Explore every episode of the podcast The Wedding Biz - Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 515 ROBERT SHERMAN: How to Build Loyalty and Retain Employees | 23 Sep 2024 | 00:26:48 | |
Andy is so thrilled to be welcoming his business partner, Robert Sherman, back to the show! Robert is Andy’s business partner at Kushner Entertainment and is also the owner of Washington Talent, a legendary entertainment company established over 55 years ago. Together, Andy and Robert tackle the topic of employee retention, discussing how to keep employees engaged, happy, and loyal over the long term. Robert shares some valuable insights from his decades of experience, explaining how hiring for company culture is just as crucial as hiring for skill sets and emphasizing the importance of communication, ensuring that employees not only understand but also believe in the organization's goals. Robert's approach to management is rooted in collaboration rather than hierarchy. Avoiding terms like “boss” and “employee,” he instead opts to lead through transparency and mutual respect. He also discusses the importance of flexibility in modern workplaces, citing examples from his own company where remote work has helped retain top talent. Tune in to hear practical tips on employee motivation, such as offering periodic bonuses, staying ahead of salary increases, and understanding individual motivations beyond monetary compensation. This conversation is filled with actionable advice for leaders looking to foster loyalty and long-term commitment within their teams while maintaining a positive and productive work culture! If you enjoy and get something out of the show, then Andy urges you not to keep it to yourself! Share it with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and get something out of it, and he would also be grateful if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps
[2:54] - Robert reveals his philosophy regarding his relationship with his employees. [4:08] - Robert argues that clear communication with employees is essential to ensure that they understand and respect company goals. [6:19] - Finding culturally compatible employees is key, and compensation isn't the only factor that Robert considers. [8:10] - Robert points out that passion plays a significant role in the entertainment industry, with some success attributed to luck. [10:04] - Robert, in interviews, describes jobs in a less glamorous way to help temper expectations. [13:35] - Appreciation, Robert asserts, whether through bonuses or non-financial gestures, is vital for retaining employees. [15:10] - Robert stresses the importance of empathy and understanding between managers and employees, even in professional settings. [18:20] - Robert sees himself as a manager, not a boss, and believes in balancing authority with empathy. [21:09] - It's important to find the appropriate balance between personal and professional boundaries while hiring. [24:33] - Robert argues direct communication with employees fosters trust and respect in any company. [26:11] - Hear where Robert can be found online.
RESOURCES Find Robert:
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 514 TARA GUERARD: Global Tastemaker with Southern Hospitality | 09 Sep 2024 | 00:25:30 | |
If you have been a longtime listener of the podcast, then today’s voice may sound familiar to you as it is her third appearance on the show! Andy is so thrilled to welcome back Tara Guerard, owner and creative director of Tara Guerard Soirée headquartered out of Charleston, South Carolina (and with an additional office in New York City). Tara is recognized as one of the nation's leading tastemakers globally, and she is here to share some exciting updates since she was last on the show. Listen as she and Andy reflect on the profound changes brought about by the pandemic and how it has influenced their approach to client relationships. Tara shares her struggle with the shift to virtual meetings, highlighting why it's important to have in-person connections and how much she values reading a client's body language and energy, something that is unfortunately difficult to replicate over the phone or through a screen. Tara shares some insights into maintaining energy and inspiration after decades in the business. She credits her success to her naturally high energy levels and an unrelenting desire to learn and grow, revealing her plans to pursue new creative endeavors when she turns 60. Tara also discusses the challenges of working in diverse locations where the level of service may not meet her high standards, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and her commitment to ensuring that every event is executed as flawlessly as possible. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of creativity and business, and Andy had such a great time chatting with her again! If you enjoy the show, then Andy urges you not to keep it to yourself! Share it with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and get something out of it, and he would also be grateful if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:26] - We learn that today's guest is returning guest Tara Guerard of Tara Guerard Soirée. [2:26] - Tara elaborates upon how meeting clients in person is more effective for connection than communicating electronically. [5:11] - High energy and enthusiasm drive Tara's lifelong learning and future aspirations, even at 55. [7:08] - Each wedding's uniqueness keeps Tara's work exciting, even when using her least favorite flowers! [10:22] - Pleasing people has fueled Tara's success, although she does sometimes go to extreme lengths to make others happy. [11:57] - The biggest challenge in wedding planning is working with vendors unfamiliar with high service standards. [14:48] - Tara reveals how balancing creativity with business acumen has led to success, including never being in debt. [18:04] - The book Unreasonable Hospitality inspires Tara to integrate exceptional service with effective business practices. [19:09] - Speaking at conferences and sharing her experiences as a business owner and mother is rewarding for Tara. [20:38] - Managing work and family life for Tara involves setting rules for herself and multitasking, with exercise as a mental and physical outlet. [23:11] - What about the future excites Tara? [24:57] - Andy reveals where Tara can be found online.
RESOURCES Book:
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 505 KATHLEEN DEERY: Bridging Creativity from Floral Fantasies to Culinary Theatrics | 20 May 2024 | 00:29:35 | |
Join Andy in welcoming Kathleen Deery, the creative force behind Kathleen Deery Design and the Chief Creative Officer of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events, to The Wedding Biz! With a childhood steeped in floral admiration, Kathleen recounts her journey from a small town in New Jersey to the bustling design studios of San Francisco. She shares insights into her role as a tastemaker within the prestigious catering company, highlighting her knack for infusing events with innovation and creativity. From collaborating with renowned planners to crafting immersive environments, Kathleen's expertise shines through. Listen in as she offers insights into the intricacies of event planning, emphasizing the importance of understanding clients' visions and creating memorable experiences. Drawing on her experience with high-profile events, Kathleen also shares anecdotes, including a whimsical Bridgerton-themed wedding set amidst lush gardens. Kathleen also reflects on the demands of her multifaceted role and the perpetual quest for balance, yet amidst the whirlwind, she finds solace in cultivating her own flower garden and nurturing her team's creativity. Looking ahead, Kathleen expresses optimism for the future of Paula LeDuc, fueled by a commitment to excellence and a collaborative spirit. Andy had a great time sitting down with Kathleen and really hopes that you enjoy the conversation. If you do, then he would appreciate it if you didn’t keep it to yourself! He would love it if you were to share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! He would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:03] - Andy shares how he has found renewed passion in podcasting and revitalized his music business. [1:46] - Today’s guest is Kathleen Deery of Kathleen Deery Design and Paula LeDuc! [2:58] - Kathleen reveals how her lifelong love for flowers, nurtured by her mother, led to her successful design company. [18:25] - Listen as Kathleen shares an anecdote about resourcefulness in event planning, highlighting the importance of a reliable team.
