Given the state of the economy over the past year, it may not seem like the ideal time to start your own company—unless you choose a recession-proof business. And that’s just what Jennifer Schwartz and Andi Dyal did. The two former classmates at Palmetto Senior High School had attended colleges in different cities, but eventually moved into similar professions planning and organizing major events. Dyal spent time working at Condé Nast in New York City, where in addition to charity foundation galas and various fashion shows she helped organize the famous “Fashion Rocks” event. Meanwhile, Schwartz served as the marketing and special events coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, helping to develop fund-raising initiatives and targeted events. “Last year, while Andi was working at the Biltmore Hotel for Big Brothers Big Sisters and I was doing an event there, we reconnected,” Schwartz recalls. “The funny part is that since we had worked via e-mail and both of us had changed our last names when we got married, it wasn’t until the walk-through at the Biltmore that we put two and two together.”

Dyal adds, “And the rest is history. Meet Anjé!”

Anjé—a combination of the first two letters of each partner’s first name—specializes in full event coordination, from site selection, budget management, menus, décor and vendor negotiations to coordination, transportation and even guest accommodations. Because the partners were already both established in the community in their own right, they were able to hit the ground running. “It was through our relationships with previous clients and vendors that we began receiving business referrals,” Dyal says. “We also spent a lot of time networking with potential clients we met at numerous events,” Schwartz adds. “And we purposely launched over the summer, because it was perfect timing to meet with new vendors during slow season.”

Slow season didn’t last long, however. Anjé has picked up several high-profile, large-scale weddings set for 2009, and they kept busy over the summer with a number of smaller corporate and social events. “We spent several months mapping out our marketing strategy before we officially launched, and it paid off,” says Dyal. “The key to successfully getting a business off the ground is organization.”

Adds Schwartz, “Our game plan included networking, creating and strengthening relationships with industry professionals, a website, and, of course, word-of-mouth buzz from the media that really helped get the word out.”

“There’s an enormous amount of moving parts in planning an event, and it can be stressful if you’re not organized and experienced,” Dyal agrees. “At the same time, successfully managing a difficult event is one of the great thrills of the job. There is nothing better than seeing months of hard work come together the day of the event and knowing that we’re behind it all.”

For more information, visit anjesoirees.com.