Female bosses, as we know, rule the world. Within the wedding world in particular, female leadership is essential. Who better to have an eye for detail than a woman – a fellow bride? In this blog, we talk with Kellie of JK Ranch Wedding Venue and Event Center, who gives us a detailed look into what made her the female boss that she is.
Make no mistake – JK Ranch belongs to the Durant Couple. But as I made the initial call for scheduling this interview, I couldn’t help but laugh at Kellie’s response at my reference to their venue.
“Oh no, honey,” she said immediately, “this is my venue.”
So, before we dig into how she came to run the gorgeous 240-acre venue, let’s start the story when Jimmie-John and Kellie first met.
Career Choices
Born in San Antonio, Kellie spent a few years in Florida before returning to Texas in the city of Dallas, shuffling from there to Somerset. She married, had two kids, and moved to the North Side of San Antonio. Initially, Kellie considered opening a restaurant, but when that didn’t pan out, the marriage didn’t either. Having come from a humble upbringing, Kellie knew the importance of providing for her family, and she pressed on undeterred into a college education.
After receiving her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, the thought of returning to a big city like Dallas was enticing. Maybe she could apply for the SWAT program, which was enormous. But through the course of some personal struggles and the call for further education, Kellie instead began volunteering with the local fire department and working at a bar to help cover the bills.
Unbeknownst to her at the time, her future father-in-law, who worked alongside her in the fire department, approached Kellie about an office position with HEAT Safety Equipment. Her interviewer? Jimmie-John.
First Look
Admitting that he stumbled over his desk when he first saw Kellie’s startling blue eyes, Jimmie-John was under no delusion that he’d been bitten by the love bug. Within three months of her employment, they began dating.
“…it was funny because before we got together,” Kellie says, “he would never go to work or be at work at eight-o-clock in the morning. He would never come downstairs when he was at work. But after I started working there, he was there everyday at eight, talking to me downstairs and being silly.”
From Cakes to Tents to a Wedding Venue
While she loved the field of criminal justice, there were real risks to weigh; soberly brought to her attention by her six-year-old, who told her he feared for her life if she continued her path to become a police officer. So, when given the opportunity to pursue another passion, Kellie took courses in baking and began creating wedding cakes that she delivered throughout the state of Texas. But there was something missing.
Her sights were set higher, and the cakes were more of a stepping stone. Where could she best incorporate her wedding cakes? In her own venue, of course. The 240-acres they now shared were calling her name, inspired by the wedding they hosted for her cousin. But – Jimmie-John wasn’t initially sold on the idea. He compromised to look into tents, which they did, but neither of them were very impressed.
What sealed the deal to build their own venue was Jimmie-John’s proposal. After touring multiple venues for their own wedding, he was shocked at the costs they were being quoted. Finally, he gave in and conceded that Kellie’s idea was best. He built her the venue she wanted, each intricate detail influenced by her hand, from the funny bathroom signs to the beautifully decorated bridal suite. Thus, JK Ranch Venue and Event Center was opened.
Décor and More
In her life’s journey, Kellie realized another gift: her eye for décor. She could fashion any table to each bride’s taste; moving through popular wedding color schemes with ease. What inspires her to do so much for her brides? It stems, I believe, from the fact that Kellie was always told she could never do what she wanted. Her unstable upbringing dug out a wonderful gift in this tough Texas gal. She wanted to do more for others, so they would never struggle with what she had to.
I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say we would feel confident in placing our special day into Kellie’s hands. She never let herself down, so the same goes for us.
