Meet Jenna Sloan | Kindergarten Teacher & Wedding Planner

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

Hi Jenna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Being an event planner was always something I dreamed about doing, but being a teacher felt like my calling in life. Once I got married and planned my wedding, I really started to think about event planning again, specifically with weddings. I was teaching full time and Avery and I decided to start this business with the hopes of it providing an additional source of income and potentially another career option when I have kids one day. Avery is a photographer, so she does a lot of work already in the wedding industry. I wanted to start the business with someone I was close with who knows a lot about starting a business in the wedding industry. Ultimately starting the business was a passion project for me.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Mahoney Moments is a wedding planning company started by myself and my future sister-in-law. I think there being two of us at each wedding sets us apart from other wedding planners. It has been extremely helpful to have two sets of hands when setting up and tearing down, because we can literally be in two places at once. We’ve had weddings where we were short on time when setting up and I ran the ceremony while Avery did the finishing touches of the reception. I think it being a family business is also something that sets us apart, because my mom, having been an event planner for years, fills in if needed. Avery is also a photographer, so we love to offer her photography services to our couples as well. I have also recently planned my own wedding and been through it from the bride’s point of view, so I can relate to the stress and overwhelming feeling that a lot of our couples go through.

Our business is still very new, so we haven’t faced too many challenges. It hasn’t been easy, especially working a full time job while starting a business, but it’s been very helpful to have summers off from teaching, which is when a lot of our weddings are. I know we will face challenges that we will overcome, but having one of my best friends to overcome it with makes it so much easier.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Fort Collins, I would take her to Horsetooth Reservoir, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. We would eat/drink at Odell Brewing Co., Brothers Bar & Grill, DC Oaks, Old Town Putt, and Pueblo Viejo. My husband and I have only been living in Colorado for a year, so we are still exploring the local spots. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d like to thank my husband, Dylan Sloan, for always being my biggest cheerleader. I’d also like to thank my mom and dad for their unwavering support. I couldn’t have done this without my business partner, Avery.

Finally, I’d like to thank one of my college professors and mentors, Mark Curnutte, for always encouraging me to never give up on my passions in life.

Website: mahoneymoments.com

Instagram: mahoney.moments

Image Credits
Avery Williams, ALW Photography