Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Felder.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My path to Conví all started from my love for hospitality. I spent years working my way up through the industry, from server to bartender, and eventually into service manager, bar manager, kitchen manager, and event roles. Along the way, I fell in love with learning what actually makes an event work between the food, the drinks, the flow, and all of those little details guests remember without even realizing why.
As I worked more and more events, I kept hearing the same thing from people I served: that my service was what made their event feel a step above and was something they didn’t always get from other staff. That feedback stuck with me, and it pointed to a real gap I wanted Conví to fill. A beautiful grazing table, a proper bar service, yes — but both at a high level, with service and hospitality as a major focus. The name actually comes from the Latin word convivium: a feast, a gathering, a coming together, because I love the beauty of creating that experience.
Today, Conví serves the broader Hampton Roads area, bringing attention to detail to every board and every bar we set up. I taught myself the business side from the ground up, and as the sole owner I take pride in being responsible for every part of how Conví runs from the vision, the details, and making sure that the standard and the hospitality behind it all remains at the core of Conví.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy, honestly. This is a whole new world for me. I know how to build a beautiful charcuterie board, I know how to bartend, I know how to run a bar service but the business side was a completely different layer, and it’s not something you’re taught in this industry. Working in restaurants prepares you for service, not for building a company from scratch.
There were a lot of dead ends along the way with trying to find a commissary kitchen, figuring out applications I’d never seen before, learning rules and ins and outs as you go and all of this required funding. In my case, all of my own funding and I was really discouraged at times.
But one thing I was firm on was that I wanted to be legally legitimate before I ever launched. I did not want my business to be built on shortcuts. So I got everything squared away first, and after that of course business was slow to pick up. I’m constantly hoping for that one big break, that great gig, but it doesn’t just fall in your lap. I was putting in the hours, the networking, and tidying up everything behind the scenes but like most small and new businesses there’s not always an immediate payoff. So money is still going out for insurance, licensing, software, upgrades and so much more, while it’s not necessarily coming in yet.
So honestly, it’s been the true definition of faith. I just have to keep believing that if I keep putting in the hard work and doing things the right way, it’ll pay off.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Conví is a luxury mobile bar and charcuterie service here in Hampton Roads. Conví transforms food and drink into a moment of connection. From handcrafted cocktails to beautifully arranged grazing tables, we create experiences that astonish, delight, and feel beautifully raised.
Conví offers two core services: luxury charcuterie and grazing tables and mobile bartending. Clients can book either one on its own or bring them together for a single, seamless experience. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, a shower, or a private gathering, the goal is always the same: an elevated experience backed by real hospitality expertise. I want people in Hampton Roads to think of Conví as the vendor who brings both beauty and true service to their event. Conví is also fully licensed and insured, and I want potential clients to trust that they’re booking a real, professional business that ensures safety and legitimacy.
We are known for bringing that true hospitality mindset into every event. Of course we strive for the visual, ‘wow’ factor of a beautiful board or a well-crafted cocktail, but the service behind it is extremely important to us. People notice the difference when the person behind the bar or the table actually knows hospitality inside and out.
I am most proud of building Conví as a fully licensed, legitimate business from the ground up with no formal business background. I am so proud of myself for being a solo woman-owned operation handling everything from vision to execution. When we finish an event and clients tell us that our service was a major highlight their event apart I truly feel success. Looking back at little server me would’ve never thought this was even a possibility but here we are.
I would like the readers to know brand wise, we are designed to astonish, delight, and elevate every occasion.
Conví is a house of hospitality and we transform gatherings into unforgettable occasions, marrying flavor, design, and atmosphere with effortless sophistication.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Honestly, one of my favorite memories is something so simple, but I still hold onto the feeling years later. It’s being at my aunt’s house on a weekend, the whole family packed in together, and the house is just alive. Spanish music is playing, the kids are being handed instruments and trying to match the beats, the adults are in the living room dancing to it. We were all just enjoying each other. In the kitchen, dinner isn’t even done yet, but somehow we’ve all found a way to sneak a taste before it’s ready. Out in the garage, you can hear the men laughing (or yelling lol) over a game of dominoes or cards. And in between all of it, the smaller kids are just running through the rooms, completely free.
There was no occasion, just a family gathering with love filling up every corner of that house. And looking back now, I think that’s exactly where my heart for hospitality started. Long before I ever knew that’s what it was. I just knew that feeling of togetherness was something I never wanted to let go of, and now I get to help recreate little pieces of it for other people.
Fun fact, my grandmother’s house was another house that we frequented for these gatherings. Unfortunately, that neighborhood was torn down and they built the Hampton Roads Convention Center there many years ago. Today, that is the location of Convi’s commissary kitchen. It feels like a full circle moment.
Pricing:
- We offer different packages and options that can be tailored to what a client actually needs. My advice to anyone interested is to fill out an inquiry form on our website. From there, we can talk through their vision, their budget, and their needs, and figure out the best way to make it work for them. Although it is a luxury service, we want it to feel accessible, not intimidating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theconvi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.convi
