Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Brown.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well my love for crafting came from working at a daycare, I worked on a lot of crafts big and small. From there I started making crafts for every occasion that came around. It wasn’t until I worked on a few events for my friends and family that I really decided I wanted to try and make event planning/coordination a career. Over the years I kept putting off starting my business for one reason or another, I even went to culinary school! Right when I “launched” my business, Covid happened and I felt like it was never going to happen. Fast forward to 2024 I got engaged, and planning my wedding was my biggest project! It was fun and thrilling and scary all at the same time. And when everything was done I looked at everything I did, and I knew if I tried again to start my business I could really make it something I could be proud of. So in November of 2024 I officially “launched” my business again, and it’s been a slow process with ups and downs, but during this time, I’ve attended multiple vendor markets for my crafts that I make, started an Etsy store, I hosted my first wedding showcase, coordinated my first wedding and I have some other projects I’m working on for 2027.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all. I work from home, so I don’t have a lot of space when it comes to all my equipment and materials. I’ve gone from a small area in my dining room in my old house to now sharing an office with my husband in our new apartment. One day I hope to have a personalized work space just for myself.
Some of the other struggles have been finding clients, I’ve had to learn to network and use social media to put my business out there, and I’m still learning. Vendor markets are great but sometimes the wrong market can be very intimidating. I’ve had to deal with no foot traffic and bad weather at some of my markets. And on top of all of that, I’ve just had to figure out how to fund all of my projects. The saying “you have to spend money to make money” is so true when you’re first starting out.
I’ve been so lucky to have family and friends help me along the way, especially my husband, he will give up his Saturdays to help me at the markets.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So I started my business as Perfect Day Planners, an event planning and coordination business, with my sister. But I also love to craft, so I made a second business, Crafted Chaos. We specialize in stickers, keychains, card covers for debit/credit cards, and other seasonal crafts that I sell at vendor markets. I’d say I’m most proud in myself for actually sticking with my business.There were lots of times when I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere, or getting noticed, but I’ve made it my goal to keep going. We don’t have hundreds of followers on social media but I put myself out there at the markets and have met some great people who spread the word about us, so that’s better than nothing.
I believe what sets me apart from others, is that I genuinely enjoy crafting, I would still be doing all of this even if I didn’t have a business. I enjoy helping my family and friends with their events, because I like to see them happy.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve never been a big risk taker, that’s why it took me so long to finally start this business. But I’ve always admired those who take risks, they seem fearless. And in a way I’ve started to adopt those ideas of having to be fearless in this business. There’s so much competition out there, and I don’t believe that I have to be better, or do better, but taking risks can get me further.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2perfectdayplanners?stkn=NjlhcGI0aWJiM2s0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19TQThhLMX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@craftedchaos26?_r=1&_t=ZP-99tyyJZsxnq
