Jennyfer Crawford-Williams is a risk-taker.

In 2014, she stepped out on her own to run her business - Ask Jennyfer – full-time. In many ways, she did so without a net.

With about $1,500 in the bank, she forged ahead and grew a reputable brand marketing firm that now represents more than 250 small businesses and draws more than 12,000 guests to successful small business showcase events like All Things Detroit.

“What inspires me most are fellow entrepreneurs or people who risk it all for something they believe in,” said Crawford-Williams.

That’s precisely her story. Crawford-Williams initially found her profession by accident.

“I didn’t plan on this career,” said the Detroit resident. “As I started to organize more events in and around Detroit, I became familiar with the challenges small business owners face. I learned different ways to overcome them and to build brand awareness. It became a passion and I wanted to work with other individuals just like me.”

Follow my journey!

@askjennyfer

Where it Began

Crawford-Williams grew up in Detroit, attended Detroit Public Schools and began working in the construction industry following graduation. Her experience as a construction assistant on major projects in both Michigan and Florida required that Crawford-Williams hone her project management skills. She held positions with Wharton-Smith Construction, then returned to Detroit to work with Inland Waters Pollution Control. She served as a construction coordinator for Little Caesars before taking her passion for promoting small businesses full-time in 2014.

“I always wanted to learn the ins and outs of the business and was ready to go to the next level when I started to feel that I would only go so far working for someone else,” she said. “That is when I realized I wanted to be my own boss.”As a self-taught entrepreneur, Crawford-Williams works twice as hard to master and stay top-of-mind in current in her industry.

As a sought-after event planner and small business consultant, she uses all of the skills she mastered in her previous roles. Crawford-Williams prides herself on her ability to efficiently manage projects, teams and details.

She founded Ask Jennyfer in 2012, while still working in direct sales part-time. Crawford-Williams started out hosting small events – first at home, and within months at larger and larger venues.

“As the events continued to grow I knew that this is what I wanted to do full-time,” she said.

My Audience Analytics

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+450K

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Lifestyle & DIY

18-28

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+150K

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91%

female

Lifestyle & DIY

16-29

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+250K

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76%

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12-22

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About Ask Jennyfer

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Today

Among other services at Ask Jennyfer, she conceptualizes, manages and executes the successful small business showcase All Things Detroit, which draws as many as 12,000 attendees and connects them to more than 200 small businesses. Her signature, independently-organized event is held each fall and spring.

The event earned its own national holiday in 2020 – National All Things Detroit Day. It is celebrated annually on the Sunday before the Easter holiday. In time for the 10th anniversary of All Things Detroit, the event and its founder were recognized in Michigan commendation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on April 7. 2024 and a U.S. commendation placed into the Congressional Record March 19, 2024 by Rep. Shri Thanedar.

Crawford-Williams expanded her small business services when she created the online shopping community - All Things Marketplace. In 2020, she opened All Things Marketplace in Detroit’s historic Corktown district. More than a storefront, it has become a place where small business owners can sell goods, host business or community events, create promotional content and obtain shipping and fulfillment services for orders. All Things Marketplace earned Corp! magazine’s 2022 Best of MichBusiness Awards as a startup.

Previous Campaigns

Ask Jennyfer doesn’t just provide small businesses with advice and consultation, it puts its money where its mouth is in advocating for entrepreneurs everywhere through multiple events aimed at putting the spotlight on local businesses, artisans as well as professionals in different fields, and persuasions.

From in-house events to managed spectacles for partners and clients, Ask Jennyfer brings together patrons and a locality’s best kept secrets.

Check out Previous Campaigns

Ask Jennyfer thrives in the creative space. We look for new ways to connect online and share the stories of our own business and the businesses we support through high-profile events. These are some previous campaigns as an example.

When Crawford-Williams isn’t collaborating with other organizations on major city events like curating small business pop-ups for the attendance-record-breaking 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, she can be found as an integral part of annual events including Downtown Street Eats, The Night Market at Beacon Park and Noel Night. She serves as an active board member for Detroit Month of Design 2024, the Downtown Detroit Partnership Advisory Board and the Corktown Business Association.

Crawford-Williams earned praised in Spring 2024 after she was invited to guest host WDIV’s Live in the D alongside Tati Amare. She also appeared as a guest contributor for recurring segments at CBS Detroit.

Crawford-Williams is a past recipient of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under 40; a Detroit Young Professionals Vanguard Award winner and in 2023 she was recognized with a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Dr. Missy Johnson of Fearless Women Rock. The same year, her business Ask Jennyfer earned a 2023 Best of MichBusiness Award from Corp! Magazine.

She’s proved she’s fully invested in the stories behind the small businesses she has been working to promote. In 2018, Crawford-Williams released Conversations, an independent web series, and Ask Jennyfer: The Podcast, before developing All Things Ticketing, a small business-based event ticketing hub.

Let's grow your business!

With a fine blend of formal business practices and in-the-trenches experience and execution, Ask Jennyfer aims to parlay our expertise as well as proprietary approaches to help small business owners start or grow their business to the next level.

Ask Jennyfer developed and manages the successful small business showcase All Things Detroit. What began as a way toextend consulting services and highlight small business ownershas developed into a powerful event. Hundreds of small businessowners participate in this inspiring showcase that draws more than12,000 shoppers each time it is held in Spring and Fall. All ThingsDetroit is the biggest event to showcase small business owners inMichigan. In 2020, National All Things Detroit Day was created tocoincide with the Spring event. Learn more at www.iloveallthingsdetroit.com

All Things Marketplace began as a national buy-and-sell online platform for small business owners. Building upon the community that developed through successful events like All Things Detroit, All Things Marketplace offers a one-stop-shop where entrepreneurs connect with one another and find their customer base. In 2020, the marketplace opened its brick-and-mortar shop in Detroit’s historic Corktown district, which doubles as a community event space. All Things Marketplace also offers shippingand fulfillment services for small business owners. All Things Marketplace is earned the 2022 Best of MichBusiness Awards as a startup business. All Things Marketplace is located at Suite 123 at 1620 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. Learn more and Shop www.allthingsmarketplace.com

All Things Ticketing, a small business-focused ticket hub, is a free resource for event organizers and attendees, Post an event to find your audience or buy tickets. The independent ticketing site supports the growth of small businesses. Learn more at https://allthingsticketing.com

Tune in to Ask Jennyfer: The Podcast to hear from small business experts, inspiring entrepreneurs and so much more. New episodes air on Wednesdays. The podcast is available via iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Subscribe and tune in.
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