Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast This Week in Weddings
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 231: Elevating Your Client's Experience | 22 Jun 2022 | 00:49:32 | |
Giving your clients a good experience is key to growing your business and word-of-mouth referrals. But, what are some simple ways to elevate the client experience without selling your soul or working 24 hours a day? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about some simple tips to elevate your client's experience in a manageable way. About our guest: Behind the lens of Lynne Reznick Photography, Lynne Reznick is an educator-turned-photographer on a mission to share her knowledge and lessons learned from nearly a decade of industry experience. A lifelong learner at heart, Lynne combines her passion for training and mentoring with a unique teaching approach grounded in proven educational practices. As the founder of The Wedding Client Experience Academy, Lynne offers an easy-to-digest online curriculum based on four fundamental pillars. The result establishes deeply rooted trust with clients, streamlined systems for the busiest workflows, and empowers pros to create bespoke moments for their couples. In addition to providing ongoing mentoring and coaching intensives, Lynne shares several complimentary resources on her site’s educational hub-including the Styled Shoot Planning + Timeline Spreadsheet and The Manual Mode Pocket Guide. A sought-after expert in her field, Lynne’s insight has been recently published with Rangefinder Magazine, the Rising Tide Society, SpecialEvents.com, and the Knot. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Lynne?
| |||
| 230: Getting Your Work Published | 11 May 2022 | 01:08:24 | |
Getting your work published in a wedding magazine or blog is an aspirational goal for many. But with fewer publications out there, it's more competitive than ever. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about best practices for finding the right publications to submit to, getting your work published, and following up. About our guest: Jainé Kershner is a wedding photographer based in New York. Jainé Kershner Photography was handpicked as one of NY’s best wedding photographers to know by BRIDES and has been featured in several publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, Style Me Pretty, and The Knot. In 2018, Jainé launched "Tea with Jainé" to directly educate wedding photographers with honest answers, actionable steps, and tangible tips to successfully grow and create a profitable photography business. She hosts her weekly podcast “Tea with Jainé” where she chats with wedding industry insiders who share their knowledge, experience, and expertise directly with her audience. Jainé is a dedicated business coach who offers one-on-one sessions along with submission curations services for wedding photographers. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Jainé?
| |||
| 221: Pricing Your Art | 09 Feb 2022 | 01:26:02 | |
Pricing in the wedding industry is admittedly all over the board. Not only do various vendors charge in vastly different price ranges, but even the pricing strategies are all over the board (flat fee, packages, percentages, oh my!) In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about pricing your art, and the necessarily mindset shifts that are needed in order to get the price you deserve and work with the clients who believe in you and your art. About our guest: Matthew Wengerd makes holy shit stationery for brave and daring clients under the name A Fine Press. His work with couples, individuals, and brands blurs the line between function and form, inspiring and engaging at least as much as it informs. More importantly, Matthew's clients are an incredible group of people who seek to be known and remembered by their people. They bring open hearts and boundless trust to the process - allowing themselves to be known and seen and reflected in the work. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Matthew?
| |||
| 131: How to Give Concierge Service to Your Wedding Clients | 28 Aug 2019 | 00:49:54 | |
Are you giving your clients the highest level of service? While giving concierge-level service to your clients might be ideal, there certainly is a fine line between bending over backwards to every client's whim and having boundaries with your own life. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding planner and designer about offering concierge-level service to clients and what that looks like for her and her team. About our guest: Jeannette Tavares has been with Evoke Design & Creative since 2010. Over that time, she has designed, planned and executed a plethora of mesmerizing client experiences all around the world. For the first eight years, she worked alongside Evoke’s founder, Jodi Moraru, as they built one of the most innovative event planning businesses on the East Coast. Then, in the summer of 2018, Jeannette acquired Evoke from Jodi and has since grown both the business and the team to the impressive collection of experienced professionals that it is today. Jeannette possesses a broad array of experiences that highlight her ability to deliver high-end large-scale events, as well as the most customized of intimate gatherings. Her vibrant personality, logistical prowess and motivation to deliver uniqueness are what set her apart. One of the strongest influences in Jeannette’s life has been her Portuguese upbringing. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and she never misses an opportunity to let her clients’ culture and family shine through in even the most subtle of ways. This multi-cultural background has also been instrumental in allowing her to seamlessly build out Evoke’s destination business. Over the last several years, she’s produced publication-worthy events in places like Greece, Portugal and Spain, in addition to multiple cities throughout the United States. Jeannette has been named Top 25 Event Planners under 30 from Special Events Magazine. And, you may have seen some of her work featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Inside Weddings , Martha Stewart Weddings, Modern Luxury, Town & Country, Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and more… Prior to Evoke, she executed experiential events across the Washington, D.C., region for Washingtonian Magazine, while serving as their Events Manager. Jeannette evokes creativity, irresistible energy, appreciation for culture and an eclectic style. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Jeannette?
| |||
| 130: How to Avoid a Website Horror Story | 21 Aug 2019 | 01:00:06 | |
We all know that it's important to have a web presence as a small business owner. But what are the biggest website mistakes that entrepreneurs are making? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a web developer about website nightmares and the easiest ways to avoid them. From slow loading websites, website hacking, and terrible web designers, we're digging into ways to protect yourself from website nightmares! About our guest: Brenda Cadman is a website educator and owns Bon Accord Creative, a website education and web development company based in Charlottetown, on beautiful Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. After spending nearly 20 years supporting small businesses with their websites, she now has a keen interest and focus on empowering wedding industry and other creative professionals to build their website confidence and to learn how to better protect their websites. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Brenda?
| |||
| 129: Prioritizing Mental Health in Your Business | 14 Aug 2019 | 00:52:25 | |
Mental health and mental illness have historically been a taboo topic, but there's no reason it should be. With one in five Americans suffering from some sort of mental health condition, there's no reason it should be hidden in the shadows or seen as something of shame. In this week's episode of the This Week’s In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding industry veteran Beth Chapman about how mental illness has affected her family, including the steps she's taken in her own life to protect her mental health as a busy entrepreneur. About our guest: Beth Lindsay Chapman is a veteran of the fashion industry and is known for her work as a bridal boutique owner, stylist mentor, author, and wedding fashion consultant. After her tenure as a Vice President of Merchandising for Ann Taylor, her love of bridal fashion, and sincere desire to create a memorable shopping experience for brides, compelled her to launch The White Dress by the shore, a luxury bridal boutique, in 2004. Beth is also the founder of Beth Chapman Styling + Consulting. After running a bridal store herself for over a decade, she recognized a need for support and education for bridal store owners. Her passion for teaching and education and her desire to empower independent bridal retailers, has led her to mentor other bridal store owners on elevating their brand and increasing their sales and business profitability. Beth is also a sought after stylist. She not only assists brides in selecting their for fashion for their wedding and provides day of wedding dressing services, but she works with publications and brands on styled editorial shoots. Beth’s fashion artistry has allowed her to style editorial shoots throughout the world. Her work and voice can be seen in: The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings, BRIDES, Destination I Do, Cayman Vows, Well Wed Magazine, Bliss Celebrations Magazine, Vows Magazine, style me pretty and 100 Layer Cake. She is the co-author of two books, The White Dress in Color, and The White Dress Destinations and has also contributed to Wedding Bible by Sarah Haywood, and Simple Stunning Bride by Karen Bussen. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 128: Breaking Into South Asian Weddings | 07 Aug 2019 | 00:34:46 | |
South Asian weddings are a huge market. And with large guest lists and multiple days of events, it's no doubt that this is a segment of the market should not be ignored. If you're not currently working with this market segment, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. We're chatting with wedding photographer Gurminder Banga about his experience with this market and things to know about working with this demographic. About our guest: To Gurminder Banga storytelling is everything. Taking over the family business over 10 years ago, he takes all the photography and life lessons he learned along the way to lead the way for the new era of the Banga Studios family. Photographer and a creator, this artist has a way of building a relationship with everything and everyone that he encounters, letting him in to capture an essence and an element they didn’t even know existed within themselves. Barstarzz all-star and the most chill vegan we know, GB is a believer in growth and stepping outside of your comfort zone. He knows how to push it to the limit and knows that when you reach for the moon, at least you’ll land among the stars. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Gurminder?
