We recently connected with Jessica Rosario and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When people see a successful business, they often think it happened overnight—but in reality, it’s years of dedication, consistency, and resilience. My journey began in my hometown of Puerto Rico, where in 2009 I started decorating for family events. What began as a small passion project quickly grew into something more meaningful.

During my pregnancy, I had to pause because I was high risk, but that time gave me perspective. Once I was ready, I took a job at a party supply store. That opportunity was a turning point—it gave me hands-on experience, introduced me to the industry from the inside out, and most importantly, reignited my passion for event design.

From the very beginning, my approach to scaling has been rooted in collaboration and passion. I’ve always believed there is room for everyone in this industry, so I never work with envy or competition in mind. Instead, I focus on building strong relationships, staying authentic, and charging fairly. Pricing correctly is not just about my own sustainability—it’s also about respecting the industry and those who paved the way before me.

Consistency has been my key to growth. There were many obstacles—financial risks, long hours, and proving myself in a competitive market—but each challenge taught me valuable lessons. Every decision, even the small ones, built a stronger foundation.

Today, my business is significantly larger than when I started because I’ve stayed true to my values: collaboration over competition, passion over envy, and consistency over shortcuts. In 2023, I brought my business to Atlantic City and established A&J Unique Decor & Luxury Picnics, which has now grown into a trusted full-service brand.

The journey reached a major milestone in July 2025 with the opening of A&J Event Space. Expanding into a venue was a dream that came full circle—from my humble beginnings decorating in Puerto Rico to now offering both decor and a beautiful, full-service space for clients in New Jersey.

Scaling up has not been about one breakthrough moment but about resilience, relationships, and a love for what I do. Every step, from Puerto Rico to Atlantic City, has been part of building something meaningful and lasting.

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 Jessica, the proud founder of A&J Unique Decor & Luxury Picnics Atlantic City and our newest venture, A&J Event Space in Somers Point, NJ. My story begins in Corozal, Puerto Rico, my hometown, where in 2009 I started decorating for family events. What began as something simple quickly grew into a passion. Later, while working at a party supply store in Corozal, I discovered just how much I loved the creativity, logistics, and detail that go into transforming spaces. That experience gave me the foundation to turn a passion into a business.

Fast forward to today—my company has grown into a full-service luxury event design brand. We specialize in weddings, bridal showers, luxury picnics, corporate gatherings, community events, and private celebrations, offering everything from tablescapes and balloon installations to prop rentals and custom set designs. And because I understand the importance of accessibility, we offer flexible payment options and bilingual services in English and Spanish.

In July 2025, I achieved a major milestone by opening A&J Event Space, a modern venue equipped with a bridal suite, photo booth, Chiavari chairs, a bar, and all the essentials to make celebrations seamless. Now, clients can not only count on us for design but also for a stunning space to bring their vision to life.

What makes A&J truly unique is that I never recreate the same design twice. I don’t like to copy ideas—I love creating something different and custom for each client. Every setting is an opportunity to design something new, fresh, and unforgettable. That creativity and originality have also led me to become the lead designer for Leslie Jesperson, a well-known professional who has worked with Disney, ABC, and other major platforms.

Along the way, I’ve also had the honor of competing for the chance to be featured in Forbes magazine through the Entrepreneur’s Impact Program, another reminder of how far this journey has come.

What sets us apart? For me, it’s never been about competing—it’s about collaboration, passion, and consistency. I charge fairly, respect the industry, and pour heart and detail into every event. My clients don’t just get decor—they get an experience designed to leave a lasting impression.

What I’m most proud of is staying true to my roots. From my early days in Corozal, Puerto Rico, to now serving clients in Atlantic City and beyond, I’ve built this brand on passion, resilience, and love for design. At A&J, we don’t just decorate—we create unforgettable moments.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In the event decor industry, resilience is essential because unexpected challenges often arise. I have faced situations where vendors canceled at the last minute, or when items arrived broken right before an event. In those moments, I had to rethink quickly, correct the damage, and still deliver without ever compromising my client’s vision.

These situations could have easily derailed the event, but instead of giving up, I pushed through—finding creative solutions, working extra hours, and making sure my clients never felt the stress behind the scenes. In fact, I strive to not only meet their expectations but to exceed them, even under pressure.

What keeps me going is my commitment to collaboration and integrity. While others may approach the business differently, I focus on building strong partnerships and ensuring the client experience always comes first. Every obstacle I’ve faced has made me more resourceful, determined, and dedicated to delivering excellence.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building up my social media presence has been about authenticity and consistency. From the beginning, I made it a priority to share not only the final look of our events but also the behind-the-scenes process, the details, and the people who make it all possible. I wanted our followers to feel like part of the journey, not just spectators of the end result.

I focused on creating content that reflects our brand values—elegance, creativity, and accessibility. Whether it’s showcasing a luxury wedding tablescape or highlighting how our flexible payment options make dream events attainable, every post tells a piece of our story.

Engagement has been key as well. I make time to respond to comments and messages personally, and I collaborate with other local businesses and creatives to expand our reach. Over time, this approach has helped us build a genuine community, not just a following, and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of growing A&J Unique Decor & Luxury Picnics and A&J Event Space.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.ajuniquedecor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_j_uniquedecor?igsh=N2VtOW94OXFjNzF6
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16CMxm4vNg/
• Other: Threads:https://www.threads.com/@a_j_uniquedecor

Image Credits

Alex Perez, Felix Herrera, Jose Rosario, Leonor Rojas, Jordiel Rivera, Jesdriel Perez, Adrianis Rosario, Gaby Lollipops, Jcustoms, and Colibricustomdesign.