Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in event planning services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen English, Founder of The Family Room, located in Cedar Rapids, IA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Family Room is an event planning services and event venue in the Cedar Rapids surrounding area. We plan and service a wide range of events at our different venues. Our Central City location is mainly a Micro-Wedding venue with indoor and outdoor space. Marion location is a Play Cafe which is basically a coffee shop vibe with an indoor playground for small kids, and we specialize in Toddler Birthday events in this space. Our Downtown cedar rapids location is an overnight venue used for travelers, bachelorettes, and birthday parties. All of our venues can host workshops, reunions, graduation parties, birthdays, and more! We also offer party rentals like a bounce house and smore station.
Tell us about yourself
I am a mom of 6 kids under 13 years old, so I've had a lot of experience planning birthday parties. I've also been a toddler mom and entrepreneur for over a decade and felt like our area lacked a place for stay-at-home moms to take their small kids that were safe and stress-free spaces. The toddler play cafe was created for that purpose. Our other venues came about just as a way to plan events. I love a good party!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is being able to be a mom AND also a business owner. In the past, we may have been told it wouldn't work, but here we are - making it work!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it's definitely the last thing - being a mom and business owner. I have to find the time to split with my kids and still be able to get things done. I'm in all the positions in my businesses, and it can be tough having the time to manage it all as a mom.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do. it. Anyways. If you aren't ready or don't have the money or whatever else... break it down and start. Just start. You can't have a business if you don't start a business. A lot of times, I see people get so stuck in the big picture that they make their dream seem so out of reach. If we take baby steps, we can start now instead of waiting for all the one million pieces to fall into place.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://gofamilyroom.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gofamilyroom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gofamilyroom1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-english-1537b485/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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