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment. | |||
| 414 SEAN LOW: The Heart and Soul of the Wedding Industry | 23 May 2022 | 00:28:43 | |
Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative joins Andy today to talk about his business and how it has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last couple of years. The Business of Being Creative is a consulting firm that is focused on providing practical advice to those in the business of being creative! His client list includes the who's who of the wedding industry and design community, and he is also the host of a very informative podcast with The Wedding Biz network called The Business of Being Creative. Sean dives deep into how his approach has been impacted because of the pandemic, and he and Andy discuss how the heart and soul of the wedding business has gotten even deeper as a result of the pandemic. Sean also reveals and discusses some of the common themes that he has been noticing among his current clients and posits that business owners need to be sure that they have clarity about what qualifies as rational vs. irrational about the way that they run their businesses. He also encourages business leaders to come to terms with the fact that they're not going to be for everyone and that not all prospective clients are going to be for them, defining the decision for them to work with a client and vice versa as a radical choice. Sean also details the process that he goes through with his clients and describes the three different ways to hire him. Andy, as usual, had a blast sitting down to chat with Sean and appreciates his time! Be sure to check out Sean's website and his social media pages on Twitter and Instagram, and, as always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already and to leave a top review wherever you listen, especially since it really helps the show and helps people find it! This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads — all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:00] – Zola is this episode's sponsor. [0:52] – Andy reveals that today's guest is Sean Low of The Business of Being Creative. [1:46] – Sean reflects on how he has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [4:34] – Sean touches upon the knowledge gained from being in the wedding industry. [5:55] – Andy offers insight into how the heart and soul of the industry have become deeper. [7:47] – Sean reveals how the pandemic caused him to assess why he does what he does. [8:41] – We learn about some common problems that industry leaders are currently having. [11:47] – Sean argues that you need to have clarity about what about your business is rational. [15:20] – Andy reflects on how he used to sell bands vs. how he does now. [16:59] – Sean states that he sees more and more bands charging design fees. [19:09] – Andy prompts Sean to discuss radical choice. [22:19] – Andy sums up what he means by radical choice. [23:03] – Hear Sean explain what he means by what he calls the bird story. [24:57] – Sean reveals how to go about hiring him. [28:02] – Andy shares Sean's contact information.
RESOURCES Sean's Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz
Find Sean: The Business of Being Creative LLC - Website The Business of Being Creative Podcast Email Sean: sean@thebusinessofbeingcreative.com
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 413 LAURIE ARONS: Overcoming the Obstacles of a Challenging Year | 16 May 2022 | 00:29:44 | |
Joining Andy today is returning guest Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events! Laurie founded her company in 1994 and has been featured in numerous magazine publications. She has also been listed in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the top worldwide planners. Her clientele consists of noteworthy trendsetters like Sophia Coppola, Vanessa Getty, and Christy Turlington as well as prominent business moguls such as Gary Friedman, Frank Caufield, and Eddie DeBartolo. Laurie has also created and runs a successful wedding planner master class. Laurie, in this episode, reflects on the last couple of years and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected 2021 for her. Grateful for her team and how they overcame them, she details the struggles and reveals why she brought on very few new clients for 2022, taking on fewer clients but charging more. She also talks about how the hospitality industry in general was hit very hard because of the pandemic and how her goal remains to make people happy. Andy and Laurie also discuss how connections and methods of communication have changed because of the pandemic and whether they prefer virtual meetings or in-person meetings. Laurie also projects toward the future, revealing that she loves what she does and doesn't want to retire anytime soon unless her health requires her to do so. She touches upon her masterclasses and discusses her plans for the future, detailing an intimate class coming in November of this year. Andy has really enjoyed this real conversation with Laurie! Be sure to check Laurie out online, and as always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already and to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast, especially since it really helps the show and helps people find it! This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads — all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola. [0:57] – We learn that today's guest is Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events. [2:31] – Laurie reflects on what she has learned over the last couple of years. [5:32] – Laurie commends her team for overcoming last year's stressful challenges. [7:41] – Laurie reveals that she onboarded very few new clients for 2022. [10:29] – Most people, Laurie argues, don't have a realistic idea of how much a wedding costs. [10:55] – Discover whether or not Laurie is happier taking on fewer clients. [13:38] – Laurie learned from what happened last year. [15:53] – Laurie laments that the hospitality industry was hit very hard because of COVID. [18:25] – Andy shifts the conversation toward virtual meetings vs. in-person meetings. [19:33] – Laurie offers her insight into the positive aspects of virtual meetings. [22:11] – Learn about the possible future of Laurie's company. [23:38] – Andy gives us his thoughts about retirement. [25:42] – Laurie's job doesn't feel like work most of the time. [26:35] – Learn about Laurie's masterclasses! [28:46] – Andy shares Laurie's contact information.
RESOURCES Laurie’s Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz
Find Laurie: Laurie Arons Special Events - Website Laurie Arons Special Events’ Facebook Page
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 412 KT MERRY: Implementing Adventure, Purpose, & Soul into Photography | 09 May 2022 | 00:37:12 | |
Andy is joined today by KT Merry of KT Photography! KT has been recognized for her industry excellence by top media outlets such as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, and she has built a thriving and very profitable business that allows her to also pursue her passion for conservation by using her art to protect the planet and its inhabitants who are most vulnerable. Over the past ten years, KT has evolved into a multidisciplinary creative with a highly profitable house of brands such as photographing luxury destination weddings and editorials around the world. KT shares how her love of photography developed and how she assisted some major fashion photographers. She discusses her ideal client and elaborates upon some of the quotes that she has on her website and identifies the why behind what she does, discussing her passion for protecting the planet and how she has married that with her passion for photography. She touches upon how she came upon photographing weddings, how she feels about digital over film, what her philosophy on lighting and composition style is, and what it's like having her husband Chad as her business partner and how they balance their professional lives with their personal lives. She describes her morning routine and how that helps keep her mental health in check, also describing two books from which she reads a page each day. She and Andy also discuss the various benefits of meditating such as being less reactive and not as impulsive, and, for any photographers who might be listening, KT reveals what gear she is currently using! Andy is so grateful for KT's time and had such a great time chatting with her! Be sure to check KT out online, and as always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already and to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast, especially since it really helps the show and helps people find it! This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads — all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:00] – This episode is sponsored by Zola. [0:59] – Andy reveals that today's guest is KT Merry of KT Photography. [1:57] – Andy points to a specific quote from KT's website. [2:30] – KT elaborates upon her ideal client. [4:45] – Discover how KT's love of photography started. [6:12] – KT chronicles how she assisted some major fashion photographers. [8:52] – Andy references a book that he has been reading. [9:52] – KT reveals how she came upon photographing weddings. [12:58] – KT discusses how she feels about digital vs. film. [14:57] – Learn about KT's philosophy on lighting and composition style. [17:26] – KT discusses what it's like having her husband Chad as her business partner. [20:00] – KT reveals how she balances her business life and her personal life. [22:02] – Learn about how KT uses profit to affect change over things she cares about. [25:07] – KT discloses whether or not she still has concerns about finances. [26:26] – KT shares what retirement will likely look like for her someday. [27:17] – KT reveals that she has a virtual store for fine art prints. [28:10] – Hear KT describe her morning routine. [31:08] – Andy and KT discuss the benefits of meditation. [33:44] – KT talks about her evening routine. [34:32] – Discover what gear KT is currently using. [36:15] – Andy shares with us where we can find KT online.