| |||
| 127: Working with a Life Coach to Transform Your Business | 31 Jul 2019 | 01:10:02 | |
Have you ever wondered if a life coach could help you propel forward your big goals and dreams? Or better yet, are you curious what having a coach is like, what they do, and how it all works? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding photographer Molly McCauley about her experience with coaching workshops, as well as one-on-one business coaches and life/success coaches. She's sharing with us all the ins and outs and how these experiences have been beneficial to her and her business. About our guest: Born in Green Bay, WI, Molly had her sights set on a big city from an early age. She attended university in Minneapolis, then ventured to work and study in London, England, before landing in Los Angeles where she built her business. With a degree in Design, Photography, and Retail Merchandising, and a Masters degree in Fine Art Photography, Molly has spent the last decade traveling as a lifestyle, editorial, and special event photographer. She has circled the globe a number of times and is sought out for her clean and classic photography, but more importantly the experience she provides her clientele. Her passion for personal branding launched her photographic branding program for social media influencers to create cohesive and consistent content for their online presence. Noticing a lack of business owners actually being "seen", she is excited to assist in giving folks imagery of themselves and their brand that they LOVE! Because of this, she co-founded Brand Camp Retreat in 2018 which is a luxury getaway for female entrepreneurs who are looking to up-level their business and brand — and enjoy a glass of while while they do it! Getting to know Molly, you'll find her cozied up with her doodles, finding inspiration in her favorite design coffee table books, snacking on some popcorn during her morning movie dates with her hubs, and always passport ready! In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Molly? Molly + Co
| |||
| 126: Hiring 101 for the Wedding Industry | 24 Jul 2019 | 00:56:24 | |
If you're growing your business, hiring employees is inevitable. But finding and hiring good people isn't always easy. How do you figure out what you need in an employee and then interview for those skills? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Katie Elder about some best practices for finding, hiring, and interviewing for your team. About our guest: Katie Elder, PhD started her professional journey when she pursued a degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and became a consultant to companies looking to improve their hiring, onboarding, training, team dynamics, management, or leadership. Essentially, anything that has to do with the ‘people part’ of an organization. She has over 15 years of experience and has consulted with Fortune 500 companies in the tech and banking industries, government agencies, and small businesses. Four years ago, she undertook a new adventure with her husband. They purchased and renovated her grandfather’s barn for their own wedding and create a wedding venue, Overlook Barn, to rent out to others. In those four short years, she has built a thriving wedding business that hosts over 60 weddings a year and has been recognized by Martha Stewart, The Venue Report, Southern Living, and others as a top wedding venue. With People Part Consulting, Katie merges two of her life passions--management consulting with wedding industry and small business professionals. Katie earned her PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Statistics from North Carolina State University. She has presented dozens of times at professional conferences, has publications in peer-reviewed journals, taught college courses as an adjunct professor, and even has a book chapter in the The SAGE Encyclopedia of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2nd edition. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Katie? PeoplePart Consulting
Overlook Barn
| |||
| 125: Work Hard and Be Nice to People | 17 Jul 2019 | 01:07:04 | |
It sounds so simple and obvious – Work hard and be nice to people. But it's not always as easy as it sounds. If you don't know your "why" or simply not finding your own joy, working hard and being nice to people can be a challenge to do on a daily business. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding photographer Charla Storey, who has some tips on incorporating this mantra into your daily life. And for full disclosure... there are some slight audio issues in this week's episode. Stick with it, as there are definitely some nuggets of wisdom that make it worth it! About our guest: Charla Storey has been a photographer for more than a decade. Traveling the world and experiencing everything it has to give made one thing very clear in her mind, and that is that people are valuable and the moments they live are worth being remembered. She has a profound love for helping people see their value, allowing them to feel beautiful and capable. Both in educating fellow photographers and in photographing her clients, this gift has transformed her as an artist. Charla believes she has a huge responsibility to do her job excellently because the moments she is entrusted with are legacies that live long past the minutes she is with her clients. This reason is also why she is an educator, because teaching others means empowering them to make a living that not only enriches their life, but leaves lasting legacies for those they have the honor of photographing. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Charla?
| |||
| 124: Taking a Sabbatical from Your Wedding Business | 10 Jul 2019 | 00:59:07 | |
Sometimes you just need a break... and not just a day off, but an extended period of rest and rejuvenation. Professors and ministers often take sabbaticals, why can't you? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Washington, D.C. based wedding planner Sara Bauleke, who has successfully taken not one but two extended breaks from her business. She's sharing the why she did it, how she did it, and how you can do it too. About our guest: Sara Bauleke, a wedding planner & designer, has been creating modern, fun filled weddings that are distinct reflections of her clients' personalities for over 15 years. A logistics expert who's also a creative, Sara brings a rare combination of skills and savvy to wedding production. Sara is a West Coast native who, as the daughter of a minister has been surrounded by weddings her entire life. After relocating across the country, Sara founded Bella Notte in Washington, DC in 2004. Sara and her team are passionate about working with modern couples on creative, quirky, and fun weddings that are still stylish and sophisticated. Sara's work has been featured in countless magazines, including Martha Stewart Weddings, and Town and Country and Bella Notte has been named one of Washington's Best Wedding Planners by Washingtonian Magazine for over a decade straight. While they take pride in these accomplishments, they're most proud of their personalized approach with each couple, resulting in a wedding that truly represents their personal style, as well as a fabulous wedding celebration for all involved. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Sara?
