Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Martin.
Hi Jennifer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a wife and mother of two extremely active toddlers ages 2 and 5. In addition to running Prix Fixe Party, I work full-time as vice president of analytics for a global PR and marketing agency and was recently hired on as a part-time adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University’s online campus. Needless to say, I could always use a good nap!
I’ve always been intrigued by entrepreneurship and have had a plethora of business ideas over the years — some good, some not-so-good, and some that were probably better suited for someone else to carry out.
Prix Fixe Party is an idea that was divinely given to me, and for me. It marries my love for decorating with my desire to serve others by offering a unique service that takes the guesswork out of decorating weddings and events.
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with decorating. I love it as a creative outlet when I have adequate time to fully plan and execute a design. But when I don’t, the process can be stressful and frustrating. I often dreamt of going to a website, picking an elegant theme, and getting all of the décors I needed from one place no matter what kind of event I was trying to put together. This is what birthed Prix Fixe Party.
I began as more of a traditional party decorator where I would come up with a design and physically create and set it up for clients onsite. But then, I realized that the ideation and design parts of the process are what I am most passionate about, and not so much the execution. With that, I shifted my business model to one that empowered people who are looking to DIY their own events by ideating and designing their events digitally and providing a shopping list and step-by-step instructions for them to create and set it up themselves.
I am passionate about adding simplicity to people’s lives because as a person who’s prone to stress and anxiety, I want to do my small part in lifting a little pressure off of others and allowing them to fully enjoy life’s moments.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth. I originally came up with the concept in 2017 but didn’t officially establish my business until early 2021. At the time, my vision was to build up an inventory of décor and create fully designed looks that I could rent to clients nationwide. The challenge with that was the funding it would take to build an inventory and the logistics of shipping to clients in other states. I would also need to manage and adjust my inventory often to ensure my designs weren’t outdated.
My full-time career was extremely demanding, and that on top of giving birth to a second child in 2019 left very little time for me to plan my business. Add a global pandemic and a move from NYC to SC into the mix during the summer of 2020, and business planning came to a complete halt.
Now, my biggest challenges are marketing and time management. I recently hired a virtual assistant, so I’m slowly learning to delegate in order to keep things moving.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a virtual event stylist who designs all types of events (weddings, baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, etc.) remotely. I meet with clients over video or the phone to get a sense of their needs and vision, provide a digital or 3d mockup so they can see exactly how their decor will look and then I provide them with a shopping list and instructions so they can effectively execute the designs themselves.
This service is also for wedding and event planners/coordinators who may not have the time or interest to style their clients’ events along with all of the other parts of the planning process they are tasked with.
This solution saves clients both time and money while still allowing them to have a beautifully designed event.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Taking a step back, fasting, praying, and silencing the noise around me is what really allowed me to move my business forward. With social media, we sometimes get so distracted by what others are saying and doing that we lose sight of our own vision. My biggest advice to anyone trying to build something is to silence the noise so you can hear God’s voice and gain clarity on what His purpose is for your life.
Pricing:
- $149 Petit Styling Package is ideal for event planners and DIY brides and party hosts who just need a little creative direction, inspiration, and to save time.
- $299 Demi Styling Package is best for those who are somewhat DIY-savvy but would prefer to see how the look will come together first before fully committing.
- $499 Grand Styling Package is recommended for those who may or may not be as comfortable with DIY and would prefer to hire local resources for professional help.
Contact Info:
- Email: jennifer@prixfixeparty.com
- Website: www.prixfixeparty.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/prixfixepix
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/prixfixeparty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB8kiRFaMPEEaq9RckHTxQQ
- Other: www.pinterest.com/prixfixeparty
Image Credits
Denise Benson Photography
Camera Language
Daniel Wang
