Meet Timmesse Thompson | The Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Timmesse Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Timmesse, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2015 I was an Administrative Assistant for a major company. At that point, I had about 5 years of experience in the events industry and I was starving for more. At the time I was getting a lot of recognition for my event planning from my employer but I wanted to find out if I had what it takes to make it in the industry.

I remember going to my boss at the time and expressing this in hopes to receive some professional development. Two weeks prior I had received two company awards for my work on two large-scale events and I was feeling myself. Dumbest thing I ever did…asking for permission to be great. I remember telling him that my dream was to work as a full-time event planner for the company. He told me that he didn’t see with my current work that I had what it takes.

What a hater. I have never asked for permission again.

I started to look for another job in the events industry immediately. Every role that I found was more marketing based and there were no listings at any event agencies. My husband gives me the best advice “Why don’t you start your own event planning company?”

I yelled back at him “What if I start my own event planning company?!”

Owning a business was something I only saw on TV. An Event Planning company at that? That was something straight out of a CW show I watched growing up. In the industry, I never even saw any black event planners. We were just homeless 4 years prior and worked so hard to get to our family income of $80k. I didn’t see how someone with no connections, money, mentors, or a portfolio could successfully run an event planning business.

Then I said, “Start my own event planning company huh?”

But then again, what could I lose betting on myself? I just had to play it smart.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Born in Memphis my daddy, Timothy Thompson named me after himself and the great state of Tennessee. In that same fashion, I pilot my life…starting with enough confidence that Timothy should be a girl’s name, coordination, sheer determination, unmatched creativity, and a lot of passion.

Professionally I have planned hundreds of Private and Corporate Events In Arizona, Memphis, Texas, Las Vegas, and Mexico. My favorite pastime is crafting or browsing stores’ online and physical aisles for party supplies. The best feeling after planning an event is the excitement of the next one approaching. After having my daughter and meeting her father, the only thing closest to matching those moments is before the caterer arrives but after almost all of the decor is set up. When I inspect the last arrangement or chair cover and take a look at what we have worked so hard to accomplish. The moment I realize that everything is exactly what you envisioned. This is why I plan events. ​
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Timmesse Events was established in 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona so that I can plan events that I am personally excited about while avoiding the status quo. Clients aren’t retained here for cash flow but for unmatched creativity. Because Timmesse Events is my hobby I am able to offer a level of dedication and passion to your event that you cannot get elsewhere.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
1. My Home 2. Cobra Arcade Bar
3. Westgate
4. Scottsdale Bar Crawl
5. University Bar Crawl
6. Lake Havasu

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank:

My grandma Cornelia Crawford (deceased) of Memphis, Tennessee for taking me in and nursing me back to life. I never realized at that time how important it was to endure the pain to gain results. People can’t even believe I was burned and that is because of you. You took me out of the hospital and negated western medicine for your medicine. Nursing my daughter was the most beautiful gift.

My husband Jeremy (J HAV) Deroune of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for showing me what real love is and keeping me grounded. Thank you for always reminding me that I am enough and keeping it real.

My Mentor Maureen Alphonse-Charles, Senior Vice President at Koya Leadership Partners for seeing something in me and mentoring me as I embark on my journey to create a real change in the DEI movement in Arizona.

Website: https://www.timmesseevents.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmesseevents/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/timmesse-events-llc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TimmesseEvents

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timmesseevents

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/timmesse-events-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAZk_QcVUwaT4CmBTBIyzA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Snapped Culture