We recently connected with Paige Jenkins and have shared our conversation below.

Paige, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

As the Event Specialist at the Foundry Art Centre, my role involves wearing many hats. I manage the rental spaces such as the Grand Hall, East Gallery, Studio 1, and Bridal Suite for a variety of events, including weddings, private parties, corporate functions, and fundraisers.

Learning to manage a venue effectively required a lot of trial and error initially. However, I found that building connections with others in the industry significantly sped up my learning process. Networking with caterers, photographers, planners, and florists gave me valuable insights and helped me refine my approach. These relationships were instrumental to my growth and success in this role.

The most essential skill for working in venue rentals is flexibility. The ability to adapt quickly, solve problems efficiently, and maintain a positive attitude is crucial for creating a stress-free experience for clients and ensuring events run smoothly.

Paige, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Paige Jenkins, and I have been the Event Specialist at the Foundry Art Centre since September 2021. The Foundry is a unique venue with a rich history, located in a 1920s building that once served as a train car factory owned by American Car & Foundry. Instead of demolishing the 36,800-square-foot structure, the St. Charles community came together to fund a $2.2 million renovation. In the spring of 2004, the building reopened as the region’s premier interactive and interdisciplinary art center.

The Foundry’s main floor features the Grand Hall, which is our primary event rental space, as well as the Main Galleries, East Gallery, Baue Family Children’s Gallery, and the Foundry Gift Shop. The artwork in these spaces rotates regularly, ensuring there’s always something new for visitors to enjoy. On the mezzanine level, we host 14 studio artists who maintain active studio practices. Visitors are welcome to explore their work, and many of these artists offer classes and workshops to the community.

As the Event Specialist, I help clients bring their visions to life by renting out our unique spaces for weddings, private parties, corporate events, fundraisers, and more. My responsibilities include giving tours, assisting clients in creating custom floor plans and timelines, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring that events run seamlessly from start to finish. My background as a teacher has equipped me with strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail—both of which are essential in this role.

Growing up in nearby St. Peters, I’ve always felt a deep connection to St. Charles. Working at the Foundry has only strengthened my love for this incredible city. I’m proud to play a role in preserving its history while creating memorable experiences for our clients and community.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

As the common saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I believe the best source of new clients comes from reviews, word-of-mouth, and networking. When clients have a positive experience with us, they naturally share it with their friends, family, and colleagues, which creates a ripple effect of trust and interest. A heartfelt recommendation from someone they know carries more weight than any advertisement ever could.
Word-of-mouth referrals often come from satisfied clients who not only appreciate the service they received but also feel confident that we can deliver the same experience to others. For instance, a couple who holds their wedding at our venue might tell their friends about how smooth and stress-free the process was, which could lead to another couple booking their big day with us. This personal connection fosters trust before we’ve even had the chance to meet the new client.

In addition to word-of-mouth, online reviews are another critical factor. People often rely on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media to make decisions, and positive feedback shared by happy clients can be the deciding factor for someone choosing to work with us. This is why I always strive to provide the kind of service that encourages clients to leave glowing reviews and share their experiences publicly.

Networking is equally vital in expanding our client base. By building relationships with other professionals in the industry—such as caterers, photographers, planners, and florists—we create a network of trusted collaborators who refer clients to us. These relationships are mutually beneficial because they allow us to recommend trusted vendors to our clients, ensuring their events are seamless from start to finish.

Ultimately, what sets word-of-mouth and networking apart as client sources is the element of trust they build. People feel more confident choosing our services when they hear about us from someone they know or respect. For this reason, I’m always mindful of how every interaction, whether with clients or industry professionals, shapes our reputation and our ability to grow.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Building an effective and efficient team doesn’t happen overnight—it requires consistent effort and thoughtful leadership. To successfully manage a team and maintain high morale, I focus on a few key principles. Communication is essential; keeping an open line of dialogue ensures that everyone feels heard and informed. Empowering team members by encouraging them to ask for help when needed and offering support fosters trust and collaboration. Leading by example sets the tone for the team, demonstrating the standards and values you want to uphold. It’s also important to celebrate one another and acknowledge achievements, both big and small. Together, these elements form the foundation of a strong, cohesive team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://foundryartcentre.org/venue-rental-info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundryartcentre/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundryArtCentre
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-jenkins-9b81351b4

Image Credits

Bethany & Zack Photography
Chloe Yacapraro Photography
Decisive Moments Photography
Emily Nicole Photography
Jessica Lauren Photography
Sweet Smiles by Sarah Michelle
The Marions Photography
View My Space by Mike Lahm