I Love a BIG weekend!

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s March 2011, and while winter is still holding on, things are heating up around here. If the weather would just get on board with Joe Cornell, I think a whole lot of metro Detroiters would be thrilled.

March is typically a busy month in our calendar, with May “neck and neck” in terms of sheer activity.

If you pay attention to the news reports, regarding the various “indicators” that our economy is doing better, you may be skeptical. I truly feel, however, that the “family party industry” that Joe Cornell Entertainment is entrenched is a great leading indicator for where the local economy is headed.

At Joe Cornell, we are answering more emails and calls than the same time in 2009 and 2010 – listening to our customer’s stories – and getting a positive sense that while certainly, as a community we are not out of the woods, yet, many families are feeling more secure in their own financial situations.

That’s great news for our customers, great news for Joe Cornell Entertainment, and great news for the local businesses involved in the celebration industry as a whole.

We’ve been cooped up all winter, and been treading gently for the past several years. Like you, we can’t wait to party!

I invite you to visit our Facebook page for great pictures and updates from recent parties, as well as special offers and discounts to apply to YOUR upcoming special event with Joe Cornell Entertainment!

Filed Under: Party Entertainment

Any good partnership needs a realist and a dreamer…

September 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

In all my dreams, I never imagined I’d be a magazine publisher.

Thanks to the brilliant brainstorm of my sister and business partner, Becca Schlussel, Joe Cornell Entertainment now has a new spinoff business: Plan It! Magazine. See it online for yourself at www.PlanItMagazine.com

Any good partnership needs a realist and a dreamer, and that’s us. Our business has grown so much because we play off each other with ideas, with goals, with “what-if-we-did-this…”

Plan It! Magazine was born out of the goal of creating something useful for the consumer, while helping our partner and affiliate local businesses.

Our incredible Event-Planning Expo, in its 8th year, has grown into this annual program that people flock to and know about, a real fixture in the community. We had always produced a program book for the Expo featuring the contact information for each of the exhibitors.  We billed the book as a “keepsake” and a “planning resource” – but we got to talking: Was it really useful for participants?

As much as we wanted to believe that our show program book was everything you needed to plan a party, we knew that if we added some content and opened it up to a variety of outside advertisers, it would truly be of more benefit to the consumer.  And we decided that who better than Joe Cornell Entertainment could create a sophisticated, sleek magazine to speak to the needs of today’s party-planning consumer.  Provide tips and ideas, vendors and choices, and even respond to the financial concerns of today’s economy.  That’s why the magazine is free to the public – we want it to be a keepsake, a resource that folks keep around and turn to in the throes of planning panic.

We decided to produce 2,000 copies of 24 full-color pages, yearly – to be published in time for our Expo. Lo and behold, the first one isn’t even off the presses, we’re printing 3,000 just to satisfy all our distribution sites, and we’re aiming for twice-yearly and yes, we may even add pages, too.  There’s just so much demand and so much interest from advertisers!

I know you’re waiting for me to say that we’ve had OMG moments and hit panic mode more than once in this new venture – but honestly, building a new arm to our business is just flowing along because it’s the right time and mix for us!  We hit on something that will benefit us and benefit the consumer, and jumping into any new project is just plain fun!

I look at Plan It! Magazine, at the colorful, attention-grabbing cover (which features our niece, Jaclyn Jasgur, who celebrated her bat mitzvah just last year!) and think, wow, this family business is truly moving and shaking.

You know Joe Cornell is all about community.  We have always believed that we have everything we need right here in Michigan – right down the street! – to make a fantastic party happen.  Our new magazine, which is printed here in Michigan and designed by a local graphic artist, is another step in the fight to grow our local economy.

At Joe Cornell, our new mantra is Keeping It Local – because we believe that together, we can rebuild, invigorate and expand our economy. This is home, for you and for us, and we’re here to stay.

Get copies of Plan It! Magazine at area synagogues, Studio A, Tapper’s, the JCC, Yoga Shelter and other local businesses.

Filed Under: General

So, Joe Cornell walks into my office….

