Meet Jeremy Parnell | Event and Wedding Planner

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

Hi Jeremy, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Success is never owned. It is rented and rent is due everyday.

The reason I like this quote so much is that it reminds me to never stop working. Even if I was successful yesterday, last week, last month, or last year, if I don’t put in the work I will lose that success very quickly.

If I don’t put in the work to have a successful event, then it might look good if it is an event I am used to doing, but it won’t be the success that it should be if I don’t take the right steps to make it successful.

It reminds me to never rest on what I have done. Everyday I have to work to raise the bar and do even better next time.

What should our readers know about your business?
Fully Involved Events Upstate is an event planning business. We offer event and wedding planning, wedding officiants, notary, design, DJ services and more. We are working to offer new services. I feel like the thing that sets us apart from other event planners is our customer service. I know that many businesses offer great customer service, but we constantly get complimented about how nice our staff is. If an event does not go the way I want it to, I will take the blame and work to fix it the next time.

It has not been easy to get to where we are now. We are still small, but we are growing. We have had several setbacks over the last 2 years, but I don’t let it stop me. The best way I know to overcome challenges is to face them head on, and not quit. That is my biggest thing is that I don’t quit. That is the biggest lesson I have learned is no matter what happens, never give up and never quit. We lost 2 great venues where we were hosting events at the beginning of this year, I have had to pivot and look for other locations. This is an ongoing process, but I know that I will find places that are good for the business.

The biggest thing I want the world to know about me and my brand is that when you see Fully Involved, that is what is truly means. Our name has a dual meaning. We were founded by 2 full-time firefighters. I am now the owner of the business. Our other founder has stepped back to more of a consultant role. We used this name because it is something we are used to in the fire service, a fully involved house fire. Myself and my staff are truly fully involved in an event. No matter what it is, I will be there every step of the way to make sure the event goes exactly the way the customer wants it to go. One thing that people can trust with me is that I am able to keep my calm even in chaos, and find an solution for any problem that may arise.

The thing that I am most proud of is how active we are in our community. We partner with the Mizfitz of the Upstate car club to host 3 charity car shows every year. One is in honor of a firefighter killed in a wreck on his way to work, one for childhood cancer and one for Veterans in need. We have hosted or helped with charity events such as other charity car shows, a softball tournament for a lady with cancer, school supply drives for schools in need, Toys for Tots, LEO Santa and last year we worked with Operation Christmas Child. We have had a hand in raising over $48,000 since September of 2020.

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?
Eat: The Beacon because it is so well known, Shelton’s Smoking Butts BBQ-amazing owner and family and great food open Thursday-Sunday, find where some of the good local food trucks are set up-we work with quite a few and there are some very good ones that people don’t know about
Places-Falls Park, Greenville Drive Game
Things to Do-Cars and Coffee, Greer Dragway, Cherokee Speedway, local music scene, local car meets and shows

I work so much between the fire department and the business that I don’t have a lot of free time to get out and explore the Upstate.

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 wife, my children and my friends.

My wife has supported me since I made the decision to start this business. For her, it has meant giving up time with me, giving her weekends up to help me with events, me staying up late working on stuff in my office, and me always being very busy. I would not be where I am today without the support of my wife.

My kids are very supportive and love coming to events that we host. They love spending time with me, but they have both been very understanding that sometimes Dad has something he has to get done to meet a deadline for an event.

My friends have stepped up to help me with events. They are my staff and they are they to help in any way that they can. The events that we do would not be anywhere near as successful as they are without them. Our team is the reason we have been able to grow the way we have.

Our customers and the small businesses that work with us and trust us to put on amazing events. Their faith and trust makes me want to make sure every event is a success.

Website: https://www.fullyinvolvedevents.com

Instagram: fieupstatesc

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

Other: TikTok: fully.involved.events

Image Credits
Speed Trap Productions