We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Currier and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I became a serious a dancer at the age of 10 when I first stepped foot into a ballet class. I don’t know why, but there was an automatic “click” for me in that very first class that was run out of the ballet teacher’s living room-turned ballet studio. In the years that followed, I absorbed every bit of information and tried and tried again- failing all along the way. I was approved to start Pointe work, and then told, “Nevermind. We think you need a little more time to gain strength before starting on Pointe.” I was accepted into a dream program, only to be told that they would like to move me down a level for a little while. I learned how to channel my rejections into a stubborn discipline of effort. I might not be the best (yet!), but I can work the hardest! I eventually did end up having a career in ballet and later, commercial dance and I think the discipline and and more than anything, perseverance are what set me up for success later in my life. I started my business out of that same stubborn discipline of effort, and even when I felt in over my head, or that I didn’t know what I was doing, I kept at it…learning and growing, despite many, many hiccups and rejections along the way. I believe that a desire to learn and grow (forever!) and a little discipline with a lot of perseverance is the key to the “getting” of just about anything.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Event Designer, which is kind of like being the “Interior Designer” for a party! We do in-house floral design, build over-sized props, design logos and signage, create a full theme or color concept for each event, provide specialty furniture, and more to create an overall cohesive, creative concept for a party. I think we stand out in the industry as a one-stop shop, compared to other Event Designers who come up with the creative ideas, but then rely on other creative vendors to actually produce the elements. I was so focused on being able to “provide it all” in the early stages of my business that I found myself exhausted and over-worked. I began to reach out to other specialists to collaborate with and found that sometimes, even though I can do it all, it’s not always best to. I value the voices of those I work with and my team is diverse in their many talents and backgrounds. My brand now is about building the perfect party, by collaborating with the right creatives, thinking outside the box and offering party design that is clean and gorgeous and never over the top “themey”!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a best friend was visiting my city, pre-Pandemic, I would be sure to fit in a hike at Runyan or Fryman Canyon, have drinks on the rooftop at the Nomad Hotel, tour the gardens at Descanso gardens, and schedule a spa appointment at The Four Seasons Westlake Village, followed by dinner at a little Italian place I love called Casa Nostra. Since the Pandemic has changed how we can safely do things, most of these things might be able to stay on the list, but I’d probably substitute a backyard dinner and movie night (socially distanced) for a couple of these options…but I love dreaming about a friend coming into town and tackling a dream itinerary!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I belong to an amazing support network called The BRA Network. BRA is a network set up to empower, educate and cheer on female entrepreneurs. These ladies keep me learning, growing, and offer an accountability that you don’t automatically have when you run your own business. I also would not be where I am without the support of Career Transitions for Dancers. This organization offers grants, re-training programs and support to professional dancers who are looking to transition into another career. I wrote an application and business plan, and was offered a grant that gave me enough money to create a website, buy some business cards and get started!
Website: https://soireela.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soiree.la/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSoireeGirls
Image Credits
Photography credit: Girlsquad Inc. Boho Table Images by Karen Snyder