Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Perkel.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hear Here, LLC began during COVID, when we were all reinventing ourselves—baking sourdough, learning to crochet and knit, and creating handmade soaps, candles, and jewelry. Watching friends pour their hearts into what they were making, Jenn Perkel started thinking about one simple question: Where can they sell this?
That question turned into me organizing a local craft fair. Then a farmers market. And before long, it spiraled into something much bigger.
Today, Hear Here, LLC produces over 175 events each year and works with 3,000+ small businesses and vendors, creating thoughtfully run farmers markets and pop-ups all over New Jersey. With a background in education, Jenn brings structure, guidance, and encouragement to vendors—especially those just starting out—while building markets that are organized, welcoming, and genuinely fun.
At the heart of Hear Here is community, creativity, and the belief that small businesses deserve spaces where they can truly be heard.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any small business, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Weather is always a factor when running outdoor markets, and no two seasons are ever the same. Permits and approvals take time, patience, and persistence—often far more than people realize. Advertising was another learning curve, especially figuring out how to reach the right audiences consistently.
Over time, those challenges became strengths. Through trial, error, and a lot of hands-on learning, Jenn honed her marketing and operational skills to make it all work. Today, Hear Here, LLC generates over 12 million online impressions annually through targeted advertising—helping ensure vendors are seen, markets are well-attended, and communities stay engaged.
What once felt like obstacles ultimately shaped a business that’s resilient, adaptable, and built to last.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With over 30 years in education, Jenn approaches market management the same way she approached the classroom—with patience, structure, and a focus on preparation. Markets can be overwhelming, especially for first-time vendors who may not know what to expect, what to bring, or how to set themselves up for success.
That teaching background shows up in everything Hear Here does: clear instructions, realistic expectations, step-by-step guidance, and ongoing support before, during, and after each event. First-time vendors are taught how to prepare, set up, engage with customers, and grow confidently into repeat market participants.
The result is better-prepared vendors, smoother markets, and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
I am also a vendor- Jenn Holds a Cottage Food permit and makes plant based (egg free) handmade pasta. She also has a glitter slime business for when events call for a bit more glitter and sparkle. Kids love it
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
As Hear Here, LLC continues to grow, the vision is about more than expansion—it’s about building something lasting. In the coming years, the business will expand beyond Monmouth and Ocean Counties into Northern and Southern New Jersey, while staying rooted in the values that shaped it from the start: education, organization, and genuine support for small businesses.
A major focus of this next chapter is training and contracting market managers, passing on the systems, standards, and teaching-based approach that have made Hear Here markets successful. By mentoring others to confidently run their own markets, Hear Here can support more communities while maintaining consistency and quality across every event.
This is also a business built with legacy in mind. Hear Here, LLC is something Jenn hopes to one day pass on to her son, creating a family-run organization where he can help oversee markets as part of a board of directors. It’s a way to ensure the company continues to grow thoughtfully—honoring its roots while evolving for the future.
The goal isn’t just growth. It’s impact, sustainability, and creating opportunities that last for generations.
Pricing:
- Markets range from $25-$75 per day
- New vendor Meetings are $50 per hour
- consulting available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hearhereevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hearherellcnj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hearherellc
