We recently connected with Giovanna Thomas and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Giovanna, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To me, success is about accomplishing the goals you set for yourself, but it’s also about the journey of working hard, staying focused, and aligning your efforts with your passions. Success isn’t just the outcome; it’s the process of improving, persisting, and serving others along the way. To achieve success, you need a clear understanding of your goals, a plan to reach them, and the grit to push through challenges and self-doubt.
A key lesson I’ve learned is that failure is inevitable—and that’s okay. Some plans won’t work out, but each failure provides an opportunity to learn, adapt, and move forward. Resilience and persistence are essential in reshaping your approach and staying on course toward your definition of success.
As an educator with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen this play out time and time again. Every year, my team and I create a school improvement plan with specific action steps to achieve our goal of fostering learning growth for every student. These plans are working documents, which means they evolve because not every strategy works as intended. Working with people—students, teachers, and families—comes with unpredictability, but that’s where resilience becomes crucial. By focusing on the ultimate goal and being flexible with the methods, we continue to make progress.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced similar challenges. When my husband and I launched Snappy Soiree, we made a significant personal investment to start the business. We knew from the beginning that the journey wouldn’t be easy. Some ventures failed, but complete failure—giving up on our dreams of building a legacy and creating financial security for our family—was never an option. Through grit and determination, we’ve grown our business, and each challenge has strengthened our resolve.
Success requires a balance of passion, persistence, and service to others. It’s about identifying problems, coming up with creative solutions, and continuing to work toward your goals despite setbacks. Whether in education or business, I’ve learned that growth and comfort don’t coexist. But by staying focused on your purpose and remaining resilient, success becomes not just attainable but deeply rewarding.

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 back background and context?

I’m Giovanna Thomas, a proud wife, educational leader, and entrepreneur. With over 15 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to inspiring and empowering others. My journey has taken me across the globe, including a year spent in Shanghai teaching English—an experience that broadened my perspective and deepened my commitment to fostering growth and learning in diverse environments. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K-12 from St. Petersburg College, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Additionally, I’m ESOL endorsed and earned a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. In recognition of my impact in the classroom, I was honored as a Florida High Impact Teacher, a designation reserved for educators who make a measurable difference in student achievement.

In addition to my career in education, my husband and I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by founding Snappy Soiree Tampa Bay Photo Booth Rental. Our business was born from a shared vision of creating something meaningful and lasting for our family, with the ultimate goal of achieving greater financial security and freedom. As a husband-and-wife team, we are driven by the belief that celebrating life’s precious moments and preserving joyful memories is invaluable.

What sets Snappy Soiree apart is not just our photo booths but the passion and expertise we bring to every event. My background in educational leadership and my husband’s experience in business management equip us with a unique blend of skills that ensure exceptional customer service and seamless event execution. Together, we provide unforgettable experiences that capture the essence of each special occasion. Our photo booths are more than just entertainment; they are a way to enhance celebrations and create lasting memories.

As an educator and entrepreneur, I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made in both arenas. In my educational career, I’ve helped countless students and teachers reach their potential, and in business, I’ve had the privilege of helping clients create cherished memories. At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to excellence, growth, and building a legacy. Whether I’m supporting students, mentoring teachers, or helping clients celebrate life’s milestones, my goal is to leave a lasting positive impact.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of the most effective strategies we’ve used to grow our clientele is leveraging active social media engagement. In today’s world, being visible and approachable online is crucial. We use platforms like Instagram and Facebook not only to showcase our services but also to interact with potential clients, share behind-the-scenes moments, and highlight customer testimonials. This consistent presence helps build trust and familiarity with our brand.

Equally important is providing an easy and seamless booking process. From the moment a potential client expresses interest, we ensure that the experience is smooth and hassle-free. We over-communicate throughout the process, offering clear instructions, prompt responses, and regular updates to reassure clients that they are in good hands.

Another key factor is professionalism. Your team should ensure that every event runs flawlessly, creating unforgettable experiences for clients and their guests. Delivering exceptional customer service is non-negotiable for us, as a positive experience often leads to word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business.

We also actively work our network, reaching out to former employers, LinkedIn connections, interest groups, and alumni associations. These relationships have been invaluable in spreading the word about our business. Networking not only helps us connect with new clients but also reinforces the trustworthiness and reliability of our brand.

While it’s widely accepted that it takes an average of eight touchpoints to convert a lead into a sale, we focus on making each interaction meaningful and impactful. Whether it’s through social media posts, direct communication, or in-person connections, we aim to leave a lasting impression that inspires confidence in our services.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success is about always getting things right the first time. Growing up, I often felt pressure to avoid mistakes, but over the years, I’ve learned that failure and success are deeply connected. One of the most transformative moments in this journey came during a family tradition of vision boarding on New Year’s Eve. My mom, sister, and I gather every year to reflect on the past and plan for the future by gluing images and quotes onto boards. In 2021, I came across a quote that resonated deeply with me: “Teach me to fail better. Resilience is the key to my success, so why should I be made to feel dumb if I don’t get the right answer every time? Teach me that I can turn failure into success with effort.”
That quote encapsulated a mindset I’d been growing into—that failure is not a dead end but a building block. Studies show that people who worry too much about mistakes often shut down, while those who approach failure with a relaxed mindset learn and improve more effectively. This idea has been reinforced by examples from history: Oprah Winfrey was demoted from her job as a news anchor, Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, and Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old. Their paths are a reminder that failure is often the foundation of great success.
In my own life, it took me five years to land my first assistant principal position. Those years were filled with rejection and self-doubt, but also with learning and growth. Similarly, it took my husband and me three years to gather the courage to start our photo booth business, Snappy Soiree. Both experiences required stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the idea that growth and comfort don’t occupy the same space.
Unlearning the fear of failure and redefining it as a stepping stone has been crucial to my personal and professional growth. Today, I see failure not as a reflection of my worth but as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and move closer to my goals. This lesson has been a cornerstone of my journey, and it continues to inspire me to face challenges with resilience and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.snappysoiree.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snappysoiree/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SnappySoiree
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/snappy-soiree-tampa-bay-photo-booth-rental-company/

Image Credits

Cepeda’s Studio By Pamela Jones