RESOURCES Monique Lhuillier Clip 1 (by Peyton Frank) Monique Lhuillier Clip 2 (by Peyton Frank) Bella Belle Clip (by Peyton Frank) Gay Hendricks - The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level Gay Hendricks – Conscious Luck: Eight Secrets to Intentionally Change Your Fortune Marianne Williamson – A Year of Miracles: Daily Devotions and Reflections Viktor E. Frankl - Man’s Search for Meaning
Find KT: KT Merry Photography - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 411 REVISIT BRETT CULP: Obstacle Or Opportunity | 02 May 2022 | 00:44:11 | |
What does leadership mean to you? Leadership has many meanings, and everyone may have their own perspective on it. Today’s guest, Brett Culp, has a wonderful point of view on leadership and has built an amazing foundation for his life. Brett had a very successful career as a videographer in the lux wedding market, for ten years, until the recession of 2008 forced him to pivot. Now a filmmaker and keynote speaker, Brett Culp films is based out of Tampa FL. He also is an author, and produces short films such as “How to stay positive when the world feels negative.” Brett has 3 main key elements he has come up with to live by, do great work, show it to lots of people, and be really nice. Join us today as we learn that people love to work with people they like.
Show Highlights:
Resources: Brett Culp Website Facebook and Instagram: brettculpfilms Twitter: brettculp Overview of Brett’s work/career - https://vimeo.com/289128900 Clip from one of Brett’s keynotes - https://vimeo.com/278802855 Trailer for Brett’s new film, Look to the Sky: https://vimeo.com/risinghero/supermanisreal Connect with The Wedding Biz: Instagram & Facebook: @weddingbizshow On The Wedding Biz Network: The Stylish Bride with Julie Sabatino Our Sponsors: Sponsor: OFD Consulting Website Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment Website
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| 410 HEIDI THOMPSON: Marketing, A Marriage of Two Passions and the Importance of Research | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:30:12 | |
Today's guest, Heidi Thompson, has no shortage of hats that she wears! She is a wedding business and marketing strategist and is also a bestselling author, having published Clone Your Best Clients. She is also the founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business where she helps wedding professionals grow six-figure and multi-six-figure businesses without putting a ton of hours in! Heidi's business and marketing expertise has been featured on The Huffington Post, Wedding Business Magazine, Wedding Wire, and many more, and she is even an advisory board member for the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning and is also the creator and host of Book More Weddings Summit and Wedding Business CEO Summit! Heidi dives into what motivated her to get into marketing and the wedding industry and how she married those two passions together, how she goes about creating a marketing plan and the importance of doing research, how to create reasonable and realistic goals and how to measure those goals, how to stand out in a very saturated market, what she thinks about marketing and social media, and so much more! Andy, as he admits, is not an expert on marketing, so this conversation was helpful for him, and he hopes that it's informative for you as well! Be sure to check out Heidi and her business and to take advantage of the free two-week trial to her membership that she is offering! (To do that, go to The Wedding Business Collective's website and enter the code THEWEDDINGBIZ!) As always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode of The Wedding Biz, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast, especially since it really helps the show and helps people find it! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network. SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute! Time Stamps [0:35] – Discover that today's guest is Heidi Thompson of Evolve Your Wedding Business. [1:56] – Heidi reveals how she got into marketing strategy. [3:59] – Heidi describes how she goes about creating a marketing plan. [6:26] – Heidi argues that planners generally don't spend enough time on research. [7:27] – Andy and Heidi discuss avatars. [8:53] – Heidi gives advice regarding measuring goals. [11:04] – Heidi reiterates that planners tend to gloss over research. [12:12] – Andy explains why he has sometimes failed to do research himself. [13:33] – Heidi advises on how to do research while also being original. [14:38] – Andy gives insight into deriving inspiration. [16:12] – Heidi touches upon what she teaches her clients about standing out. [17:54] – Heidi outlines the difference between branding and marketing. [19:17] – We hear more about identifying what we want to be known for. [20:45] – Heidi reveals that she teaches her method in very small pieces to make it digestible. [22:33] – We learn how to reexamine a plan. [25:34] – Heidi gives her opinion on social media. [28:30] – Heidi leaves us with some closing thoughts and offers a free trial to her membership. [29:29] – Andy shares Heidi's website and Instagram information. Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz Find Heidi: Heidi Thompson – Clone Your Best Clients Evolve Your Wedding Business - Website Book More Weddings Summit - Website Wedding Business CEO Summit - Website The Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast The Wedding Business Collective - Website (Enter THEWEDDINGBIZ for a free two-week trial!) Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment. | |||
| 409 JENNIFER STEIN: Moving Forward and Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic | 18 Apr 2022 | 00:32:05 | |
Andy's guest today is Jennifer Stein, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Destination I Do Magazine, a magazine that can be found on newsstands in all fifty states as well as twelve countries. The magazine can also be found online along with a daily blog, and Jennifer also has her own podcast. She has over two decades of experience in business and publishing, and she was even recognized as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by Arizona Republic! Jennifer shares her thoughts on how the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have felt and how that time has changed her, how her business and domestic destination weddings in general have changed since the pandemic, and some of the staffing issues that have arisen because of it. She also discusses the anxiety that many of us feel around international events and what would happen if one were to get stuck in an international country due to a positive COVID test, and she and Andy talk about why travel protection is therefore important. Jennifer remains hopeful for the future, however, believing that we have already seen the worst of COVID and that we're nearing the end of it. Andy had such a good time catching up with Jennifer and hopes that you enjoy his conversation with her. If you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode of The Wedding Biz, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast, especially since it really helps the show! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:33] – Andy reveals that today's guest is Jennifer Stein of Destination I Do Magzine. [1:49] – Jennifer shares her opening thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic. [2:51] – Jennifer reflects on how she has changed because of the pandemic. [5:47] – Andy and Jennifer discuss setting boundaries. [7:34] – Discover how Jennifer's perspective on her business has changed. [10:36] – Jennifer discusses how she is not reactionary. [13:00] – Jennifer reveals how domestic destination weddings are going now. [17:34] – Andy and Jennifer discuss some of the current supply and staffing issues. [19:57] – Jennifer offers a possible solution to the current challenges. [22:20] – Andy returns the conversation to international travel. [23:26] – Jennifer shares her feelings on the anxiety surrounding international travel. [26:27] – Jennifer offers some closing thoughts on the fear around international travel. [29:31] – Jennifer shares that she is hopeful about the future of COVID. [31:07] – Andy reveals where we can find Jennifer online.
