W O M E N
I N
B U S I N E S S
P R O F I L E S
Alison L. Burns Schonk, MBA, Founder & CEO
Jennifer Ponson
JENNIFER PONSON JEWELRY DESIGNS
PRECISION PAYMENT SYSTEMS
From her early days as an orthodontic assistant learning to bend wire to working at Pensacola State College, Jennifer Ponson has always been
With a servant’s heart, Alison L. Burns Schonk opened Precision
preparing for her creative and unique jewelry career.
Payment Systems (PPS) in August 2013. “I saw a grave need for small
It was at PSC that Jennifer accessed the knowledge of the welding
business owners to have options,” Alison says. “I knew that small businesses
and chemistry departments to develop her bonding process and signature
needed somebody genuine who would match-make processors with their
patina. And Jennifer’s daughter’s passion for geology and rocks inspired
needs and budgets.”
her to learn more about semi-precious stones, which have become a
Nearly eight years later, she and her team of mostly women resell seven
common facet in her pieces.
different processing options to a wide variety of industries and six different
“After 30 years in education, I wanted to do something that made
point of sale systems exclusively for retail and restaurant businesses. “That
people smile and bring joy to them,” Jennifer says. “When people see
gives us the ability to shop around for the best rates possible for a business
my creations, they smile, and smiles are contagious!” So Jennifer opened
while providing impeccable customer service,” Alison explains.
Jennifer Ponson Jewelry Designs and began creating one-of-a-kind
Fulfilling a long planned for goal, PPS now operates a second office
necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings from natural materials.
out of St. Augustine, Florida, to serve the greater Jacksonville region. The
Having always been inspired by nature and family heirlooms, Jennifer
company’s footprint now extends from Texas to Florida and up to Arkansas.
spends a lot of her time curating parts and materials to make the beautiful
Passionate about small businesses, Alison champions them on a
pieces worn by women across the Gulf south. In her studio, Jennifer is
legislative level. “New Orleans is so great about rallying behind small
surrounded by raw stones and materials that she sources from a network
businesses. I want to give a voice to legislation that is going to protect us tax
of importers, artists and rock “hounds”. “This is where my creative process
wise or help us thrive.”
happens,” she says. “The next thing I know, the magic has happened, and I
Precision is a member of the New Orleans and Jefferson Chambers,
have 20 pieces of wearable art.”
LABI, Stay Local NOLA, Professionals of St. Augustine and St. Johns Chamber of
Jennifer’s designs can easily make a statement and generate a
Commerce. Alison serves in leadership roles for NAWBO New Orleans and NFIB,
conversation. “I believe my pieces can give the wearer a spark of confidence
sits on the Fore!Kids committee, mentors young entrepreneurs, and is a regular
that allows them to connect with others. I enjoy watching the delight on a
contributor to magazines and business panels. She invests her free time in
customer’s face when they have found the perfect piece,” Jennifer adds. She
fitness, health, and nutrition, and helps others reach their goals there as well.
often encourages her customers to touch and feel the pieces sharing that each
“I love talking to people and serving others,” she says. “As a company,
one has a different energy. “It should make you feel good while wearing it.”
we want to know how we can better take care of our customers and our
After all, that was Jennifer’s goal when opening her business—making
community.”
See Jennifer’s designs and learn more at jenniferponson.com.
photo: THERESA HOANG
people smile!
Precision Payment Systems serves the entire Southeast region. The local office is located at 1912 Clearview Pkwy, Ste 201, in Metairie, as well as a satellite office in St. Augustine, FL. PrecisionPaymentSystems.com. A p ri l - M ay 2021
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