Meet Joann Mezadieux: Entrepreneur

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

Hi Joann, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always marveled at the idea of working independently since I’ve been in my early 20’s making my own schedule, reaping the benefits of my labor and calling it all mine. It sounded liberating to me, to be able to make all the decisions and being my own boss, so I slowly started planting the seeds of entrepreneurship working as a creative on side gigs while working a full time job. Starting your own business isn’t as glamorous as some people may think, it’s hard work! It doesn’t mean working less, it’s quite the opposite really, working day and night, troubleshooting and failing a lot. It’s doing all the nitty gritty work that you wouldn’t normally think of when working for an employer. But at the end It has been all worth it and oh so rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I always like event planning but wanted to do something original, since I enjoyed having picnics for myself and always made them beautiful, I think having an outdoor picnic is an intimate and fun way to celebrate with the low seating and picnic baskets. I wanted to offer this experience to other people in a beautiful curated way, so I specialize in doing picnics for all celebrations in private homes, parks, beaches for couples and families. It turned out to be one of the best ways to celebrate in quarantine while social distancing, a lot of couples booked me this summer and fall to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries and even proposals. I am a hopeless romantic so it is very rewarding for me to see how happy and how much these couples enjoy themselves. Only challenges I may have at times is that some of the locations chosen are much further than most, I’ve setup a picnic proposal for couples anywhere from Fort Lauderdale to Key Biscayne. The biggest lesson is that I’m glad I followed my gut instinct and followed my dream of being creative entrepreneur, it’s my purpose. My business is @lovelydarlingspicnic

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?
I like to take my family to Robert is here and Knaus berry farm in homestead to shop for some local grown produce and shakes. If we’re in the shopping mood, my favorite mall in Miami is Merrick Park, it’s outdoors and has some great restaurants like Brasserie Central, you get to people watch seating outside. For play, I would take them to Bill Bagg Lighthouse Beach, PAMM or Frost Museum for a more family friendly outing.

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?
My husband has been the most supportive person in my career, he believes in me even when I don’t and constantly encourages me to keep pursuing my dream and purpose. As a small business owner, google is my best friend, I google everything as I am constantly growing, researching and learning.

Website: www.lovely-darlings.com
Instagram: lovelydarlingspicnic
Facebook: lovelydarlingspicnic
Other: Google: Lovely darlings Picnic