Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Anderson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was smitten with hospitality at a young age. At the age of 4, I started bringing my mom breakfast in bed! A breakfast tray with 2 minute eggs (completely raw) and coffee that was like sludge. That was the beginning. I learned to cook from my mother and grandmother. Took cooking classes before it was fashionable. Learned how to set a table and how to time the meal. In college I had a small catering company that did 10 person dinner parties in people’s homes as well as a Chocolate Truffle Company. From there I worked in hotels. I worked for Hyatt Hotels, a small boutique hotel, an off-premise caterer and then to the Four Seasons. At the Four Seasons I honed my skills in catering, event planning, food and menu design, floorplan development, event timing and corporate meeting planning. After 10 years with Four Seasons, I decided to open my own event company specializing in boutique, one-of-a-kind events. I focus on the client, their needs, their dreams and their energy. The extensive background allows me to design for all kinds of events from weddings to birthday parties, to corporate anniversaries.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been fairly smooth. I had a lot of training before I went into my own business. I worked for a large chain hotel, off-premise caterer, small boutique hotel and an exclusive 5 star hotel. All these experiences prepared me for the wonderful adventure of event planning. I understood how to do an event in all kinds of hotels and venues. From large events at the Four Seasons to small intimate dinner parties in customers apartments. From cooking in a park to a stairwell. I sought out different experiences in the job world and was then able to translate them to my business.
In every business there are struggles. Learning how to do my own accounting and being my IT person was and continues to be a challenge. But reaching out to those in the business for advice always helps. Never be afraid to ask questions or to reach out to your colleagues for advice.
Please tell us about Jennifer Anderson & Associates.
Planning a successful event involves a number of things: a significant time investment, incredible attention to detail, a working relationship with local vendors, and the experience to know how to present a memorable event.
At Jennifer Anderson and Associates, we take care of all the details.
• We do the research, so you can make quick and informed choices.
• We plan the meetings and coordinate schedules so you don’t have to.
• We have the resources, contacts and experience to facilitate every decision, in order to save you precious
time…and a coordinator will be present at your event to oversee every aspect.
• We believe that every event is unique. In fact, we pride ourselves that none of our events ever look the same. Our goal is to work closely with each client in order to get to know their likes, dislikes, needs and desires, then cater the event to their specifications. Let our creative staff work with you to develop a personality for your event that will amaze, inspire, entertain or even pamper your guests. A boutique service is offered by
Jennifer Anderson and Associates, and we do it with just the right panache.
The biggest thing I am most proud of is that none of my events look the same. They all have their own personality. I imagine what a guest will imagine and how it will play out for them. Then I coordinate that with my design aesthetic, the client wishes and the detail. All to present a once in a lifetime event.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to do it over, I would seek out event planners that had been in the business for a while and ask for their advice. It is wonderful to have knowledge from those who are older and more well-seasoned!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3800 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60613 - Website: www.JenniferAndersonEvents.com
- Phone: 773-296-4350
- Email: Jennifer@Jenniferandersonevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferandersonevents/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JAEvents_Chi
Image Credit:
Kingensmith Photography, Kehoe Designs, J&L Catering, George Burns Photography, Sebastian Kowalski Photography, Jennifer Anderson
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