We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Shershenovich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I remember when I was a kid, I spent hours upon hours outside. I was outside from sunrise to sunset, no matter the weather. I just loved watching the clouds skip across the sky, listen to the birds sing a song, and the adventures that existed under every treetop. But what I really remember and enjoy the most was having a BBQ outside with my family; whether we were on our family boat or in our own backyard. There was something about the smell of the fresh air as I munched down on salty french fries or the sound of my neighbors playing next door as I took the last bite of my hamburger.

As I got older and life got in the way [as it usually does], my time spent outdoors started to slow down. It wasn’t until my husband & I got married in our backyard that I was reminded of my love for an outdoor venue. I recall the soft lighting of the moon that night, the subtle sound of the DJs music in the background, the laughter of family & friends, the singing crickets, and the dancing candlelight across every table. I thought to myself, “wow, I want to relive this every night.” And that’s where the story of Pop Up Picnic Long Island began.

Pop Up Picnic Long Island is here to help clients celebrate special occasions, big and small. Our mission is to provide clients with the opportunity to enjoy their loved ones in the great outdoors, while providing high-end picnics. We believe that every gathering is an opportunity to create something special. It’s no secret that going out to a fancy restaurant is a wonderful luxury. However, what many people don’t realize is that they don’t crave the restaurant itself, they often crave the ambiance that the venue provides.

There have been so many times that I have gone out to dinner with friends and spent so much time trying to find the right ‘vibe’ for our girls night. But what does that ‘vibe’ really look like? Dim lighting, candles, a cute background for pictures, small apps and a great bottle of wine [or two]. This is everything we provide through our picnics, but we add much more!

We, at Pop Up Picnic Long Island, feel that there is simply no competition with mother nature. How can you compete with the colors of the clouds blended across the sky, as the sun nestle in for the night and the site of the moon coming out to play? You simply can’t. Through our pop up picnics, we aim to inspire a love for nature while providing comfort and flair!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Our journey started with a simple idea: creating magical, memorable moments for clients in the beautiful outdoors. What began as a small, personal hobby of setting up cozy picnics for clients quickly blossomed into a full-fledged business. We realized that there was a true desire for immersive, stress-free outdoor experiences where people can relax, celebrate and connect without the worry about the details.

We, at Pop Up Picnic Long Island, believe that the best moments in life happen when we take time to slow down, appreciate nature and enjoy the company of those we care about.

The biggest variable that sets us apart from other companies is our attention to detail, our commitment to personalization and our passion for perfection. We don’t just set up picnics; we design experiences. From custom tablescapes that match your celebration, to decor that reflects your personal style, we ensure that every picnic feels uniquely yours. Plus, we take care of everything from set up to breakdown!

Whether you’re looking to enjoy an intimate anniversary celebration, pop the question, celebrate a birthday or just enjoy the moment, we pour our hearts into every event, aiming to make your outdoor gathering one that you’ll never forget.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

For those that do not know, I run this business with my husband! We actually met while working as servers/bartenders at a local restaurant. We were both hardworking, detail-oriented servers who started working the same shifts. There’s just something about the fast-paced environment of a restaurant that really forces you to connect with your coworkers, and we hit it off right away. The rest is history.

When creating Pop Up Picnic Long Island, we quickly realized that we had a lot of ideas in common, which all circled back to our restaurant experience. We bounce ideas off of each other all the time; from add-ons to tablescapes.

What makes our partnership so great, in terms of the picnic business, is how well we compliment each other; I bring a lot of the creative vision and Mark has the ability to juggle multiple tasks at once while fine-tuning some of my ideas.

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

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has definitely been word-of-mouth combined with leveraging social media. When we first started Pop Up Picnic Long Island, we focused on creating exceptional experiences for every customer- making sure that each picnic was not just a service, but a memorable experience. Our clients began sharing photos and stories about their picnics on social media, which naturally led more people to hearing about us. People love sharing beautiful, Instagram-worthy, moments and the visual appeal of our setups are what really helped to get us noticed.

Our biggest strategy, without a doubt, has been providing a personalized experience. Every client is different, and taking the time to customize the picnics – whether it’s unique decor or a specific location – has created loyal customers who not only return but also recommend us to others. Building relationships with our clients and really understanding their needs has helped us grow organically and steadily. The key has been focusing on quality, creating that “wow” factor and letting our clients do the marketing for us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.PopUpPicnicLongIsland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popuppicnic_longisland/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Pop-Up-Picnic-Long-Island-100092474808245/

Image Credits

Brooke Walsh Photography
Ashleigh Malagone Branding
Amber Dawn Weddings