Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Johnston.
Hi Nina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Nina Johnston, and I am the founder and owner of Elevated Gestures. Have you ever known a hopeless romantic? Well, that’s me! Raised on fairy tales and rom-coms, it seemed natural to combine my passion for “grand gestures” and entrepreneurship to create a business that displays love and kindness. I love going out, making that entrance, setting up the surprises, customizing every detail to match your idea, and building on it. I started with one goal: to bring the grand gesture back. We need to remind people to take time to create memories and that we are responsible for ensuring the ones we love know it. My vision in every gesture is to physically manifest the love you have for that person and make sure not only can they see it, but they can feel it. We started with just setting up proposals but extended to offering date night setups (DIY or full service), movie nights, luxury picnics, birthday boxes, and parties. We even had a divorce party and a puppy birthday! We are still in the beginning stages of opening and are excited to see the new gestures that people come up with so that we can help Elevate!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest struggle has been getting my name out there. I don’t fit the event planner or party planner category because we focus on more intimate gestures. Get Well Soon gifts, dating nights in the living room, throwing a goodbye party, or helping a loved one cope with a loss are more of what we do, so trying to explain that to people has been difficult. Also, while navigating a family and planning an upcoming wedding, it’s been hard to get started on marketing and networking the way I would like.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Elevated Gestures is a one-of-a-kind gesture planning service based in Knoxville, TN, that facilitates, plans, and executes displays of kindness at all levels. From meaningful gift ideas to date nights at home to helping people Pop the Question or ask a date to Prom, we help plan, customize, and bring your vision to life! I’m proud of our determination to work with people under almost any budget! We want to help you create those memories, and we want it not to break you to do it. Otherwise, people will be less inclined to do these nice things for people because it’s just too expensive, and that’s how we lose ourselves to the routine and the monotonous patterns. We need connection and to feel loved, understood, and heard by the people around us. What I want people to know is that I am here! I’m ready to help bring ideas to life and bring people together!
How do you define success?
I think success means you can support yourself and still have the means to help people around you. I have the heart of a philanthropist but not the wallet of one. I would be successful with this venture if I were in a place where I could engage my community through events for meaningful causes and have an opportunity to make a difference and help bring people together.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @elevatedgestures
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089518616969&mibextid=LQQJ4d