August 5, 2010 By 2 Comments

So, yesterday Joe Cornell (yep, the man) walks into our office… 81 years old, fresh hair cut (courtesy of Joseph Xavier Salon), and a bounce in his step as always.   In town from Sherman Oaks California for a life long friend’s daughter’s wedding the previous weekend and an upcoming family wedding the next, Joe is making this week a whirlwind tour of old haunts, reunions, gatherings, hand shaking and hugs.

With his history of good will, and solid metro Detroit “local celebrity” status, I’m not sure the week will be enough!

When Becca and I bought the business of “Joe Cornell” from the man Joe Cornell in 1991, we knew we had a legacy to uphold, and a reputation that would open doors to new opportunities.

Flash forward almost 20 years later, while the landscape has changed dramatically, Joe Cornell Entertainment is still the leader in interactive musical entertainment for the young adult set, and now prides itself on serving as entertainers at more and more weddings (yesterday’s youth are now getting married….its a great fit!)

Additionally, the Joe Cornell 6th grade dance class program – where the business truly began – has a greater outreach, now, than it ever had during Joe’s tenure.  Aside from our traditional 13 week program, we count numerous private schools with their customized “mini programs” amongst our supporters.

Our Event Planning Expo, marking its 8th year helping families plan for their special events, has blossomed into a sell out show with over 50 exhibitors (Open and Free to the Public!)  This year’s show is Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the West Bloomfield JCC.

New this Fall, we will publish our very first issue of PLAN IT! MAGAZINE.  Set to correspond with the timing of our Event Planning Expo, the complimentary 24 page glossy magazine will also be available in area Temples, Synagogues, dance studios, and stores.  Featuring articles written by local area experts, the magazine will serve as an indispensable resource guide for families planning parties.  (Please contact our office for advertising info.)

Joe Cornell, the man, is proud.  He told me so himself.
:-)

Steve Jasgur, President

Joe Cornell Entertainment

Filed Under: General

“Class” starts at Joe Cornell…

February 25, 2010 By 4 Comments

So, one of our very own, Emcee Rob Feldman, is moving up in the world.  Rob, having put in his time as an on air radio DJ in the Cleveland Ohio market for the past couple of years (while commuting back to Detroit to work the Joe Cornell scene), has cracked into a top 10 market (#8 by some accounts)….Washington, D.C.’s “Hot 99.5″!  Rob’s radio slot will follow that of Ryan Seacrest (not a bad warm up act!) :-)

Joe Cornell has always been “of the community – for the community”. We pride ourselves on finding the very best local talent – from families like yours – and grooming them to be the role models, “Pied Pipers”, and big personalities that rock the party circuit every weekend.

So, while we’re proud and excited for Rob….we’re used to our entertainers going on to great things.  For over 50 years we’ve been turning out incredible individuals that know how to party hard, and work even harder!

Here’s a list of some of those individuals who’ve used Joe Cornell as a springboard to realizing their dreams…  (If you have an update or don’t see your name…let us know!)

 

 