| |||
| 123: How the Heck is the Year Halfway Over?! | 27 Jun 2019 | 00:38:15 | |
The year is halfway over! In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly and Annie chat about their favorite episodes from the first half of the year as well as their goals for the last half of 2019. | |||
| 121: How Planning Time Off Can Make You More Productive | 12 Jun 2019 | 00:56:18 | |
Oh, time off. It can be hard to come by when you have a busy event schedule. But did you know that forcing yourself to take time off can actually make you more productive when you are working? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with return guest Kelly McWilliams who is sharing how she's started arranging her calendar to allow for 5 days off per month and how doing so has made her even more productive each week. If taking time off is hard for you, this is a must-listen episode! About our guest: A Florida native, Kelly McWilliams, a destination wedding planner-designer has been producing weddings, social events and celebrations since 2002. In 2018 her business expanded beyond Florida to formally include Nevis, West Indies and Punta De Mita Mexico to her roster of islands and Waterfront cities which already included Sanibel, Captiva, Marco, Boca Grande, Naples & the Florida Keys. Her company, Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings & Parties, has been a leader in the destination wedding industry in SW Florida by keeping the local industry community based and fostering over 40 college student internships. She helped to put the not so metropolitan area on the map for destination weddings through media press & publish and by bringing what was “big and happening” in the major metropolitan areas back to this small region on the Florida Gulf Coast. In 2016 Kelly also began consulting with venues to help them “up their game” to obtain the appeal for more luxury weddings clientele. When it comes to creating weddings, Kelly’s most known for her designs which are subtle with statements. Her goal is that the events are as equal in beauty as they are an outstanding experience no guest will ever forget; and that they are as personalized as they are traditionally elegant. Her weddings have graced the pages of The knot, Inside Weddings, Brides, Destination I Do, Modern Luxury, Destination Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Celebration Society, Bridal Guide and countless others. She has been quoted on CNN, NBC, Fox and spoken at countless industry conferences around the globe. Kelly has been married to her husband also named Kelly for over 20 years and is a mom to daughters Madeline & Emily and her dog Monreau Gray. In the upcoming year Kelly will be expanding her commitment to sharing her expertise with her IGTV channel for engaged couples and small group 2 day intensives and calendaring workshops for wedding professionals. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Kelly?
| |||
| 220: Being Your Own Inspiration in a Trend-Focused Industry | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:58:09 | |
In a creative industry, it's often challenging to stay creative 24/7. And with so much coming at us constantly – from social media to the news – it's no wonder that it's easy to get caught up in what's trendy as opposed to being innovative. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with an industry veteran about being your own inspiration and keeping the creativity alive. About our guest: Kristy’s work, like her personality, is at times difficult to pin down. Her brushstrokes can ebb and flow from highly detailed and meticulous to free-flowing and boundless, all the while remaining captivating and unmistakable. For the last 19 years, Kristy’s obsession with paint and paper has evolved into the innovative and wildly recognized brand, Momental Designs. Kristy has transformed event stationery into a persuasive and compelling medium that garners global attention from media, celebrities and some of the world’s most creative individuals. Widely regarded as an industry tastemaker, Kristy’s styling, painting and stationery innovations have been featured in creative editorials and installations in some of the world’s most famed publications. Kristy’s work has been credited in People Magazine, OK! Magazine, Good Morning America, New York Live, The Knot, Inside Weddings and Brides Magazines, Vanity Fair, Martha Stewart Weddings, Flutter, You and Your Wedding, Brides UK along with countless blogs. Kristy’s work has also crossed over into fine art and lifestyle markets with licensing and the development of branded product lines for the top Arts & Crafts stores nationwide. Her licensed artwork can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart, Anthropologie, Chatbooks and more. She is an 9-time author with Schiffer Publishing. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Kristy?
| |||
| 120: How to Speak for Success | 05 Jun 2019 | 00:55:51 | |
Public speaking has widely been one of the most common fears for people, but if you're trying to establish yourself as an expert in the industry, public speaking is inevitable. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a public speaking coach who shares some tips for preparing, practicing, and presenting your way to a better public speaking. About our guest: Jezra Kaye, President of Speak Up for Success, is a Brooklyn-based public speaking coach, workshop leader, speechwriter, and keynote speaker with more than 25 years of experience in corporate, not-for-profit, and start-up communications. Her clients range from CEOs to celebrity chefs, and from scientists to social entrepreneurs. A former jazz singer, she is the author of three popular books on public speaking and a novel, and has co-authored three books on management and fundraising best practices. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Jezra?
| |||
| 119: How to Work with a Virtual Assistant | 30 May 2019 | 00:37:26 | |
If your to-do list is overflowing and things just aren't getting done, you might need help. But help doesn't have to come in the form of a full-time employee. A virtual assistant could help with some of your back office tasks without the expense of an employee. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a virtual assistant focused on helping creative businesses about what a virtual assistant is and how you can leverage their services to get more done. About our guest: Adrienna McDermott is a former bridal boutique owner and wedding planner turned virtual assistant. She is the owner of Ava And The Bee, a virtual assistant and social media managing company for wedding professionals. Adrienna has been in the wedding industry for 10 years, 5 years working and managing bridal salons, and 4 as the co-owner of Ivory & Beau, a wedding planning, bridal boutique and florist in Savannah, Georgia. Over the last year, she has grown her virtual assistant company and now works full time with two team members. With her fine arts degree from Savannah College of Art and Design and the experience of opening 3 business before the age of 28, she has acquired unique knowledge on how to start a business, flourish, and scale. Her work has been seen in print and online publications, including Savannah Weddings Magazine, Green Wedding Shoes, 100 Layer Cake and Ruffled. Adrienna is also passionate about educating others to become freelance virtual assistants. Through her mentorships and course, The Creative VA Academy, she helps women create businesses of their dreams. When she's not working in her pajamas and top-knot, you can find her with a cup of iced coffee, living in central New York with her tri-pawd black lab Cooper, slightly overweight cat Brutus, and Army Veteran boyfriend, Frank. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Adrienna?
| |||
| 118: Building Your Business After Loss | 23 May 2019 | 01:01:51 | |
Going through any tragedy is tough, but when you're an entrepreneur, dealing with personal issues can be even more problematic as it can ultimately affect your business. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding planner and designer about how he dealt with the death of his spouse while building a business and raising children. About our guest: A nuptial maestro, for almost a decade, José specializes in bringing comfort to a process that’s famously filled with tough decisions and mounting stress when it comes to weddings. He quickly made a name for his chill vibe and generous command. His planning and design aesthetic has made him one of the top rising wedding planners in NYC. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with José?
| |||
| 117: Prepping Your Business for Summer | 16 May 2019 | 00:33:00 | |
In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly and Annie chat about tips for prepping for the summer months. From kids being out of school to going on vacation (without a laptop!), the two hosts are dishing about their hits and misses when it comes to gearing up for the summer months with a wedding business. | |||
| 116: Dealing With Hysterical Clients | 09 May 2019 | 00:58:45 | |
It would be awesome to never have a crazy client, but if you've been in the wedding industry for any period of time, you're likely not that lucky. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about dealing with challenging clients, and even more importantly, how to see the crazy coming! About our guest: Jamie Quickert hails from Detroit Michigan and has become a nationally known leader in the hospitality industry. For the past several years Jamie has been a featured speaker at NACE Experience, Catersource, Wedding MBA, and ILEA. She has also been a featured speaker for several industry webinars and written articles for large publications. Jamie has proudly lead her sales and events team in several high profile events and galas around the country and has won several local and national awards for catering. Jamie is warm and personable on stage and often uses humor (and sing-a-longs) to engage the audience. While she enjoys teaching sales techniques and how to handle difficult clients and Networking and Social Media she is most passionate about is mentoring and encouraging others in the hospitality industry. If you ask her why she would say “It is one thing to speak to a group of professionals as an expert and teach them sales techniques or how to problem solve or deal with difficult clients. It is another to stand before a group of people and be vulnerable and honest and try to encourage them and inspire them to work harder and dream bigger and use their voice.” While she specializes in working on event budgets, contract negotiation, and profitability - she knows that to be truly effective at this job you need to believe in beauty and love and a little bit of magic. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Jamie?
