Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Pear-Feigenbaum.
Jennifer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My connection to planning parties and gathering people started as a little girl growing up in my Connecticut home. I was always planning and organizing parties! It’s natural; I always knew my calling. While attending the University of Delaware, I was traveling to Las Vegas interning with the world’s most prominent event producer, John Daly. Learning alongside one of the industry’s best was a dream come true. After working with John Daly, I moved to South Florida and worked alongside Sean DeFreitas of Designs by Sean and Karla Dascal of Karla Events.
I began working for Miami’s visionary Craig Robins of Dacra Development / Miami Design District—an invaluable time for my career. This is where I expertly planned, staged, and executed numerous high-profile events for Dacra’s Hospitality Division. Steeped in Dacra’s mission of integrating architecture, art, design, and cultural programming, and revitalizing areas to become the world’s most dynamic fashion/shopping destinations contributed so much to my dynamic approach and understanding of luxury brands. Working alongside Craig, while immersing myself in the world of design and fashion, was an unparalleled experience deepening my fashion-forward sensibility and creative expression catapulting design to a new level for every engagement.
Prior to venturing on my own, I learned tremendously from Karla Dascal of Karla Conceptual Event Experiences. For three years, I was orchestrating high-profile luxury, private, social, and corporate events customized to exacting tastes of distinct clients. I tapped into my expertise to completely optimize a prestigious, full-service event planning, design, production, and catering company.
As my experience was deepening and relationships were growing, I decided on launching my own company—Jennifer Ashley Productions (JAP). My brand is a culmination of all my life and professional experiences and relationships. The innate joy of throwing parties, the natural ability to act as a connector, my acute organizational skills and elevated creative vision. Truly, the events I create, the relationships I have, and the passion I generate, brings joy and drive that feels natural.
After over a decade of hard work, I’ve earned a reputation in the special events industry for transforming venues into exquisite environments capturing imaginations, integrating branding with fashion, exceeding client expectations, and delivering exceptional experiences. Meanwhile, always meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and assuring profitability. I also believe in the power of giving back and serve as Co-Vice President, with my husband Daniel, of the Friends of the Israel Defense Force Young Leadership Chapter.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No path is ever smooth sailing and that most certainly holds true for event production. There are infinite details, resources, vendors, etc. that fluidity and resourcefulness are crucial to success. We take on varying size and scale events but, sometimes, the turn-around time for a 500-person multi-day event can be as little as 1-3 months! Talk about details and pressure. There are always many factors in play, and everything varies based on the client. For example, with larger brands, we need extra consideration with approval processes. For destination events, we need to orchestrate vendors providing samples and mailing to NYC / Paris. Timing is always so important, and I always consider lead times—and even back it out a few more weeks to play it safe. Producing on time is something to which I always commit and on which I always deliver.
Most recently, my latest challenge is, of course, hosting events during a global pandemic. It requires considering legal limitations and restrictions, while also catering to human worries and comfort zones. Truly a time of resourcefulness and creativity, this challenge has required creativity and flexibility in the traditional way of doing things. It’s incredible seeing people coming together, creating new ideas and solutions for ensuring these important gatherings still happen—albeit in a different way! For example, we’ve been putting together fun (relevant) care packages and finding fresh ways of creating virtual and intimate experiences. At the end of the day, I work best under pressure, which makes me built for this business and industry!
We’d love to hear more about Jennifer Ashley Productions.
Jennifer Ashley Productions is a full-service planning company. Recently, I’ve been working with exciting luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Cartier, Tag Heuer, Shvo Development, LBV, Faena, and many more social clients. At this point, I’ve worked on it all. From exclusive parties for 20, sit-down dinners for 1,100 guests, cocktail receptions for 800, multi-day weddings for 100-800 guests, specialty celebrations, product reveals, corporate events, fashion shows, rehearsal dinners, and more. I refined the art of working imaginatively with a range of budgets. No matter the budget, I am always listening to client needs, helping shape their vision, and delivering design and planning solutions consistently exceeding expectations.
It is always hard to see what separates myself from others in the industry, but after discussing it with a few clients, they all came back with my New York mentality. I understand the luxury market, and after working with such brands, I have been an extension of their team in South Florida. I am most proud of retaining the same corporate clientele year after year. We have long standing relationships.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would not say luck in the event industry. I believe in hard work and dedication. In our industry, you need to have integrity and the willingness to constantly be learning as everyone is different and trends are constantly changing. We have a small tight group in the event industry here in Miami and continuously learn from each other. Being upfront and honest with your clients (and everyone!) when it comes to expectations and pricing. The more you’re honest, and known for being that way, the more trust you instill in your clients—it’s one thing that’s always a win-win and always pays off.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 860-944-8574
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: jenashproductions
Image Credit:
World Red Eye, Antonio – El Marco Rojo, Awakentheart, Christy & Co Photography, Suzanne Delawar, luvrox
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