We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Crystal , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Payce Entertainment came from a blend of personal history, family inspiration, and a deep-seated love for entertaining. The name itself is a testament to my two sons, Payton, who is 14, and Jace, who is 4. Their ten-year age gap inspired the name Payce, symbolizing a blend of their names and the pace at which my life has evolved with them.
About twelve years ago, I first dabbled with this concept under a different name, Pay and Chris Entertainment, combining my name and my firstborn’s. Though I never fully executed it, the seed was planted. This initial attempt, while not fully realized, laid the groundwork for what was to come. Prior to that, my stint as the mascot for Winston-Salem State University profoundly influenced me. Being in that costume, performing during football seasons, parades, and various events, gave me a unique sense of power and joy. The anonymity of the costume allowed me to connect with audiences without any personal barriers, creating pure, joyous interactions.
Fast forward to the present, Payce Entertainment is a realization of my long-held dream to create positive, family-oriented entertainment. Our offerings include a variety of themed paint events such as “Sip and Paint,” “Praise and Paint,” “Juice and Paint,” and “Trap and Paint.” These events are designed to cater to different age groups and interests, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the family. We also provide character appearances at birthday parties, puppet shows, and open mic events for adults. Additionally, we’ve been able to create fun corners for community events, featuring bounce houses, ball pits, and face painting.
One of the core reasons I knew this would be a worthwhile endeavor is my personal experience and passion for family-friendly entertainment. There’s a unique gap in the market for high-quality, positive events that families can enjoy together. Additionally, our adult events are strategically scheduled during day hours, allowing parents like myself to engage in enjoyable activities while still being able to return home to their families at a reasonable hour.
Creating Payce Entertainment wasn’t just about filling a market gap; it was also about actualizing a vision where I could combine my love for performing, my entrepreneurial spirit, and my desire to foster family bonds. Writing down the idea, developing the business plan, and seeing it come to life has been immensely rewarding. One of my proudest achievements is being able to employ people, including my sons, and paying them fairly. My oldest sometimes enjoys wearing the costumes, embodying the spirit of the business and continuing the legacy of joy and performance that started with my mascot days.
In essence, Payce Entertainment is more than a business; it’s a reflection of my journey, my values, and my commitment to creating memorable, positive experiences for families. It’s a realization of dreams old and new, brought to life by the inspiration of my sons and the power of joyful, shared experiences.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who may not have heard about Payce Entertainment before, let me introduce myself and my business. My name is Crystal Williams I’m the CEO of Payce Entertainment, and the journey to establishing Payce Entertainment has been both personal and deeply fulfilling. The inspiration for Payce Entertainment comes from my two sons, Payton and Jace. Their names, combined with the pace at which my life has evolved with them, form the essence of our brand.
I initially ventured into this field over a decade ago with a company named Pay and Chris Entertainment, but it never fully materialized. However, my passion for entertaining and creating joyful experiences didn’t fade. My formative experience as the mascot for Winston-Salem State University left a lasting impact on me. Performing anonymously in the costume gave me a unique sense of power and joy, and I wanted to bring that same feeling to others.
Payce Entertainment is dedicated to creating positive, family-friendly entertainment. We offer a variety of themed paint events such as “Sip and Paint,” “Praise and Paint,” “Juice and Paint,” and “Trap and Paint.” Our services extend to character appearances at birthday parties, puppet shows, and open mic events for adults. We also create fun corners for community events, featuring bounce houses, ball pits, and face painting. Our goal is to cater to different age groups and interests, ensuring there’s something enjoyable for everyone.
What sets Payce Entertainment apart is our commitment to family-friendly activities and our strategic scheduling of adult events during the day, allowing parents to return home to their families at a reasonable hour. We fill a unique gap in the market by offering high-quality, positive events that families can enjoy together.
One of the aspects I’m most proud of is being able to employ people, including my sons, and pay them fairly. This not only supports our community but also instills a sense of responsibility and pride in my children. Seeing an idea written down on paper come to life and being able to provide memorable experiences for families is incredibly rewarding.
The main things I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about Payce Entertainment are our dedication to creating joyful, shared experiences, our wide range of services catering to all ages, and our commitment to fostering family bonds through positive entertainment. We are more than just a business; we are a reflection of my journey, my values, and my passion for creating lasting memories for families.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Launching and growing Payce Entertainment has been an incredible journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. One significant story that stands out involves the initial struggle to gain traction and recognition in the market. When I first started Payce Entertainment, I had a clear vision and a detailed business plan. I knew exactly who my target audience was and the kind of family-friendly entertainment I wanted to provide. However, the journey was not without its obstacles.
In the early days, I faced a lot of rejection. There were countless times when I reached out to potential clients and venues, only to be met with a firm “no.” It was disheartening, to say the least. But through these experiences, I learned an invaluable lesson in resilience. I got comfortable with the word “no” and understood that each rejection was an opportunity to refine my approach and improve my offerings.
One particular incident that tested my resilience was when I pitched a large community event to a prominent local organization. I had prepared meticulously, convinced that this event would be a perfect fit for their audience. However, they turned me down. Instead of letting this setback deter me, I took their feedback to heart, refined my proposal, and sought out smaller events and partnerships. This persistence eventually led to a series of successful community events, which included bounce houses, ball pits, and face painting, cementing our reputation in the local area.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned to be more grateful for the “yes” moments. Each “no” pushed me to work harder, to be more creative, and to stay committed to my vision. I also realized the importance of staying true to my target audience and continuously improving my business plan to better meet their needs.
In the end, those early “no” responses shaped the success we experience today. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of gratitude for every “yes” we receive.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for Payce Entertainment has been word-of-mouth. The positive experiences we’ve created for families have led to enthusiastic recommendations, helping us grow organically. Clients who enjoy our events, from themed paint sessions to character appearances and community fun corners, eagerly share their experiences with others. This genuine, word-of-mouth marketing has been invaluable in building our reputation and expanding our client base.
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