Trendy Entrepreneurial Mom on the Street: Jamie Kramer
Jamie Kramer often dreamed about starting her own events business. After the pandemic hit, she finally took the leap into entrepreneurship and hasn’t looked back. This adaptive spirit has helped Trendy Entrepreneurial Mom on the Street Jamie Kramer’s business flourish in the Washington D.C. area and beyond.
Read on to learn how she balances raising a family, planning events, and running her own business with grace and family support.
Meet Jamie
Jamie is a veteran event planner with over 13 years of experience conceptualizing, creating, and implementing high-quality events for her clients. Jamie started her career at a leading New York City-based international public relations agency, where it was truly love at first event. From press events and trade shows to event sponsorships and more, there was no turning back.
Jamie continued her events career, joining a top three international commercial real estate firm in the Washington, DC metro area, where she led the events team, planning and implementing small to large-scale internal and client events. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, Jamie decided to start her own event planning company, a longtime dream of hers, and thus Jamie Kramer Events was born. Jamie Kramer Events is a boutique event planning company dedicated to crafting and executing authentic, memorable, and customized experiences for businesses and individuals located in the D.C. Metro area and beyond. When Jamie isn’t in event mode, she can usually be found chasing after her daughters, Molly and Jordan, with her husband, Zach.
Trendy Entrepreneurial Beginnings
You have worked in the events and communications industry for a while. What made you take the leap into starting your own business and when?
I have always wanted to start my own events business, and during each of my pregnancies, I strongly considered leaving my job security to venture out on my own, but the time didn’t feel right with babies on the way. Ultimately when the pandemic hit, I, unfortunately, lost my job, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was the push I needed to take the leap. And a year and a half later, here we are!
How did the pandemic affect your business, and how is it coming back better than before?
Starting an event planning business during a global pandemic is like one giant oxymoron! My business certainly started off slow, which I chose to use that time to get my business off the ground. I had my website and branding developed, worked on my portfolio, networking, etc., so that when the world opened up again, I would be ready. And ready I was. The day the mask mandates lifted, it was like the flood gates opened. People were thirsty for events, and I was there for it! While I don’t have a pre-and post-pandemic business to compare, I would say the pandemic opened my eyes to even more creative ways of thinking for my clients, whether virtual or in-person.
Business Challenges, Rewards, and Advice
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of owning your own business?
I will start with the rewards because I feel so incredibly fortunate to do what I love every single day and on my own schedule. Being a working mom, I love that I can go on a site check for a client and then swing home to grab my daughters for ballet class. Of course, it comes with challenges as well. I am learning how to run a business that is all new to me. I’ve never had to source my own business and clients. Learning how to market myself and handle administrative items that come with entrepreneurship is at times overwhelming. The rewards certainly outweigh the bumps in the road, and I am learning more than ever!
What is your number 1 piece of advice to other business owners?
Take the risk. There are times I am entering unchartered territory, which can feel scary, but with every risk you take, there are learnings. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. You learn either way and get stronger by trying. It also feels good to try new things and keeps things exciting.
Business Growth and Family Support
How has your work and events style evolved through the years? Between working, raising a family, and other hobbies?
I would say my creativity has evolved immensely. I have always had a creative eye, but having worked in so many different situations and with so many different clients and partners, I have learned so much and have walked away from each experience, realizing I can always do more and try new things. In the past, I may have stuck to what felt comfortable, and now I prefer to think out of the box and implement new ideas. Having kids has also helped me prioritize and become more efficient in my work and with time management.
Do your family, friends, and husband support you in your business endeavors? How so?
My family and friends have been my biggest support system. On the best day or the hardest day, my husband, kids, and friends are always encouraging me to take on new challenges and helping on the home front when I am unavailable. My husband has also helped me tremendously on the business front as I am navigating new waters running a business!
Where can people find your business on social media/ your website?
My website is jamiekramerevents.com, and I am on Instagram and Facebook @jamiekramerevents.
Trendy Entrepreneurial Style
Which three words best describe your style? Trendy, chic, comfortable
What are your favorite places to shop? Bloomingdales, Zara, Target
Who’s your favorite style icon? Sarah Jessica Parker
What’s your best style advice? Always find a way to make it comfortable and feel good to you!
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without? My headbands (for those bad hair days!)
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback? Gauchos – they were hideous but so comfortable!
What should NEVER make a comeback? Double polo shirts with popped collars.
What fashion/style did you love at the time but now cringe when you see old photos? See above 😊
What’s your best style secret (e.g., Spanx, fake eyelashes, good makeup, etc.)? My Dyson air wrap blow dryer
Stilettos or flats? Pre-kids, stilettos, now, most definitely flats
Trendy Entrepreneurial Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? Laying in bed together, reading books, and being silly.
What’s been your best family vacation? Just taking time away at my family’s Bethany Beach home.
Best parenting advice: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Parenting true confession: I was leaving a sonogram while pregnant with my 2nd and had to bring my 1st with me. I decided not to buckle her in the stroller because it was a quick walk to the car, and the next thing I knew, my 18-month old was lying face down on the sidewalk. Definitely got a lot of looks like “and she’s having another!?”
What’s your go-to family dinner? Taco Tuesday!
What’s your favorite family restaurant? Anywhere that allows iPads!
Trendy Entrepreneurial Life
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch? Anything on Bravo!
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be? Tough question! Maybe Jennifer Aniston.
What’s your favorite beach read? The last book I read on a beach was about potty training! I also loved Michelle Obama’s Becoming.
What song would you dance to when nobody’s watching? Most country songs
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be? Bethenny Frankel
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? Greece
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day? Takeout, a glass of wine, and a great TV show on the couch.
Trendy Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
We are inspired by the way Jamie has started up her own business and found ways to grow throughout and post-pandemic, all while still making time for family relationships. Her trendy and adaptive approach to life helps her family, business, and clients. Be sure to follow Jamie on Instagram to keep up with her most recent creative events.
For more interesting and inspiring moms, be sure to check out FamilyApp’s Mom on the Street page!
