Curating The Fantasy with Jenna Noelle

Jenna Noelle
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The event industry is one of endless hyperbole. Everything is the best, the most special, the sweetest. But real life isn’t like that. Behind the scenes of those curating the dreamiest moment of someone else’s life are complex individuals facing numerous challenges. Curating The Fantasy seeks to remind people of the humanity behind the facade. We ask those who shape this industry how they build dreams from the ground up while managing their own truth and priorities, what inspires them, how they got here, and where they’re going.

Episodes

  1. E9 - An odyssey of crafting remarkably beautiful moments while conquering life's turbulence with Virginia Frischkorn

    01/11/2024

    E9 - An odyssey of crafting remarkably beautiful moments while conquering life's turbulence with Virginia Frischkorn

    Virginia's story inspires her to balance the ever-evolving entrepreneurship landscape while staying true to herself. She's all about crafting unforgettable memories and aiming for that 1% better every day. Actively engaged in a field that undergoes frequent changes and uncertainties, she draws continuous inspiration from her children. They're like little explorers, always pushing her to aim higher at work and in life. Virginia's schedule has weathered life's biggest storms as a mom, facing tough times, navigating rocky relationships, surviving a pandemic, and losing a loved one. But from this chaos, a resilient spirit emerges, ready to grab every opportunity that comes knocking, no matter how tough the situation may seem.  Virginia's journey in business is marked by transition, persistence, and individualism. Raised in a family of entertainers, her venture into event planning was propelled by raw enthusiasm and a passion sparked during a stint at The Little Nell. Entrepreneurship started at 25, creating Bluebird, a revolutionary force in Colorado's event scene. In a competitive industry, she embraced social media, leveraging platforms like Instagram to redefine event planning in the digital era.  Virginia's brainchild, Party Trick, transcends being just an app, offering an all-in-one guide to effortless celebrations with features like playlist suggestions and life hacks. However, she sheds light on the less-glamorous reality of emotional demands on event planners, sharing personal battles and the toll on her health. Despite challenges, Virginia learned the importance of genuine connections, aligning with clients whose energy resonates with hers. The true value lies in contentment over glamor, authentic interactions, career shifts, and embracing change, all while underscoring the importance of self-care. Learn more about Virginia Frischkorn: Website TikTok Instagram Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    35 min
  2. E8 - Unveiling Cindy Novotny's journey, resilience, hospitality, and inspiration

    01/08/2024

    E8 - Unveiling Cindy Novotny's journey, resilience, hospitality, and inspiration

    Cindy Novotny's journey from a "hotel girl" to a global hospitality trailblazer is nothing short of remarkable. Climbing the ranks from restaurants to iconic brands like The Disney Corporation and Ritz Carlton, she landed the Director of Sales and Marketing position at a young age. But it was a challenging ride. Realizing the industry's training programs didn't align with real-world challenges, she reshaped her firm, Master Connection Associates, intertwining sales with training programs. Now a global leader in hospitality training with a team of 40 people, Cindy's crazy lifestyle split between California and her job defines a balanced success story. She's more than a businesswoman; she's an author, an advocate for a fulfilling life, and a role model. Her advice? Craft your path, seek balance, and pursue your dreams fiercely. Cindy embodies resilience, hard work, and a fulfilled existence beyond career triumphs. Emphasizing the importance of mastering sales, marketing, and social media in navigating different trade levels, Cindy states that attitude is key. Urging a solution-oriented and optimistic mindset while separating work from personal challenges. Authenticity in branding, focusing on clear communication, consistency, and alignment with customer expectations, draws quality clients into the wedding industry. In a rapidly changing world, Cindy connects with her audience in an honest, relatable way. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources, including Chick-fil-A's success, she manages various personalities diplomatically, fostering profitable relationships. Her globe-trotting ventures, promoting personal experiences over mere visits, emphasize aligning passion with the profession. Cindy, who believes in quality sleep, teases upcoming projects, including a podcast and a soon-to-release book. She showcases her resilience and humor by inspiring others to embrace their flaws in the face of unexpected situations. Learn more about Cindy Novotny: LinkedIn Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    49 min
  3. E7 - Juls Sharpley Crafts Dream Weddings while Transforming Lives