| |||
| 115: Creating a Big Picture Role for Yourself | 02 May 2019 | 00:59:57 | |
As a busy entrepreneur, it can be incredibly difficult to do all the things. And when you're working IN your business, you're likely not taking a strategic role and working ON the business. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with an entrepreneur who hired full-time employees to replace himself in the daily operations so that he could take a more strategic role and pursue other business interests. About our guest: After a brief stint in the entertainment industry, Jake Anderson discovered his passion for lighting design and the rest was history. He founded Lighting Professors in 2012 with the intention to transform events around Central Virginia through careful and innovative lighting design. Since then, Lighting Professors has grown by leaps and bounds and Jake has had the opportunity to grow his team and move to a 2,000+ square foot warehouse. This shift has allowed him to take a step back and maintain his role as strategic manager, while developing his newest endeavor, FêteTech, with the goal of providing technology solutions that eliminate friction for event professionals everywhere. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Jake?
| |||
| 114: Getting Over Your Instagram Grid | 25 Apr 2019 | 00:58:38 | |
Oh Instagram! It's the social media channel of choice for so many in the wedding industry, but are you using Instagram Stories as effectively as you could be? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with photographer Abby Jiu about leveraging Instagram Stories to show your personality and behind the scenes of your business in order to boost your sales. If you've just dipped your toe in the IG stories waters, this episode is for you! About our guest: Abby Jiu has had a passion for gorgeous imagery and creating art since before she can remember. Her style is the best of both worlds, using film cameras and digital cameras to catch the stolen glances, fits of laughter, and heartfelt emotions sprinkled among the ever-important beautiful details that make each couple’s wedding day unique. She loves having the opportunity to get to know her couples, watching the personalized touches come together and using the relationship she’s built to preserve precious memories on film. When she’s not behind the camera, Abby fills her time with her husband Jamey, a bossy bulldog named Lola, and traveling abroad. She’s received numerous accolades for her work, including being named one of Martha Stewart Weddings’ Top Photographers and Washingtonian Editor’s Pick. You can see her work on the pages of Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Southern Weddings, Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and Southern Living Weddings and many more. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Abby?
| |||
| 113: Making a Personal Transformation to Change Your Business | 17 Apr 2019 | 00:57:32 | |
The event industry is a challenging one, and as wedding industry entrepreneurs, we're often putting ourselves last on the priority list. But what happens when you make the conscious decision to prioritize yourself (and your health) and transform both your body and your mind? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with DJ Nate Nelson, who is sharing his story of his dramatic weight loss and how the transformation has changed his life. This week's episode isn't just about weight... it's about a shift in mindset! About our guest: While most students were studying for finals in college, Nate was fine tuning his life skills. Mixing it up in the college nightlife scene reflected in his grades, but the value of learning the art of mixing music early in his career would pay off in the end. Fast forward 15 years, Nate can now buy all the sneakers he wanted growing up. That's the true meaning of success, right? Nate started his Dallas DJ career bouncing from bar to bar, it wasn't until he met his mentor and business partner, Glenn Roush, that he leaped head first into the private event world with LeForce Entertainment. Nate's resume includes intimate night clubs, festival stages, working with celebrity athletes such as Lindsey Vonn, Alex Rodriguez, Sean Lee, Adrian Beltre and opening for Waka Flocka and Travis Scott. Nate keeps finding himself leveling up his event game by bringing a high energy, club atmosphere to his weddings and corporate events.Nate is a key founder of Kings of Prom, a festival-inspired school dance production company. Nate grew up in Oklahoma then transplanted to Dallas after falling love with his dream girl. Nate and his wife, Jennifer, married in 2008 and have two beautiful daughters, Mollie and Kate. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 112: The Key to Achieving Longevity in the Events Industry | 10 Apr 2019 | 01:20:20 | |
Most small businesses fizzle before hitting their five year anniversary, and the wedding industry is no different. With vendors coming and going, how do you become one of the more tenured folks that sticks around and continues to thrive? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Katie Easley of Kate Ryan Design, who is sharing her tips for having a career in the wedding industry that lasts. From networking to furthering your education, Katie tells it like it is and shares her best advice for making it for the long haul. About our guest: Leading floral stylist and event designer Katie Easley of award-winning Kate Ryan Design set out with one goal: to create joy for her clients. And she did just that, establishing Scottsdale-based Kate Ryan Design, combining her interior design background with her love of florals. Thanks in part to her roots in corporate interior design, Katie quickly grew her small business to sales of over a quarter of a million dollars a year, catching attention of the Society of American Florists, who honored her as ‘Marketer of the Year’ in 2012. This accolade launched her consultancy and since then, Katie has worked with small businesses throughout North America on their sales prospecting, growth strategy and client experience. Ultimately, her goal is to help others grow by defining the value they bring to the marketplace, so that they can close more sales with their ideal clients. Katie is a regular fixture on television, and her worked can be seen in the pages of Grace Ormonde, Modern Luxury Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times, among others. She is the immediate past president for WIPA Phoenix, and an acclaimed industry speaker. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 111: Relocating Your Wedding Business | 03 Apr 2019 | 00:55:25 | |
When you're a wedding entrepreneur with a strong local target market, the idea of relocating to another city can be overwhelming. From starting from scratch in a city that doesn't know you to hustling like you're a newbie, moving a wedding business is no joke. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding planner who successfully moved her business from Dallas to Atlanta and lived to tell about it! Listen in for her tips for moving (or "expanding") to a new city as a wedding industry entrepreneur. About our guest: With a passion for celebrating love and life’s unique moments and milestones, Ebony’s talents have evolved into a successful career as a wedding and event planner. With a degree from Michigan State University in elementary education, her engaging personality and organizational skills have allowed her to effortlessly crossover from education to event planning! Ebony is the owner and principal planner of Ebony Peoples Events & Design, an award-winning event planning and design boutique where traditional elegance meets modern glam! A native of Flint, Michigan, Ebony officially launched her company in Dallas, Texas in January of 2011. Her planning expertise and eye for design, color, and texture enabled her to open a new office in Atlanta, Georgia in 2017!
