Meet Jes Smith-Presley | Owner & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jes Smith-Presley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jes, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Like many students, throughout my educational endeavors, I was constantly encouraged to complete schooling and locate a job within the corporate sector of the American work-force. Nearly two decades ago, I had a well-developed plan and knew the direction I was heading in as a newbie in the workforce; or so I thought. After years of working in positions that often became redundant and restrictive, I set out on a journey of the uknown.

Yes, there are risks associated with determining a career path as well as finding a suitable job. However, it was not until I became an entrepreneur that I truly understood and embraced taking risks and pushing the envelope. My risks as an entrepreneur are very calculated and grounded in a thorough understanding that the outcome may or may not be favorable but having the skill of adaptibility allows me to quickly and creatively pivot or redevelop my ideas.

As an entrepreneur, my mindset has grown as a result of taking risks. I understand that without risks, the reward is minimal or expected. By stepping out on faith, I have pursued extremely ambitious undertakings such as planning a Turkish Wedding from the United States of America or stepping into the role of MC for a well-known bridal show for many years. With every risk, the reward has allowed me to overcome personal and professional challenges and capitalize on various opportunities that I may never have encountered within a corporate job.

Overall, the abiliity to find comfort and challenge in risk-taking has truly allowed me to evolve as a person and a business owner.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Throughout the growth of Events by Jes over the past 9 years and as a the Owner and Creative Director, I have faced many challenges. However, the work/life balance challenge is ever present. How does a wife, mother of three, board member, caregiver, sister, friend, etc. juggle the demanding tasks associated with being a successful business owner all while ensuring personal obligations are fulfilled at the same time of maintaing a sense of self? I definitely don’t have a cookie cutter answer but I have learned many strategies while constantly attempting to balance life and work. I haven’t perfected it. On the contrary, I’ve learned to manage the day to day challenges.

Factoring in my personal responsibilities, I created Events by Jes as a family owned business dedicated to promoting family unity and growth by “Transforming Visions Into A Reality”. My husband and all three children are independent contractors for Events by Jes. By involving my family in the conception of the company, merging our strengths and developing our weaknesses, consistently seeking alternative methods and allowing my family to contribute to the success of the business, I am afforded the opportunity to spend time with my family on and off the job.

Learning to delegate both company and personal obligations has afforded me the ability to manage challenges. We often hire the concierge services of The Sharper Experience to grocery shop, run errands as well as assist in ensuring my children attend their extra-curricular activities. My husband maintains the warehouse and inventory while I manage the business which allows me the opportunity to focus on the growing trajectory of Events by Jes. Soliciting the assistance of other event professionals to assist in meeting the various needs of the businesss has also been an effective strategy in managing work and life.

Each quarter, I take a week long personal vacation where I evaluate the previous quarters’ metrics, outline new challenges faced and produce a plan of action for the upcoming quarter for both the business and family obligations. As an event planner, I firmly believe in “writing the vision and making it plain”, creating the plan of execution and simply doing the work. As challenges arise, we implement new techniques and bring in consumate professionals who have the skill set to help develop or redefine the objectives required to obtain our goals.

I’d have to conclude that one of the most valuable lessons I have learned as an entreprenuer is in order to have a successful business, the owner must have exceptional leadership skills coupled with the ability to recognize the needs of the business while also being an avid learner and creatively sourcing solutions. If there is a such thing as “work-life balance”, it is no longer a top priority. My priority is learming to manage life and work rather than pursue balance. I attribute the sucess of overcoming challenges as an entrepreneur to the ability to adapt to changes while exploring alternative solutions at the same time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Events by Jes often plans couple outings and other events for the members of our Glam Fam. Depending on the level of interaction, we love highlighting many of Atlanta’s opportunities for exploration.

Day 1 of a week long trip for a couple may include a relaxing spa massage at one of Atlanta’s premier hotels like The Starling, Atlanta Midtown or the Waldorf Astoria while dining at the Ivy Buckhead where the couple will enjoy incredible dining options and nightly entertainment.

Day 2: We may provide a day of sight seeing within the Centennial Park area. The couple could explore the World of Coca-Cola, the GA Acquarium, a CNN Tour or even spend hours at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or the High Museum of Art. We’d urge the couple to try lunch and dinner at one of the local restaurants in downtown Atlanta such as the original home of J.R.Crickets or the Landmark Diner.

Day 3: Depending on the season, we love the atmosphere and beauty of the Botanical Gardens where guests have the chance to explore and marvel at the beauty of the lanscape and even see the beautiful butterfly exhibit. Afterwards, we’d create an afternoon or evenig picnic at Piedmont Park for the couple to relax or mingle with other Atlantans.

Day 4: Of course we would be remiss if we didn’t provide an opportunity for the couple to visit Six Flags, White Water (depending on travel dates) or even enjoy a Braves game at Truist Park where a plethora of dining options are available afterwards at The Battery.

Day 5: Why not capture the memorable trip to Atlanta by soliciting the photography services of one of our approved photographers? With a few hours and a couple wardrobe changes, the couple could highlight some of Atlanta’s most iconic and picturesque locations while taking pictures at the Krog Street Tunnel, Skyline Park, and/or the Millenium Gate Museum just to name a few. Enjoy dinner at the Krog Street Market or one of Atlanta’s Michelin star restaurants such as Lazy Betty.

Day 6: As the trip is winding down, Events by Jes would offer tickets to a comedy show at The Alley Stage or Uptown Comedy Club. The couple may even enjoy a live showing at the Fox Theatre or the Alliance Theatre.

Day 7: Prior to heading back home for the couple, if time permits, Events by Jes would reserve a table for the couple at one of Atlanta’s top brunch restaurants such as Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, Sun in My Belly or Toast at Lennox.

Throughout the week, while exploring the vast opportunities of entertainment in Atlanta, Events by Jes offers transportation services through one of our approved event professionals, discounts for excursions and/or outings and a detailed itinerary which also allows time for the couple to sit poolside while sipping on their favorite beverage.

Atlanta offers so many options that even residents of metro-Atlanta often secure services with Events by Jes to plan a weekend Stay-cation.

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?
Beginnng this new journey of life as an entrepreneur, I did not have the years of education or understanding of the many challenges I would face as an entrepreneur. Meeting Mrs. Toni Smith-Jones, AIFD Certified, owner of Designs by TTOC and CM Production Atl, at a bridal show 8 years ago was definitely a blessing. While often working in her shops to earn additional income, I paid attention to the techniques she used to secure clients, organize staff and complete the day to day activities. As a woman of inquisition, I began asking her about her background in the industry and how she began her entrepreneurial journey while I was debating on starting my own company.

While creating Events by Jes, I consistently scheduled meetings with Toni to “pick her brain” about a number of business ideals. She would openly and honestly provide information to fuel my thoughts about the direction of Events by Jes along with supplying brochures, attending networking events with me and rendering business advice. Her 25+ years in the industry afforded her with a vast database of knowledge that she was willing to share. Rarely did she give me concrete, straight-forward answers. Instead, Toni became my mentor and would push me to evaluate the risks, determine the challenges I would face and begin to implement strategies that would allow me to grow Events by Jes while holding me accountable and encouraging me to consistently grow my skills.

I am extremely grateful for the connection we share and the wisdom gained from her own experiences that have allowed me to better navigate challenges.

Website: https://www.eventsbyjes.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smith-presley-14316850

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/events-by-jes-wedding-event-planner-marietta

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2uu6xTe5wlQB-idBtKrETA

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventsbyjes/

Image Credits
Tara Harp Photography Femqua by Porsha Antalan Lajoy Photography