    01/07/2024

    E7 - Juls Sharpley Crafts Dream Weddings while Transforming Lives

    Juls Sharpley, CEO, and Creative Director of Juls Sharpley Events, is the driving force behind many magical events. Her passion for crafting enchanting moments shines through in every celebration she coordinates. With a wealth of creative concepts and a knack for blending opulence, Juls ensures each event authentically mirrors each couple's love story. As a top Colorado wedding planner, she explores all ideas to make that special day unforgettable. Embracing every challenge to bring her client’s vision to life with each unique element.  In 2016, Juls founded the company initially known as Bubbles and Bowties. She recognized a gap in the market for accessible wedding planning and offered event management along with full-service planning. This shift allowed her to stand out and serve a broader clientele, marking a transformative journey between these two service levels. Over time, rebranding became necessary for ‘Bubbles and Bowties’ as it didn't capture the refined approach they were aiming for. They changed the name to Juls Sharpley Events, which aligns best with the brand's essence.  Juls discovered wedding planning while working as a ski instructor in her twenties, prompted by a transformative conversation with a mobile company CEO who asserted that teaching skiing was changing the world through small, positive interactions. This perspective influenced Juls's approach to the wedding industry, highlighting the profound impact of uniting people to celebrate love and the ripple effect on individuals and their networks. Recognizing her blend of artistic creativity and analytical precision, Juls expanded her understanding of creativity beyond the arts, incorporating logistics and finances into her distinctive wedding planning service. Thriving in this role, she finds joy in making couples' dreams come true and relieving them of logistical burdens, emphasizing the trust clients invest in her and her colleagues. Despite personal challenges, Juls believes in affordable, memorable celebrations for everyone, cherishing the beauty in life's imperfections and committing to exceptional service following her emotionally tumultuous marriage and divorce. Learn more about Juls Sharpley: Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    44 min
  4. E6 - From Bat Mitzvah Dreams to Luxury Event Success, The Inspiring Journey of Jolene Peterson

    01/06/2024

    E6 - From Bat Mitzvah Dreams to Luxury Event Success, The Inspiring Journey of Jolene Peterson

    Jolene Peterson, a native of Southern California turned Colorado resident, whose journey into the world of luxury events traces back to her own Bat Mitzvah with a Springtime Art theme, masterfully orchestrated by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants years ago. For Jolene, exploring new places, meeting new people, and conquering fresh design challenges fuels her passion. With a heartfelt commitment, she promises to lend an attentive ear and infuse creative thinking and authentic character into every extraordinary event she touches.  Jolene is just one of three sisters in her vibrant, expansive Jewish family, a tight-knit clan that thrives on gathering and celebrating. Jolene’s daughter Esther diligently crafts intricate place cards while the dining table is adorned. Her career began with the guidance of Mindy Weiss, a pioneer in contemporary weddings. While studying at USC in Los Angeles, she sought insights from Mindy, leading to a valuable opportunity in luxury events.  Jolene challenges women's pressure to balance various aspects while excelling in their careers by defying the typical stereotypical expectations in her work. Her high-end experience taught her that enjoying fashion is one thing and being competent in the profession is another, implying that there must be more important things to pay attention to than just appearance, especially for women. Learn more about Jolene Peterson: Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    38 min
  5. E5 - Redefining Authenticity and Vulnerability in the Wedding Industry with Taylor de la Fuente

    01/05/2024

    E5 - Redefining Authenticity and Vulnerability in the Wedding Industry with Taylor de la Fuente

