Meet My Guest…

As Organize.com launches the new wedding registry, I thought what would be a better way to help spread the good news than featuring one of the biggest names in wedding? So I had the great pleasure of getting to know and interview Jennifer Fallon, founder and CEO of The Aspen Brands Company - Kate Aspen for wedding favors and Baby Aspen for gifts. Her energy and passion for turning some of life’s best celebrations in to a reflection of loved ones and a token of appreciation is truly a story to read about. I hope you enjoy reading about Jennifer’s exciting adventure and don’t forget to check out the interview on the Mrs. Organized blog.

“So many life events bring family and friends together in celebration or recognition. Favors are a special way to reflect the personalities of those being honored while providing guests a token of appreciation.” - Jennifer Fallon, Founder and CEO

Not everyone can build a successful Internet business inspired by the celebratory events in her life, but that’s exactly what Kate Aspen founder and CEO Jennifer Fallon has done. While planning her 2003 marriage to search-engine-optimization consultant Brad Fallon, Jennifer discovered an untapped market, gained first-hand knowledge of the Internet’s staggering power and made the leap from her background in corporate sales and marketing to flourishing entrepreneur.

Her journey began with the search for a wedding venue. Jennifer’s dream location—a private estate with illustrious gardens—had an exorbitant price tag, so she negotiated to have her reception at the estate in exchange for her hard work to market the venue online. The win-win deal booked the estate for a solid year in no time, and Jennifer took notice.

Other wedding plans included her quest for unique, beautifully packaged wedding favors, which was met with disappointment at the profound lack of elegant, yet affordable options. Necessity, coupled with Jennifer’s background and increasing expertise in Internet technology, became the mother of invention once again, and she started a small online retail wedding favor store.

The sale of already-existing wedding favors jumpstarted the business, but within the same year Jennifer realized the market needed more. Inspired by her imagination and pushed by her drive, she now aspired to design and manufacture her own line and Kate Aspen was born in October of 2004. Within two years, the company grew into a multi-million-dollar entity that designs, manufactures and sells top-tier, wholesale wedding favors to online and brick and mortar retailers.

Jennifer became pregnant with twins in 2006—another reason to celebrate that led to the company’s expansion into the design and manufacture of baby shower favors. Avery and Alexandra Fallon, born in 2007, instantly brought a new perspective into Jennifer Fallon’s life. By early 2007, Jennifer launched a line of boutique-quality baby gifts under the name Baby Aspen Inc. She now oversees two distinct brands—Kate Aspen for favors and Baby Aspen for gifts. Both companies operate under The Aspen Brands Company.

As the twins grew, so did Baby Aspen. The bedtime stories enjoyed by the busy mother entrepreneur and her twins inspired her to expand the line. The 2008 collection features adorable plush nursery rhyme themed gifts with a fun Baby Aspen twist and beautiful signature packaging.

Kate Aspen launched its 2008 collection, adding close to 100 new designs, including a new category: favors for All Life Events. The new line includes favors for birthday, anniversary, baptism and communion, Sweet 16, Quinceañera, graduation and girls’ night out. In addition to offering imaginative favors and gifts, the hallmark of both brands is their beautiful, clever packaging. Jennifer remains hands-on throughout the entire process, from the concept and design, all done in-house, to the marketing of the products.

Jennifer’s success in a female-focused business became the inspiration for the company’s charitable goals. She recently established a relationship with the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation and Brides Against Breast Cancer. In April 2008, Kate Aspen introduced the Pink Ribbon Collection to initiate the company’s In Favor of a Cure™ campaign. Ten percent of the net proceeds from the pink ribbon favors will go to breast cancer charities ongoing. She also launched a company-wide initiative to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The native Atlantan is a 1992 graduate of Florida State University with a BA in Communications. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Brad and twin daughters, Alexandra and Avery. Both Jennifer and her company’s favors have been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Modern Bride magazine, Brides magazine, and regional television programs, among others.