meet new people in my line of work to understand what they do and learn about them. I am a HUGE believer in lifting one another up. There is enough work for everyone in this town.
I also made a choice to join a coworking space called The Wing in West Hollywood. The Wing is an amazing environment to take meetings, meet with my staff and also just sit quietly and work on my computer. It’s a wonderful place to glean energy off of the other people around me who are energized and present.
I also hired a team of women who are experts in areas where I tend to fall short. My team consists of incredibly smart and strong managers who challenge me to hustle and grow in the best way.
Also on a minor scale, every single job I complete has a takeaway.
For example, my first party for Party Crush was a gorgeous Bohemian backyard dinner with twinkle lights, leather poufs and Moroccan rugs. My client had requested donuts for dessert and I didn’t think anything of it.
Two days before when I called to place my order and I quickly realized that the party was on National Donut Day. I panicked and called all around coming up short on any donuts. They were sold out in advance everywhere!! Eventually, Donut Snob came to my rescue and I will never forget how grateful I was to them.
I have National Donut Day etched into my annual calendar now!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Party Crush Events story. Tell us more about the business.
Party Crush Events is a full-service event planning company.
We specialize in customized high-end events that highlight creativity, originality, and meaning.
My company has produced corporate events, industry wrap parties, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays, anniversaries and more.
We pride ourselves on personal attention. When we meet with clients we truly get to know who they are. It is important to us that we really hear what they are looking for and what is important to them before we start planning. Sometimes a client knows what they want and often times they do not. Communicating and developing respect and trust is very important to us. We love to get a sense of their style then translate that intrinsically through the party as well.
We feel close to the people we work for and strive to give them the best service anticipating their needs. I personally curate a creative team specifically for each client’s celebration and see everything through from the inception to the last sweep of the broom at party clean up.
One thing I am extremely proud of as a business owner is that I seek out up and coming small businesses to work with regularly. I like to find the future stars, the florists that are making a splash, the caterers that are on the road to success, the designers that are completely tuned in to the trends in our culture. I love supporting people who are at the beginning, rooting them on and watching them grow.
Of course there are some standard industry favorites that I love to work with as well.
I always choose team players without ego who are clear on our mutual goals and will do whatever it takes to create a successful event.
I also believe that the passion and optimistic energy I bring to the table is a positive attribute. I always come with a smile and brimming with excitement about what we are doing.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I know for certain that our job as human beings in life and in work is to put good out into the world.
My philosophy has always been to lead with an open heart in acceptance and kindness. I teach my daughters that as well. When you believe in positive intention and you have no expectations in return, magic tends to find its way to you.
Perhaps that magic can be interpreted as luck.
I also believe that goodness is everywhere in our world we just have to open up our eyes to see it. We have to practice by noticing the small things,
Rather than luck, I would say gratitude and good-hearted intentions have brought me wonderful gifts in my life.
Its all about perspective.
The bottom line with business is hard work. not giving up and being passionate about what you do. That has more weight than any luck.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.partycrushevents.com
- Phone: 3107797976
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partycrushevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partycrusheventsLA/
Image Credit:
for the bohemian tent, tables cape and van (Love Bucket Photo)
for the colorful mitzvah (Per Pixel Photography
for the image of me (Mary Costa Photography)
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