From Michigan to Dallas to Atlanta, Ebony has become a highly sought after planner. She has been recognized by mainstream media such as Ebony (magazine), Munaluchi Bride, and Modern Luxury. She was recently named one of The Atlantan’s 2018 Women of Power & Influence! With this, and truly being a people-person at heart, Ebony has created an exclusive brand that is known for exceeding client expectations while producing high-end weddings, social celebrations, corporate events, and galas. Ebony takes pride in being detail-oriented, catering to each client’s personal style, and learning about the latest trends and influences in the wedding and event industry! In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 219: 2021 Year in Review | 22 Dec 2021 | 01:03:23 | |
In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly, Annie and Lance reflect on 2021. Listen in as we do a little bit of recapping, a little bit of goal-setting, and a lot of group therapy. | |||
| 110: Email Marketing That Keeps People From Unsubscribing | 28 Mar 2019 | 01:01:11 | |
We all know that social media is a great way to market your wedding business. But we also know, that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media channels could go away at any time. And with algorithms changing all the time, it's clear that small business owners have no control over these avenues of marketing. What we can control is our own marketing efforts, and building an email list and speaking directly to our clients, potential customers and vendor partners through email is certainly worth considering. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about email marketing strategies and how entrepreneurs can use an email list to promote their businesses and get directly into the inboxes of their audiences. About our guest: Kristi Drago-Price is the Founder and Creative Director behind Editor’s Edge, a boutique creative agency specializing in elevated brand development for established businesses. With her Fine Arts education from the Fashion Institute of Technology and School of Visual Arts with years of professionally photographing weddings and over a decade of consumer experience as the photo director of Condé Nast BRIDES magazine, Kristi has acquired a unique range of knowledge. She can bring a project from concept to production, while art directing the creative, managing a team, balancing budgets and sticking to deadlines. Her experience working at top media companies, from Condé Nast to The Knot Worldwide and HEARST, is evidence of how seamlessly she collaborates with commercial, editorial and emerging brands. Kristi’s photo art direction work spans genres across fashion, beauty, menswear, food & beverage, lifestyle, interiors, and travel content for use in web, print, e-commerce, and social media formats. With her 360° understanding of the marketplace, Kristi founded Editor’s Edge to empower entrepreneurs in elevating their business to a cohesive brand through digital content. Providing no-nonsense consulting, creative direction and hands-on content creation Editor's Edge discovers, targets and translates the "special sauce" of each client to develop a brand message and strategy as genuine as they are. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 109: How to Get Higher Paying Clients | 21 Mar 2019 | 00:58:16 | |
If you're wanting to earn more without working weekends or working more events, having higher paying clients is the way to do it. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about sales strategies for getting higher paying clients with sales strategist Maria Bayer. About our guest: Maria Bayer is a sales & mindset strategist, coach & wealth creator. She is the creator of “Irresistible Selling” – an online group coaching program she designed to help creative business owners book high-paying clients quickly (often on the spot!), grow their business and design a life they love. Maria teaches the authentic selling and mindset strategies that helped her triple her income in less than a year, and go on to book over $25 Million in sales from companies like Target, Best Buy, Ulta, Office Max and Hyatt. After working together, Maria’s clients often 2x - 5x their revenues year over year as they continue applying her strategies. Maria also leads a private Facebook Mastermind group of talented creative business owners called Learn Collaborate Flourish. Maria is a national speaker, and has authored and co-authored several Kindle books, and her articles have been featured throughout the creative industry. Maria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign, and currently resides in the Scottsdale area with her husband Tim and fur-baby Gia, usually with a cold brew in hand. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 108: F@#k Small Talk - How to Get the Most Out of Networking | 07 Mar 2019 | 00:39:51 | |
Networking can be a critical way to get you and your business noticed and connected in the wedding industry. But sometimes networking can be awkward. How much can you really discuss the weather?! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about networking tips to go beyond small talk to make genuine connections. About our guest: Sam is a Drummer, Band Leader and Sales guy with The In10City Band. Originally from Australia, Sam relocated to the States in 2014 and had to start from scratch. He didn’t know a single person in the Events industry, in fact, he didn’t even have one single friend or connection when he moved here. In his mid-twenties Sam became the Store Manager for Australia’s largest Musical Instrument Retailer, Billy Hyde Music. He was the youngest Store Manager in company history by 15 years! Sam played in a few cover bands in Perth, some big ones too and had now found his identity. A Retail Operations Manager by day, Rock drummer by night! The In10City Band has grown to become one of the most booked bands in Texas, with 9 In10City bands, almost 2,000 gigs under their belt and the 2019 winner of the NACE ‘Best Entertainment Award’ and the American Association of Wedding Planners ‘Favorite Band.’ In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 107: Ending a Business Partnership | 28 Feb 2019 | 00:59:57 | |
Being in a business partnership can almost be like a marriage. You're sharing responsibilities, stress, and profits! But what happens when the partnership is no longer serving you well? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding photographer Cameron Clark, who started as a solopreneur, gained a business partner, and then went back to being in business by herself. We're digging into the pros and cons of having a business partner, as well as the steps for dissolving the partnership. About our guest: After nineteen years as a professional photographer, Cameron still enjoys capturing real moments within the chaos of a wedding day. She draws inspiration from fashion, photojournalism and art. She has photographed weddings all over the world from Brazil to New York. Cameron Clark Photography has been published in Brides, Southern Weddings Magazine, Style Me Pretty, The Knot Magazine, Charleston Weddings Magazine, Destination Weddings Magazine, Wedding Chicks, Pacific Wedding Magazine, Over the Moon, and Destination I Do. Cameron's top goal is to maintain a respected, profitable national luxury business that fosters creativity, entrepreneurship and provides and family-centered lifestyle. Cameron, her husband and two children reside in Flagstaff, Arizona. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 106: From Procrastination to Productivity | 21 Feb 2019 | 00:46:14 | |
Have you been putting off something that you need to do? As an entrepreneur, you're in charge of your own day to day schedule, and with that freedom comes a certain responsibility to manage your own tasks. There's no boss telling you when you have to get something done! If you're prone to procrastination, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. We're chatting with a clinical psychologist who has gone from procrastinating to productive and is sharing her best practices. About our guest: Dr. Christine Li knows the true secrets for how to live life procrastination-free — and she’s ready to share them with you. She rescued herself from the tight grip of procrastination, and as a result, feels compelled to share the steps she took to bring calm and happiness into her life again. She uses her experience as a clinical psychologist and former hard-core procrastinator to identify the factors that cause her clients to avoid and delay the work they should be doing. Once her clients understand the reasons they’ve been stuck in the vortex of procrastination, Dr. Li helps them let go of what has been blocking them so they can start using their natural talents and motivation to work with much greater clarity, ease, and success. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 105: Juggling Two Different Wedding Businesses | 14 Feb 2019 | 00:31:54 | |
If you're an entrepreneur in the wedding industry, you understand how challenging it can be to run a wedding business... but what if you have thoughts about running not one, but two different business? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Chris Jesperson, who runs both a wedding videography business and an event venue. We're hearing how he decided to jump into another area of the event industry and how he manages both. About our guest: Chris Jespersen is a Cleveland based entrepreneur working in the events industry. Chris has filmed weddings and events all over the world and has recently opened one of Cleveland’s biggest event venues. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 104: Knowing When to Change Course in Your Business | 07 Feb 2019 | 01:10:59 | |
