We recently connected with Kelcie Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Kelcie , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
I started my business in the beginning of 2022. At the time I was an esthetician still, working at a corporate business waxing. I was feeling unfulfilled; Covid had effected how business was and my husband was getting a promotion that would require a longer commute to work. We have three children, so my hours weren’t going to work with school pick ups and daycare. I always planned events and decorated for fun for all my kids and friends, along with planning my own wedding, so that’s when my husband said how about you just go for it, so I did! I believe I started at the right time for myself. I thought about starting a business like this on 2019 but my mindset wasn’t the same then. I had different aspirations. I was able to grow in the couple years and see my true vision and find my true calling! I am happy that I started when I did. I wouldn’t change a thing! If you have a dream, go for it always, you never know until you try!
Kelcie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always had a creative mind. I enjoyed all things decorating since I was young, whether it was my room, my furniture or an event, I loved to plan and decorate to perfection. I planned my whole wedding and decorated it all myself with the help of my wonderful friends and family. That’s when the drive to want to do this more started. I didn’t want my normal job anymore, I wanted to be able to create and to especially create for others. I looked into the business side of things and taught myself how to start my company. I started brainstorming my vision of my business and what I wanted to offer, what would set me apart from other companies and if it was right for me. It seemed to flow naturally but also took dedication and drive. You have to put yourself all in and be prepared to make this pretty much 24/7. Being a business owner allows flexibility but also requires nonstop work compared to a 9-5. My business I decided I wanted to focus on offering a multitude of services I could execute well. That was balloon garlands, backdrops, picnics and movie nights (to start) then we added on aesthetically pleasing jump houses, tables and chairs, along with photobooth services! We are a one stop shop and to us that makes us different. Our clients love that they can get all their party needs from one place. It takes some stress off of them. And that’s what we want to do. We want to be the ones to help create memories while making our clients lives easier.
I’m proud that I have made myself surrounded by such great clients, I have had great experiences with my past and present clients. They are truly amazing and allow me to feel so fulfilled. I truly strive to make people happy and this is the best way I can do that everyday. I put my all into my work and am always making sure my clients are answered in a timely manner and all their questions and concerns are answered and most importantly their visions are able to be brought to life. This isn’t just a job to me it’s something special and I always am here to help give advice, make you feel comfortable in the party planning process, be there any time of day to answer questions you may have about anything and in the end create a long lasting relationship! I want to be there from baby shower to all the birthdays for your babies! Or engagement to wedding day etc!
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I honestly didn’t take out any loans. I didn’t use my savings or any of that. I started by building my own pallet tables, making my own backdrops, and finding other ways not to break the bank in starting this business. There are some things that will be more money that you will have to invest in, but there are plenty of tools around now to show you how to do it yourself in the beginning.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I honestly started by just doing Instagram advertisements and I didn’t even start with the most money. I started small like two dollars a day and then worked up to five dollars a day and haven’t really ever passed that I did some collaborations to build my audience a little bit more and show my name around the area. That was pretty much it for me building social media. I’m not an expert on it but I do get a good amount of followers each week and it has been a steady incline.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thx4thememoriesevents.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thx4thememories_events?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/thx-4-the-memories-events-los-angeles?override_cta=Request%20a%20Quote