Meet Gabrielle Jones | Owner & Sale Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabrielle Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabrielle, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
We’re families helping families. Just Between Friends is a huge kid’s consignment pop-up sale that occurs twice a year. We help our community provide everything that families need & want by saving 50-90% on items for preemies to juniors such as clothing, shoes, books, toys, baby gear & so much more without sacrificing quality or safety! In addition, we also provide a hassle-free & flexible way for families to sell their kid’s gently-loved items that can work with any family’s schedule. Sellers are able to price their own items using our tagging guide & drop them off before the sale begins, allowing us take over to run the sale, bringing in thousands of shoppers and selling all their items! Any unsold items left over are either picked up by the sellers or donated to our local charity partner. Sellers then will receive their payout shortly after with what they earned from their sales!

What should our readers know about your business?
I was a stay at home mom with a previous background in local marketing. I found JBF after my daughter was born and was instantly hooked by how much these events helps my family and our budget. The moment I realized there was an opportunity to get more involved and help more families, I knew this is what I was meant to do.

We purchased two connecting territories (JBF Cypress & JBF North Houston) and merged them into what we have today, JBF Northwest Houston. I didn’t have any experience in running a business or with finance so I felt completely out of my element. It definitely wasn’t easy but I had a lot of support from my husband and family as well as my JBF family. The number one thing I would share is to find a mentor that you’re able to confide in and ask for help!!! I brought on local professionals that helped me through the part of running a business I didn’t understand and that allowed me to invest more of my energy and passions into what I’m good at!

After my first event, just hearing all the families filled with excitement & seeing how proud they were of all the savings they scored and how much they earned by selling with JBF, was everything I needed! Their wins were my wins and reassurance that I’m exactly where I need to be! Our first sale was also a success because it landed us at the “Top Achiever” level that hasn’t been achieved in Northwest Houston for 16 years.

I would work local vendor markets during a 3-month span leading up to the sale, sometimes booking 18 per season. I was able to land a news segment with Houston Life (which are the NICEST group ever), I interviewed with Houston Chronicle about our newly merged territory’s grand opening, and recently became a speaker at a Momma Palooza Expo coming up in the summer. All this plus countless long nights working on processes and planning months leading up to each event.

On the JBF side, I got more involved in committees, attending every workshop I could, working neighboring JBF sales, and connecting with as many owners to learn everything possible! This past January 2024 we had our annual Just Between Friends Conference (also known as JBFCON) in Nashville, TN and I was able to reflect everything I achieved during my first year! And boy it was a BUSY one! Some of the committees I applied for and joined were our Culture Club, with my sub-committee focus being about connecting owners together and starting our annual Secret Santa Card Exchange; Marketing Brand Advisory Committee, where I represented new owners and gave feedback on our future marketing avenues & goals; and Conference Planning Committee, being the Social Media Chair that communicated important updates and information regarding our annual JBFCON to owners! I was also nervous but excited when I was asked to give a Ted Talk during our yearly conference about my first year and how I was able to choose the best path for my business & community. I was also a part of a panel with fellow Houston Owners to share how we thrive by working together while still maintaining our competitive edge. I hosted a roundtable and booth in our marketing showcase to share my success and what I’ve learned with local marketing and social media reels. I was honored when I was awarded the “Rising Star” Award that was voted by corporate and also given the Core Vale Award for representing “Better Together” that was voted on by my peers.

With all that being said, what I’m most proud of is jumping in with all of my heart and starting this journey. It was terrifying and hard but I found a new passion and purpose that I was proud to share with my kids. As I look back to my first sale, I remember all the long hours and nights working on planning the sale, but what I remember the most are all the families I met, the excitement, partnerships and community blessings that all happened because of Just Between Friends Northwest Houston.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My husband and I love to go to Craft Grill! You can go anytime and you’ll fall in love with the food! They have an amazing brunch, lunch, and dinner menu! You have to try their chicken and waffles!

We go to farmer’s markets on the weekends and love to visit our local one in Tomball! All their vendors are local and have the best variety of produce, crafts, and artisan treats! My mother in law once bought 7 bottles of different types of infused olive oil because they were so amazing she couldn’t just pick one!

I love to take my kids to Play Street Museum! There’s a location in The Woodlands and in Cypress. I love how the space is super clean and well maintained! My kids always have a blast and I can always coax them when it’s time to leave with cashing in their Play Street Token for a snack! Another fun spot is the Interactive Aquarium near Atascocita. My daughters favorite part was feeding the birds out of her hands!

When I’m not at home or working on sale planning, I’m usually outside in our backyard with the kids or spending time with friends and family! We visit Broussard & Burrough Park often when we need a change of scenery and to get some fresh air!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for my college-turned-best friend, Sarah Schmittgens. Her love and devotion to JBF is what inspired me to become a Franchisee. Since then, she’s been my mentor, ally, and cheerleader every step of the way!

Website: https://nwhouston.jbfsale.com

Instagram: @jbfnwhouston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JBFNWHouston

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me during our sale events.