Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Mills.
Hi Grace, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I can remember, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive. My parents were business owners, so running a business was instilled in me at a very young age. When I was 16, I wanted a part-time job like my friends at school. My dad encouraged me to start a business instead, which was more work than a part-time job but so rewarding. I started a t-shirt business in our dining room. I continued to run the business until I was ready to start my junior year at the University of North Florida as an accounting major. After graduating college, I continued to work as an accountant and was further exposed to the language of business. I’ve always had a keen intuitiveness for whether or not a business will succeed. I saw a similar concept to Jax Picnics on a smaller scale during my vacation in South Carolina in February 2021 and thought this was something Jacksonville needed. I brainstormed a business plan, purchased decor, built my picnic tables, and had my friends help model for pictures to use for advertisement. During the second month of Jax Picnics, I was fully booked for weeks in advance every weekend. Working full-time as an accountant and running a business had its challenges. I needed to find other people to join Jax Picnics to help with the demand. I’ve been through two seasons of Jax Picnics and eagerly preparing for the third season!
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were plenty of challenges I faced with starting Jax Picnics. I had to work on learning how to trust others and delegate in the beginning. Navigating an uncontrollable factor – the weather – and thinking fast in last-minute high-stress situations was vital. With the constant increase in demand, I needed to find people to join Jax Picnics as it was getting challenging just by myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Senior Accountant at Refresh Mental Health, headquartered in Jacksonville Beach, FL. I have been working in accounting for about 7 years and enjoy analyzing financials to help businesses make better decisions. I love seeing the bigger picture of a business and understanding the details as it works hand in hand. I am originally from the small town of Quitman, GA, and was raised on a farm in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. I moved to Jacksonville when I was 15 years old. I am now 25 years old, and it’s wild to think about where I came from and where I am today. I’ve had many different life experiences and been involved with many kinds of people. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and insert yourself into conversations with people you can learn from. Having the courage to do that has helped me to understand other people, cultures and see different perspectives.
What makes you happy?
Connecting with others and creating a memory they will remember for years makes me happy. Knowing that Jax Picnics created an engagement, birthday party, bridal shower, etc., gives me a fantastic sense of purpose.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on factors such a location, how many people, any custom requests, etc.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxpicnics/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxpicnics/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-mills-a4436114a/
Image Credits
Emily Townsend Photography