Howard Bloomberg Country Radio DJ
Justin Bright M.D., Emergency Medicine Resident, Toledo, Ohio
Kari Caden Co Owner, Caden Concepts & Belly Bandit, Los Angeles, CA
Bonnie Coleman President, Elm Events, Michigan
Robert Fink Attorney at Law, Los Angeles, CA (and New Dad!)
Steve Fink Owner, 4th Dimension Promotional Products, Michigan
Amy Friedman Owner, Studio A – Center for the Performing Arts, Commerce, MI
Michael Garfinkel Partner at Venable LLP, Los Angeles, CA
Billy Goldstein Opthamologist, MI
Robbie Goldstein Anethesiologist and Business Owner, NY
Jared Goldman Director of Operations, Merchant Credit Resource, Southfield
Josh Grumet Dentist, Chicago
Ken Harris Attorney at Law, MI
Jason Horowitz On air talent at CBS/MSG, Host of MSGNY at Madison Square Garden; On air Talent/Producer at CBS Sports, NY
Ben Hurvitz TV Producer; MTV, Bravo, E!, TLC, Lifetime TV – Los Angeles
Steve Hurvitz U of Michigan and Harvard Law; Clerking for 1year at the Supreme Court…of Alaska!!!
Jennifer Hurvitz Weintraub Mother of two, North Carolina; candidate for new President of Facebook! “friend” her today!
Lauren Jaffe Advertising exec, W.B. Donor, Southfield
Steve Jasgur Owner, Joe Cornell Entertainment; Owner, Launch Showcase
Becca Jasgur Schlussel Owner, Joe Cornell Entertainment
Ron Lederman M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, MI
Rick Lederman Owner, The Identity Source Marketing & Advertising, MI
Todd Levin Owner, Apple Industries, MI
Sandy Little Richards Executive Director, Foundation For Excellence, Walled Lake Schools, MI
Scott Lyons Commercial Real Estate, MI
Jeffrey Meyers M.D., Internal Medicine
Jeffrey Michaelson M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, MI
Brad Monash Harvard Grad, M.D., Combined Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Boston
David Rosemberg Attorney at Law, Entertainment Law, Miami Beach, FL
Neil Rosenzweig Senior V.P. Business Development, E-Prize, MI
David Schechter Senior Reporter, WFAA TV, Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX
Brooke Slavik V.P. / Talent Agent at William Morris Agency, Los Angeles
Ryan Stybel Optometrist, Melrose Ave., California
Justin Trivax M.D., Cardiology Fellow, MI
Brad Trivax M.D., Infertility Specialist, Cedar Sinai
Amanda Trivax Columbia Graduate; Business Law, NY
Scott Turken ESPN Producer, Hartford, CT
Lora Weberman Vinande Diversity and Community Relations at Daimler Financial Services, (and soon to be mommy), MI
Brian Winshall Sales at CH Robinson Worldwide, Chicago
Steve Wolf Dentist, MI
Jimmy Wolk Actor, TV movie: “Head of the Class”
Steve Zager Owner, Bayridge Realty & Financial, San Francisco, CA

You see….”Class” really does start at Joe Cornell. :-)

Filed Under: General

There but for the grace of g-d go I

January 25, 2010 By 1 Comment

At Joe Cornell, we have been fortunate to have been embraced and supported by the community we have served for more than 50 years.  Teaching kids “how to be cool” while also empowering them with social etiquette through dance has been the cornerstone of our business since 1957.  This season, we challenged ourselves and our students with a new lesson.  A lesson on life and social responsibility.

There but for the grace of G-d go I.

With more than 300 6th grade students in our 13 week dance class program, we wanted to create an initiative – off the dance floor  – to engage our students in working together toward a common goal and instilling in them the qualities of leaders by helping a charitable organization.  The kids would choose the benefactor – democratically, as a group – and they would also set the goals for the effort.  Their input would shape the planning, the dedication would rest on their shoulders, and the lessons learned would be personal.

We named the volunteer group “Joe’s Crew,” and figured we’d be lucky if we found 10 or 12 interested students this first time around.  I mean, kids today are so busy!  They’re already overwhelmed with extracurricular programming (and their parents are, too).  Adding a volunteer group – with monthly meetings and tasks – we didn’t know if it would work with everyone’s schedule - or anyone’s.

52.  That was how many kids volunteered to take part.  We were excited to get started.

At their first meeting (bowling and pizza!) Joe’s Crew participants chose a charity to benefit from their efforts.  The parameters were simple:  Keep it local so they could witness the impact, keep it youth oriented so they could relate.  Joe’s Crew members presented charities to the others in the group with which they had knowledge or experience, and our staff made presentations, as well.  Some of the choices:  Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; JARC; Yad Ezra; Gleaners; The Bear Hug Foundation, The Friendship Circle…all great organizations doing a world of good.

The kids overwhelmingly voted to support Michigan-based Kids Kicking Cancer, and they’d do it through a dance-a-thon – a perfect show of all they’d learned in Joe Cornell.

There but for the grace of G-d go I.

