Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Jo.
Summer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In my younger years I played all types of sports; mainly track and softball. I was also very creative; drawing, painting, designing, photography, and I really enjoyed putting things together from planning events to building projects.
Going into middle school I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, a multi-business owner of a studio gallery, event space, and restaurant. But I didn’t plan out how I just wrote out my dream and designed my first business card for Summer Jo Studios.
Late high school I went through 3 injuries in 1 year and basically retired early as an athlete. I had to put my Olympic dreams to rest but that’s when I found my calling as a sports photographer. In high school, I was also on the Planning Committee for Prom and President of the Art Club, but I couldn’t stay away from sports. I was at every single game with my camera.
Finished out my high school year designing mock Sports Illustrated magazines and my first day of college I introduced myself to the Athletic Dept at GSU. I told them that my dreams were to still make it to the Olympics but as a sports photographer and coordinator.
Throughout college alongside shooting sports, events, and everything in between, I planned events from concert committee, homecoming committee, private parties, and local festivals. What I enjoyed most was creating memorable experiences and capturing the magic.
Summer eats is my community service based social event that is better labeled as my “Cookback”. A term coined during the first event in my living room, as a kickback experience focused on dining while surrounded by positive vibes, music, and libations.
It unexpectedly became super popular and outgrew my living room so I started using different locations to match the next theme. March 2018 this event turned 2, and June 2018, the nonprofit that blossomed from it turned 1. Everyone Eats Foundation developed from the conversations in my living room of how to really get millennials out and ACTUALLY help our communities, more specifically our youth.
During the Cookbacks we’d package meals to deliver to our neighbors in need; those in transition living under bridges and of the sort. We’d also plan events to mentor and give back to students. I really fell in love with everyone who continued to attend Summereatz and volunteer in our community service events, and just being able to orchestrate it all.
Today we’ve fed, entertained, and impacted over 1000 people and my businesses have really leveled up. It’s been a beautiful journey; photographing, feeding, and planning for clients ranging from community to corporate to celebrity. I still have my Olympic dreams; what I’m doing now is on a local scale, and I get watery eyed imagining this on a global scale.
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?
Absolutely not. But what remained consistent was that I never lost faith and steadily believed in the end goal.
1 concussion, 2 burglaries, and many financial losses later, I still look forward to the best that’s yet to come.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Summer Jo Studios story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a professional photographer (sports, food, entertainment), event planner, Creative (ARTrepreneur) and Atlanta Native who founded a nonprofit focused on youth development and millennial engagement.
The Everyone Eats Foundation strives to improve the underserved communities through social experiences and youth programs that highlight Education, Enrichment, and Empowerment.
These experiences, Summereatz for example, grew out of Atlanta and has traveled across the nation and soon to travel overseas. The Summereatz experience is my Cookback and brand for everything food.
Join in on the amazing energy, nutrition, and engaging purpose-built event!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I consider this “luck” faith, and that anything good or bad that happens on my journey, is meant to happen to bring me closer to my end goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.summerjo.studio/
- Email: sjostudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thesummerjo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everyoneeatsfoundation
- Other: @everyoneeats_foundation
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