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Name:  Jordan Jones

Business:  Packed Party LLC., a service that sends themed care packages.

Type of Business:  E-Commerce

Location: San Francisco, California, U.S.

Reason for starting:  I founded Packed Party LLC after moving to San Francisco to further pursue my career in events in Silicon Valley. I moved, at 23, not knowing a soul. One evening shortly after moving in, I was on the phone with my mom and told her I was having a “pity party” for myself. Going to bed still a bit upset I woke up in the middle of the night with dream about being able to send individuals themed party packages, like a “pity party” for one. I wrote all of my thoughts down that evening staying up until dawn finalizing a business plan and Packed Party LLC was legally established a short time after. These packages are meant to encourage women to start their own parties or to be kind and thoughtful enough to send one to someone else. There isn’t a party package like this on the market

Related: Read about another entrepreneur who took a sudden inspiration and turned it into a business. 

How do you define success?   I define success by our customers. The gift business is a huge market and I see Packed Party as a solution provider. If we make someone’s day when we show up on a doorstep unexpectedly as a surprise, that is a win for me. Word of mouth is huge and we definitely are in that arena with these packages. The reason we have been so successful is because women send other women or themselves these packages and think “wow this is so thoughtful and simple I can send someone else this.” It’s a business based on thoughtfulness and we just happen to have done all of the work for you. We are the first package on the market that isn’t a subscription box, but instead a gift package including everything from a personalized letter-pressed cards to a party theme. We want people to throw their own parties and to inspire women.

Biggest Success? Packed Party’s biggest success has been our sales. We were founded in July 2013, and made packages officially available on November 7th. We expected sales to be in the 30-50 range and mainly from people we knew. This was not at all the case though as we sold over 200 packages within just the first 5 weeks of being open, and all to customers we didn’t know. Social media has truly been the driving force of our success. In the first month we received follows from the likes of Kathie Lee and Hoda, Betches Love This, Lauren Scruggs, and other influential blogging sites and magazines, giving us credibility among consumers.

Related: How to Market a Business on Facebook

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Packed Party’s top challenge is getting our name out there on limited marketing dollars. We are extremely active on social media, but it’s difficult getting our name out there at times with limited dollars to spend. We are addressing the situation by seeking mentors in the space and seeing how we can better get our name out there without overspending. We have also launched a brand ambassador program on 3 different college campuses across the United States. We interviewed several women and selected those would who best represent our brand on campuses, as girls who are confident and unafraid to start their own party. These girls will gain experience through our on-campus program called “Leader Of The Packed” by giving away promotional Packed Party items and hosting motivational speakers who “started their own party in life” at Packed Party sponsored events.

 Who is your most important role model?   My most important role model would be my father. It seems a bit corny, yes, but he is a self-made business man. My dad grew up with little to nothing and used his contacts in a tough industry to get ahead and learn his business. I go to him daily for sound advice about growing our business and what steps I might need to take to better this company and grow our concept.

[box_light]Website   www.packedparty.com
Twitter   @packedpartyllc
Facebook   www.facebook.com/packedparty
Pinterest   www.pinterest.com/iwantapackedpar[/box_light]

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