When opportunities present themselves for expanding your business, do you jump on them? Or when a part of business isn't working, are you able to shut it down and move on quickly? Being nimble in business can enable you to multiply your success or minimize your losses, but it's not always easy to do. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with event designer Todd Fiscus, who is sharing his experience with the various stages of his business. From adding divisions and employees to his company and expanding to multiple cities, and even closing divisions and reducing head count, Todd's sharing his experience over the years and his tips for knowing when (and how) to change course. About our guest: Todd Fiscus, head of the highly acclaimed design team at his namesake company, Todd Events, has become synonymous with extraordinary events around the globe. From exquisite weddings, to corporate affairs, to charity galas to intimate occasions, the company has been the premier source for special events for over twenty years in locales from Maine to Mexico. Known for creating contemporary “life excursions” that capture the client’s personality, Fiscus has established himself as the expert authority to ring up when you want to celebrate with style. He never fails to provide a unique and memorable experience through artful detail and flawless orchestration—from concept to completion. With an impressive client roster that includes the likes of powerhouse brands such as Tom Ford, Salvatore Ferragamo, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the Dallas Cowboys, amfAR, Audi, and Neiman Marcus – just to name a few – it’s no wonder Fiscus has received major accolades in the event industry. He has been named one of the Top 35 Event Designers (2013) and a Top Innovator (2012), by special event industry giant, Biz Bash. His work is so revered, he was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal for his creative work and as a leader in the field. He also speaks at numerous wedding and event industry events around the country each year. Fiscus’ clients also include prominent private individuals around the country, a bevy of noteworthy professional athletes, and several distinguished civic organizations. He is unquestionably the “man with the plan” when it comes to unparalleled events. Fiscus and his work have been featured in numerous publications including Elle Décor, Town & Country, Better Homes and Gardens, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, Gourmet, Vanity Fair, The Robb Report, The London Times, InStyle Weddings, Western Interiors, Condé Nast Brides, Veranda, and Texas Monthly. He is also a member of The Knot’s Luxe List, an exclusive circle of top celebrity wedding and event designers. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 103: An Upselling Sales Strategy for More Profit | 31 Jan 2019 | 01:07:57 | |
Without a sale, you're not in business, so having a sales strategy is important for any wedding industry business. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Meryl Snow, who is sharing her sales tips and strategies for the wedding industry, including ways to make your business stand apart from the initial contact. About our guest: With nearly 30 years in the special event and catering industry, Meryl Snow is on a mission to help businesses get on their own path to success. As a Senior Consultant for Certified Catering Consultants, Meryl travels throughout North America training clients in the areas of sales, marketing, design and branding. She speaks with groups from the heart with warmth and knowledge, and covers the funny side of life and business. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 102: Why Positive Thinking Doesn't Mean That Life is All Roses | 23 Jan 2019 | 00:44:59 | |
With so much coming at us 24/7 in social media and the news, it can be challenging to keep a positive attitude. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Cyndie Spiegel, whose positive outlook and boss lady empowerment is contagious. She's sharing her tips for staying positive through all of life's challenges. About our guest: Cyndie Spiegel is a Brooklyn-based small business consultant, coach, author and TEDx speaker. She is also the founder of The Collective (of Us), a small business accelerator for women and The Community (of Us), an online hub for conversation and change-making community. She is on a mission to empower 100,000 women to build BOLD businesses and conversations by the year 2020. Her straight talk and visionary perspective on creating women-owned businesses, overcoming imposter complex and embracing fear; inspire women globally to build bold, profitable businesses. She is a sought-after speaker for creative conferences around the country and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Glamour Magazine, Teen Vogue, and The Huffington Post. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 101: Crisis Communication for Event Pros | 16 Jan 2019 | 00:58:07 | |
When a natural disaster strikes in your area or some other tragedy of significance takes place, do you have a plan for how you'll communicate to your clients, vendors, and community? The saying goes that you never think it will happen to you, but having a plan in place for the just in case is never a bad idea. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Christie Osborne, who is an expert in the field of crisis communication and getting some advice on how best to address and move forward when a crisis strikes. About our guest: Christie Osborne is the owner of Mountainside Media, a company that helps event industry professionals and small businesses develop scaleable marketing strategies that bring in more inquiries and leads. She is a national educator with recent speaking engagements at NACE Experience, WIPA and the ABC Conference. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the North American Academy of Wedding & Event Planning. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 218: The 18-Month Rule | 01 Dec 2021 | 00:48:23 | |
In a world where Amazon prime can get you almost anything you need in a day, it's easy to carry the idea of instant gratification into other areas of your life, including your business. But real results take time and often can't be rushed. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about Julie Bunkley's theory about the 18-month time frame, and why it takes that amount of time to see results manifest themselves. About our guest: Julie Bunkley, the owner & creative director of Invision Events, is a PR and design maven as well as a longterm, strategic visionary. With a degree in Public Relations and self taught in In Design, Julie’s aesthetic and passion for building a brand is well over a decade in the making. Her eye is always on the long game, reminding us that a sustainable and successful business is a marathon and not a sprint. Her work has been featured on countless occasions in Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, People, The New York Times, Fortune, InStyle, Bridal Guide and Southern Living, among others. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
Want to connect with Julie?
| |||
| Episode 100 | 10 Jan 2019 | 00:48:43 | |
In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly, Annie, and podcast editor Lance share some of their favorite episodes. After 99 episodes, there are certainly some things they've incorporated into their businesses for the better! Plus, hear some of the trios personal and professional goals for 2019. | |||
| Episode 99: How to End a Client Relationship | 02 Jan 2019 | 01:21:08 | |
Sometimes a client you thought was going to be a perfect fit for your business turns out to not be. If you've ever found yourself in the position of wanting to fire a client, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. This week, we're chatting with wedding planner and designer Wendy Kay, who has successfully ended more than one client relationship and is sharing her experience and tips for having done so. About our guest: Wendy Kay is the owner of Birds of a Feather Events, a boutique wedding planning and design firm that focuses on outdoor and destination weddings and offering their clients a concierge-level experience. Wendy has a background in television production where she produced and directed live television and called the shots - literally! After 8 years of 60 hour work weeks and feeling a disconnect between the subject matter and her clients, the burnout was real.com and she decided she needed a change or she was going to drown. Around that same time she was planning her own wedding, her best friend's wedding, and another friend's sister's wedding, and she was thriving! She had found something that combined the love she still had for her current job, but a whole new creative outlet. She was in her element. When she came home from her honeymoon, she got to work. She paid someone on Etsy a whopping $300 to design her logo, website, and her business cards. She was a real wedding planner, the card said so! She soon realized that planning someone else's wedding is much scarier than planning your own. She knew what she knew, and it was not a lot! She is so thankful for those girls who took a chance on her in the beginning and hired her, but really, what were they thinking? She battled through those first months, still working her 60-hour-a-week production manager job in TV mind you, got some education through the AACWP (which was pretty base-level, and she said needed it), and 8 years later she is still here, so much wiser. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 98: Navigating Your Business Through a Natural Disaster | 19 Dec 2018 | 01:05:44 | |
Hurricanes, and tornadoes, and wildfires... oh my! A natural disaster can have a devastating impact, but have you thought about the impact it could have to your business? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with Clara Hough, whose Houston-based linen company was impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In this episode, Clara shares her experience of dealing with event cancellations, closing the office, and still maintaining payroll during the devastation along with things she has changed in her business as a direct effect of that experience. No one wants to think about the what ifs, but this week's episode is sure to get you thinking about your back-up plans, closing policies, and the amount you have socked away for a rainy day! About our guest: When you first meet Clara one can’t help but notice her cute little accent and lively personality. At only 5’3” and with a sense of style that is envied by most, this native Venezuelan has taken the Houston events industry by storm. Clara attended the University of Houston, Bauer College of Business Administration where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Minor in French. After building a strong catering background, Clara endeavored to become a business owner in 2005 and launched House of Hough, which quickly became Houston’s top specialty linen rental company. Clara has been inducted into the Houston Business Journal 40 under 40, and her company has landed in the University of Houston’s Cougar 100 fastest growing companies for five consecutive years. House of Hough has also been recognized as the Best Linen company by the Bridal Extravaganza Show and by The Knot Magazine “Best of Weddings." Clara has been a leader in the events industry for many years. She served on Houston board for the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE - Houston Chapter) for 12 years. Some of her accolades through this association include Member of the Year, Chapter of the Year for two consecutive years (during her presidency), and being selected to chair the 2017 NACE Experience National Conference. In 2015 and due to her involvement in the events industry and with the University of Houston, Clara was recognized as an Honorary Alumni of the Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. In addition to that, Clara recently received the University of Houston Alumni Rising Star Award for Achievement which purpose is to recognize and honor motivated young alumni who exhibit leadership, involvement and who have excelled beyond the norm early in their careers. When asked, Clara would say that her most important contribution to the industry has been creating the Christopher and Clara Hough Annual Scholarship at the UH Conrad Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Through this scholarship she has been able to assist out of state and international students with their college tuition, therefore allowing them to continue their education when it otherwise may have been difficult or impossible. Clara’s work has been published in The Knot, Southern Living, Southern Bride, 100 Layer Cake, Elle Décor & Modern Luxury Weddings, amongst many other publications. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 97: Knowing the Ins and Outs of Your Clients Before Meeting Them | 12 Dec 2018 | 00:45:39 | |
