April 4, 2025 • 9 mins
Like many entrepreneurs, Jasmine Ruff started her business with a side-hustle and a great vision. Oh, and a lot of glitter! With mentorship through MORTAR and SCORE, she developed her knack for event planning into a viable venue and event planning company.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello. My name is Michael Dawson. You're a host of
Scores my CENSI small business Stories. In this episode, I'll
be talking with Jasmine Rupp, owner of Blush Cincinnati. More
about that after these messages, did.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You know twice as many small businesses survive past five
years when they have the support from a mentor. My
Sinsey small Business Story is brought to you by the
volunteer mentors of Score Greater Cincinnati, a nonprofit organization that
helps launch hundreds of new small businesses and even more
jobs in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana every year. Our
vision is to give every person the support they need
(00:37):
to thrive as a small business owner. Visit score dot
org Slash Greater Cincinnati to request a free business mentor
or share your own expertise. You can also listen and
subscribe for more stories about overcoming challenges, clearing obstacles, and
owning a successful small business.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Welcome Jasmine, Hey, good afternoon. How are you. I'm good.
I'm good. Thank you for on the show.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks for having me so.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Tell us about Blush Cincinnati. What is that?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
It's actually Blushed. The event loft is my Cincinnati location
where I host small events we see up to eighty.
We specialize in social events, bah iris, birthday parties, intimate
wedding and corporate events. I have been I'm currently located
on Race Street and I've been there since twenty twenty,
so i was like moving in the middle of the pandemic,
(01:27):
and I was on Fourth Street prior to that.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So how do you see yourself different from other event
venues and event planners?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
So when I crafted out the style of the venue,
I have used my vision board. I love a good
vision board. I tell people all time my I'm living
off of the vision board. So I crafted the details
like the white walls which are actually glitter white walls,
high black stillings, and white gray floors. It is designed
(02:01):
that way so that it is appealing to not only
female clients with their you know, pink and gold and
the purples, but also for the men clients. So if
I have like a men event and it's black and gold,
red and gold, or even if it's blue and white
or whatever, it doesn't clash with the main decor of
(02:24):
the building, So I crash it out there. And I
also have these beautiful rain drop chandeliers, which are my
favorite any crystal Clear Chivari tears, so you don't have
to do a whole lot to dress it up. But
I'm extra so I like to do a whole lot.
If you want to just have a nice event, it's
(02:44):
set up that way, and it's warm and welcome and inviting,
so anybody can book. The pricing is very favorable, so
it's just perfect for people to gather together with their
family and friends and celebrate their stones.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Have you always been an event planner?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
So I actually started planning events by my twelfth birthday.
I was with my cousin and she told me to
plan a birthday party for me and my little cousin
who was turning on the day after me. So technically yes,
but as far as business wise, I've been an event
planner for almost eleven years.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
In June, well, tell us about your journey that led
you to entrepreneurship.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
So I was. I went to college, I graduated, went
to law school for a bit, was a stay at
home mom for a while. I didn't finish law school,
so I was to stay at home mom for a while.
And in Mister that I was planning my son's first
birthday party and I was helping people with their birthdays.
I started off with birthdays and baby shows because that's
(03:52):
what I was doing for free. When I was in college,
my friend was pregnant, she was having a girl. I
did her whole entire baby shower, and my gift was
amazing because my love languages gifts, not just receiving forgiving,
and I'm supercreative. So she was pregnant with a girl.
We did our baby shower over. I started out with
baby shower because of that, Like, I was literally doing
(04:15):
these events for free, and then I think, like in
twenty twelve, I was like, oh, I keep working for free,
that's a whole job. I'm well start biscuit business. It
was a side hustle. And then in twenty fourteen I
got real serious and I started an event plant in business.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So I understand that you went through the Mortar program.
I did.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I went through the Mortar program for my venue in
twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I believe so just for the benefit of our listeners,
Mortar aims to create diverse communities by enabling entrepreneurs to
access the resources needed to start and run successful businesses.
Score is a partner of Mortar providing free business mentoring,
so when you were going through mortar, you hit a
(05:05):
score mentor at one point, didn't you?
