Andrew Jensen

Andrew Jensen

Age 22: Owner, Jx2 Productions, LLC

Andrew Jensen says he can’t remember the last time he had a weekend off.

He’s exaggerating of course, but not to any great degree. “Just when you think you have a Saturday night off, something comes up — something always comes up,” he told BusinessWest.

And Jensen wouldn’t have it any other way. A full schedule and no weekend time off equates to continued growth and success for Jx2 Productions, LLC, the company he started with his brother, Erik, eight years ago, when he was still in high school. Erik still works for the company, but Andrew, just 22, runs the show, literally and figuratively.

Indeed, the venture now handles lighting, sound, video, event-planning work, and more, for both individuals and, increasingly, companies of all sizes. Jx2 has handled everything from weddings to corporate annual meetings; from backyard parties to employee-recognition events, and the list continues to grow.

It all started with Jensen’s parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. He and Erik took it upon themselves to provide some background music for that event, and their behind-the-scenes work was noticed, and appreciated, by a few guests who asked them to handle similar events for them.

“And it’s just grown from there,” said Jensen, a Springfield Technical Community College graduate, as he fast-forwarded through eight years of entrepreneurial exploits that have earned him considerable press — and some awards. They include a Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006, and, also that year, a Top 25 Inner City Business of USA award, this one in the so-called “Growing Up CEO” category.

In his spare time, what little there is, Jensen is involved with the Young Professionals Society of Greater Springfield. He donates time and pro-bono work to that organization, as well as to the Boy Scouts of America and other groups.

The schedule doesn’t have any weekends off any time soon, which is really music to Jensen’s ears.

—George O’Brien