Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Hilbert and Steffi Simmonds.
Hi Jessie and Steffi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Envy Lifestyle and Event Design was born in the summer of 2017. At the time, we were both working 9-5 jobs that were, let’s just say… less than fulfilling. Outside of work, we were best friends who loved to socialize, have fun and, more than anything, celebrate! I (Steffi) had recently gotten engaged and amidst one of our many coffee/wedding planning dates, Jessie and I had the epiphany that people actually got to plan weddings as a job! The prospect of getting to be creative, work with clients, own our own business and celebrate with couples on their Wedding Day was enough to make us take the plunge and start our business.
Nearly four years later and we could not be happier that we launched our business on that whim! Envy has grown into more than we had ever imagined back then and there’s no signs of us slowing down! The Envy brand is all about the work we do for our clients. We are more than “Event Planners”, we are curators, creatives, educators, facilitators, and industry experts. Playfully, we like to think of ourselves as professional “celebrators” because really, that is what our job is all about! Our team not only has the knowledge to design beautiful settings and spaces but also has the expertise necessary to orchestrate the event in a way that allows our clients and their guests to make unforgettable memories without stressing about logistics or behind-the-scenes details.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Any entrepreneur will tell you that owning a business comes with it’s fair share of headaches. From figuring out how to file taxes to dealing with wedding day disasters, we’ve had plenty of challenging times over the past few years in business – especially last year when Covid hit. Everyone was affected by the pandemic and we were no exception. After absorbing the initial shock of the pandemic and postponing countless events, we pushed through. Our clients were depending on us to help them navigate through the postponement process with all of their vendors, so even though we had never dealt with anything like this before, we put on a brave face and figured it out in real-time. We reprioritized and used the unexpected free time – during what should’ve been peak wedding season -to work on projects that had been on the back burner.
Aside from challenges brought on by Covid, I think the biggest source of adversity for us business owners is the never-ending quest for balance. As the owner, you are not only the face of the business, but you’re also the accountant, the IT department, the marketing guru, the salesperson… you have to do it all! So, although we thought we were starting a business to be Event Planners – we have to wear ALL the hats on a daily basis and that can be a lot to balance! I think we’re very lucky to be partners in this endeavor because our skill sets are complementary and we are able to lean on each other during challenging times!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Steffi and Jessie are the Co-Founders of Envy Lifestyle & Event Design. While we are organized wedding planners, we’re also creatives who love designing and styling beautiful, unique events with our clients and other vendors in the industry. Our packages range from Full Planning to Month-Of coordination, depending on what the client needs. So, whether it’s your dream wedding or an intimate dinner party you need help with, we’re your girls! We believe there is always something worth celebrating. With Envy planners located in Orlando, Tampa, and Nashville, our team is dedicated to making your wedding or party the event of a lifetime.
Pricing:
- Our packages start at $1750
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@envylifestyleandeventdesign.com
- Website: www.envylifestyleandeventdesign.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/envyeventdesign
