We had the good fortune of connecting with Jewel Odeyemi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jewel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Right from a young age, I’ve always dreamt of running my own business due to my independent & bossy nature. I didn’t know what type of business I would start until I found my hobby in party planning in high school and through college.

However, it wasn’t until I got married and had children that I realized that I could take my hobby that I’m so passionate about and great at and turn it into a money making empire for my children. I didn’t want to be that mom who was always absent from her kids life growing up because I was dedicating my time to a company that didn’t value me and I was dispensable to. I wanted something of my own that I built from scratch and my children get to witness entrepreneurship from a young age and have that as an inspiration that they can do and be whatever they want to be in this life. Although running your own business is harder than working 9 – 5 for an employer, but for me the I get fulfilled knowing that this is my Legacy that will live on for generations and no one can take away from me.

As I owned my craft in Event Planning, I sort out to invest in educating myself to become an expert in the industry and still do and my Business degree has certainly lent itself to the success of Touch of Jewel Events today.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the Owner and Executive Planner at Touch of Jewel Events & Designs, LLC, a business founded about a decade ago. We started out as the only Nigerian Wedding & Event Planner in the DFW region and over the years, our business has expanded into planning & executing local and destination weddings and events for all Ethnic & Multicultural clients on a global and international scale.

What sets us apart from others is our exclusivity, attention to details and focusing on client experience. When we first started out, we would plan about 30 events per year and although we successfully juggled all our events efficiently and get raving reviews consistently, we didn’t feel like we were exclusive enough for our clients. We have since rebranded and streamlined our services to gear towards being more exclusive to our clients. Planning a wedding involves a lot of details, requires hundreds of hours to meticulously plan and our clients are investing a lot of money into what we hope and pray would be a once in a lifetime celebration for them. As a result, we now only offer Full Service Planning, Design & Production for our clients and only take on 10 clients a year max. This has allowed all our couples to feel like they are the only ones we are catering to at every giving time.

We have also grown our team over the years with tenured staff of 4 – 8 years with the company. Our focus is on our client and their guest experience. When we consult with them, our goal is to WOW their guests and provide an Iconic experience that will leave them raving for years to come. This type of experience requires major attention to details and usually come with a price tag of them. Our ideal clients come to us because they know that we will over deliver, they know we are not cheap and are ok with their investment because they see the value in what we bring to the table.

It hasn’t always been easy and with each stage of growth and success comes a new struggle and challenge. However, staying grounded, focused and minding the business that pays you has helped us tremendously in overcoming challenges that come our way. It is ok to be discouraged and sad at times, but when you fall, find the last bit of energy in you to help you get back up again.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt as a business owner is that several doors will be shut in your face before one finally opens; Patience and perseverance is key. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, stay focused on what you should be doing and never compare yourself to anyone because you don’t know the trajectory of their journey and how they got to where they are today. It is also ok to take breaks and disconnect physically and mentally; we cannot give our best if we are not our best.

I want the world to know that it is not easy being a wife, a mother of 3 and running a business, but with dedication and determination, we can all be whatever we want to be. The TOJ Brand started as a hobby and we are now a Global Event Planning company that has been recognized internationally. Our clients keep raving about our company, our team and the services that we provide. This is the fuel that keeps our energy and momentum burning and we are grateful for everyone that has influenced the TOJ Brand.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ohhh I love hosting my girl friends and I am always the one who puts the itinerary together, so it’s a fun filled week. I also love to partner with my vendors and use their services. Our week will consist of visiting some Dallas attractions, enjoying some fine dining at top restaurants, brunching at some of my favorite spots and shopping after, some spa session and because I am a home buddy, I will organize a pajama game night at a hotel.

Day One: I will pick my girls up from the airport in a limo with some champagne and take a drive around the city before we head home so they can freshen up and eat some home cooked meal I made for them. We’ll catch up on missed times while sipping some wine and enjoying good company.

Day Two: I will take them out to Brunch at Toulouse Cafe & Bar by Legacy West and after Brunch, we will hit up some of our favorite stores on the strip to do some shopping. After shopping we will come back home and enjoy lounging around the pool and sipping on some cocktails. I will order some food delivery from one of our local restaurants

Day Three: I will take them to explore the City of Downtown Dallas, we will visit some of the iconic and historical parts of Dallas, we will do some sip and painting, grab some lunch and maybe some bowling. Go back home to freshen up and meet up with some local friends to introduce my girls to over dinner and dancing at Gloria’s restaurant.

Day Four: I will organize a full Spa, pamper & photoshoot day, we will start by checking into one of the suites at the Ritz Carlton Hotel to get some facials and massages with lunch at the hotel restaurant after. Then I will have my makeup artist and hairstylist arrive to glam us all up. Photographer will arrive to do a photoshoot on and off location. After the photoshoot, we will hit up the Reunion Tower for dinner and head over to the Waterproof rooftop at the Statler Hotel for some nice live music and nightlife and come back to spend the night at the hotel. We may hop through the Theory Nightclub Uptown, Townhouse or Opera Club

Day Five: We will have breakfast at the hotel before checking out. We will head back home for some netflix and chill time to unwind and I will host a dinner on the last night and have one of my Chef do some home catering.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I always acknowledge God first and foremost; without Him, my business would have failed. I’m thankful for everyone He has brought in my path to be a part of my growth and success in this industry. My husband who has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader; it truly is hard having a partner who is not in the Event Industry but supports your every move and is there as a financial support during down times. I am thankful for my Vendors (so many to list) who have provided excellent services for my clients over and over again and we continue to push each other to be our best with every service we provide. I’m thankful for the publications that have showed us love by featuring our clients, business, events and put us on the map for recognition, B Collective Magazine, Munaluchi Bridal, Essence Magazine, BRIDES, Voyage and so many more to list. To my few fellow Event Planners who I can always call, count on and bounce ideas of each other and has shown that we are indeed community over competition, I’m grateful for your friendships & support.

Website: www.touchofjewel.com

Instagram: instagram.com/touch_of_jewel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/touchofjewel/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Touch_of_jewel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Touchofjewel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TouchofJewelEventsDesignsLLC/about

Image Credits
@BomaonePhotography @Adaleephotography @JamesWillisphotography @IMGphotography @Akintayotimi

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.