Today we’d like to introduce you to Heissam “I’m in” Jebailey.
Hi, Heissam. Having you on the platform is an honor. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I am of Lebanese descent, born in Canada, and raised in Orlando, FL, ever since. I went to grade school, high school, and college in Central Florida, having graduated with high honors from the University of Central Florida. I got my immediate start after graduating by working for and eventually owning the independent school newspaper at the time, The Central Florida Future. After 7 years of ownership and growing it into the most nationally recognized student newspaper in history, my business partner and I sold it to Gannett, the owner of USA Today. From there, I branched into public speaking, real estate, franchising, and my biggest passion of all, events.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life is ever a smooth ride. Whenever you start something, it takes time to build a business and the trust and support of an entire community to remain consistent for decades.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m in. is my brand and slogan for everything I do started in 2012. Along with my #committeefam, we host large networking and charity events yearly. We are mostly known for the World’s Largest Black and White Weekend for Charity and Wellness every May in support of BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation and Each Other. It all started as a vision on my ICU hospital bed in November and December of 2000. I had full-blown pneumonia and pre-cancer cells, which led me only to see Black and White Colors before a miracle lung surgery saved my life. What sets us apart from others is that we are still the only charity and wellness event that spans 3 days and 2 nights, bringing up to 1,000 people together annually to celebrate life and raise funds year-round for kids battling cancer. I’m most proud of brand-wise that “I’m in” Jebailey has become one of the most individually recognized brands, and Black and White Weekend has become a household event name within 15 years. We offer readers the most fun and unique events still in existence today and couldn’t be more grateful to everyone involved.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like the best about our city is the constant growth of things to do. What I like the least is almost the same: with constant growth comes constant traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://blackandwhiteweekend.com
- Instagram: heissamimin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heissamimin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heissamiminjebailey/
- Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/heissamimin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF_F6ILB-w4
- Other: linktr.ee/iminevents
