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

Hi Meghan, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’ve more recently come to understand and support the notion that the “traditional” 9 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday workweek is antiquated and not necessary. Accepting that, and moving away from that concept has brought ALL of the work life balance. I’m only four years into this business owning journey, and still learning things everyday, but this has truly been a game-changer. Being aware of your energy cycles and when you do your best work is key. If you aren’t a morning person, then don’t put pressure on yourself to get up early and make your brain do things! If you can get your work done in 2.5 hours, there is NO NEED to spread it over 8 hours just to say you worked a “full-day”.  

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?
Moxxie Concepts is a mere toddler, just turning four years old in the coming Spring of 2021. She has had slow consistent growth each year, which was the plan from the beginning… until COVID-19. 2020 has been quite an experience to be in the live events industry, since to-some-extent, it is still illegal for large groups to gather together in person. The good news and silver-lining, you could say, is that Moxxie Concepts is different! Our event planning agency focuses on achieving tangible, quantitative goals for their clients. We specialize in fundraising events, educational events and celebratory events (not weddings!). 

From moment one, we hone in on your specific goal: Is it to raise $350,000? Is it to sell 10 attendees your business coaching services? Is it to have 280 tickets sold/butts in seats? Is it to have 310 guests leave being able to quote your mission statement? … You get the point. These types of events are essential organizational events that still have to be executed even during a pandemic. Our team has spent countless hours educating people and providing consulting for organizations regarding how they can still achieve their goals through virtual and hybrid events.

Y’all, don’t cancel your event! Try to pivot before cancelling. The biggest lessons we’ve learned this year is that: A. The Profit First Method for your business banking accounts is genius and SAVED us. (Google it! And you’re welcome.) B. If your business can survive 2020, you can truly accomplish anything! (At least that’s how I feel right now, almost 9 months into this pandemic thing.)

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?
The Moxxie Concepts Team works, eats and plays mostly in the Near Southside of Fort Worth so that is the area that we enjoy showing off to clients and friends. Just by our office alone, Ensemble Coworking, you have everything you need: Old Neighborhood Grill for home-cooking, Chadra Mezza across the street for the best Mediterranean, Esperanzas for traditional mexican food, and Joe’s for New York style pizza!

Go up the road a few blocks to Magnolia Avenue and you can’t miss Stir Crazy Baked Goods for the BEST quiche and sweet treats you’ve ever had, apop-into Grow for a new plant or Ephemera to build your own terrarium, Kent & Co for a glass of vino on the patio, SiNiCa to marvel at the artists blowing glass, Fort Brewery to play some giant jenga with a cold beer, up to the rooftop of Free Play for a beverage with an amazing view and then head inside to play all of your favorite childhood arcade games, pop-into Brewed for brunch, Grandma’s for some karaoke, Spice for some tasty Thai, Fixture for life-changing roasted beets, Proper for the best cocktail in town and then over to the Magnolia Green to sit on the swings and enjoy the fresh-air and green space, not to mention some other fave watering holes on Magnolia – Chat Room, Boiled Owl, Upper 90 and The Usual!

 Once you work your way down Magnolia Ave. you then head over to the South Main Village Area where you have a whole ‘nother week’s worth of activities: sparkling or hot tea in the most adorable and peaceful setting at Leaves Book and Tea shop, snag fresh produce from The Table, get a new do’ from the famous George Crittenden at Crittenden the Studio, take in live tunes at M.A.S.S., Tulips, Twilite Lounge or Shipping and Receiving, sample locally distilled and brewed beverages from Black Eyed Distilling, Funky Picnic Brewery, Hop Fusion, Locust Ciders, Rancho Lomo Vineyards and Rahr Brewing, pause for a snack and play some board games at Game Theory, eat all the things at Black Cat Pizza, Tinies, Pouring Glory, Wishbone & Flynt, Coco Shrimp, Brix BBQ, Dusty Biscuit Beignets and more.
And I didn’t even mention all of the adorable and amazing local boutiques in the Near Southside – Etico, Morgan Mercantile, Megan Thorne Atelier, Kendall Davis Clay, Vintage 817, FW Locals, LTO, Winton & Waits, Greenhouse 817, Panther City Vinyl, and Tribe Alive to name a few.
Lastly, I might be biased but the Near Southside has some amazing spots to get caffeinated – some of my faves (in no particular order) are CRUDE, Roots, Avoca, Arcadia and Craftwork. There you have it, the Near Southside has everything you need! Plus really unique and colorful murals everywhere you look.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Moxxie Concepts Shoutout List would honestly be SO LONG if I mentioned every person that is a part of the Moxxie Story. Let’s be clear, my business is ONLY where it is today because of all the “valley days” when I call X Person, Y Person, or Z Person crying, or complaining or asking questions or just existing in their presence. And every . time . that person of the moment builds me back up, and says “You’re the s#!* and you’ve got this”. Sometimes, they give tough love with honest advice, which is usually spot on. Depending on the day and situation, that person changes, which is why the list is so long.

Are we still calling it a “squad” or is that not cool anymore? My squad is strong, fierce and runs deep. I don’t want to hurt feelings and play faves but there is a particular group that has had to tolerate a few more “moods” and emotions than others:

– SHOUTOUT to the Gookins (the fam bam!), they are absolutely going to a special place in Heaven for surviving the past four years of this entrepreneur journey with me.

– SHOUTOUT to my “other-half” Marie, as she has been in the thickest-of-the-thick of wild event situations with Moxxie Concepts, and we somehow still manage to walk-away laughing and wanting to work more events together.

– SHOUTOUT to my Ensemble Coworking fam, which of course includes The Tamara Payne (“Mama-T”), I honestly do not know if Moxxie Concepts would exist without being a part of this small business community! Office-ing with and around so many incredible and inspirational entrepreneurs on a daily basis is a legitimate life-saver.

And last but not least …

– SHOUTOUT to all of you in my “favorites” on my phone. You know who you are ;). Your calls, texts, face-times, marco polos and snap chats are my lifelines. Thank you for always being there.

Website: www.moxxieconcepts.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moxxieconcepts
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moxxieconcepts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/moxxieconcepts
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moxxie-concepts-event-management-and-consulting-fort-worth-2

Image Credits
Rachel Delira – StyleFW Pictures Cannon Elizabeth Photography RH Media

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