Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonitra Smith.
Jonitra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The way that I started my business dates back to when I was in elementary school. It’s a simple story of me just playing on Microsoft Powerpoint when I went to computer class. This is back when clip art had a huge amount of random yet basic pictures. Whoever had the pleasure of sitting next to me in that class got a chance to have me plan their wedding on PowerPoint with those very simple clip art pictures. This was not in any way professional or realistic but as a child, it was my first real dream.
As I moved through life and grew up, I would tell a few people about it, but the ones that I told were not to positive about it as a whole. Many said that there was no money in it or that it would always be a struggle. And, I listened to them and looked for other possible career choices. I looked into almost all that might fit me. I like math, I looked in to being an accountant. I was involved in theater, so I went to school for that. Everything I tried felt like I was pushing against a brick wall trying to get it to move.
Finally, someone showed me the light. My mom, she took a leap and started several businesses all within a few years. She showed me that it is okay to take a leap for what I truly want at any age. Watching her made me realize that I could do it too. I knew that it was not going to be an easy task with my current experience level. But, at the beginning of this year, I took my leap and I am not going to look back.
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?
There have been plenty of struggles one them is that all of my experience was so long ago in planning school Halloween parties and only one Wedding. So, pushing past that has been difficult but I’m trying to move them and in doing so has taught me the true meaning of perseverance. Being okay with people telling me “no” and still trying still getting up and telling myself that its “okay” and trying again day after day.
But, despite that I planned a baby shower this past summer I have also booked a few wedding in this coming year (2019,) I’m going to keep pushing until I am exactly where I want to be in life with my business. It might take me a while to get there but this journey has me happy and excited for the first time in a while.
I would tell any woman do not the be afraid to take that first step and not to listen to people who tell you can’t do it and it won’t work. You really don’t know what you are capable of or who is really rooting for you until you take your first step to do what you love.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Faryl’s Events story. Tell us more about the business.
Faryl’s Events is an event planning and coordination company that specializes in social event. Such as; wedding, birthdays and, baby showers.
We pride ourselves on allowing the bride and groom, the bridal party or host of an event to be a guest at there wedding or event.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I found my mentor in the most amazing way. I went to a wedding show with no idea what I should do, how I should, or anything else. I was just shooting darts in the dark and hoping to hit a bulls-eye.
That’s when I met this wonderful husband and wife team at Franny’s Bartending. Fran basically told me what I was doing good, what was not so helpful at the moment, and what I shouldn’t do at all.
She has helped me so much since then. She has taken me to meet other vendors. Given me advice on how to get clients and so much more. She truly is a blessing in my life.
What really worked well for me is listening to people who are trying to help me. Learning from every “no” that I receive to make a better decision. A failure is not really a failure it’s just something you need to learn from.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.www.farylsevents.com
- Phone: 281-967-2142
- Email: info@farylsevents.com
- Instagram: Farylsevents
- Facebook: Faryl’s Events llc
Image Credit:
Capture the moment photobooth
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