RESOURCES Flowers Are in Short Supply Around the World. Here’s How It Happened. - The New York Times
Destination I Do - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 408 PAUL MORSE: From the White House to White Gowns | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:30:19 | |
Today's guest spot goes to Paul Morse, who chats with Andy about his career as a professional photographer! Paul is of Paul Morse Studios based in New Orleans, and his talent and unique style have earned him the trust of presidents, world leaders, Fortune 500 companies, and numerous bridal couples. He enjoyed a successful photojournalism career with the Los Angeles Times and then served as a White House photographer documenting the lives of President George W. Bush and his family as well as President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremonies. Paul walks us through when he first realized that he had a pull toward photography and why he first got into it, touching upon his first few jobs. (Incredibly, even though he has had several jobs, he has always had a career in photography!) He reflects on his time with the Los Angeles Times, his position as Deputy Director of Photography at the White House, and how he came to be interested in wedding photography. He also touches upon his strengths as a photographer, how he tends to tackle challenges (using a specific example of a time when he used rain to his advantage), how he feels about film vs. digital, how he approaches things like framing and lighting, what his greatest challenge is, and so much more! Andy is so appreciative of Paul's time and had such a great time talking with him, and he hopes that you enjoy listening to the conversation! If you can think of at least three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this chat with Paul, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:47] – We learn that today's guest is photographer Paul Morse. [2:03] – Paul reveals when he first felt a strong pull toward photography. [3:49] – Paul reflects on his transition after working for the Los Angeles Times. [4:50] – Discover how Paul came to be involved in wedding photography. [6:17] – Paul discusses G.W. Bush's presidency and what he learned photographing him. [8:13] – Paul touches upon the humanity that he captured in his presidential photography. [10:20] – Andy points to a specific photo of Paul's featuring four presidents joking together. [12:04] – Paul shares what he believes to be his strengths as a photographer. [13:34] – We hear about how Paul encourages vulnerability in his subjects. [16:30] – Paul reflects on a time that he used the rain to his advantage. [18:19] – Paul walks us through the initial process with his clients. [20:03] – We learn how Paul feels about film vs. digital. [22:20] – Paul discusses how he approaches things like framing and lighting. [23:47] – Paul shares his thoughts about the current social media age. [25:30] – Paul admits that he still struggles with insecurity. [28:08] – We discover what gear Paul uses now. [29:31] – Andy reveals where we can find Paul online.
Find Paul: Paul’s Wedding Photography Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment and PartySlate.
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| 407 REVISIT CINDY NOVOTNY: Mastering Motivation | 04 Apr 2022 | 00:53:09 | |
As anyone knows, sometimes we need a little motivation, a push in the right direction. Maybe we’re not as focused as we need to be and just need someone to motivate us to reach our potential. Cindy Novotny is with us today, and she’s here to give some of her signature “straight talk” advice. Listen in and find out why you should embrace public speaking, set goals, and stay focused on what you want out of your life. An icon in the hospitality industry, Cindy Novotny is the original founder of MCA and is an internationally renowned leader in sales, leadership and customer service. She has been recognized by the American Society of Training and Development as one of the most powerful, innovative and passionate speakers in the industry. Cindy has become a “radical mentor” for thousands of executives around the world. Her ability to close the “gap” with senior executives and line employees has made MCA a leader in many industries. | |||
| 406 SHARON SEVER: Head Designer for Galia Lahav - Worldwide Couture and High Fashion Design | 28 Mar 2022 | 00:36:27 | |
Joining Andy today is Sharon Sever, Head Designer for Galia Lahav. Galia Lahav has established itself as one of the leading couture fashion houses, with garments characterized by their high-end fabrications, meticulous sewing techniques, and their unique technology to make each piece meet exact measurements even from overseas. They have flagship stores in major cities all over the world and are a part of 70 retailers including the most exclusive and luxurious. You can read more about the company on their website and see some of their amazing collections. As a dedicated student, Sharon left his family and hometown in Ashdod, Israel, to pursue his dreams of becoming a fashion designer in one of the world’s most recognized in the artform - Paris. A graduate from the Paris American Academy, Sharon also apprenticed with fashion icons, including Christian Lacroix, Pierre Balmain, Carven, Balenciaga, and some of the other leading Parisian fashion houses. In this episode, in fact, Sharon shares how he was able to become an intern and the story illustrates how driven Sharon is in pursuing his passions. Now, and for the last 30+ years, Sharon has been working with Galia Lahav, who has been a mentor of his since he was a child. Today, Sharon not only shares his background, but also inspires listeners to pursue their own passions. He demonstrates through his will power and dedication to his craft that it is worth it all and more. SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [2:26] - Sharon shares his background and how he found a passion for fashion. [4:01] - After serving in the military, Sharon went to school and pursued his passion. [6:08] - Sharon has had the opportunity to work with high profile designers through internships. [8:00] - He knew he wanted to work in couture and bring high fashion to Israel. [9:37] - Brides are more willing to try elaborate creations for their wedding. [11:45] - Sharon recognized early on that couture and high fashion wasn’t just for the red carpet. [14:08] - When designing, Sharon can visualize the perfect bride and wedding down to every detail. [15:48] - Connecting with clients is personally important to Sharon. [16:40] - What is Sharon’s inspiration for each collection? [20:18] - Covid-19 has changed how Sharon works with clients. [22:23] - Through a special technology they have developed, Sharon’s company offers couture design virtually. [24:38] - Sharon describes the most challenging element in designing for a bride. [25:58] - Following his feelings is important to Sharon. [26:49] - Even with his expertise, Sharon admits that there’s always pressure. [29:02] - Social media has brought more focus on every detail. [32:01] - Sharon’s advice is to go for the things you are passionate about and be yourself. [33:36] - Sharon describes what he sees as the future for Galia Lahav and his work.
Find Galia Lahav:
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Party Slate.
