New business on the cards for Mother’s Day
Published:Sunday | May 17, 2020 | 8:53 AMVanessa James/Gleaner Writer
When COVID-19 restrictions grounded Annece Williams’ six-year-old events planning company, she got infected, too – with a desire to rebound.
Williams has created a spin-off ( @thepartyshopja) of her company, As You Wish Events, hoping to tap interest in Mother’s Day, which will be celebrated in Jamaica and other countries on Sunday, May 10. She decided to put a twist on the annual celebration, making light of quarantine-era Jamaica.
“Because of the coronavirus, events planning isn’t making any money right now, but I still have bills to pay, so I had to figure out a creative way to make some money,” she said.
Williams opted against plunging into the overcrowded floral market and toyed with the prospect of making cards from scratch but nixed that idea as she raced against the clock.
Jamaicans are finding creative ways to celebrate milestones, even under the 12-hour national curfew that runs from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. daily, and Williams is helping them to achieve that goal by offering DIY packages.
The tourism management graduate of the University of Technology, who underwent corporate events training from famed caterer Jacqui Tyson, said she taught herself how to plan social events and weddings.
“I like the fact that I can be a supplier of joy and how happy people react. The smile on their faces. All the hugs and thank yous – during the process and when everything comes together – I love that!” she told The Gleaner.
Williams disclosed that she has received 40 orders already and is prepared for last-minute buyers.
“I have also linked with other event planners who are doing flowers and gift packages for Mother’s Day, so because we are friends, they have incorporated the cards in their packages, so when they get an order, I get an order,” Williams said.