    Taylor de la Fuente, the wordsmith behind Big Mouth Copy, is on a mission to revolutionize the wedding industry with her passion for words' incredible power. Taylor believes that words can either make or break a business, and she's dedicated to helping struggling wedding ventures transform into thriving successes. Her unique approach allows business owners to enjoy well-deserved rest, bond with their newborns, or soak up the sun in Maui while their businesses flourish. What sets Taylor apart is her honesty and refusal to conform to the clichéd narrative prevalent in the wedding industry, instead advocating for transparency and openness. In her work as a wedding photographer, Taylor discusses the necessary aspects of trust and safety when working with clients. Advocating for vetting clientele to ensure their values align well with what the business represents. This approach leads to more fulfilling and prosperous client relationships over time. Taylor also parallels the challenges of balancing personal life, particularly motherhood, with entrepreneurship. Her transparency regarding her struggle with postpartum depression can be an inspiring example, hurting the requirement that entrepreneurs have to pretend they are perfect humans.  Her story speaks to entrepreneurs facing difficult financial situations who have had to make hard choices during these times, highlighting that vulnerability can lead individuals closer in their relationships with their respective clients. In a world of perfectionists, Taylor’s message reflects the importance of authenticity as a means to long-term success. Learn more about Taylor de la Fuente: Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    38 min
  6. E4 - A Journey of Entrepreneurial Resilience and Creative Versatility with Isabelle Kline

    01/04/2024

    E4 - A Journey of Entrepreneurial Resilience and Creative Versatility with Isabelle Kline

    Isabelle Kline, the owner of Isabelle Kline Design and Full Bloom's entrepreneurial journey began over 20 years ago when she started crafting unique wedding invitations. Her three-dimensional handmade designs struck a chord, earning her initial orders and marking her entry into the wedding industry. Isabelle expanded her field to specialize in luxury invitations when she opened a shop in Southern California. Her love for design increased, which prompted her to offer event planning services. Her business became a comprehensive hub for creative event design and floral arrangements.  Isabelle finds her greatest joy in adding that special touch to turn dreams into reality. Her inspiration springs from a deep understanding of her client's desires, weaving them into unique visions. She excels in adapting designs to venue constraints and client inspirations, which shows her remarkable adaptability. Despite personal challenges, Isabelle maintains a positive online presence and perseveres in her business, demonstrating incredible resilience. Rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach, she focuses on the right fit for each client rather than exclusivity and takes pride in developing personal connections with her clients, many of whom become friends.  Challenging the notion that luxury service providers should exclusively cater to the elite, Isabelle has established a diverse portfolio that doesn't compromise quality. Her unwavering commitment to building genuine client relationships, rather than relying on superficial networking events, is a testament to her belief that trust and camaraderie among colleagues yield superior results. As her horizons expand and her expertise evolves, she's thrilled to announce her international endeavors this year. Isabelle's invaluable insights underscore the significance of self-care and fostering authentic relationships in the demanding world of wedding planning and design, inspiring industry professionals and couples to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Learn more about Isabelle Kline: Website Instagram Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    31 min
  7. E3 - Destination of Dreams, and Unforgettable Celebrations with Michelle Norwood

    01/03/2024

    E3 - Destination of Dreams, and Unforgettable Celebrations with Michelle Norwood

    Michelle Norwood, a seasoned wedding planner, has created extraordinary New Orleans weddings for eight years. She transforms New Orleans weddings with 11-hour seated dinners and combines the tradition with that of a charming city. She speaks on the importance of strategy and adaptability in a city that becomes more popular for destination weddings associated with its culture and cuisine. Destination-based weddings usually last longer than local ceremonies, and most of the clients Michelle works with prefer this style, offering plated meals and live music and entertainment all over. These celebrations are truly unique. The quintessential feature of New Orleans weddings is a second-line parade – once linked to funerals, but now an incredibly lively celebration of life. These parades keep the energy up, effortlessly blending the joy with ritual celebrations as couples go from ceremony to cocktail hour to a seated dinner. Michelle’s transformation from the corporate sector to a competent wedding planner and designer highlights that one must have an effective plan, flexibility, and openness about distinctive customs in weddings.  Learn more about Michelle Norwood: Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    37 min
  8. E2 - Crafting Dreams in the World of Wedding Planning with Emily Coyne

