What is your name and what do you do?
My name Is Jasmine Ruff. I am an Event Planning Specialist at Blush Events and Event Venue Owner, and Travel Agent Vacation Over. Most importantly I am a child of God trying to navigate this world in the most favorable light while caring for my family and pouring into my community. I enjoy living life, traveling, creating memorable events and spending time with family and friends.
How long have you been doing what you do?
I have been an event planner professionally for over 10 years. I have been a travel Agent for almost 5 years. I use my organizational skills, attention to detail and creativity to assist me in my professional ventures. The fact that I actually enjoy planning events and travel makes it feel less like work which helps me to enjoy my businesses.
How do you balance your personal life and professional aspirations, particularly in a demanding career?
It also helps having a team to balance everything out. I am always adding to my team and building out automations to make my job easier and make the process easier for my clients. I am able to do all things events, balloons, backdrops, treats and etc; however, I have a partner that specializes in each area allowing me the ability to focus on the areas I am more favorable to or I am stronger in. Having a team gas also afforded me an opportunity to prioritize spending time with family.
I am a huge family advocate. I grew up with a close knit family. As time has gone by my family isn’t as close as I would like them to be so I enjoy bringing families together with event planning, venue rentals and travel. It affords me the opportunity to live vicariously through them. It also makes me annoy my cousins about family reunions and getting together.
How important is self-care, and what practices do you adopt to prioritize your well-being?
Travel is my biggest form of self-care. I enjoy exploring new destinations, meeting new people and cultures. I was suffering during the pandemic with the travel ban. When I started back traveling after the travel ban was lifted I was ecstatic and on every flight I could get on. I have to be more intentional about self care because I’m always engulfed in work or catering to my children.
How has mentorship played a role in your personal and professional development?
As far as mentorship and catching I have had so many people pour into me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. The biggest thing I have gained from mentorship is learning to be more in the forefront. I played the behind the scenes role for years. However, I have really started showing up for myself and my business more. I stopped shying away from public speaking opportunities and started hosting my own events which I would have never did 5 years ago. I have been led by some of the best people in the industry, Morgan Owens, Matt Naylor, Joe O’Gorman, Brittany Johnson and Simone Cocks are just a few who have poured into me as I have journeyed through my entrepreneurial endeavors.
I am a firm believer in assisting others in their journey to success or just being kind in general. I don’t mind helping, I just don’t want to be misused. I have several coaching programs where I help other people learn to open their business and pour into them all of the knowledge I have acquired over the years in building my business.
As a graduate for Entrepreneurship high school, I can honestly say I have been building businesses since the 9th grade and I use that as well as my real world experience to assist others in their entrepreneurial journey. I will forever champion other men and women in building their business as I know how hard it is trying to build something for yourself. I know how lonely it can get trying to explain your vision to others who only understand corporate work.
What have been some of your biggest accomplishments?
An accomplishment I want to acknowledge this year is being awarded Cincinnati Herald’s Best Event Venue in Cincinnati. It was a huge surprise as I literally got on their site and voted for my accountant but did not see Blush as a nomination. I found out I was a winner when I saw someone else repost that they won. I think that is pretty dope. It’s just more encouragement to keep fighting to build a respectable and profitable business that my customers will love more.
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