How much information do you gather about potential clients before meeting with them or working with them? While Facebook stalking seems like a fairly standard practice, gathering additional information from wedding couples about their needs and wants in advance can make it even easier (and more efficient) to sell your services. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a destination wedding planner who books almost all her wedding business without an in-person meeting. Listen in as she shares her tips for gathering information in advance as well as making a connection with a potential client through email and phone. About our guest: Amy Abbott is the owner of Amy Abbott Events, a premier design and event planning company based in Los Cabos, Mexico that specializes in destination weddings. Amy Abbott Events creates an event experience that evokes emotion and exhibits the personalities of their clients, exceeding expectations every time. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 96: Getting More Done with Workcations | 06 Dec 2018 | 01:00:46 | |
As a small business owner, it's easy to be focused on client work and just trying to survive the day to day demands, but taking the time to work ON the business can be a bit more difficult. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a Seattle-based wedding planner who has used "workcations" to get more done in her business. Listen in as she talks through the process of working on the business with her industry peers. About our guest: Holly Patton Olsen founded Perfectly Posh Events in 2010. Since then, Holly has built up a team of award-winning wedding planners who quickly became known as the go-to-gals in the Seattle and Portland area for stylish and city chic weddings. Holly and her team have received numerous accolades, including being awarded Seattle Bride Magazine’s Best of Awards for “Best Wedding Coordinator” in 2018, “Best Wedding Planner” in 2016, 2015 and 2014, and “Best Overall Wedding Vendor” in 2015, and winning “Best Wedding” in the ILEA Emerald City Applause Awards in 2018. Having grown up in the Seattle event industry with a family business, Holly was fortunate to attend amazing events that inspired a passion for wedding planning at an early age. After graduating with a degree in Business Manager from Seattle Pacific University, Holly spent over six years working for various companies in the event and wedding industry prior to launching Perfectly Posh Events. Holly brought a vision for creating a collaborative community of wedding planners to the Seattle industry and co-created a “support group” of established wedding planning companies in 2012. This group has developed into a trust based network where planners share calendars to easily refer business to each other, provide honest feedback on vendors, help each other with business issues, and attend regular “workcations” together. Holly adores all things pretty and feminine, is obsessed with anything Kate Spade, and loves any excuse to celebrate with bubbly! When she’s not busy planning weddings, Holly can be found watching Jeopardy with her husband (they’re slightly obsessed and record each episode!), wine tasting with her girlfriends, and cheering on the Seahawks during football season. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 95: Networking for Introverts | 28 Nov 2018 | 00:50:59 | |
The saying goes that it's all about who you know, and being well connected in the wedding industry can certainly be helpful for building and growing your business. But when you're shy or an introvert, networking can be terrifying. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a successful wedding planner who has learned how to turn her introvert tendencies into strengths when networking and operating her business. About our guest: With over thirteen years of experience, award winning wedding planner Alicia Keats has earned her place among the most sought after wedding planners in Canada. Alicia is known to be a passionate, devoted wedding planner who is always graceful under pressure. Her desire to create, not only an individualized planning experience but also to create an extraordinary, personalized wedding celebration for her couples, has earned her the reputation of being one of the best. In addition to being named one of the best wedding planners in the world by Vogue Magazine two years in a row, her work has been featured in numerous publications and top wedding blogs including Wedluxe, Real Weddings Magazine, WeddingBells, Style Me Pretty, Junebug Weddings and 100 Layer Cake. In 2012, she was awarded the Industry Achievement award by her peers at the BC Wedding Awards as well as many WeddingWire Couple Choice awards over the years. When Alicia is not planning weddings, she can be found cuddling her sweet baby boy, cooking with her husband or searching for the next tasty culinary experience. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 94: Leveraging Instagram for Your Wedding Business | 21 Nov 2018 | 00:48:15 | |
There's no doubt that Instagram is a popular social media platform for the wedding industry. Many wedding industry professionals even credit Instagram for bringing them business and growing sales. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a social media maven all about Instagram and her tips for what to post, where to post, and even how to evaluate your strategy with the platform's statistics. About our guest: Samantha Roberts was a Division 1 golfer based out of California, but found herself spending most of her days on the course dreaming about weddings instead of her next shot. After deciding a career as a professional golfer wasn’t for her, she packed up her bags and headed to New York City to pursue this irrevocable love of all things bridal. Samantha became the social media manager of The Knot, helping to establish the brand as the go-to social destination for brides, dreamers and wedding professionals alike. Not only did her articles and blog posts receive millions of views on TheKnot.com, but her focus on Instagram helped the brand win the DigiDay award for “Best Brand Instagram.” Since then, Samantha has transitioned into a social media and content strategist specializing in the wedding industry, with large wedding brands like Kleinfeld Bridal in her portfolio. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 93: Mastering the Post-Wedding Follow-Up | 14 Nov 2018 | 01:01:58 | |
As wedding vendors, it's sometimes easy to cross a client off your list once their wedding has happened. Check it off and on to the next! But are you missing opportunities by not having a strong post-wedding follow-up strategy? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a photographer who recently got married herself and discovered some aspects of being a bride that she never realized on the vendor side. Listen in as we discuss ways to be a better vendor based on a vendor's actual wedding experience. About our guest: Rebecca Marie Photography is an international boutique wedding & event photography studio. Rebecca blends the storytelling elements of photojournalism with the curated beauty of an editorial eye. She believes wedding photography is not a time to push creative boundaries but a unique chance to document the beauty of all your loved ones in one room. Rebecca works with a limited number of couples and families each year in order to assure the full force of her attention is focused solely on your event weekend, which provides an incredibly personalized experience. Based out of Chicago, when Rebecca isn't hanging out with engaged couples you can find her either playing with mud at a potter's wheel or curled up on the couch with her husband, Kevin, and rescue pup, Hendrix. If she doesn't already have a flight booked for next month, she's planning the next trip, whether for work or for fun.In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 92: Establishing Boundaries with Clients | 07 Nov 2018 | 01:09:19 | |
Have you established clear boundaries with your clients so that you aren't being overworked, overburdened, or bombarded 24 hours a day? Or are your clients running over you? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about establishing boundaries with clients and the best ways to do that. About our guest: Grit & Grace Inc. is a team of diverse individuals that have been committed to creating experiences for our clients and empowering our industry for over a decade. We have a broad range of backgrounds in hotels, catering, project management and fashion. Our strengths lie in our differences; it is not about thinking alike but rather thinking together. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 91: Transforming Client Feedback into Company Growth | 31 Oct 2018 | 00:40:37 | |
Are you soliciting feedback from your wedding clients after their event? And if you are, what are you doing with that feedback once you have it? Listening to your customers is certainly a great way to improve your business, but not all businesses are doing it. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding industry veteran who has mastered asking for client feedback and shares steps for acting when that feedback isn't as perfect as you would hope. About our guest: After over 17 years in the wedding industry, Keith often jokes that he still works his high school job. Starting in a formal wear shop in high school he has worked in many areas of the industry including photography, video, tuxedos, suits, photo booths, DJs, invitations and wedding dresses. Currently COO of Classic Photographers, he is considered an expert in customer service and digital marketing, marrying his traditional knowledge of the wedding industry with digital marketing technology. Classic Photographers offers wedding photography and video services throughout the US and has been awarded with the “Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame” and Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice to go with many other awards over the years.
