Entrepreneurship Comes in All Ages!

This post is personal and so dear to my heart. I'm a proud mother right now and I'm so excited to share this news with you! After revising her business and marketing plan, answering several short answer questions and writing an essay on her business and the community, my daughter, Jordyn Jackson has been named The 2013 Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Los Angeles Global Young Entrepreneur of the year. She along with her business, Jewelry Made Fabulous will be awarded in New York this April.

Jewelry Made Fabulous was born out of her love of accessories. At the age of 11 after taking a summer business class at the Los Angeles Urban League, where she was challenged to develop a business, taught how to create a business and marketing plan and then present her ideas to three business owners as a competition to advance to the NFTE Finals in Los Angeles. She placed second in her age category, but was so impressive with her speech that she was asked to MC the high school finals at the Getty Center. Jordyn was so inspired that she decided to continue with her business and take it to the next level. Because of her determination, dedication, and commitment she will be honored in New York at The NFTE 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner.

This is such a WOW moment! As parents we really need to pay attention to our children's dreams. Sometimes they are ready to walk in them before we expect it! I never imagined having a little entrepreneur, but I am so thankful that I do! Our children learn so much from us. Jordyn wrote in her essay, "My mom always tells me you reap what you sow, so I always speak life and wealth into my business. Running a business at my age is sometimes a struggle, and sometimes I will get frustrated, but running a business is not easy, you have to put a lot of hard work and dedication into that business." Boy, did she make me proud!

In a couple of months jordyn and I along with a host of our family and friends will be takings flight to New York to see her accept her NFTE Entrepreneurship Award! God is so good! I will keep you all posted on our travels.


Eventfully your's,
Jennifer Jackson

I'm Engaged Now What?

With all the major engagement holidays behind us, brides-to-be are jumping into wedding planning mode. They're talking about the proposal.......It was romantic, he asked my dad, he took me where we first met, he bought out our favorite restaurant, it was Christmas Eve..... Everyone has a unique story of how 'The Engagement' happened, but if the two of you are not running off and eloping your planning will need to start with the guest list!

I know you've dreamt about the venue, THE DRESS, the entertainment, or maybe even the menu, but it all starts with the guest list. You may be thinking why the guest list? Well, let me explain. The guest list determines some important factors in the planning of your big day and any event for that matter. No matter how intimate or grand your event may be your planning needs to begin with the names of those you want to share it with.

If you fall in love with a venue that holds 150 people with a dance floor and you're expecting 200 guests and still want to dance you have just set yourself up for disappointment. Now you have to find another venue, cancel dancing, or reduce your guest list by 50 people and boy is that hard to do! If you decide to increase the number of invites you will now have to add a lot more dollars to your BUDGET! One hundred-fifty guests versus two-hundred guests will have a tremendous affect on your budget.

Lets say you purchased 150 favors, but wind up changing your event count to 200. You will have to purchase 50 more favors, add 50 addition meals, appetizers and drinks in order to accommodate everyone. You will also need five more tables, centerpieces and linens plus an additional 50 chair covers, place settings, menus cards, etc. To prevent the extra work lets start planning with the guest list. You won't regret it!

Eventfully your's,
Jennifer
Photo Credit: Samuiblue, freedigitalphotos.net