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| 405 SHAN-LYN MA: CEO of Zola and How Her Company Has Experienced Explosive Growth | 21 Mar 2022 | 00:38:23 | |
Shan-Lyn Ma, the CEO and co-founder of Zola, joins Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz to discuss her business and her career! Launched in 2013, Zola is the wedding company reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience by combining compassionate customer service along with modern technology. The company has been named one of the Wall Street Journal's top 25 tech companies to watch as well as one of Fast Company's most innovative companies! A first-generation immigrant two times over, Shan discusses her childhood and what her interests were as she was growing up and how she learned that she had to work really hard in order to accomplish her dreams. She touches upon former jobs prior to founding Zola and what she learned from them and also how Zola came to be and what about weddings attracted her. Having co-founded Zola with Nobu Nakaguchi, she also touches upon how she and Nobu divide responsibilities and who is in charge of what, the smart technology that Zola makes use of, what kinds of services that Zola offers, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Zola, what is on the horizon for the company, and so much more! Andy had such a blast chatting with Shan-Lyn and hopes that you enjoy listening as well! If you can think of three good friends who might benefit from and enjoy this episode of the podcast, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the podcast! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:43] – Andy reveals that this episode's guest is Shan-Lyn Ma of Zola. [1:37] – We learn about some of Shan-Lyn's education and regional background. [4:15] – Shan shares that she had wanted to be an entrepreneur for most of her life. [5:51] – Shan touches upon some of her biggest lessons learned from past jobs. [8:01] – We discover how Zola came about. [10:56] – Shan-Lyn reflects on when she realized that Zola was going to be successful. [13:00] – Andy and Shan discuss entrepreneurs being able to tolerate taking risks. [15:01] – Shan explains how she divides responsibilities with her partner Nobu Nakaguchi. [18:47] – Shan discusses the smart technology that Zola implements. [21:33] – We learn about whether or not potential wedding vendors are vetted. [22:32] – Shan-Lyn makes a case for how Zola stands out from other wedding companies. [24:09] – Shan reflects on how and why Zola has grown so explosively since 2013. [26:17] – Shan discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Zola. [28:49] – We hear how the pandemic had some positive impacts on Zola. [30:33] – Shan talks about a new platform offered that offers home products. [33:13] – Learn about what wedding trends Shan-Lyn has been seeing in 2022. [34:51] – Shan-Lyn projects toward Zola's future and its goals. [36:30] – Shan offers some final thoughts. [37:37] – Find out where to find Shan-Lyn online.
Find Zola: Zola - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 504 JACIN FITZGERALD: Providing “Unreasonable Hospitality” | 13 May 2024 | 00:37:53 | |
Andy is so pleased to be bringing Jacin Fitzgerald of Jacin Fitzgerald Events onto The Wedding Biz this week! Join Andy as he and Jacin discuss the world of event planning and hospitality, with Jacin sharing her journey from working in corporate events to launching her own business in 2009. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Jacin developed a strong work ethic and a passion for hospitality, and she emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and making clients feel welcomed and valued. The conversation also involves Jacin's approach to event planning, which prioritizes getting to know clients on a personal level. From handling unexpected challenges like sprinkler mishaps at events to orchestrating last-minute Super Bowl parties on yachts, Jacin shares how she navigates the complexities of destination weddings and high-profile events with grace and adaptability. Andy's and Jacin's discussion also touches on pricing philosophy, marketing strategies, the transformative power of meditation in maintaining mental well-being amidst the demands of the industry, and more! Listen in to discover how Jacin's blend of meticulous planning and “unreasonable hospitality” sets her events apart and ensures unforgettable experiences for her clients. If you enjoy this episode, then Andy asks that you not keep it to yourself! He would really appreciate it if you were to share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! He would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:03] - Andy reveals today’s guest to be Jacin Fitzgerald and reflects on having invested in his band's growth by treating them to dinner and a concert. [2:41] - Jacin emphasizes the importance of maintaining calm energy as event planners facing various challenges. [4:27] - Jacin shares a funny anecdote from a chaotic wedding event, reflecting on her entrepreneurial family background. [6:33] - Jacin highlights her strong work ethic, sharing experiences of teamwork and inclusivity from her upbringing. [8:19] - How did Jacin get involved in the wedding business? [9:21] - Jacin explored various jobs, including event planning, through temporary work, ultimately founding her own wedding planning business. [12:07] - Jacin's team focuses on two weddings annually, prioritizing hospitality and accessibility while also setting boundaries. [13:57] - Learn how Jacin prioritizes understanding clients' preferences to create events where they feel at home. [15:36] - Jacin reveals how she adapted to clients' true preferences, shifting to meaningful simplicity. [18:05] - Jacin's team smoothly turns mishaps into memorable experiences, like a spontaneous water party. [19:59] - Hear how Jacin's team swiftly relocated an event to avoid clashes, [22:14] - Engage revolutionized Jacin's networking, fostering a global community for idea-sharing and support. [24:07] - Jacin discusses her pricing philosophy. [26:50] - Social media is not Jacin's forte, as she prefers authentic sharing and traditional networking for reputation building. [29:56] - We learn that Jacin values resilience and meditation, learning to balance work and life for fulfillment and success. [32:12] - Jacin recommends the book Unreasonable Hospitality. [33:27] - Jacin reflects on the intense demands of the event industry during COVID, finding solace in meditation. [36:21] - Jacin feels that having tools like breathing techniques helps manage stress in high-stakes event planning effectively. [37:15] - Andy reveals where Jacin can be found online.
LINKS AND RESOURCES Book: Will Guidara - Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect
Videos: Caleb Lee Wedding Ceremony Trailer
Find Jacin:
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 404 ANNA PRICE OLSON: Editorial Director, Brides | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:25:42 | |
Chatting with Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz is Anna Price Olson! Anna is the editorial director of Brides and acts as the brand lead for the publication. Anna discusses how she got started in the industry, how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the industry (with not all of it actually being bad), what the state of the market is like right now, some of the exciting trends that Anna and her publication are seeing, how planners and couples can have the best chance at getting their wedding story covered in Brides, and how planners and photographers can get on the best-of lists! Anna also reveals what got her into the wedding industry and how one of the positive aspects of the pandemic has been people allowing themselves to break rules more and have more unique, personalized weddings. Andy has been aware of Anna's name for a while and keeps up with Brides, so he is really grateful for Anna's time and enjoyed having her on the podcast. Be sure to check out both Brides’ and Anna’s social media pages and also be sure to share this interview with good friends and colleagues who might benefit from and enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Are you looking to boost your sales or get more clients? Check out the Create Your Most Profitable Marketing Strategy course from marketing expert, Melissa Forziat. If you feel disorganized or overwhelmed with your marketing, if you feel like you’re leaving money on the table, or if you just want to get more word of mouth going for your business, this online course is perfect for you. Andy only works with sponsors whose work he’s thoroughly checked out, so he knows that with Melissa's guidance, you will create your road map and answer questions like where to market your business, what systems to create, and how to follow-up with every client or potential client in your pipeline. As we all know, weddings are about relationships, and marketing your wedding business should be about relationships too. A course as detailed as this would usually be priced in the thousands, but to make it accessible to small businesses, Melissa is making it available for only $247. PLUS, as a listener of The Wedding Biz, you can use promo code WEDDINGBIZ to get 10% off, so if you are ready to go to the next level in your business, sign up for the course today! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:00] – This episode is brought to you by Melissa Forziat Events & Marketing. [0:49] – Andy announces this episode's guest to be Anna Price Olson of Brides. [1:46] – We learn where Anna's passion for the wedding industry came from. [2:51] – Anna describes what she does for Brides. [3:51] – Anna touches upon how COVID has impacted the wedding industry. [5:29] – We discover how Anna sees the market currently. [8:27] – Anna points out that more unique weddings are a plus side of the pandemic. [9:38] – Anna lists some of the trends that she is seeing in the wedding industry. [11:59] – Anna argues that hometown weddings can still be like destination weddings. [13:50] – Anna talks about Brides' targeted demographics. [15:10] – We hear about some interesting statistics about Brides and the wedding industry. [16:13] – Anna reveals how she feels about the immediacy of being in a digital world. [17:36] – Learn what Brides looks for in submissions. [19:39] – Anna explains what the criteria are for getting on Brides' Best-of lists. [22:14] – Anna predicts that the trend of personalization is going to continue. [23:13] – We discover where Brides might be headed in the near future. [24:45] – Andy shares where we can find Anna and Brides online.