Keith is a husband and proud father of 6 children. When not working, he enjoys hiking, gardening, kayaking and baseball in his home state of New Hampshire. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| 217: TWIW Book Club #4 | 17 Nov 2021 | 00:19:26 | |
Did you know that This Week In Weddings has a book club? We're all about improving ourselves personally and professionally, and we love connecting with our audience at the same time. TWIW Book Club is where we connect online to discuss our latest read. (BYOB!) In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a business coach, author, and avid reader about the details of the next TWIW Book Club event. About our guest: Heather Vickery is an award-winning business owner and global leader with over 20 years as an entrepreneur. She leverages her entrepreneurial skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and professional fulfillment by helping them leverage their fear into intentional bravery. Heather says “When we choose bravely, on purpose, we choose bigger, have bigger successes and it’s contagious. A celebrated public speaker, Heather inspires audiences and empowers attendees with the tools they need to live bold and successful lives through creating balance, time management, mindfulness, as well as countless systems, strategies, and boundaries. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
------- SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Have you gotten value from This Week In Weddings? If so, it's time to pay it forward! Your contribution of as little as 10-cents a day will help us offset our costs, like file storage, web hosting, and editing. Plus, a larger donation gets you perks, like access to a private Facebook group to discuss each week’s episode! | |||
| Episode 90: Scaling Back Your Wedding Business with Intention | 24 Oct 2018 | 00:48:06 | |
Although having more events on the books certainly gets your business name out there, is it really what you want? Growing your wedding business bigger isn't always better, and in this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding photographer who discovered just that. Wedding photographer Donna Von Bruening grew her business to more than 100 weddings in a year, then realized being overworked with little free time on her calendar wasn't the life she wanted. After some work with a business coach to get to the bottom of what she wanted her business to look like, she scaled back, eliminated some overhead, and reduced her workload while increasing her profits. About our guest: Recognized as one of the South’s premier wedding photographers, Donna Von Bruening provides a bespoke and sincere photographic experience for her cherished clients. People are drawn to her striking, clean imagery of relationships and emotion…between people and places. A graduate of The Ohio State University School of Journalism, she has found success with her photojournalistic approach for 18 years. Her work is featured regularly in print and online; however, she cares most about how her clients feel when they hold her prints in their hands. Donna calls the salty Savannah marshes home, where the light is gold, but travels often for client events. She cherishes her husband of 21 years, her two teenage sons and their Cavapoo, Archie. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 89: How To Work with Clients of All Price Points | 17 Oct 2018 | 00:43:38 | |
If you've been in business for a while, you've no doubt figured out your ideal client and ideal price points. But, are you leaving money on the table by not offering something for everyone? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a floral designer who has expanded his business by offering two different divisions of his company – one for a luxury wedding client and one for more modest budgets. In this episode, we're diving into not only why he's taken this approach, but how he's done it successfully without confusing his brand. About our guest: Award-winning floral and event designer Bron Hansboro has devoted his career to navigating clients through the creative process and transforming their visions into exquisite events since 2014. Fondly referred to as “The Flower Guy,” he is the lead creative and floral designer at The Flower Guy Bron. He provides bespoke design and styling experiences for weddings and events of all types. Bron deeply values his interactions with clients and peers alike, and understands the power of making connections through design. His motto is, “We don’t sell flowers, we sell experiences.” Bron has received the WeddingWire’s “Couples Choice” designation for three consecutive years and is a Metropolitan Business League’s “One to Watch” Honoree. He is a sought-after speaker and will be featured at Wedding MBA 2018. Bron is dedicated to providing seamless and stress-free design services and loves seeing the look on his clients’ faces when they see their completed concept come to life. When he’s not dreaming up magical events, he loves to cook, travel, entertain, shop and connect. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||
| Episode 88: Growing and Training a Team | 11 Oct 2018 | 01:00:12 | |
Having a staff can certainly help you scale and grow your business, but bringing on employees is certainly not without its challenges. How do you find good people? And even more importantly, how do you train them to carry on your reputation and brand? Whether you already are leading a team or you're just starting to consider making the move from solopreneur status, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. About our guests:
Lindsay Val Longacre founded and launched LVL Weddings & Events in 2007. Since its founding, LVL has grown to be one of the most recognized wedding and event planning companies in California with additional locations in Denver, Phoenix, Napa and Hawaii and a team of 20 professional coordinators and planners. A Midwest girl at heart, Lindsay was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is now living between California and Hawaii. She is a proud military wife, entrepreneur and special event planner. Lindsay gets her drive and entrepreneurial spirit from her mother, who always encouraged her to find her calling and be the best she could be at it. Through LVL, Lindsay is on a mission to do just that – to be the best at doing what she loves the most – planning dream weddings, leading a successful team and always raising the bar in the wedding industry. Heather Hoesch joined LVL in 2010 and she’s the yin to Lindsay’s yang. Currently with over 700 weddings and ten years of experience under her belt, Heather is passionate, detailed, organized, and most importantly calm. Inspired by love, engagement stories, color combinations and hand written wedding vows, she brings a colorful style to the design and planning of a wedding. She will tell you that she loves her job, her clients and most of all her team. She believes that her passion for love adds to her commitment to creating the ultimate wedding for her couples. Heather always wanted to be part of a team that is an innovative leader in the industry and she found her dream team with LVL. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach, she has successfully blended her education with doing what she enjoys the most – celebrating love. In this episode, listeners will hear about:
| |||