Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jes Smith-Presley of Marietta

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jes Smith-Presley. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Jes, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m very intentional about how I start my day. I truly believe the way you begin anything sets the tone for how you finish it. Before my feet ever hit the floor, I take a moment to give thanks to God the Creator for another day and ask for covering and protection over my family. That quiet pause helps ground me before the pace of the day takes over.

Once I complete my personal care routine, I make it a priority to put something on my stomach. As an event planner, I know first-hand how long days can stretch and skipping meals is a quick way to lose focus and energy. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love a good fruit smoothie with bananas and almonds, or hot green tea paired with a granola bar or a boiled egg. It’s simple, nourishing, and keeps me going.

It took me a long time to fully appreciate how important breakfast is, but I now see how it truly fuels me and give me energy for the day, sharpens mental clarity and helps maintain balance throughout the day. Those first 90 minutes are about alignment, intention, and nourishment which help aligns my day to show up fully for my clients and do what I love most at Events by Jes, Transforming Visions into Reality.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jes, Founder and Lead Planner of Events by Jes, a family-owned wedding and event planning company proudly serving Georgia and the Southeast since 2015. What began as a passion for thoughtful design, organization, and meaningful moments has grown into a trusted brand known for intentional planning, refined execution, and heart-led service. At Events by Jes, we specialize in Transforming Visions Into Reality by creating elevated experiences that feel personal, seamless, and well-executed across weddings, social celebrations, and corporate events.

While weddings are at the heart of what we do, our expertise extends to milestone social events and corporate experiences where precision, professionalism, and presentation matter just as much. From birthdays and anniversaries to brand activations, galas, and corporate gatherings, we approach every event like a live production. There are no rewinds, no pauses, and no room for guesswork. Our team manages logistics, timelines, vendors, and guest flow with clarity and care, allowing hosts and organizations to remain fully present and confident in the experience being delivered.

What truly sets our brand apart is the balance of structure and soul. I bring a calm presence, a sharp eye for detail, and just enough personality to keep the process honest, joyful, and grounded. Whether we are celebrating love, honoring milestones, or supporting business objectives, our goal remains the same: to protect the vision, elevate the experience, and deliver events that feel intentional, polished, and unforgettable.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband, Nathan Presley, saw me clearly long before Events by Jes had a name, a logo, or a client list. He recognized my ability to organize chaos, lead with calm, and bring people together in meaningful ways, even when I dismissed those qualities as simply “helping” or doing what came naturally. He encouraged me to stop minimizing my gifts and start honoring them.

His belief in me went beyond words. Nathan believed in my vision so deeply that he put his money where his mouth was and provided the starting capital that allowed me to launch Events by Jes. That act of faith gave me the confidence to trust myself, step into ownership, and build something real and sustainable. The foundation of Events by Jes is rooted not only in creativity and excellence, but in partnership, trust, and the power of being seen and supported before you fully see yourself.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
At forty, I made a conscious decision to stop carrying fears that were never mine to begin with (funny, how we all tend to carry others’ fears). I realized I had spent years absorbing the worries, expectations, and limitations of others, and it was costing me peace, health, and authenticity. That was the moment I chose to show up fully as myself, embracing my quirky, nerdy nature without apology and without concern for how it might be received.

I’ve always been a crybaby, and I say that with confidence and clarity. I cry when I’m happy, overwhelmed, inspired, confused, watching a movie, listening to someone else’s story, or simply releasing emotion. My tears have never been a weakness. They are my body’s way of processing, healing, and resetting. I’ve lived with myself for forty-five years, and I’ve learned that release is essential to my well-being.

That truth became even clearer during a recent doctor’s visit when stress showed up physically in a way it never had before. In a moment of honesty, I shared my concerns about my children starting school and the responsibility of getting my business back on track. I cried briefly, not from fear, but from release. Within minutes, my body responded, reminding me that acknowledging emotion is healthier than suppressing it.

Pain became power when I stopped judging how I process life and started honoring who I am. As my father, Vernon Smith, recently reminded me, “You are chosen.” I believe that deeply. Learning to release, trusting how God uniquely designed me, and caring less about the opinions of others has allowed me to lead, love, and live with greater clarity and strength.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. What you see is what you get because I genuinely do not know how to be anyone other than “JES ME”. I’m a sensitive soul with a deep yearning for growth, joy, and peace, and I decided a long time ago that pretending was above my pay grade. Some people are masters at code switching. I always wondered why authentically being me was somehow not enough.

Code switching is the practice of altering your language, tone, behavior, or personality to fit into different environments, often to make others more comfortable or to avoid judgment. While it can be a survival tool in certain spaces, I’ve never believed it should be a permanent way of life. Constantly adjusting yourself teaches people how to treat a version of you that doesn’t actually exist.

I’m against living in performance mode because if I’m always fitting in, no one ever gets to truly know me. How can anyone respect my boundaries, value my voice, or trust my leadership if I only show up as what I think you want? I’m not here to audition for approval. I’m here to occupy my space with intentional alignment.

I believe we are all pieces of a much bigger puzzle. Every curve, edge, and hook serves a purpose, and mine fits exactly as designed. So yes, the public version of me is the real me: fully present, occasionally emotional, unapologetically honest, and absolutely ready to set the stage for authenticity.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say she loved hard. Like, no toe-dipping, no half-hearted, “let me see how this goes” kind of love. I mean the kind of love that shows up, stands up, speaks up, and still believes in people even when they make it hard. I hope they say she fought for justice for all, even when it wasn’t popular, convenient, or profitable.

I want them to say I never let anyone talk me out of my dreams, not fear, not critics, not timing, and definitely not other people’s limitations masquerading as advice. I lived my life out loud, learned in real time, and used every lesson, every mistake, and every victory as a tool to uplift somebody else: no gatekeeping, no pretending like I had it all figured out – just real life, real growth, real impact.

If they laugh a little while telling my story, even better. I hope they say she made room at the table, pulled up extra chairs, and reminded people of their worth simply by being herself. If someone says, “I’m braver, kinder, or more honest because I knew her,” then that’s the legacy. That’s the headline. Everything else is just fine print.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eventsbyjes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbyjes/reels/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smith-presley-pmp-cmp-14316850
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpresley.003/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/events-by-jes-wedding-event-planner-marietta
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uu6xTe5wlQB-idBtKrETA
• Other: TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventsbyjes

Image Credits
B. Rich Photography
LaJoy Photography
Charismatic Films