RESOURCES Brides - Website
Find Anna: Anna’s Instagram Page
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Melissa Forziat Events & Marketing. | |||
| 403 REVISIT NORMA COHEN: Building A Thriving Business Within A Community | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:40:24 | |
If there’s anyone who knows all the ins and outs of party planning, it’s Norma Cohen. Norma started planning parties on her own for her friends when she was only 12 years old. Later, she became the youngest female, at 16, on an Executive Board of Directors of the community center. And at 18 she opened her own business, Party Expressions. Listen in to find out why, after several attempts to leave the business, she just couldn’t keep away for long.
Show Highlights:
Resources: | |||
| 402 GINA ESPOSITO AND SHEENA MEEKINS: Partners In Photography | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:36:24 | |
Joining Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz is not one but two guests – Gina Esposito and Sheena Meekins! Gina and Sheena are best friends turned business partners who are the owners and principal photographers of Anée Atelier, a wedding photography business based out of New York City. They are listed in Brides as being one of the best wedding photographers in the United States and are also listed in Harper's Bazaar as one of the top wedding photographers worldwide! Andy actually had the pleasure of meeting both Gina and Sheena in person when he produced the music for Daniela Braga's wedding, at Amanera in the Dominican Republic and they handled the photography for it. Today, they chat about various things like how they each developed their love for photography and their prior experience in photography prior to meeting and forming Anée Atelier. They also reflect on their friendship prior to partnering in 2016 and how their friendship led to the business partnership, how photography is a method of storytelling and how the story needs to be told via the client's perspective, what their collaborative process usually looks like, how they respond to and handle pressure, what their hopes and goals are for the future, and so more! Andy really appreciates Gina and Sheena taking the time to talk with him about their business and careers as wedding photographers, and hopes to have another opportunity to meet them again in person in the future! Be sure to visit their website and their Instagram page, and also be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:47] – Andy reveals that today's guests are Gina and Sheena of Anée Atelier. [2:20] – Gina reveals where she developed her passion for photography. [4:56] – Sheena addresses the various magazine titles that she did marketing for. [7:36] – We learn more about Gina and Sheena's friendship. [10:48] – Gina touches upon having had to rebrand after partnering with Sheena. [11:43] – Gina reveals where the name of the company came from. [13:26] – Hear about wedding photographers looking through their clients' eyes. [16:03] – Find out about the negative side of Gina and Sheena always working together. [18:45] – Gina walks us through their general process with clients. [20:24] – Sheena adds to the conversation about the collaboration between Gina and herself. [22:26] – Andy, Gina, and Sheena discuss things being socially different because of the pandemic. [23:42] – Gina asserts that she and Sheena thrive in especially challenging situations. [24:46] – Sheena discusses whether or not a major publication changes their approach. [26:06] – We learn about the most difficult aspects of the job. [29:40] – Discover how Gina and Sheena work in both digital and film. [32:50] – We hear where Gina and Sheena hope to be in a few years. [35:29] – Andy shares where Gina and Sheena can be found online.
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz Episode 400 DANIELA BRAGA: A Professional Model’s Dream Wedding
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 401 RYAN HILL: A Uniquely Theatrical Commitment to Creativity and Playing the Long Game | 21 Feb 2022 | 00:43:19 | |
Ryan Hill, founder and C.E.O. of Apotheosis Events, joins Andy on The Wedding Biz today to talk about his career and his business! Apotheosis Events is a premier event planning firm located out of New York City and produces and designs star-studded premieres including lavish weddings and large Broadway and stage premieres such as Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! Ryan also handles strategic product launches, elegant galas, over-the-top afterparties, and even intimate personal celebrations. Clients of Ryan's have included but are not limited to The Rolling Stones, Ambassador Theatre Group, John Hardy, Cher, Sting, Denzel Washington, Scarlett Johansson, and Amy Schumer! Ryan enthusiastically shares details about his childhood and upbringing, revealing where his love for design and creativity comes from. He discusses his background in theatrical production and how that has impacted how he works with prospective clients and also what he learned from having been an associate producer for Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum! He also highlights having produced the opening night event for Hamilton and how he ended up doing four more opening parties for it, how having been involved in Broadway productions taught him how to run a business, what he likes to do to unwind during free time, how he hopes to grow this year in 2022, and so much more! It was such a pleasure for Andy to have this wonderful conversation with Ryan, and he hopes that you enjoy listening in! Be sure to visit Ryan's website and his social media handles, and Andy would also appreciate it if you would share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and also if you would leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:46] – This episode's guest is revealed to be Ryan Hill of Apotheosis Events! [2:13] – Ryan delves into his childhood and how his grandmother inspired his love for design. [4:25] – Ryan reveals what he looks for in a designing team. [6:07] – Ryan reflects on what he learned working for Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum. [8:34] – Ryan asserts that people do their best when they feel comfortable and taken care of. [10:39] – We learn about Ryan's general process when meeting with a client. [13:08] – Ryan details his three-step process with his clients. [14:27] – Ryan makes a case for the difference between a planner and a great planner. [15:41] – Ryan walks us through an example of a complex challenge. [18:00] – Learn about why trucks on load-in day being early can be problematic. [20:48] – Ryan gives an example of an unexpected challenge and how he overcame it. [24:30] – Andy and Ryan discuss Ryan having produced Hamilton's opening night. [26:46] – We hear what led to Hamilton's opening night having a fireworks show. [27:52] – Ryan details the soundtrack that played during the fireworks show. [31:07] – Ryan reflects on where he learned about how to run a business. [33:52] – Learn a little about Ryan's typical workday. [36:30] – Ryan reveals what he likes to do during downtime. [37:35] – We discover what Ryan's goals are for 2022. [39:10] – Ryan argues that the industry needs more camaraderie and collaboration. [41:51] – Discover where to find Ryan online.