    01/02/2024

    E2 - Crafting Dreams in the World of Wedding Planning with Emily Coyne

    In the wedding planning industry, Emily Coyne's passion thrives on constant problem-solving, creative innovation, and forging meaningful connections. Her journey blends diverse influences, from her early fascination with Emily Post's etiquette and event planning to her father's architectural background and her love for floor plan sketching. Her mother's expertise in interior design adds to this mosaic. After college, Emily's path diverged from corporate aspirations, leading her into the luxury hotel space, immersing herself in Michelin-starred restaurants and Forbes five-star resorts. She developed a deep love for food, service, and hospitality, translating into planning corporate events, private parties, and weddings. As a wedding director at a prestigious Napa Valley resort, she honed her skills before embarking on her entrepreneurial path, launching her own wedding planning company.  Her firm works with a limited number of weddings annually, creating in-depth relationships and unique designs based on individual love stories. Emily shows that being a wedding planner is not only about playing with aesthetics but also presupposes professionalism in achieving logistics, problem-solving, and crisis management goals. She finds joy in orchestrating perfect occasions for clients, which eventually helps them build their future happiness. The pandemic affected the industry, meaning that a lot of rescheduling had to be done, and Emily often worked 80-hour weeks to prevent cancellations. Emily’s approach is about teamwork and cooperation, away from single points of failure; she only sees the opportunity for refining details further without taking fresh challenges lightly – particularly when it can lead to such exciting destinations as Park City in Utah or even the Tahoe Mountains in California. Learn more about Emily Coyne: ⁠⁠Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    30 min
  9. E1 - Exceptional Stationery Through Creative Mastery with Matthew Wengerd

    01/01/2024

    E1 - Exceptional Stationery Through Creative Mastery with Matthew Wengerd

    Matthew Wengerd, owner of A Fine Press, specializes in crafting special stationery, including invitations, menus, and gifts, catering to courageous clients. His work seamlessly blends functionality with art, architecture, fashion, and food inspiration. What sets Matthew apart is his remarkable clientele, a group of individuals willing to be known and remembered through their stationery. Matthew provides a safe space for creativity, fostering an environment where clients can authenticate themselves. Emphasizing the importance of giving one's best work as an act of love, Matthew, a creative teacher with a diverse skill set, reflects on his 16-year journey from school to becoming a professional event photographer. Recognizing the need to celebrate creative individuals during the challenges of the pandemic, he highlights the pressure to maintain a flawless image. He finds joy in re-contextualizing the work of other artists. As a wedding photographer, Matthew's perspective on weddings goes beyond capturing a couple's love in a moment; it extends to representing that love within the context of their community. He challenges the conventional idea that the perfect day is necessarily the best, highlighting the significance of capturing a great and real moment. While acknowledging the limitations of discussing dark aspects of life under the facade of a smiling couple, Matthew suggests finding a place for such conversations in personal portraits or moments of work. He delves into the complexity of maintaining balance in the creative field, where one's self-worth is often tied to how creativity is received, especially when external indicators like bank accounts reflect trust and work. Matthew advocates for a nuanced perspective, breaking away from the binary notion of it being either good or bad and finding equilibrium in the complex intersection of personal and professional aspects of life. Learn more about Matthew Wengerd: ⁠⁠Portfolio Instagram Website Check out more content at Jenna Noelle Creative.

    54 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The event industry is one of endless hyperbole. Everything is the best, the most special, the sweetest. But real life isn’t like that. Behind the scenes of those curating the dreamiest moment of someone else’s life are complex individuals facing numerous challenges. Curating The Fantasy seeks to remind people of the humanity behind the facade. We ask those who shape this industry how they build dreams from the ground up while managing their own truth and priorities, what inspires them, how they got here, and where they’re going.

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