In subsequent meetings, the kids stayed focused and their enthusiasm grew. They met local celebrity, Lila Lazarus, president of KKC’s national board of directors.   They created a Joe’s Crew Facebook page to link participants together for updates and strategizing.  They set a pledge goal of $3500.

Of course, the parents of these team members played a pivotal role in the process!  Driving, rearranging schedules, in some cases calling in favors for pledge donations, and in general, showing their support.  The seeds of social responsibility are planted at home.

When the big night arrived – January 18th – the turnout for the dance-a-thon at Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield was great – 200 people gathered to watch these energetic kids dance for an hour straight.  Setting the tone, Kids Kicking Cancer kids kicked off the night with a martial arts and meditation presentation and Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg (“Rabbi G”) spoke about how Kids Kicking Cancer helps children face life’s scariest challenges.

Until that moment, the Joe’s Crew kids had been raising funds for “a good cause”.  Finally, they met the kids they were helping – and made a personal connection – everything changed.

Our students enjoyed dancing with their students.

There but for the grace of G-d go I.

Altogether, Joe’s Crew participants raised $5100!  They left feeling proud.  Excited.  Amazed.  Inspired.  They touched lives, and their lives were touched.  Forever.

Joe’s Crew member Rachel Wasserman, 12, summed up her experience:  “When a group of kids gets together, they can make a big imprint on the world.  Joe’s Crew is doing that!”

Filed Under: General, Pre teen dance program

Buyer beware….experience counts.

November 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Imagine you owned a restaurant.  A fine dining establishment that accepted reservations well in advance.

Now imagine that your restaurant had a busy night already scheduled, but a potential customer called and you figured, well, “more is more”, and decided to have one of your less experienced waiters handle a dining party’s experience.

Its a risk, of course.

The customer may be too demanding for this particular waiter’s skill set.  Perhaps the kitchen may get too backed up and this particular waiter may not have the experience – or presence – to keep this customer’s dining experience from being negatively affected.

Now, imagine you ran an entertainment company that provided MC/DJ teams to local bar and bat mitzvah parties.  You received an event inquiry for a night when you knew you may be stretched a bit too thin on personnel, yet you decide to take the booking, anyhow.  You figure “more is more”.

The risks run parallel to the restaurant scenario, but greater.

Is the venue a traditional set up, or a bit unconventional.  Will the entertainer be faced with having to manage more than just dance floor activities, truly “earning his wings” as an Emcee by coordinating all facets of the event – on the fly.  Will the kids in attendance be at the beginning of their party circuit, full of wide eyed excitement, or will they be 8th graders – “been there done that.”

Well…the gamble didn’t pay off at a recent mitzvah party flop.

How do I know?

A customer of ours who was at that party called with concern that the emcee in question was one of ours.  We assured her that while our emcee’s name started with the same first letter, he was performing elsewhere…and Joe Cornell was no where near that place.  :-)

Any entertainer can dance around and be the life of the party.  Its when the going gets tough, and the party is not following the plan…that a seasoned professional gets to show his or her stripes.

Experience counts.

Of course, any company asking the right questions could have seen the trouble signs in advance.  They could have assigned a veteran entertainer and not left things to chance.  And, no, throwing more dancers at this problem wasn’t going to be the “band aid”.

What’s the lesson?

We owe it to our clients to listen.  As entertainment professionals, we also need to ask the right questions.  And, sometimes, for the sake of our reputations, as well as the success of a party, more is not more.

We need to be honest with a potential client, let them know our concerns, and sometimes, suggest that they may be better served elsewhere, this time.  Try as we might like, we can’t do them all.

The entertainment WILL make or break your party, why take chances?  If the business you choose to deal with is not asking the right questions, buyer beware.

Experience counts.

Filed Under: Party Entertainment

OMG…its time for Joe Cornell, already?

October 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year, again.  The time when parents of 5th graders are asked to sign their child up for next year’s “6th Grade Dance Program”.

It seems so early, but yes, classes fill up quickly and spaces are limited.

