It’s a pleasure to welcome Jo, Founder of By Joanne Weddings, to the blog today… Not only because she is a client of mine, but because it’s Jo’s birthday too! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jo to write her website, launch her brand and manage her online social media presence. During this time I’ve learnt all about Joanne’s passion, dedication and sheer love for what she does. I welcome you to read her story and be truly inspired…

How long have you been running your business for? How was your business born?

13 years ago when we moved from Wales to South France, we sold up and moved our family to France, we had a blank canvas and no plan and just wanted to see if we liked living here and if we could earn a living, I was asked to manage and market a chateau that had been empty and never used and I started marketing holiday rentals and then one day I got asked by a couple if they could get married there and I said yes, why not? I had planned large scale events in the UK so my skillset and experience and knowledge in the events industry was a perfect fit and the rest is history.

What did you want to do for a career? Was this something you’d always intended on doing?

I wanted to be a vet as all my life I have had horses, but realised it was a long time to study and I am squeamish when it comes to blood and I cant look at a needle so opted for a business and marketing degree in university and then worked in private and public sector it the events industry for 12 years, I really became a wedding planner as I got asked to, I used to plan gala dinners for 1500 guests with glitzy award schemes and used to create the visuals for all the table settings, literature etc plus I planned my own wedding which is still being talked about today 20 years on so I knew I could it

What is one thing you know now that you would have told yourself when you first launched your business?

You don’t always have to say yes.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner, and how have you overcome it?

Balancing your time to ensure that you keep your life/work balance, I have 3 children, a husband with his own catering company, horses, dogs, fish and a rabbit, we all embrace life to the full and are active and sociable with very strong characters - it is vital not to let work engulf you and take time for yourself, family and friends. Work to live not the other way around.

Tell me an invaluable lesson you have learnt as a business owner?

Treat everyone as you want to be treated and you wont go far wrong, be honest, truthful and respectful.

Being self-employed can be a struggle! How do you stay motivated? Do you have any productivity tips?

I love a challenge and I am very competitive so to stay on top of my game you have to be motivated, my mind is constantly evaluating everything I do to make sure we keep our high standards and our impeccable reputation. On days when I am not feeling the buzz and energy I go gallop around the countryside to get the adrenalin rush and clear my brain. My drive is to be the best I possibly can and to leave a legacy for my children and for them to be inspired by what is possible.

Is there anyone (within the industry, celebrity, friend or family member) who inspires you and what you do for a living?

I have worked on a charity event with Catherine Zeta Jones who I adore and admire and I planned an event with Sir Ranulph Fiennes who was amazing and inspiring to listen to but yet so humbled by his achievements.

Name me your go-to podcast, audio book or song that you listen to while working?

Always eurythmics – sweet dreams and 90s classic house tunes – I love dancing and do so often around my bathroom with a glass of wine some of my best ideas are then scribbled down

I’m all about supporting small businesses. How can your followers / customers / clients support your biz?

By endorsements which give me business credibility, following my Instagram, talk about me.

What’s one thing you dislike about being a business owner?

The isolation, I sometime miss office banter and politics and team meetings but when I feel like this I just get my horses together and create my own crowd.

What’s one thing you love about being a business owner?

I make and control my own destiny.

What is a common myth about your business / field of expertise?

I suppose as a planner/event manager everyone thinks it is glamorous, which I can assure you it isn’t, you work extremely long hours on your feet and it is exhausting mentally and physically but the buzz and feeling of achievement is worth every second and I would not change it for the world.

If your business could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

Creating and executing the best weddings ever! Because we do.

What’s something your followers / customers / clients wouldn’t know about you?

I have a terrible habit of biting my nails so I have false ones, and I have met Red Rum (grand national winner in 73,74,77) and we were on the news when I was 10 as I raised the most sponsorship money to save the Grand National.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their own business?

Be brave and if in doubt don’t do it but if you believe in it go for it!

What do you have in store for your business? Is there anything exciting around the corner?

Just finished my commercial/film for By Joanne, my own signature brand for luxury weddings with worldclass suppliers so very excited to step into the limelight as me and stand by own name and looking at opening an office in Paris.

I also own and manage The Impeccable Pear and Same Sex Weddings in France website and businesses.

Describe being a business owner in three words.

Opportunity, dynamic, creative.