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I did. I had an amazing score mentor. His name
was Joe. His name is Joe O'Gorman and he was
one of the founders of Bull of Dartle, so he
had experienced an event planning.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So anything new or exciting down the road for Cincinnati
or Bluff Cincinnati.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So currently I am partnering with other business owners, like
for like pop up shops, but not just pop up shops,
workshops to help people to start other businesses. Like this month,
we will have a brow ologist dashus Day. She's going
to host the clans at Blush, just teaching people how
(05:53):
to get started like doing their own eyebrows, but also
starting their own business doing eyebrows. I'm just super would
be on pushing financial freedom, turn freedom and just you know,
living your best life. So if learning something as far
as like credit repair or building your business. And also
I will be partnering with several realtors to have home
(06:16):
ownership workshops, just providing a space for the community to
come together and do some professional development self development. And
then we're still going to have our parties.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
So what words of advice would you give someone who
is thinking about becoming an.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Entrepreneur the this is my high school slogan when we
were in jobs for Cincinnati graduates. Success is never wondering
what if. So you won't know if you can succeed
unless you actually take that step and get started, ask
for help, do some research, but take action.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Very good jasmine, tell us where we can find you.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Okay, So I'm currently located at downtown Cincinnati eight one
five Race Street and we're down the street from Washington Work,
so that's a good landmark to think of Washington Park.
We're right down the street, We're close to not too
far from the banks, not too far from the police department,
(07:24):
not too far from Fountain Square. We're just like writing
the heart of Cincinnati, so you can get to us
from all of the highways. And also you can find
me on social media. Instagram is Blush dot Cincy that
is c I n c Y and on Facebook it
is Blush the Event Loft. And in addition to booking
(07:45):
me for booking my venue, we also have full service
decor options available. We have some amazing vendors that we
work with, and I am also mentoring people to open
up their own event spaces. So I've been taking on
mentors all across the world, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Atlanta, Texas,
(08:06):
and et cetera.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So now can someone call and set up an appointment
and if so, what phone number would that be?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yep, you can give me a call at five one
three eight, three six nine. We are always willing to
schedule appointments or answer any questions, even if you go
on the wedding side and you see something and you're like,
well it makes sense, but let me call just to
be sure there is no dumb question. Just give me
(08:36):
a call. I welcome all of the all of the questions.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, thank you, Jasmine. If you would like to sign
up with a mentor, or we'd like to become a mentor,
go to the score dot org and link on the
appropriate link. Please subscribe to this broadcast and share with others.
Thank you for listening.
Hello. My name is Michael Dawson. You're a host of
Scores my CENSI small business Stories. In this episode, I'll
be talking with Jasmine Rupp, owner of Blush Cincinnati. More
about that after these messages, did.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You know twice as many small businesses survive past five
years when they have the support from a mentor. My
Sinsey small Business Story is brought to you by the
volunteer mentors of Score Greater Cincinnati, a nonprofit organization that
helps launch hundreds of new small businesses and even more
jobs in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana every year. Our
vision is to give every person the support they need
(00:37):
to thrive as a small business owner. Visit score dot
org Slash Greater Cincinnati to request a free business mentor
or share your own expertise. You can also listen and
subscribe for more stories about overcoming challenges, clearing obstacles, and
owning a successful small business.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Welcome Jasmine, Hey, good afternoon. How are you. I'm good.
I'm good. Thank you for on the show.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Thanks for having me so.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Tell us about Blush Cincinnati. What is that?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
It's actually Blushed. The event loft is my Cincinnati location
where I host small events we see up to eighty.
We specialize in social events, bah iris, birthday parties, intimate
wedding and corporate events. I have been I'm currently located
on Race Street and I've been there since twenty twenty,
so i was like moving in the middle of the pandemic,
(01:27):
and I was on Fourth Street prior to that.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So how do you see yourself different from other event
venues and event planners?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
So when I crafted out the style of the venue,
I have used my vision board. I love a good
vision board. I tell people all time my I'm living
off of the vision board. So I crafted the details
like the white walls which are actually glitter white walls,
high black stillings, and white gray floors. It is designed
(02:01):
that way so that it is appealing to not only
female clients with their you know, pink and gold and
the purples, but also for the men clients. So if
I have like a men event and it's black and gold,
red and gold, or even if it's blue and white
or whatever, it doesn't clash with the main decor of
(02:24):
the building, So I crash it out there. And I
also have these beautiful rain drop chandeliers, which are my
favorite any crystal Clear Chivari tears, so you don't have
to do a whole lot to dress it up. But
I'm extra so I like to do a whole lot.
