Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann LeFiles.
Hi Ann, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always knew I wanted a career in business. My passion has always been helping businesses succeed and working directly with other businesses owners. During college and after college, I worked in a multitude of industries from market research, to an accounting firm, to the truck industry, and in print advertising.
I was working for a local print advertising company in Jacksonville when one of my clients called me on the phone and said “Ann, I met this lady who owns a travel magazine, she is selling it… and you need to buy it.” And I did. In 2009, I took a huge leap of faith after praying about it… and getting some signs and buying my first business. It was a travel magazine called Travel host. It was hard… but it was also rewarding. In 2011, I purchased Premier Bride of Northeast Florida. This business encompassed a magazine and wedding expos.
I immediately fell in love with the wedding industry, the vendors, and planning the expos. Eventually, Travel host was sold to another publisher so I could focus on just the wedding industry. I am proud to say that Premier Bride has been helping couples meet professional wedding vendors for 22 years in Northeast Florida, we are the only locally owned wedding magazine, website, and expo company in our area!
My business is a family affair! My parents have always been the biggest supporters. When they retired and moved to Florida, they began helping me with magazine deliveries and expos! Wendy and Jerry are well known and loved by the vendors! Fun fact, my husband proposed to me at one of my wedding expos… and everyone was in on it. I was totally surprised!
We have two amazing kids, Gage and Kinsley, and I include them every chance I can. They have both posed for our fashion and decor shoots, been at the expos, and helped me with other small tasks. My husband and I also owned a full-service concert production company for several years until 2018. And a lawn maintenance company which we currently operate as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a business is full of challenges. It can be lonely, especially if you don’t know other business owners to talk about struggles… and achievements with! I also had a business partner at one time, which turned out to be one of the biggest learning curves of my professional career. It ended with years of litigation and lawyers making a lot of money. Looking back, I learned a lot. It was early in my career and set me up for success later on. As a business owner, you also have to learn how to wear all the hats, accounting, marketing, CEO, HR, and janitor.
As a mom, owning a business can also be challenging because there is always work to be done… and your kids always need a mom. I have tried to incorporate my kids in my business, my kids have posed for the magazine photoshoots and I have them work at the expos (when they are old enough… my 4-year-old isn’t there yet!). While owning your own business gives you some amazing freedom and flexibility it’s also about finding a good work-life balance.
COVID and the pandemic have been a huge challenge… and has been for every single business owner. The events industry was one of the hardest industries hit overall. It continues to present challenges for the wedding industry and my business was deeply affected. Many of my long-term clients closed or changed their business models. My clients face labor shortages which prevent them from coming to expos and unpredictable business climates have slowed down advertising.
I always remain hopeful about the future; weddings will always happen because people will always fall in love!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Premier Bride Magazine and Expos?
Our mission is to help couples meet professional, quality wedding vendors so they can plan their special day. Premier Bride magazine publishes twice a year and is a free publication that can be found from Amelia Island to Palm Coast and everywhere in between. The magazine is full of helpful articles, tips, local weddings, and packed with wedding vendors!
Our website is directory-based and provides couples an easy way to lookup local vendors, get additional tips and wedding inspirations. The Premier Bride Expos happen 4 times per year in NE Florida; two at the Prime Osborn and two at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village. With over 100 of the top wedding professionals at each expo, this is the largest and best wedding expo couples can attend.
Premier Bride of Northeast Florida is different because we are locally owned and operated. My clients are treated like family! Their success is my success and I make it my mission for them to be successful.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I had a wonderful childhood and have so many incredible memories. It’s hard to choose just one. Some of my most special memories were spending time on my grandparent’s farm in Nebraska.
They lived a simple but meaningful life. Riding in the pickup to check on the cattle in the pastures, picking raspberries in grandma’s garden, or listening to them tell me stories about when they were little are all great memories.
In high school, I was really involved in student government and planned the logistics & decor of every single school dance. It’s like I started preparing for my career when I was 14 or just never grew up… Either one!
Pricing:
- Expo Booths $350-$695 per expo
- Magazine Packages – $75-$300 per month
Contact Info:
- Email: ann@premierbridenefl.com
- Website: www.PBJacksonville.com and www.PremierBrideExpo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierbridefl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremierBrideMagazineandExpo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PremierBrideNEFL/videos
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/PremierBrideFL
Image Credits
Pompy Portraits
