Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Granert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Gina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting my luxury picnic business First Coast Picnics, in the middle of Covid. This idea started more as a creative outlet than a business plan.

I have a stable full-time career in healthcare, so stepping into something new during that time came with a lot of unknowns. In the beginning, there were a lot of unknowns. Would people actually book this? Would they see the value in it? Could I balance a full-time job, family life, and growing something from scratch? I remember investing my own money into setups, props, and inventory before I even had consistent clients. It definitely felt like a leap.

What started as a small creative outlet quickly grew into something much bigger. People were craving connection, and I was able to provide that through curated, intimate experiences.

Looking back, it was a risk—but also the best decision I could have made. It taught me that sometimes you don’t wait for the perfect moment… you create it.

Gina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the owner and creative behind First Coast Picnics, a luxury picnic and event styling company based in Northeast Florida. I saw an opportunity to create elevated experiences that allowed people to celebrate in a more intimate and thoughtful setting.

We specialize in luxury picnics, proposals, birthdays, anniversaries, micro-events, and custom tablescapes.

What sets us apart is the level of detail and intention behind every design. It’s not just about a picnic—it’s about creating a moment.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience organically by consistently sharing my work. In the beginning, I partnered with content creators, collaborated with local vendors to do giveaways and styled shoots which helped introduce my brand to new audiences and build early visibility.

As I continued posting, some of my content started gaining traction, and a few videos went viral with millions of views. That momentum helped grow my audience to over 100K on Instagram, along with a growing presence on Facebook and TikTok. But what really made the difference wasn’t just going viral-it was consistency. I kept showing up, even when engagement was low in the beginning.

My advice for anyone just starting is to stay consistent, collaborate when you can, and don’t be afraid to put your work out there.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been word of mouth and client referrals. Also, having a strong social media presence helps. When you create a great experience, people naturally share it, and that’s been invaluable for my business.

I’ve also focused on building a strong presence on Google with consistent 5-star reviews, which helps establish trust and credibility with new clients. Between referrals, repeat clients, and online reviews, most of my growth has been organic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.firstcoastpicnics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstcoastpicnics?igsh=MTI2Ym16Yzh5MXY4dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FGgzUkcWY/?mibextid=wwXIfr