We were lucky to catch up with Barney Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Barney, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

There are times when you follow and support the vision of others but then there’s a moment when it’s time to follow your own dreams and desires. James Baldwin said, “You have to go the way your blood beats. If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life, you won’t live any life at all.”

After creating and executing faith-based events over the years for my local church, I started to think about what impact I could have by sharing all I had learned with the world through the event planning industry. I started purchasing event planner books, talking to my village about the idea to explore the event planning industry and researching the various types of events only to find myself in an overwhelmed space. This process was not a quick one. Over several months, I experienced discouragement, hesitation and second guessing if I should continue pursuing or just let this idea die. In 2014, my journey brought me to Clayton State University in Professor Qualena Odom Royes’ Meeting and Event Planning Certification program, where I learned the foundational skills for event professionals. It was in this program that I learned how to conduct event SWOT analysis, industry trends and terms, event pricing, event contracts and so much more. This class, this instructor, this moment was exactly what I needed; I had found the missing piece that I needed to officially start my event planning journey. After many assignments and volunteer hours, I completed the program as a Certified Meeting and Event Planning Professional in the fall of 2014. Through this program, I also became a member of ILEA (The International Live Events Association). On May 15, 2015 (05.15.15 – notice the numbers), I launched Vision Essentials Event Planning Firm surrounded by my village at 5:05pm. It’s amazing how God orders our steps even when we don’t realize what He’s up to. This was just the first step!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am an experienced Event Planner committed to enhancing lives one action at a time. Also, I am a newly acclaimed Author of a motivational journal entitled, “Breakfast with Barney” (that can be purchased on my website or Amazon). I am a connector of people, who enjoys creating opportunities for individuals to grow and serve in their communities and daily lives. My passion and personal experiences with philanthropic events for non-profits such as, cancer awareness and healthy lifestyles, drive me to find innovative ways to increase consciousness of its many forms.

I’m an enthusiastic and innovative professional with extensive experience in event planning and management. I’m passionate about event planning and will tap into my knowledge of the industry to develop, coordinate, and manage weddings, social, faith-based, and corporate events.

I am devoted to meeting the needs of my clients and specialize in bringing innovative, out-of-the-box dreams to fruition. Since realizing my passion, I have found professional success at a high level, working with such organizations and venues as Atlanta City Hall, Zoo Atlanta, The CNN Center, Southern Company, The Historic Martin Luther King Jr. Center, The Atlanta History Center, and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Counsel. My vision has to be a trendsetter. Unapologetically taking on what others hesitate or dare not to try. Most recently, I planned and executed our companies first international wedding at the Royal Mykonian Resort in Mykonos, Greece. I was also the chief planner for the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta’s first same sex wedding, which was featured in Modern Luxury Magazine for my extraordinary commitment to the community and event detail.

I have planned hundreds of events domestically and internationally. Such events as the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Salute to Greatness awards, Every Color Matters Cancer Awareness Gala and Auction, the 92nd Birthday celebration honoring Christine King Farris (the sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) and to name a few.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele for me has been simple and challenging at the same time; execute every event knowing that I’m being interviewed for the next one. Word of mouth has always been the best marketer in my opinion. Eighty percent of my clients are referrals from previous and existing clients. I think Walt Disney said it best, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.”

Have you ever had to pivot?

The past 2 ½ years have been like riding a rollercoaster because of Covid-19 and even the injustice movement for small business owners. Events were halted, postponed, reactivated, and then cancelled again. We’ve had to amend event contracts to include covid and security clauses that protected the client and our business. However, it has taught me patience, endurance, humility, and most of all to be grateful. One day we were all partying and the next day, two weeks of isolation turned into 2 ½ years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meetbarneyjackson.com/vision-essentials
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision_essentials/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisionEssentialsEvents/

Image Credits
Tobias Smith Photography Ivory Lynne Photography Captured by Carsen Photogrpahy Spyridon Paloukis The Hampton Media Group