Meet Jennifer Friedrich
Jennifer is one of the owners of Evanston-based event design company, Bon Events. Along with her business partners and friends, Fern Bogot and Abbi Witherspoon, Bon Events designs, produces and collaborates on a variety of projects that include nonprofit fundraisers, festivals, weddings, creative corporate retreats, meetings and milestone celebrations both locally, nationally and internationally.
Jennifer considers herself a storyteller. Some notable highlights/roles in her almost 30 year career include: artist-in-residence at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, Germany, Illinois Arts Council fellow (photography), designer, builder and Children’s Theater Director at Redmoon Theater, Co-Founding the Incurable Theater, Festival Producer and teacher (Art/Theater Departments) at Columbia College Chicago, Development Director at Circesteem and Art Director at Kehoe Designs.
Jennifer lives in Evanston with her life partner Liam Davis, their two children, Vivian and Holliway and Hambone the dwarf hamster.
Q + A
What don't people know about you?
I cry when I hear marching bands because I’m so moved. I cry if I go to a circus or carnival and no one is there because I find it so sad. The sight of a guinea pig sets me into uncontrollable fits of laughter. I love roller coasters- the bigger and faster the better- yet I hate ferris wheels or anything suspended from above. I am an empath. Strangers often tell me their life stories and cry on my shoulder. My favorite movie is 8 ½. I’ve been to the circus almost every year since I was born. When I go to concerts I have to be in the front smashed up against the stage in the pit. I am a smell junkie and have over a dozen scents I wear depending on my mood and goals. I have ADHD which I find as an asset (most of the time) and gives me the ability to be hyper-focused and mentally organized. Before events I often go into my ‘mind castle’ and walk through the event from start to finish while someone takes notes on any last drips and drabs that need attending to.
What is your hidden talent?
If I had all the time in the world I would also want to be a life coach, a detective, a police officer, a sales person, a club owner, a booking agent, an F/X makeup artist, a wigmaker, and probably a few other things…
What inspires you?
Folks who are bold and upstanders. People who speak out and inspire action to change the things in the world that need changing. The new generation of youth who are more brave and daring then our generation. My kids- Vivian (12) and Holliway (10)- are always inspiring me with their outspoken nature, their creativity, passion for social justice, cleverness and ability to delight me. My partner Liam inspires me to always try and be a better person. My parents- for raising me with care and allowing me to simply be who I am and always loving me for it.
What do you hope will be different by this time next year?
That Trump will no longer be in charge of anything. Politics will be less white-centric in general. Automatic weapons will be illegal and there will be more people listening to each other and in turn more productive conversations happening that will in turn create positive more inclusive change.
What do you believe?
I believe in goodness and kindness. I believe in listening to others. I believe in helping each other out. I believe in magic. I believe in children. I believe in art. I believe in donating money to things knowing that even if I don’t have a lot of money I still have a little more than some. I believe in speaking out when someone is hurting someone else- including when someone is hurting me. I believe in standing up for the right thing. I believe in self improvement and self empowerment. I believe in sharing. I believe there is enough work to go around for everyone and competition between businesses is unnecessary. I believe in second chances. I believe in apologies. I believe in being there for other humans. I believe in working hard and having fun. I believe in love.
What’s your craziest idea?
I bring my crazy ideas to our team at Bon Events on the regular. It usually begins with me saying something along the lines of ‘Guys! Guys! I have a great idea!!!’ which is almost always met with equal parts amusement and terror. Amusement because I tend to have fun ideas, terror because they usually require a lot of work and time to accomplish them.
How do you take care of yourself?
In my line of work I have to be protective and proactive with self care both physically and emotionally and sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail miserably but I’m always trying. I have many healers in my life: My yoga instructor, Elizabeth Cappo Rosenfeld, has a practice based in Iyengar Yoga. I have been practicing yoga for 25 years now and enjoy alignment based practices as well as Kundalini. I visit Sae Mickelson at her ‘Little House of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine’ for treatments and supplements. I try to see Dr. Jim Abele- the best Chiropractor I’ve ever had- before and after big events to help keep my body aligned. I’ve recently started seeing structural therapist Rachel Cook. I’ve been a pescatarian for 33 years. I believe in the power of epsom salt, CBD, essential oils, Kim Anami’s teachings and regular visits to the Korean bath houses. I am also a self-described self-help book junkie and listen to them on Audible while I’m driving.
What new thing have you learned lately?
Forgiveness. Or at least I’m trying. And it’s not new per se, it’s just trying to practice it in a new way- with more intention.