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz Episode 188 CHRISTINA MATTEUCCI, Creating the Ultimate Collaborative Relationship Between #1s And Their #2s
Apotheosis Events - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate. | |||
| 400 DANIELA BRAGA: A Professional Model’s Dream Wedding | 14 Feb 2022 | 00:46:06 | |
Andy has a really fun interview planned for this episode – an interview with the highly successful Brazilian model Daniela Braga! Daniela is based out of New York City and has done campaigns for Givenchy, Balmain, Avon, Pantene, and so many others. She has been featured on the covers of various prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, V, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan in several countries such as the United States, Brazil, Italy, and France. And she has worked with several important photographers in the fashion industry. Daniela also walked four consecutive times in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She was even cast for the TV show Model Squad on E! in 2018, and in addition to modeling, she is an ambassador for World of Children. Andy actually had the pleasure of meeting Dany and her husband Adam Freede, as he, with his band Sound Connection, produced the music for their wedding ceremony and reception! She talks with Andy today about how a stranger's Gucci bag led to not only a friendship but also her marriage to her husband. She also chronicles how she got engaged and how Adam hired an event planner for the night that he proposed to her, how she went about deciding where to get married and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected her decision, and so forth. She also enthusiastically credits the various designers involved in her wedding and how much she loved her stunning wedding dress designed by Galia Lahav and describes her mini-honeymoon (or mini-moon). Dany also touches upon Vogue having covered her wedding and if and when we might be able to expect that coverage to be published as well as what she looks forward to this year in 2022. Andy had so much fun talking with Daniela about her wedding and is appreciative of her time! Be sure to visit Dany's website and her social media platforms, and be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:30] – Andy reveals today's guest as Daniela Braga. [1:49] – We start to learn how Dany met her husband Adam Freede. [4:38] – Dany reveals how and when she started dating Adam. [6:11] – Dany leads us up to the night that she got engaged. [8:34] – Dany details how she got engaged. [9:22] – The room where Dany got engaged is described to us. [11:10] – Dany reveals that Adam had a chef make Dany's favorite Brazilian dishes. [12:45] – We discover that Adam had Dany's friends and family fly in when she got engaged. [15:38] – Andy shifts the conversation toward whether or not Daniela felt any pressure about her wedding. [17:20] – Dany describes the bachelorette party. [19:24] – Dany addresses how she decided where to get married. [22:20] – We learn about how France wasn't allowing Brazilians in and why. [26:14] – Andy and Daniela discuss what Daniela envisioned for her wedding. [28:22] – Learn why Dany chose “Can't Help Falling in Love” as the song to play as she walked down the aisle. [29:35] – We begin to learn about how Dani chose her outfits. [31:01] – Dany credits designers Michael Costello and ALBINA DYLA. [33:56] – Dany enthuses over how much she loved her wedding dress. [36:25] – Andy identifies Daniela's wedding dress designer as Galia Lahav. [38:26] – Find out what song Dany and Adam did a tango dance to! [39:34] – Dany elaborates upon her mini-moon. [43:35] – Dany looks forward to the future and what 2022 might hold for her.
RESOURCES
Dany's Website
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment. | |||
| 399 REVISIT CHRISTIAN OTH: Innovative Wedding Photojournalism | 07 Feb 2022 | 00:45:43 | |
On this episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy is having a conversation with Christian Oth. Listen as he discusses how he is dealing with the pandemic both personally and professionally, why he charges an upcharge for new contracts and a non-refundable percentage if a client postpones. Christian also shares what he is doing now, including his newest workshops Christian is an internationally renowned photographer. His experience in fashion, photojournalism, portraiture, advertising, and still life combines into an editorial style that makes Christian truly one of a kind. American Photo named him one of the world's ten best photographers, and his work has appeared in top fashion and wedding publications. Listen as Christian shares what he is doing to stay grounded and in shape, since the pandemic began, and how it has affected him personally. Professionally, the pandemic has led to cancellations and postponements. However, he has been able to stay busy with Commercial and Advertising Photography. Christian speaks about staying in touch with his clients and working with them to reschedule one-on-one. He talks about adding an upcharge to new contracts to help cover the cost and how he is now running a leaner and meaner company with a strong core team of employees and outsourcing what he can. Christian has also launched a workshop on photography and is looking forward to adding more specialized courses and, eventually, a business course to learn how to run a photography business. Do you wish you could be a fly on the wall and listen to music industry pros? Then listen to Andy's new podcast, The Music Makers. It's behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most influential music industry pros around, including artists, recording engineers, record producers, songwriters, managers, record industry executives, and more. You can find The Music Makers podcast by searching for that term in your cell phone's podcast app or by going to www.themusicmakers.com. SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show: If you are so inspired: contribute. Become a Patron!
Show Highlights: [02:51] Welcome back to the show, Christian! [03:03] Christian speaks about how he uses video when doing calls because it is easier to connect with people. [05:10] Christian shares that the last major job he did before the world shut down was a wedding in Egypt. [07:57] Christian discusses leaving New York City for the Hamptons at the beginning of the pandemic. [10:32] He speaks about returning to the city in April and riding a bike to help stay grounded and in shape. [13:22] Christian talks about spending a lot of time biking with his son. [15:29] Christian discusses the postponements and cancellations caused by the pandemic. [17:45] Advertising photography is something Christian has always done, so he has been able to stay busy. [19:13] Christian speaks about how he is keeping in contact with his clients as this crisis drags on. [20:45] Christian discusses adding an upcharge on new contracts and how he pays the photographers on his team. [22:42] Christian says that he runs his business lean and mean and has created a really strong core team and outsourced the rest. [24:39] He shares that he has wanted to add workshops for a long time and launched them on October 26th. [26:55] Christian speaks about what they will cover in the classes and what you need to bring to photoshoots. [29:11] Next, he will have more specialized courses and then courses on the business side of being a photographer. [30:31] Christian looks forward to traveling again once this crisis is over. [31:16] Thank you for being on the show!