If you want to just have a nice event, it's
(02:44):
set up that way, and it's warm and welcome and inviting,
so anybody can book. The pricing is very favorable, so
it's just perfect for people to gather together with their
family and friends and celebrate their stones.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Have you always been an event planner?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
So I actually started planning events by my twelfth birthday.
I was with my cousin and she told me to
plan a birthday party for me and my little cousin
who was turning on the day after me. So technically yes,
but as far as business wise, I've been an event
planner for almost eleven years.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
In June, well, tell us about your journey that led
you to entrepreneurship.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
So I was. I went to college, I graduated, went
to law school for a bit, was a stay at
home mom for a while. I didn't finish law school,
so I was to stay at home mom for a while.
And in Mister that I was planning my son's first
birthday party and I was helping people with their birthdays.
I started off with birthdays and baby shows because that's
(03:52):
what I was doing for free. When I was in college,
my friend was pregnant, she was having a girl. I
did her whole entire baby shower, and my gift was
amazing because my love languages gifts, not just receiving forgiving,
and I'm supercreative. So she was pregnant with a girl.
We did our baby shower over. I started out with
baby shower because of that, Like, I was literally doing
(04:15):
these events for free, and then I think, like in
twenty twelve, I was like, oh, I keep working for free,
that's a whole job. I'm well start biscuit business. It
was a side hustle. And then in twenty fourteen I
got real serious and I started an event plant in business.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So I understand that you went through the Mortar program.
I did.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I went through the Mortar program for my venue in
twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
I believe so just for the benefit of our listeners,
Mortar aims to create diverse communities by enabling entrepreneurs to
access the resources needed to start and run successful businesses.
Score is a partner of Mortar providing free business mentoring,
so when you were going through mortar, you hit a
(05:05):
score mentor at one point, didn't you?
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I did. I had an amazing score mentor. His name
was Joe. His name is Joe O'Gorman and he was
one of the founders of Bull of Dartle, so he
had experienced an event planning.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So anything new or exciting down the road for Cincinnati
or Bluff Cincinnati.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So currently I am partnering with other business owners, like
for like pop up shops, but not just pop up shops,
workshops to help people to start other businesses. Like this month,
we will have a brow ologist dashus Day. She's going
to host the clans at Blush, just teaching people how
(05:53):
to get started like doing their own eyebrows, but also
starting their own business doing eyebrows. I'm just super would
be on pushing financial freedom, turn freedom and just you know,
living your best life. So if learning something as far
as like credit repair or building your business. And also
I will be partnering with several realtors to have home
(06:16):
ownership workshops, just providing a space for the community to
come together and do some professional development self development. And
then we're still going to have our parties.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
So what words of advice would you give someone who
is thinking about becoming an.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Entrepreneur the this is my high school slogan when we
were in jobs for Cincinnati graduates. Success is never wondering
what if. So you won't know if you can succeed
unless you actually take that step and get started, ask
for help, do some research, but take action.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Very good jasmine, tell us where we can find you.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Okay, So I'm currently located at downtown Cincinnati eight one
five Race Street and we're down the street from Washington Work,
so that's a good landmark to think of Washington Park.
We're right down the street, We're close to not too
far from the banks, not too far from the police department,
(07:24):
not too far from Fountain Square. We're just like writing
the heart of Cincinnati, so you can get to us
from all of the highways. And also you can find
me on social media. Instagram is Blush dot Cincy that
is c I n c Y and on Facebook it
is Blush the Event Loft. And in addition to booking
(07:45):
me for booking my venue, we also have full service
decor options available. We have some amazing vendors that we
work with, and I am also mentoring people to open
up their own event spaces. So I've been taking on
mentors all across the world, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Atlanta, Texas,
(08:06):
and et cetera.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
So now can someone call and set up an appointment
and if so, what phone number would that be?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yep, you can give me a call at five one
three eight, three six nine. We are always willing to
schedule appointments or answer any questions, even if you go
on the wedding side and you see something and you're like,
well it makes sense, but let me call just to
be sure there is no dumb question. Just give me
(08:36):
a call. I welcome all of the all of the questions.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, thank you, Jasmine. If you would like to sign
up with a mentor, or we'd like to become a mentor,
go to the score dot org and link on the
appropriate link. Please subscribe to this broadcast and share with others.
Thank you for listening.
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