A reality television show. Family. A pricey dream home. And key lime pie. For Jessica Pirone, founder of Just Perfect! Home Staging + More, these were the elements that inspired the launch of her business...
Visual marketing and entrepreneurship have always played a role in Jessica’s life (her mother got her started in the arts and was a boutique owner; her father a businessman with a lot of drive), so declaring a major that combined marketing and art at the College of Charleston was an obvious choice. But, like many college graduates, Jessica’s first career move after graduation wasn’t nearly as clear. Jessica had lots of ideas for companies she could start, and a strong desire to be in a challenging, creative and rewarding job - whether initially for herself or someone else. While she struggled to find her path, a series of seemingly unrelated elements led her to her true calling:
When a friend landed a spot on the television show “The Bachelor”, she asked Jessica to run her Charleston-based clothing boutique during her absence. Jessica jumped at the opportunity to go back to Charleston for a while. While there, Jessica quickly became friends with a neighboring business owner that specializes in gourmet key-lime pies and treats. (Who can blame her?) One day, while Jessica indulged in a piece of irresistible key lime pie and they discussed where she’d go next, her new friend said: “You know, I bet home staging is right up your ally. Have you thought about that?"
Next thing you know, Jessica had completed an intensive training program with a local company. Her training confirmed that her new key lime pie friend was right; the career was a great fit for Jessica’s skills and interests. With her sister attending UNCW, and her family just a few hours away, Jessica studied the area and decided to relocate to Wilmington, NC in Spring of 2007 and launch her own company.
Lots of planning started immediately following her course completion, before her move to Wilmington. Her entire family rallied around in support of her new venture. As they were all brainstorming names, and had come up with several pages of options that didn’t click, it was actually her dad that said “Just Perfect! - you are such a perfectionist, that’s what you should call it. ... and, it’s your initials.” It stuck immediately. So that’s how “Just Perfect!” got it’s name... and it has become part of the company’s vision and mantra to make everything they do be as close to “just perfect” as they can.
While scouting homes in Wilmington, Jessica fell in love with an expensive dream house in a great neighborhood. Although a nearly identical home across the street was selling for half the price, it didn’t evoke any of the same “gotta-have-it” feelings as the pricey property across the way. Why? Jessica had to laugh when she realized that the expensive home was beautifully furnished; the less expensive home, empty. It was the final confirmation Jessica needed to know that what she was about to embark on makes a big difference, and it would be worth any challenges to make it work.
From starting out not knowing anyone in Wilmington except her sister and one other person, Jessica has come a long way in just two years, making Just Perfect! one of the area’s most recognized brands in her industry. In this short time, Jessica has grown Just Perfect! from a mere business plan to a full service staging company with a team of 6 plus a number of associate companies they work closely with. They work with a wide range of clients from individual homeowners to real estate development corporations, proving that every property - whether a $120,000 starter home or a $5 million beachfront villa - can benefit from smart staging. They have results, and Jessica continues to evolve the company, as they strive toward “Just Perfect!”
“Although the path to starting my business may have felt indirect at the time, looking back I wouldn’t change a thing; I guess you could say it’s been ‘Just Perfect!’” (Jessica Pirone)
