Check Out Jessica Baker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Baker.

Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Vibe Spot was born from a vision to create a space where the community can come together and celebrate life’s special moments. It’s an elegant micro venue for smaller gatherings that still gives the glam and experience that you can get in a larger space.

Our journey as a company started in 2018. I founded Pink Sky Productions as a photography company. What started as a hobby, evolved into a way to help people capture moments on some of the most special days of their lives. I bought my first photo booth as a way to help capture photos at events, not knowing that it would be so much more. I fell in love with the photo booth side of the business and the authentic experiences that we create for guests. The photo booth was a fun way for people to let their personalities shine and enjoy themselves. As we continued to expand the business, we found our niche as an affordable luxury photo booth. We provided high-quality experiences and an affordable price. It’s a model that we continue to replicate to this day.

In 2022, we expanded beyond the storage space in my garage. We sought out office space of our own to grow and nurture the business. Little did we know that what we would find would change our business for the better. After six months of searching, we find the space that is now Vibe Spot. After my first visit to the space, I called my mother and told her, “I found it. This is it.” Not only did we find the perfect office that was centrally located, but it had room for another vision that had been brewing. Over the past year, we had been expanding our network and connections in the event industry. We had just launched a party planning brand to serve as a one-stop shop for our clients. With this new space, we were able to complete that vision.

Fast forward to today. Vibe Spot has been open for just under three months and it is taking off. The affordable luxury vision that made our photo booths great became the cornerstone of our concept. With that as our guide, we created a space with a touch of glamour and plenty of room for the community. It is a hot spot for community events, baby showers, bridal showers, and birthday parties.

As we look towards 2023, we are launching our signature event, Soulful Sunday. Soulful Sunday is the culmination of my vision for creating a space for the community. As a church girl growing up, first Sundays were always special. It’s a day to gather and fellowship with friends and family. We are bringing that experience to the community in a new way. Each month we are featuring a new food vendor, live entertainment, and local vendors all centered around a theme. It’s a new way for the community to come together and fellowship as we seek connection and help each other flourish and grow.

So, I’m not one to be in the spotlight, which is why I tacked this on at the end. I am an entrepreneurial spirit with a heart for the community and for helping others flourish. I grew up here in Arizona and went to school at the University of Arizona, where I studied psychology, marketing, and business. Straight out of school, I went into corporate America, where I still am. I love my day job as a leader in IT. I also love my passion job. Or as I lovingly call them, my 9 to 5 and my 5 to 9. Unlike many in my position, I have no intention of leaving my day job to pursue my passion full-time. So to give my businesses the love that they need, I have built an amazing team around me. They keep the business going and for that, they have my eternal gratitude.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road, I’ve heard of these…

Not at all. I will say that God has blessed me tremendously and is way beyond what I deserve. He gives me the vision that I need to drive the business in the right direction. That will often include stepping out on faith to make decisions and take the business in directions that I don’t yet see clearly.

Those who know me, know that I’m a professional worrier. Being an entrepreneur in general is not for those that are easily discouraged. Taking the risks that we’ve taken and growing how my business has grown has been even more tumultuous. I am constantly calling my mother both excited and absolutely panicked at what’s next for me and my business.

That said, every time that I’ve stepped out on faith, the provision has been there. There are always people sent to help with the vision, clients that show up looking for what has been created and the funding seems to appear when needed. That’s how I know that I’m on the right path. The right path isn’t easy. It’s driven by vision, grit, sweat, tears, and most importantly – genuine and authentic love.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known within my business world for creating affordable luxury experiences. Whether those experiences are at the venue, in our photo booth, or somewhere else, that is our brand.

Creating an experience is an art. It takes going beyond what is apparent and what a customer knows to ask for. It’s all about seeking out the intangibles. What are those little elements that will impact the experience? What are those elements that will keep people talking about the experience long after it’s over? It takes staring at the bathroom wall and thinking about what the gen z’s will see when they take that mirror selfie – then deciding to put words on the wall that reflect in the mirror. That’s the type of intention that goes into creating an experience.

It’s honestly those little touches that make us special. Our clients mean more to us than they’ll ever know. We spend time thinking through the vibe that we want to create every time someone steps into the venue. What will they see, smell, or experience that will impact their day, year, or life? Even if they don’t realize why they leave feeling like they experienced something special.

What makes me most proud is when someone comes up to me after an event and shares what a great time they’ve had. They often can’t put their finger on it, but they are so happy with the experience that they had. That’s everything to me and the biggest compliment you can give me.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
All of the above.

It takes a village to build a business and this couldn’t be more true for us.

My family has been a rock in supporting my vision. I move quickly and take sharp turns. But every time I look back, they are still along for the ride and ready to invest.

My Pink Sky Team is the reason that our business runs. The names and faces may change a bit over time, but my team has helped to build this company and keep it running from day to day. They are the face of the company and make us look good.

Our contractors and vendors are the heartbeats of the experience that we create. I’ve had the opportunity to build genuine and lasting relationships with the vendors that I work with. Many of them have become friends. They serve as my biggest cheerleaders and keep me going when we are all about to fall out.

Last on this list, but certainly not least, I have found so much support from the Local First We Rise community. Who knew that this business accelerator that I learned about through Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals would turn out to have such a huge and lasting impact on my life? I’ve found a community of people who are passionate and up to something big. We support each other as we all grow and advocate for each other in ways that others don’t. My passion for supporting the community continues to grow as I meet new graduates from this program and look forward to supporting their journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vibespotaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibespotaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibespotaz
• Other: linktr.ee/vibespotaz