It’s also the time of year when some parents are asked to make a choice.  Will it be Joe Cornell, with years of experience helping children make the transition into young adulthood, or the other program which provides a weekly party atmosphere in an effort to book more parties?

Certainly, those who are reading this blog post who have already had children through our program can attest to the positive influence the Joe Cornell “Experience” has had in their family.  We recognize the impact our program has on children, and don’t take our responsibility lightly.

At Joe Cornell, we teach kindness, manners, etiquette, self-confidence – all masked in the fun of dancing!  Embedded in each one hour weekly lesson are subtle yet crucial messages about what it really means to be cool, and how to confidently interact with the opposite sex in all social situations.

Ask around, while the two programs cater to the same children, they are very different.

Here’s a recent quote from a Joe Cornell student’s mom after observing a class in progress…

“…Last night’s class was such a great thing!  What a fantastic throwback!  What a lovely, refreshing and wholesome approach.  I am so glad my daughter is in the class!  I just wanted to thank you for keeping the kids’ first coed dancing experience classic and timeless.  You accomplished this with great manners mixed with reaching out to the kids with humor, games, and a sincere caring for the pre-teens’ sensitive feelings.  Great job!”

Laura R, Birmingham mom

Research shows that children who are taught etiquette and social graces are actually learning kindness and responsibility, which help them stand out in an increasingly rude and tumultuous world.

I invite you to visit our website at www.JoeCornell.com/learntodance to learn more about our one of a kind program.  Registration forms may be downloaded from here, as well.

Filed Under: Pre teen dance program

If its already being done, do it better…

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Eight years ago, Becca and I found ourselves in our office brainstorming on a Monday morning over bagels and coffee. We were both bleary eyed from lack of sleep – following another underwhelming turnout at a local “party industry showcase” the morning prior.

“Why do we do this show year after year? asked Becca “We don’t get any new business from it.”

“We do it to be supportive” I responded. “Its a fund raiser. Besides, people expect us to be there.”

“Who expects us to be there?” she quipped.

We were on to something.

Surely, our clients enjoyed seeing us set up at the marketing event. It gave them an opportunity to say “Hi” and put a name with a face. But it was the conversations with the other exhibitors that really stood out. They wanted more referrals from Joe Cornell and they wanted to “pick our brains”.

This realization – coupled with a post show request from the event sponsor for access to our private mailing lists to boost attendance – sent us into over drive.

We could create a party industry trade show that featured local businesses exclusively, and created a win-win situation for both attendees and exhibitors.

For attendees, we would promise to pre screen all businesses for professionalism. Essentially making the event a “by invitation of Joe Cornell, only”. For the integrity of the show, we decided that no business was going to be associated with our name unless we knew their work, or were a direct referral from another business in the industry that we trust and work closely.

For exhibitors, we would promise to limit the number of competitors in their respective fields, giving customers choices, of course, but not wasting their precious marketing dollars. Additionally, through our advertising and marketing efforts, our community relations, and our name recognition, we would deliver to them qualified attendees – People who were actually in the market for their goods and services.

Oh… and because we meant no ill will, and make it a policy to try and not step on other people in the industry’s toes, we would set our new Event Planning Expo in the Fall as opposed to the Spring, so as not to directly compete with the other organization’s fund raising efforts.

And so it was born.

We invite you to see what all the buzz is about at this year’s 7th annual Event Planning Expo! Tour exhibits and meet with nearly 60 vendors who would love to do business with you. Be sure to inquire about “show specials” from everyone you speak!

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009

Place: Jewish Community Center (6600 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48322)

Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Admittance is FREE with completed registration at the door. Plus, you’ll be registered to win a complimentary Lighting Package ($500 value) for your next party with Joe Cornell Entertainment.

For additional information, visit “Joe Cornell’s Event Planning Expo” on Facebook. (A link has been set on the upper right side of this page). There you will find a list of scheduled exhibitors – All from Michigan.  With such a diverse collection of businesses and products on display, why not keep our party planning dollars local.

See you there!

