Tori's Story: Jumping J's
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Tori has spent her life working to enhance the lives of others. Now, Tori needs our help to pick up the pieces as she continues her journey.
Tori dreamt of starting her own business over a decade ago. Since then, Tori has taken every step to realize this dream, and in December of 2018, she enrolled in ProsperUS’s Business Planning Workshop. Though her path was not easy, Tori overcame adversity to launch Jumping J’s Party Planning & Rentals. ProsperUS designed a cohort specific to parents of children age eight and under, and it was a perfect spot for Tori to refine her skills. As she worked through the first several weeks of the class, things began falling into place. Tori is a lifelong Detroiter with two wonderful children.
Tori made the bold move of acquiring equipment, resources, and support to become independent and make a life for herself and her family. She purchased bounce houses, vending equipment, tables, chairs, generators, and much more that allowed her to run a profitable venture, Jumping J’s Party Planning and Rentals.
On February 3rd, tragedy struck Tori’s household as a van backed into her driveway, loaded up her $4,000 worth of equipment, and drove off without a trace. Though she filed police reports and attempted to repair the damage, Tori has now found herself in dire straits as she works tirelessly to rebuild her up-and-coming business. By supporting Tori’s efforts with an initial gift of $1,000, Tori can restart her venture, continue making long-term plans, and find herself “in the black” once she is able to land four events with that seed money.
Tori says “planning a party and having everything together is complicated. Jumping J’s alleviates stress when I can accommodate the needs of party organizers to have a successful gathering. Punctual, thorough, and professional, Jumping J’s will make any event a party to remember. We provide bounce houses, chairs and tables, tents, concessions, miniature Jumping J’s bounce houses for kids, dance floors, dunk tanks, 18-ft water slides, outdoor event tents, and much more.”
ABOUT TORI:
Tori’s beloved father passed away when she was only 10 years old. Instead of better understanding the struggles she faced during this trauma, her family sent her to an institution where she fought to survive until she reached 11th grade. Still, she graduated from Redford Union High and wanted to start a family of her own. Upon Tori becoming pregnant, the father of her children began severely abusing her, sending her to the hospital three times. At one point, her son at age five was awoken by the physical abuse as he tried to protect his mother. While Tori was on the ground, unable to move, the father told the son “this is what you do to stupid bitches” as he kicked her repeatedly in the head. The abuse continued. On the evening that her abusive partner pulled out a knife and threatened to gut her “like a fish,” Tori made the brave decision to take her kids and run. Since then, she has worked hard to help both her family and the people around her experience joy, alleviate stress, and create events where meaningful relationships are lifted up.
“All I want is a solid foundation for my kids,” Tori says, “being able to provide for them, and give them everything that I missed out on in my childhood. I value those special life events – like the birthdays and Christmas gatherings I never got to attend. Putting smiles on peoples’ faces by bringing families and friends together is what brings me joy. I have spent my life ensuring that I move in a different direction as a parent.”
Please consider opening your heart to support our wonderful Tori as she aims to pick up the pieces, re-launch her business, and provide the compassionate life she’s dreamt of for her kids.
Tori dreamt of starting her own business over a decade ago. Since then, Tori has taken every step to realize this dream, and in December of 2018, she enrolled in ProsperUS’s Business Planning Workshop. Though her path was not easy, Tori overcame adversity to launch Jumping J’s Party Planning & Rentals. ProsperUS designed a cohort specific to parents of children age eight and under, and it was a perfect spot for Tori to refine her skills. As she worked through the first several weeks of the class, things began falling into place. Tori is a lifelong Detroiter with two wonderful children.
Tori made the bold move of acquiring equipment, resources, and support to become independent and make a life for herself and her family. She purchased bounce houses, vending equipment, tables, chairs, generators, and much more that allowed her to run a profitable venture, Jumping J’s Party Planning and Rentals.
On February 3rd, tragedy struck Tori’s household as a van backed into her driveway, loaded up her $4,000 worth of equipment, and drove off without a trace. Though she filed police reports and attempted to repair the damage, Tori has now found herself in dire straits as she works tirelessly to rebuild her up-and-coming business. By supporting Tori’s efforts with an initial gift of $1,000, Tori can restart her venture, continue making long-term plans, and find herself “in the black” once she is able to land four events with that seed money.
Tori says “planning a party and having everything together is complicated. Jumping J’s alleviates stress when I can accommodate the needs of party organizers to have a successful gathering. Punctual, thorough, and professional, Jumping J’s will make any event a party to remember. We provide bounce houses, chairs and tables, tents, concessions, miniature Jumping J’s bounce houses for kids, dance floors, dunk tanks, 18-ft water slides, outdoor event tents, and much more.”
ABOUT TORI:
Tori’s beloved father passed away when she was only 10 years old. Instead of better understanding the struggles she faced during this trauma, her family sent her to an institution where she fought to survive until she reached 11th grade. Still, she graduated from Redford Union High and wanted to start a family of her own. Upon Tori becoming pregnant, the father of her children began severely abusing her, sending her to the hospital three times. At one point, her son at age five was awoken by the physical abuse as he tried to protect his mother. While Tori was on the ground, unable to move, the father told the son “this is what you do to stupid bitches” as he kicked her repeatedly in the head. The abuse continued. On the evening that her abusive partner pulled out a knife and threatened to gut her “like a fish,” Tori made the brave decision to take her kids and run. Since then, she has worked hard to help both her family and the people around her experience joy, alleviate stress, and create events where meaningful relationships are lifted up.
“All I want is a solid foundation for my kids,” Tori says, “being able to provide for them, and give them everything that I missed out on in my childhood. I value those special life events – like the birthdays and Christmas gatherings I never got to attend. Putting smiles on peoples’ faces by bringing families and friends together is what brings me joy. I have spent my life ensuring that I move in a different direction as a parent.”
Please consider opening your heart to support our wonderful Tori as she aims to pick up the pieces, re-launch her business, and provide the compassionate life she’s dreamt of for her kids.
Organizer and beneficiary
Anna Kohn
Organizer
Detroit, MI
Toriahna Bonds
Beneficiary