We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamie Simes-Bonner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is rooted in the incredible example set by my mother and strengthened by my faith in Jesus. She was a single mother of three children, balancing the demands of parenthood while pursuing her college education. Despite the challenges, she graduated, became a registered nurse, found love and got married. Her perseverance and unwavering commitment to our family have deeply influenced me, teaching me the importance of hard work, dedication, and never giving up, no matter the obstacles.
My faith in Jesus has profoundly influenced my resilience. It offers me strength, guidance, and a sense of peace, helping me navigate life’s challenges with a positive outlook.
Additionally, my husband and daughter are constant sources of support and inspiration. Their love and encouragement give me the strength to face challenges head-on and keep pushing forward. My family is my anchor, and they motivate me to bring my best to every event I plan, ensuring that I overcome any hurdles and create unforgettable experiences for my clients.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
First and foremost, I am a wife to my handsome husband Michael and a mother to my amazing daughter London. My family is my anchor and inspiration in all that I do.
Professionally, I am the proud owner of Simply Simes Event Planning. Additionally, I am a children’s book author of Cotton Rainbows and have opened a business for my daughter when she was only eight years old, called Pooka Bean and Co.
Born and raised in the South in Georgia, my journey has been shaped by my deep-rooted love for family and community. As a wedding and event planner, I recently launched a Vegas-style micro wedding venue, which serves as a luxurious alternative to a courthouse wedding. This venture has been an exciting and fulfilling endeavor.
Before discovering my true passion, I spent several years working in real estate. While it was a valuable experience, I always knew I wanted to own my own business, driven by my enthusiasm for parties, weddings, social events, and the desire to be my own boss. I find immense joy in transforming spaces from drab to fab and creating unforgettable moments.
My focus now is on continuing to create beautiful memories for my clients while providing a pleasant and relaxing experience. I am dedicated to ensuring that every event I plan is a seamless and joyous occasion, leaving lasting, happy memories for all involved.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are my social nature, organizational skills, and staying current with trends.
Firstly, being a social person with the ability to communicate effectively and build rapport has been invaluable. As a people person, I create an environment where others feel comfortable and confident, which is essential in event planning. To develop this skill, I recommend actively engaging in conversations, networking, and practicing active listening to truly understand and connect with people.
Secondly, my organizational skills and patience have been critical. Planning events involves juggling multiple tasks and details, and staying organized ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Patience helps in dealing with unexpected changes and challenges calmly. To improve in these areas, I suggest using planning tools, maintaining a detailed schedule, and practicing mindfulness techniques to stay composed under pressure.
Lastly, keeping up with the latest trends in decor, fashion, music, and food has been crucial. This knowledge allows me to offer fresh and exciting ideas to my clients. To stay current, I advise researching information regularly, tuning into social media conversations, and participating in bridal expos. Ask questions and seek insights from those who are “seasoned” in your field if you are just starting out.
My overall advice is to gather as much information as you can and, most importantly, start taking steps toward making your dreams a reality. Small, consistent actions will lead to significant progress over time.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
One of the key challenges I am currently facing is reaching potential clients and developing a larger customer base. As a small business owner operating on a limited budget, this task is made even more difficult by the saturated marketplace in which I compete. Ideally, everyone would be aware of my business and the services I offer, but that’s not always the case. It’s disheartening when I meet someone who says they recently got married or hosted an event and would have reached out to me if they had known about my services sooner.
Marketing effectively in this saturated environment without overspending is a significant challenge. It’s crucial to identify the most beneficial marketing avenues, but what works for one business might not work for another, making it a process of trial and error. To navigate this, I invest considerable effort in researching marketing options before committing funds, striving to make informed decisions that will maximize my reach and help grow my customer base.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.SimplySimesEvents.com
- Instagram: @SimplySimesEventPlanning
- Facebook: https://Www.Facebook.com/SimplySimesEventPlanning
Image Credits
Alma Moore Photography (Alma Moore)
DNA Media Productions (David Varas)
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