Steve Jasgur

Filed Under: General

Here’s a juicy one…

September 23, 2009 By 5 Comments

So I recently received a phone call at the Joe Cornell Entertainment offices from a young dad inquiring about booking a party for his son’s bar mitzvah.  He had many of the usual questions, “…are you available on…What are your rates….Do you charge extra if we request a specific entertainer?”

The first 2 questions above are common, the 3rd is always our indicator that the client has already spoken with our competitor up the road.  :-)

The conversation was flowing, and I felt I had achieved an excellent rapport with this dad, a sure fire booking if ever I had had one.  So, when he sprung the next question on me, I could have been forgiven for really opening up and “putting my personal feelings out there.”

“What would you say is the biggest difference between Joe Cornell and its competitor?” he casually inquired.

I took a thoughtful pause before replying “Nothing.”

He was taken aback.

“We both fully engage our audiences, providing interactive entertainment.  The one small difference,” I continued, “is that at a Joe Cornell party, you’ll never hear our entertainers yelling our company name on the microphone.  We’re high energy, but we know we’re there to keep the focus on the guest of honor, not on ourselves.”

I then put it in perspective for him.  “Neither one of us can be all things to all potential clients.  You need to find the right fit for you and your family.  There is no wrong decision.”

We laughed some more, discussed his family’s mitzvah party wishes, and chatted about his son’s wild personality.  As the conversation began to wind down, I suggested that I would like to email him additional information, in writing, about his event, and that I was placing his event on our schedule to hold his spot.

Here’s where it gets juicy!
“…I don’t check my email very often, and my assistant is not very good with the internet.  Why don’t you mail your information to my home.”  he stammered.

“Sure thing,” I said.  “What’s your address?”

We hung up the phone and I had a moment to reflect.  Something seemed a bit “off”.

Young dad, no email. Great conversation, no rush for follow up information. Dad inquiring, not mom (not trying to be sexist here, simply playing to the percentages).

I typed his address into Anywho.com to reveal the full name of the person residing at the home (not a match for the man I had the pleasure of speaking).  I extracted the residents name and entered it into Facebook.  The person’s Facebook page revealed that they were in a relationship with an individual who, as it turns out, is on the management level of the entertainment company I was being baited to bad mouth.

Super sleuth?  Hardly.  Confident business owner?  You bet.

My advice to the other guys: Don’t worry about what your competition may be saying.  The only thing that really matters is what the customer is saying.

In business and in life, we can’t be all things to all people.  Do what you do, and do it with the confidence that the right customer will find you.

Filed Under: Party Entertainment Tagged With: ,

It starts now…

August 25, 2009 By 8 Comments

This is our first blog.  Our “new beginning”… again.

It seems many of us have uttered these words.  For us, our first “new beginning” came back in 1991 when Joe Cornell (the person) approached my sister and me about buying Joe Cornell (the company).  Pretty exciting stuff for these two then college students who had worked for Joe since 1985.

By 1993 it was time for another “new beginning”.   Our first website.

When John and Jeff Dwoskin walked into our Farmington Hills, MI office on Orchard Lake Road they set us on the road to the “electronic future”.  Our first site was pretty impressive for the time.  (Thanks guys!)

Since that time our journey down the super highway has included several overhauls and redesigns of our website, a dabble in My Space, a touch of Facebook, quite a bit of email outreach (currently utilizing Constant Contact), and now, this blog.

But this “new beginning” feels different.

Sure, Joe Cornell Entertainment, is a business, but its a family business with deep roots in our community.  Joe Cornell (the man) started his company (in 1957) with the support of so many local families that are still in the area, today.

Previous attempts to reach out to our community have mostly been one sided:  we provide the information and “hope” the community reads it and responds well.  Through this blog we hope to reengage our neighbors and friends, and get the conversation flowing.

Do you have a favorite memory of Joe Cornell (alive and well at 80 years old this year) that you would like to share?  If you’ve never met the man, of course, you can share your memories of Joe Cornell (the company).

Here’s to “new beginnings”.

Sincerely,

Steve Jasgur

President, Joe Cornell Entertainment

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , ,
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