We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Ferry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jennifer with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I am extremely grateful to have been raised by parents who taught me one very important lesson, that there is a difference between a goal and a dream. We often talk about our dreams—our dream jobs, dream homes, and so on. However, the real power lies in setting goals, which are actionable and concrete. The difference between a dream and a goal is that a dream is something you’re wishing for passively, while a goal is something you’re working toward actively. My work ethic is anchored in these precise goals; they give me clarity on my path and keep me moving forward step by step.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m fortunate enough to lead an incredibly rewarding business—a character company. Think of your favorite childhood characters—princesses, superheroes, fairies, even Christmas Elves. We bring them to life, visiting birthday parties and various events, making children’s dreams come true. But it’s not just about the costumes and the songs. Our work touches lives in deep, profound ways.
I can give you so many examples, but what comes to my mind is that we were recently asked to attend the funeral of a little girl whose birthday we had visited before her unexpected passing. The mom gave us a huge hug at the funeral and said that she had never seen her little girl as happy as she was on her birthday- sitting and singing with her favorite princesses and that she had never stopped talking about our visit.
This was a poignant reminder for me that while we may only see them for a day, the impression we leave behind lasts for their whole life. The time children believe in magic is so brief, yet so precious. To know we play a part in making these fleeting dreams come true, especially for those for whom time is limited, is both humbling and awe-inspiring. It’s not just about entertainment—this may be the only time in their life when their dreams are as simple as meeting a princess, and we get to be the ones to make that dream come true.
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?
Looking back on my journey, there are a few key things that truly made a difference:
Having a Clear Goal: It’s like going on a road trip – you need to know where you’re headed. Over the years, I’ve tried to keep a clear idea of where I want my business to go. It’s not always easy, and the road might be rocky, but having a destination in mind helps.
Helping Others Helps You: I can’t stress this enough – when you help others, it often comes back to you in surprising ways. It’s easy to say “be kind to others”, and I think it’s something most people strive for. But sometimes the “kind” thing to do is also extremely inconvenient. At the end of the day, I’ve found that this kindness doesn’t go unnoticed. People remember and, more often than not, they’re there for you when you need it. Sometimes seeing the reciprocation process is easy: when I rearrange my schedule to help out an employee at a moment’s notice, they agree to help cover an event that I’m struggling with later. Sometimes it takes a more roundabout path. Seeing our own needs is simple, but by doing our best to meet other’s needs we give ourselves grace for whenever it’s our turn to need a helping hand.
Knowing Yourself– Warts and All: This one’s tough. It’s easy to focus on what we’re good at and ignore the rest. But being honest with ourselves about where we might fall short is crucial. In my line of work, as much as I’d love to play every character, I’ve realized others can play the part better than I can! It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true for everyone in some way. The trick is to recognize these areas and find someone who can help fill that gap. Recognizing others talents, especially in areas where we fall short, and celebrating them is how we grow and improve. Rather than promoting competition we all grow by promoting collaboration.
For those just starting out, here’s my two cents: Keep your eyes on the prize, even if it’s far away. Be genuine in your dealings with others – it does pay off. And don’t be afraid to take a long, hard look in the mirror once in a while. We’ve got so many resources at our fingertips these days – use them to grow and learn.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always eager to explore new collaborations! Luckily, our business has a unique appeal that can be applicable to a variety of settings and events. I love seeing how our characters can truly help other local businesses like ours. Recently, we teamed up with a budding snow cone business and the impact was phenomenal. They saw record numbers of customers the night we were there, many of whom hadn’t even heard of them before our event. Afterward, the owner sent us an email saying, “I cried happy tears when we left tonight.” Their heartfelt review about how this one night transformed their business is a testament to the power of collaboration.
We’re not just about the business side of things either. We have a soft spot for non-profits and have had the privilege of working with some wonderful organizations, like the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. So, if you’ve got a local business, a cause close to your heart, or just a fun idea you think we could help with, please reach out. We’d genuinely love to hear from you and see how we can spread a bit more joy together.
I can be reached via our website enchantedeventsstl.com or email me at enchantedevents17@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enchantedeventsstl.com
- Instagram: EnchantedEventsSTL
- Facebook: Enchanted Events St. Louis
Image Credits
Headshot image credited to Elizabeth Wiseman All event images are credited to Michelle Lynn Photography
