We recently connected with Niki Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Niki, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

There is nothing like owning your own business and the flexibility that it provides. As a mom, especially over the last year that flexibility really came in handy, but just in general being able to be present and available for most, if not all my daughters’ activities and needs is just priceless. I am very lucky as both San Diego Moms and my job at Plunge, offers a very kid friendly environment and support system. If I need to take my daughter to a meeting, I can, and it isn’t frowned upon.

There are times when I do think it would be SO much easier to be able to just clock out and check out for the day. As a business owner and even an employee with a flexible schedule, I work WAY more without question. When my alarm goes off at 4am to get work done for San Diego Moms before I head to the Plunge or before I go do something fun with my daughter, that thought crosses my mind often. On the flip side, it also can be difficult to stop working when I am home with my daughter, and we are playing or hanging out. So, you really must be intentional with your time.

That being said, I wouldn’t change anything. I LOVE what I do and that makes all the difference.

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?

Hello, I’m Niki Jones. I am the owner of San Diego Moms and the Director of Events and Marketing at Plunge San Diego. Born and raised in Hawaii, I’ve lived in 15+ cities before finding my way to San Diego.

First and foremost, I am a mother to my beautiful daughter Kaialani (6). Having work that allows me to prioritize being a mom is such a blessing.

Moms are the most coveted customers in the world, and we help businesses reach them locally. San Diego Moms is a top-rated family resource and lifestyle blog. Through a variety of online and in-person events, we connect local businesses with local families. 20+ volunteer writers contribute content that is timely, relevant, and hopefully connects with other moms. If any moms are interested, this is a very supportive community to join! We are always looking for new writers!

Additionally, I am the Director of Events and Marketing for Plunge, located at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. During the pandemic, my daughter and I discovered Plunge and immediately fell in love with it. If you enjoyed the show Wipeout, you should check us out!

Plunge also caters to local families, so collaborating with San Diego Moms was a natural fit. It has become a huge part of both my daughter and I’s lives, it definitely feels more like family.

We offer birthday parties, school field trips, day camps, swim lessons, and monthly memberships. This historic landmark features floor-to-ceiling windows, a retractable roof, a giant floating obstacle course, and is heated to 82 degrees! It’s a lot of fun.

Whenever I work with a client, customer, or guest, I strive to provide the same level of attention and effort. I strive to provide the same level of service regardless of how big or small the event is at Plunge or how much advertising a business invests in San Diego Moms. Things don’t always go according to plan, but how you handle them in this industry is the key. Those who are passionate, motivated, and dedicated are hard to find these days, and I strive to be all three of those things.

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

The best way to grow your clientele is by word of mouth. That’s when it’s vital to have a passionate, motivated and dedicated sales person. Because people have so many options, you are the reason they buy, not necessarily what you are selling, unless you offer an incredibly unique product or service. Get your name out there by doing some complimentary work if you don’t have any clients or customers. When it comes to influencing someone’s decision to choose you, reviews and testimonials are huge

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

Before I became the owner, I was a volunteer on the San Diego Moms team. The opportunity came during a transitional period in my life, and it really felt like God was saying, this is for you. My understanding is that the process of purchasing a business is typically much more complicated, but this was very simple and I am so grateful for that. San Diego Moms is part of City Mom Collective, the nation’s largest hyperlocal mom influencer network. Being my first business (outside of my event planning business), the resources and support they provide are invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sandiegomoms.com / www.plungesandiego.com
• Instagram: @sandiegomomsco, @nikijonesdiaries, @plungesandiego
• Facebook: @sandiegomomsco, @plungesandiego
• Twitter: sandiegomomsco
• Other: I would love to connect! You can email me at Niki@sandiegomoms.com

Image Credits
Diane Hamacher Photography, Crystella Photography, Oscar Degarza