Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Harris.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started Events that Sparkle in March when COVID and the pandemic began. I was working at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead as event administrative assistant but because of the effects the pandemic had on the hospitality industry, I along with most of my coworkers, was furloughed. I also had two part-time jobs but they were also in the event industry so there wasn’t any work available with them either. Since I’ve always been a workaholic having 3-5 jobs at a time since college, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself in quarantine with basically no jobs. I decided to tackle my event company head-on and host a drive-thru nail event where people can come and get their nails done without leaving their cars. Everything was sanitary and everyone had to wear masks. We even had vendor booths set up.
After that, I tried to come up with other creative ideas and decided to officially register my business and make it legit. I booked two weddings and took a balloon class in May and it’s been uphill from there! I reached out to a few event planners and they have been gracious enough to coach/teach me and I have also been able to help them at events so that I can better learn the industry since I’m coming from more of a corporate background. Recently I have decided that I want to tackle experience packages and rolled out my Cocktails and Conversation Packages with my best friend, Alexis. This is an upscale picnic package and is perfect for any type of celebration (anniversaries, birthdays, gender reveals, proposals, etc.) or for a fun day in the sun.
A little background information about me is that I realized I wanted to do events mid-way in college. I took an Event Management class and the professor showed an Alice and Wonderland themed gala from start to finish and I fell in love. I interned at the Georgia Aquarium with events. I’ve also worked at Buckhead Theater as a Premium Experience Supervisor, Mercedes Benz Stadium as a Premium Host in the field level club (and a few events), Atlanta Sports and Social Club as a Brand Ambassador, Encore Event Technologies at the Onmi Hotel as an Event Concierge, and as a banquet server.
I just finished taking the Event Planning and Management Certification program at KSU’s continuing education department. I started the class the day before I was furloughed and finished in June. The first class was in person and the rest were on zoom so it was very interesting. I was officially let go from Hyatt in June along with many other co-workers but I’ve realized that this was all for the best. I’m doing what I was truly called to do and I have surpassed anything I could have imagined for myself for 2020. It’s only July and I can’t wait to see what else is in store.
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?
I would say that it has and hasn’t been a smooth road. There aren’t enough hours in a day to figure everything out so I’ve been working 24/7. Figuring out pricing right now is the hardest thing for me. I have been undercharging myself but the most important thing is trying to get your name out there! I’m still learning and figuring out a lot of things so I’m sure there will be way more challenges and bumps in the road.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Events That Sparkle is a boutique event planning company. We specialize in event planning and design, as well as experience packages. We do social events, corporate events, weddings, event design, and balloon décor. We also have our upscale picnic package “Cocktails and Conversations.” I am in the works with a wine tasting package and a cocktail creation party package as well.
What set’s us apart from other event planning companies is that we go the extra mile to have experience packages. You are able to book events with us like other companies but we also offer unique/out of the box experiences. We are also able to do balloon décor so its like a two-in-one package!
During this quarantine season and Covid-19 Pandemic, people are forced to cancel large parties and celebrations and we want them to still be able to celebrate in a safer way with the creative packages we have created.
What were you like growing up?
I have always been an upbeat, positive person. I use to be a big ball of energy but I have calmed down. I still get excited easily. I was addicted to doing my nails. I would do my nails every night in middle school to match my outfit the next day and I would also do everyone’s nails in P.E. and other classes in high school. I went to nail school (International School of Skin Nailcare and Massage Therapy) and became a licensed nail tech but I did not pursue anything in that field.
I also played volleyball 6th-11th grade both for my middle and high school as well as various traveling teams. I was in advanced classes from elementary school through high school. I use to love to read. You would never see me without a book. In elementary school, I wanted to be a librarian. In high school, I wanted to be an interior designer and then a criminal profiler. I have always been creative but didn’t realize it until these past few months when my creativity has pushed itself out.
Contact Info:
- Website: events-that-sparkle.com
- Email: jessica@events-that-sparkle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/events.that.sparkle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventsthatsparkleee
Image Credit:
Elevated by CJ
Chad Lawson Photography
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