68 | Ponte Vedra Life Ponte Vedra Life | 6968 | Ponte Vedra Life

Momtre preneurial renneuriSpiritThe

Seeking to uphold a professional careerwithout missing a beat of her children’s lives, Elizabeth Lewin reinvented herself and is celebrating in more ways than one.

Elizabeth Lewin, entrepreneur, wife, and mother of three, has become the queen of her own destiny. While working as a successful nurse practitioner, she chose to reinvent herself so that she could activelyraise her young children. She sought to build a platform that would satisfy her professional hunger and also her necessity to nurture and be an involved parent. >>>

0613_PVL_Womens_2013.indd 68-69 6/25/13 8:51 AM

70 | Ponte Vedra Life Ponte Vedra Life | 71

A Platform to Produce, Provide, & ParentAfter months of researching new, innovative opportunities for Jacksonville, “I traveled to California and witnessed first-hand the incredible popularity of private party facilities for children,” Lewin said. Building out a business venture like this would provide a stimulating new journey for her. Pump It Up became Jacksonville’s first private party facility of its kind. Lewin decided it would become the avenue to create a breakthrough business while maintaining her lifestyle and family priorities.

Pump It Up — A New DestinationOpening a 12,000-square-foot facility filled with interactive inflatables, bubble and fog machines, specialeffects lighting, games, party rooms, and a rocking music system was only the start to evolving Jacksonville’s family entertainment scene. Lewin created a clean, safe, and private venue

for parents to host an exceptional birthday party or walk in for open play.

As Pump It Up evolved, Lewin expanded her edge by reinvesting into her party options to add multiple character and themed experiences. Nerf, pirate, super hero, sports, princess, and glow parties were just the beginning to meet her customers’ needs. Lewin said they have customized and executed more than11,000 parties in the last eight years. Customers have responded positively to their planning expertise, eye for detail, and elevated level of customer service, which has kept Pump It Up at the top. Lewin has maintained a prestige for keeping a clean, safe, and exciting destination for families to exercise for fun while creating monumental lifetime memories.

Never-Ending BenefitsWhile fulfilling her personal needs and goals with ownership of the business, Lewin was also able to expand her skill set in marketing, finance, and management. Steering Pump It Up has incorporated these talents that are imperative to the corporate world. In analyzing her business statistics, Lewin said, “I recognize my own failures, change directions, and navigate to my successes.”

While continuing to develop her skill set, Lewin has held a seat within an exclusive group of businesswomen for the last four years. For Lewin, the group has been an invaluable source of peer-to-peermentoring, networking opportunities, and encouragement. “You have to

surround yourself with positive,driven, and creative women with the never-quit attitude,” Lewin said.

“She is a brilliant marketer and completely tenacious in pursuing her objectives,” said Linda Nottingham,the group’s leader, a seasoned business coach for women entrepreneurs and president of JAX Realty Advisors, Inc. in Ponte Vedra. “She is a forward-thinking professional who actively rejects the status quo.”

Lewin finds fulfillment in her opportunity to continually mentor her talented employees in her fearless style of leadership. Lauren Parsons, operations manager and an employee of eight years, said, “I have witnessed Elizabeth throttle her business through hard economic times by doubling marketing budgets, cutting waste, and reinventing operations while increasing customer satisfaction and business appeal.”

Not Missing a BeatMany working moms are unable to incorporate their children into their jobs. “As my children have grown with their own schedules — lacrosse, horseback riding, and golf — I haven’t missed a beat,” she said. Through Pump It Up, Lewin has raised her children — ages 8, 10, and 12 — and incorporated their desires, making them an invaluable addition to her marketing group. “Their input is a direct reflection of what is driving kids’

interests and needs,” Lewin said. They have contributed ideas like allowing kids to make music requests via iPad, having a computer self check-in system to conserve paper, and giving the business a social media presence.

Lewin said her children feel a sense of ownership and provide an honest source of feedback. In return, Pump It Up has exposed them to the benefits of entrepreneurship and the value of a dollar and has sparked creativity for their own business ventures. “I have watched my kids flourish in the intentionally crafted environment that allows me to nourish, support, and be actively present for each and everymilestone,” Lewin said.

Women Have It AllLewin said that all women can capture their own financial capital while continuing to carve a path fortheir family’s stability. “Reinvent yourself. Create your own destiny. Identify and invent your ownplatform for success,” she said.

“I’m rewarded while on the beach with family knowing my business is still generating revenue in the hands of mentored employees,” Lewin said. By recognizing a need in the community, building a team she can depend on, and seeking the support of like-minded women, she truly has become the queen of her own destiny — even if her throne is inflatable.

Create memories this summer at Pump It Up 11840 Beach Boulevard, Suite 10 • Jacksonville, FL 32246

(904) 646-1441 • www.pumpitupparty.com

Phot

ogra

pher

: Mea

ghan

Clo

hert

y

0613_PVL_Womens_2013.indd 70-71 6/25/13 8:51 AM