Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Gamble.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After graduating from college, I really didn’t have a good idea of what I really wanted to do. I worked for a couple of different ad agencies and then ended up at Starlight Theatre, where I stayed for nine years. I began doing some event planning while at Starlight and when I was ready for a change, I started an event planning company. I started planning events all over the country and have produced over 300 events in 60+ cities….primarily corporate and government events. Countrywide Home Loans was my largest client for several years. After winning a couple of FAA conference contracts, I got on the GSA Schedule as a woman-owned business and worked with eight different government agencies. My final government event was the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War in Appomattox, Virginia.
Due to a couple of external events that negatively affected my business, I ended up working for a few other organizations–an event rental company, an entrepreneurial company and the American Red Cross.
In January of 2023, I decided that I preferred to be my own boss and opened a coffee shop, which is where I still am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening the shop actually went pretty smoothly. I decided to do it in January of 2023 and we opened in June. My biggest issue was really having too many employees early on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
OverBoard is not “just” a coffee shop. Although we do have amazing coffee (I would put ours against anyone’s), it’s a community and place for connections and relationship-building.
We are a hub for locally-owned small businesses–two bakers, a florist, a crafter, burrito and sandwich provider and more. We are very active in our chamber and work to connect others to our fellow chamber members, as well as work with them to provide our products for events.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We also provide catering and rent out our space for private events, including showers, graduation parties, creative events, and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://overboardcoffee.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/overboardcoffee
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/overboardcoffee
