Hi, I'm Sammy

Happy Birthday Jackson & June Events!

In honor of Jackson & June Events turning 1 last week (yes, I missed my own business’s anniversary- that’s how crazy of a week it was), I want to tell you guys a little bit about where we’ve been and where we’re going. So let’s start from the beginning…

Where We’ve Been:

When we found out we were moving to Tampa in 2018, I had been working in corporate events and recruiting at Emory Healthcare for about 4 years, had been assisting a wedding planner friend on the weekends, and had just planned our wedding- I was basically living and breathing events, and I LOVED it. So when we got to Tampa (and I was unemployed) I decided this was what I wanted to pursue. I applied for countless event positions at hotels, hospitals, and event spaces annnndddd nothing. I didn’t hear back from anyone. Needless to say I was discouraged. I had moved to a new state, set my sites on a career change, and I was getting zero feedback. I was starting to wonder if this goal shift was even the right decision. 

About a month after we moved, my Paw Paw unexpectedly passed away. I then spent the next 3 weeks with my family and grandma (unemployment gave me the freedom to do this). During those 3 weeks I thought and reflected A LOT. And one afternoon, standing in my Paw Paw’s workshop wondering what in the world I was going to do when I got back to Florida, it hit me: I was on the right track with weddings and events –  I just needed to create an opportunity for myself.  

So on the flight back to Tampa, I started making plans. 

Jackson & June Events was born just a few weeks later. You can read about how I came up with the name here! 

How We Got Started:

I started by launching an Etsy store (featuring wedding calligraphy & signage) to get my feet wet with business and to see if I even liked the business aspects. I was hooked immediately. I think I listened to every business Podcast (Goal Digger , Entreleadership, The Business Boutique, and The Rise Podcast just to name a few) you can think of and read a few business books to try and come up with a business plan. And to my surprise, I did. I planned to keep selling the Etsy items to practice business concepts, and to grow a small following on Instagram & Facebook, then eventually transition to offering wedding planning services.

After a few months, I was ready. I started the transition by launching and publishing on the blog. When I posted a new calligraphy product, I would include a wedding planning tip or two, then eventually started writing entire blog posts about wedding planning. After a few months of stocking the blog and gauging interest on social media, I pushed it out into the world that I was going to start offering wedding planning services. And by George if I didn’t get my first inquiry a few weeks later. 

Since that first inquiry I’ve booked 23 weddings. 

The past year has been filled with so many things: the birth of the business, basically giving myself a mini MBA through podcasts and books, a move back to Georgia, job changes, and an extremely full calendar. And although we’re not quite where I want to be, I’m thankful for the strides and impacts we’ve made so far. It brings me joy to work with the most precious couples through planning, and to be able to help those I’ve never met through the blog. Although the blog started as a way to supplement and build the business, and it’s A LOT of extra work, I don’t think I’ll ever give up that part of the business. It helps me document things that I’m learning on the job and hopefully helps a couple or 2 focus more on the joy of engagement and wedding planning rather than the stress- which is really the point of all of this. 

Where We’re Going

So now that you know where the business has been over the past year, I want to share where we want to go. 

Right now I’m still working a 9-5 job at The Thompson House & Gardens as a Venue Manager. The owner has been kind enough to give me this opportunity (and a paycheck) while I’m building Jackson & June Events. She also lets me “pitch” my wedding planning services to new couples at Thompson House – which is huge. And while I’m doing a lot of coordinating there, I love working weddings at new venues and traveling to different places for weddings (Alex and I usually make a little weekend out of it). By the way, one of the places on my “to work” wish list is Savannah if anyone needs a wedding planner there! 🙂

Our Number 1 Goal:

Over the next year I hope to be able to take Jackson & June Events full time. I feel like things are going super well as they are, but I know I could pour SO much more into each of our couples if I had more time to dedicate to them. We are in the process of planning and getting our finances in the right spot for this right now!

Our Number 2 Goal:

Our second biggest goal for the next year (or 2) is to hire a team. It’s so wonderful that Alex and I get to work on this thing together, but it is an absolute dream of mine to lead and serve a small team of associate planners and business geniuses. Having a team would allow us to not only serve more couples, but also to create a community/family of strong, kind, and empowered women (and maybe a few guys). That idea lights a little fire in my heart. 

Right now we are in a serious season of growth, but I can see these goals and have no doubt we’re going to get there. I can’t wait to take you guys along for the ride! 

Happy Wedding Planning!
Xoxo,
Sammy

Interested in having the Jackson & June Events team coordinate, design, or plan your wedding? Find out more info here!