486 JAMESA ALEXANDER: Elevating Weddings with Storytelling, the Collaborative Process, Work-Life Balance, and More!

The Wedding Biz - Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

Andy welcomes you back to The Wedding Biz as he interviews Jamésa Alexander, the Founder of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events, a premier boutique planning agency. Listen in as Jamésa shares insights into her journey, discussing her background in kinesiology and how it shaped her perspective. The conversation delves into her approach to event planning, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creating a personalized experience for each couple. Jamésa also reveals her strategies for handling challenges during events, drawing on her experience in aerospace and defense.

Jamésa and Andy also explore the collaborative process with creative partners and the meticulous selection of vendors based on the couple's vision, and Jamésa discusses the balance between the creative and business aspects of running a successful wedding planning agency. The conversation also includes candid discussion about the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance, especially as a successful entrepreneur and mother. Jamésa is also co-author of the book Planners Unplugged, an anthology book that shares planners' stories, challenges, and inspirations, and she provides us with some background insight into that as well, including how you can get a copy!

You’re very likely to gain valuable insights into the world of event planning, the importance of collaboration, and the personal challenges faced by professionals in the industry, so Andy invites you to give this episode a listen! If you enjoy this conversation with Jamésa, then Andy urges you not to keep it to yourself. Share the episode with some good friends who might also get something out of it, and be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen to the show, as that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

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Time Stamps

[0:53] - Andy reveals today’s guest as Jamésa Alexander of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events!

[2:15] - Learn how Jamésa was an entrepreneur even as a child hosting pizza parties.

[3:53] - Envisioning a mechanical career, Jamésa studied kinesiology but pivoted to business, launching Jayne Heir despite hospitality inexperience.

[5:18] - How did Jamésa get her business started?

[6:58] - Jamésa identifies her signature as her ability to tell stories.

[9:40] - Hear Jamésa share a recent story that highlights her signature.

[11:53] - Drawing on aerospace experience, Jamésa stresses preparation, teamwork, and strategic resolution when navigating a crisis.

[14:39] - Remaining calm under pressure, Jamésa applies a data-driven approach honed in engineering and project management.

[16:05] - Hear how on event days, Jamésa is in a "what else" mode, ensuring resolutions and options for clients.

[18:49] - Jamésa argues that success hinges on a curated vendor team aligned with the couple's vision and values.

[21:34] - Jamésa feels that collaboration with vendors is key; she guides the vision but allows for their creative expression.

[23:18] - Leveraging her aerospace skills, Jamésa applies meticulous planning and asks crucial questions for successful events.

[25:46] - ​​Jamésa reveals how she ensures seamless events by planning timelines and fostering open vendor communication through check-ins.

[27:03] - How does Jamésa balance business and creativity?

[28:28] - Jamésa identifies her biggest struggle in the industry.

[30:38] - Andy and Jamésa discuss the importance of maintaining work-life balance as a parent.

[32:32] - Learn more about Planners Unplugged, an anthology Jamésa co-authored that shares planners' stories, challenges, and inspirations.

[33:41] - Andy reveals where Jamésa can be found online.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Washingtonian - “This Late-Summer Wedding Brought the Outdoors in for a ‘Garden Romance’ Theme”

The Knot - “One Couple’s Elegant, Greek-Infused Wedding With Blue and Fuchsia Details at the Larz Anderson House in DC”

Glamour - “Host a Party That’s Unforgettable in 5 Easy (and Fun) Steps”

Brides - “150+ Black-Owned Wedding Businesses to Support Now and Always”

Find Jamésa:

Jayne Heir - WebsiteJayne Heir - Instagram PageJayne Heir - TikTok PageJayne Heir - Facebook PagePlanners Unplugged

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.