Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Bonham.
Hi Jenny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Being from Dallas & now living in a smaller city (Beaumont), I like the idea of bringing big city trends to the community. Back in 2017; I spotted a super cute camper trailer that had been retrofitted into a photobooth at a party my high school friend in Dallas was hosting. She had posted a video on Facebook & I instantly fell in love with the camper photobooth idea! I began researching all about vintage campers & photobooths! Within six months, I had purchased & renovated my first Shasta vintage camper! I then started my first go at a photobooth business. For three years, I learned through trial & error what worked for me & what didn’t. Many times I felt I was in way over my head. A few times I thought I was going to give up but I just kept going. I realized my passion was in the decorating side of parties & aiming to create an out the ordinary experience for my clients that held memories to last forever. Over the next few years, I slowly increased in bookings & gained a few clients, all while keeping my full-time job. In March of 2020, at the shutdown, I got so many cancellations & postponements that I knew I needed to pivot my business if it was going to survive. That’s when I discovered these teepee sleepovers & luxury picnics that were popping up in the UK & also in the bigger cities here in the states. So I began researching
these two new party concepts. I soon enrolled in an online course in the Uk for teepee sleepovers! Meanwhile, I enlisted a friend to make some little picnic tables & set out creating picnic parties. I thought it was a win win because I had found a way to bring our community outdoors & still be able to celebrate life’s milestones thru the pandemic. I started posting pictures of my picnics on Instagram & families started booking them! I got busier & busier with my picnics & by June- I was able to quit my day job & go full time with my party business! It took almost a year to begin rolling out my sleepover packages. Since then, I also offer bridal & baby shower rentals. And of course balloons are like the cherry on top to all parties!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
For the most part it’s been amazing & fun! I especially had some bumps in the beginning. For example, I had to learn how to pull a camper trailer. I also had to learn how to operate the camera & photobooth. I had a lot of fear during that first year. To be honest, it was like a paralyzing fear over things like what if I can’t pull camper into the space allotted for event? Or, what if the printer on photobooth jams during the event & I can’t fix it? I also had to keep in mind that whatever I rented it would need to be light enough for me to handle myself. In the beginning, some of my equipment was so heavy that I couldn’t handle it all.
Other struggles along the way have been keeping a good work life balance. It’s true what they say about when you own your own business- your work hours quadruples. For me, being a single mom, I have to make a point to stop working at a certain time & turn on mom mode.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in creating fun & unique pop up parties. I’m known for planning over the top kid’s parties like tiny tent sleepovers, luxury picnics, & fun setups for bridal & baby showers. Also known for my pink Shasta camper Photobooth. I think what sets me apart is that I’ve been able to bring big city party trends to my community.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe investing in a coach, mentor, workshops, & classes is priceless when it comes to growing your business especially when you have discovered how to monetize doing something you love & have a talent for. Networking is key to building credibility & relationships. Investing in BNI a business referral group has helped me get in front of people I would not have been able to alone. Also, the chamber of commerce has been instrumental in helping me grow & meet others.
Pricing:
- Selfie Booth Drop Off – packages from $375
- Camper Photobooth – packages from $515
- Picnic Party – packages from $149
- Tiny Tent Sleepover – packages from $149
- Shower rentals from $95
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@lovebugpartyboutique.com
- Website: www.lovebugpartyboutique.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/lovebugpartyboutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovebugpartyboutique/
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdjN9gPJ/
