Meet Jessica Small | Event Planner

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

Hi Jessica, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of Party Jess Productions is the support of my friends and family. When I began this business during the pandemic, this was total career change for me. I went from 10 years in the Oil and Gas industry straight into events. I had always been the person hosting every baby shower or Thanksgiving, but I learned very quickly how different it was when you’re planning someone else’s event. My friends were the people there with me setting up my first events, running the store to pick up what I forgot, and making backdrops with me, all for the promise of a dinner in the future when things weren’t so crazy. My dad has spent countless hours teaching me how to back up a trailer and use power tools without injury. Without their hands on help I would not have been able to get off the ground, but in addition to that they also helped spread the word and get me hired. Almost all of my events in the beginning were because one of my friends or family pushed me in front of anyone they knew who was having an event, or constantly shared my information on social media to get the word out. Almost 80% of my business comes from word-of-mouth referrals so, without them trusting me to do a good job for their friends and family I would not be where I am today.

What should our readers know about your business?
Party Jess Productions provides full-service Event Planning and Design Services to all of the greater Houston area. I started Party Jess in 2020 during the height of the pandemic and most people thought I had lost my marbles, but I loved getting to very slowly ease into the event world. I love to tell people how we started with drive-by baby showers and now we are planning 300+ person galas. I am so grateful that I was able to take my time to really learn about the event world and build the business at my own pace. By being a one woman show I was able to grow the business at a speed I was comfortable with and not feel the pressure to be the busiest planner in Houston. Since I was able to take my time, I think I have been able to cultivate relationships with some of the best vendors in Houston and really provide my clients with top-notch service. I have learned that it’s not always about getting the flashiest event but making sure that whatever event you’re planning, whether it’s an intimate 1st birthday party or 150-person wedding, has your full attention and commitment. I always want our clients to feel like they have no need to stress about their event because all of their needs are always being met and they know they can count on us. My favorite events are not the larger ones but the ones where we get to follow a client through their lives from bridal shower to baby shower to birthdays. Those are the types of relationships I am trying to build when I take on an event with someone for the first time. I want them to remember how great and stress-free that event was, so we are the first person they call for the next one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Houston but we all know how unpredictable it is when it comes to weather so I love being a member of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I would start there and then if the weather is good take them to have a little picnic in Herman Park. If the weather is not cooperating, I would take them to Monarch in Hotel Zaza for a cocktail followed by a bite at Lucille’s. If it was baseball season, we would definitely have to spend a day downtown first at Irma’s Southwest then over to Minute Maid to watch the Astros. After all this food I feel like we need to get out and exercise so I would take them to Elite Pickleball Club in the Heights. After getting our sweat on we would cool down with a nice beverage from Eureka Heights Brew Company. To get a classy night in after all of this fun I would take them to enjoy a wine tasting at SERCA Wines.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My friends and family! Without their constant help and support, there would be no Party Jess. Without them stepping up when my paid help is unavailable, proofreading my website, teaching me how to us power tools, or just being there to work through ideas, I would not be here without each and every one of them.

Website: https://www.partyjessproductions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partyjessproductions/

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

Image Credits
Melissa Taylor for Fotofest pictures