Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Reeves.
Summer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always considered myself a creative person. When leaving high school and going into college I started out at the Art Institute of Houston for Interior Design because I wanted to be an Events Designer. However rather than continuing in that direction I instead moved into application and user experience design. Working in that field I’ve had amazing opportunities to learn and do many different things leading me to run an Innovation Center for a large consulting firm. Funny enough, a portion of that job consisted of corporate event design, taking me full circle. While working in that role, I came to know Jessica, one of our owners at Thirteen48. Her and I had a similar passion for the arts and local community. We wanted to find a business opportunity where we could share that passion and our expertise with others. That’s where the idea for Thirteen48 begin.
Jessica had recently gotten married. She had tried to hold her wedding locally in Houston but couldn’t find a venue that catered to micro (under 30 people) weddings with a unique and intimate vibe so she ended up doing a destination wedding. Being creatives ourselves we also knew that there weren’t any great places for artists to hold workshops that provided a location that fit their brand, felt private, and had a reasonable cost structure. While other cities have spaces like Thirteen48, inner Houston really didn’t and we knew that was what we wanted to create.
Finding the right property for this was obviously key. After searching for months and almost buying a couple other property, we finally found Thirteen48 and immediately knew it was meant to be.
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?
Well just as we were looking to open up Covid-19 happened which put that on hold however, we’ve used the opportunity to work on our individual artistic passions and are selling our products on our online Etsy store (Thirteen48 Heights). We’ve also had an opportunity to work on some intimate experience such as a proposal and a one-year anniversary celebration where original plans were disrupted by Covid-19. So, it’s been very rewarding to help our clients still create an amazing experience for their partners in this unprecedented situation.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Thirteen48 is a woman owned Micro Events Venue in the Houston Heights. Our owners Jessica, Pilar, and myself wanted to create a place where creatives like ourselves could come together, share their craft and connect with the local community. Our team purchased our beautiful 1902 property at the end of September and worked for several months to make updates and improvements that highlighted the property’s character, history, and breathtaking beauty.
There’s really no place like it. We felt like there was a gap in Houston for small, unique locations where people could come together to run workshops and throw parties or events for small groups. Our clients can rent individual rooms within the space or our entire venue. Our goal is to create unique, intimate experiences for everyone that we work with so we also provide event design and experience services. We believe that by bringing together creatives and small businesses from across Houston we can create truly unique and wonderful events that you can’t get elsewhere.
What were you like growing up?
I’m the epitome of jack-of-all-trades. I love learning new things and once I learn something I want to move on to the next. Because of this, I have a very wide range of knowledge and skills which has come in very handy in this business endeavor.
I also was quite the entrepreneur as a kid. When I was 8-9, I spent hours removing posters from the middle of a huge box of magazines so that I could sell them at school for 25 cents a piece. When I was 11, I taught reading lessons and for $20 a week taught some neighborhood kids “gymnastics” on my trampoline. Right out of high school I taught myself website design and would design websites for companies. I’ve always loved a challenge and believe that you can do anything if you simply research how and put it into practice.
Pricing:
- Entire Venue – $350 an hour (3 hour minimum)
- Downstairs Only – $225 an hour (3 hour minimum)
- Upstairs Studio – $75 an hour (2 hour minimum)
- Upstairs Lounge – $50 an hour (1 hour minimum)
- Contact us for pricing on Event Design and Experience Services
Contact Info:
- Address: 1348 Heights Blvd, Houston TX 77008
- Website: www.thirteen48.com
- Phone: 832-617-0373
- Email: welcome@thirteen48.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirteen48heights/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thirteen48Heights-100312118027462
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4OI2wzNkOiYVKNG40J4IfA
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