RESOURCES
Find Christian: Christian Oth Episode 74 on The Wedding Biz Christian Oth Episode 223 on The Wedding Biz @christianothstudio Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest @christianoth
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment | |||
| 398 HUGH HOWSER: Incorporating a Sense of Humor and a Sixth Sense | 31 Jan 2022 | 00:32:00 | |
Hugh Howser, Director of Creative at H Three Events, joins Andy today to talk about his career as a wedding planner thus far. Hugh is Nashville's go-to expert for events and weddings for A-list celebrities such as actress Nicole Kidman and country superstars Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, George Strait, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, and more. He has been featured across the country on CMT, ABC, People, InStyle, USA Today, and Brides, offering his unique, fun approach as a lifestyle expert with his trademark style and sense of humor. Hugh reflects a bit on his childhood and some of his earliest memories, such as how his grandmother loved to throw parties and how that affected him. He reveals his initial plans when going to college and how he made the big jump from pharmaceuticals to event planning. He also walks us through the usual process that he has with his clients, sharing that he feels that he has a sixth sense which allows him to envision what someone's wedding is going to look like after talking with them for only fifteen minutes or so! He also touches upon challenges that he has had to overcome in the industry, especially with the weather being unpredictable in Tennessee, and how he overcame them, crediting his sense of humor being the key to his success in overcoming them. He also expresses his gratitude toward his business partner Kate Steele for handling the business side of the company, highlighting how their partnership works and how each of their hats aren't ever exchanged. Hugh even briefly touches upon his side gig as a stand-up comedian! Andy loves Hugh's work and had a blast taking some time with Hugh to unpack some of what he does in the industry. He really hopes that you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as he enjoyed conducting it. Be sure to visit Hugh's website and his social media platforms, and also be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:36] – Andy reveals that this episode's guest is Hugh Howser. [1:26] – Hugh discusses how he knows Mark Wright. [3:18] – Hugh reflects on his grandmother and how she loved to throw parties. [6:21] – Hugh talks about how his career path switched from pharmaceuticals to event planning. [8:06] – We learn about Hugh's general process with his clients. [9:05] – Hugh highlights what he believes the secret of the business is. [10:53] – Hugh describes what his favorite kind of wedding is to plan. [13:44] – Hugh shares with us where he gets his sparks of inspiration. [16:36] – Andy and Hugh talk about the weddings that Hugh has done for celebrities. [17:28] – Hugh gives examples of challenges, especially regarding weather, that he has had to overcome. [20:08] – Hugh expresses gratitude to his business partner Kate Steele for handling the bills. [20:42] – We learn more about the dynamic that Hugh has with Kate. [22:11] – Hugh reveals how he started his company. [25:05] – We discover what the hardest part of Hugh's job is right now. [28:07] – Hugh projects toward the future and what's next on the horizon. [29:09] – Hugh details his role as a comedian and what his content tends to be. [31:12] – Andy tells us where we can find Hugh online.
RESOURCES The Music Makers Episode 39 Mark Wright: Hit Producer & Songwriter
H Three Events - Instagram Page Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate. | |||
| 397 ANNIE LEE: Overcoming Challenges as the Daughter of Design | 24 Jan 2022 | 00:40:15 | |
Annie Lee, the principal planner of Daughter of Design, joins Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz to reflect on her career and her accomplishments, of which there are many! In addition to being the principal planner of Daughter of Design, Annie is the author of Learn to Speak Wedding: Flashcards for Beginners and the founder of Plannie, a global platform to hire an event planner by the hour. Daughter of Design has been named as a top planner by Harper's Bazaar, The Knot, Martha Stewart, Brides, and PartySlate, and Annie has come to be known by various names such as “The Wedding Doctor” by Refinery29, “Party Planner” by New York Magazine, “Celebrity Entertaining Expert” by People Magazine, and more! She even has the honor of being named one of only five Women of Style by Modern Luxury Miami! Annie actually started her career in marketing by interning with San Francisco Opera, and she enthusiastically reveals that that is where her love for events comes from. Her family also does interior design, so she grew up around design which she later married to her love for events. She walks us through her story and how she came to found Daughter of Design, highlighting some of her favorite moments of her career so far and describing her signature style. She also talks about how her major in History plays a role in her event designing career and her attention to detail. Touching upon her business having plummeted a bit back in 2016, Annie also addresses a lot of the challenges that she has faced over the course of her career so far and the life lessons that resulted from them. She talks about several changes that she has had to put in place over the years and how she thrives on growth and evolution. Andy had such a great time talking with Annie and really appreciates her time, and he hopes that you enjoy listening to the conversation. Be sure to visit Annie's website and her social media platforms, and also be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Andy would also like to encourage you to check out a special offer from Annie's company Plannie to industry professionals looking for a day-of producer for their events! Receive the first hour free, and anyone looking to connect with a planner for hourly consultations receives a 25% discount on the first three hours! Plannie is particularly useful with destination event local help! Just be sure to mention The Wedding Biz! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:40] – Andy announces Annie Lee of Daughter of Design as this episode's guest. [2:01] – Annie reflects on where her love for events comes from. [4:25] – Annie reveals why she moved to New York City. [6:35] – We learn about one of Annie's favorite moments from her career. [8:23] – Annie details how she started full-time in 2008 during an economic recession. [10:38] – Learn how Annie's background in History benefited her during the 2008 recession. [13:33] – Annie walks us through her typical process with her clients. [17:52] – Annie identifies managing clients' expectations as the most challenging part of her job. [20:48] – Annie comments on the life lessons that she learns from challenges. [22:52] – Annie tells us about having lost a lot of business several years ago and makes guesses as to why. [24:15] – We discover how Annie overcame her business suffering a bit a few years ago. [27:24] – Annie argues that most wedding planners are not compensated fairly. [28:52] – Learn why Annie only charges hourly now. [31:35] – Annie addresses using Maroo. [34:22] – Andy and Annie discuss planners and clients sharing responsibility when an event needs to be canceled. [37:14] – Annie asserts that evolving and changing is a necessity for her. [39:26] – Learn where to find Annie online.
RESOURCES Ischia Wedding on a 270 Foot Yacht Video
Daughter of Design - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 396 TOM KEHOE: How a Driving Gig Became a Designing Empire | 17 Jan 2022 | 00:36:01 | |
Andy welcomes you to join him in this episode of The Wedding Biz as he interviews Tom Kehoe, the C.E.O. of Kehoe Designs! Kehoe Designs is a full-service event design and decor company specializing in social and corporate events including but not limited to private parties, luxury weddings, fundraisers, trade shows, product launches, festivals, and retail grand openings. Tom is also the owner of the events venue The Geraghty and BlackOak Technical Productions, and he was awarded top 50 event designers by BizBash in 2019 (along with other recognitions)! Tom shares his story with Andy, revealing that he was only sixteen years old when he started working in floral, initially as a driver for a flower shop and then eventually in the store itself. He then, a couple of years later, attended Florida International University where he double majored in Business and Hospitality Management, initially believing that he wanted to own a hotel. Soon after graduating, however, life took an unexpected turn when he was offered the shop where he worked as a teenager! That shop ultimately took the form of the empire that he has now, and the rest is history! Tom walks us through the process that tends to go down between him and his wedding clientele, describing the process as a fun one which he considers key. He also shares some memorable events that he has designed for, including one in which he used projected lighting to make Lake Michigan appear to change color! He shares how he handles stress and anxiety and how he balances the creative side of his job with the business side of his job, and he also enthusiastically reveals that he loves constant change and that that is how he stays relevant in an industry that changes every day. Tom had actually never been interviewed on any podcast prior to this one, so Andy is so thankful that he took the time to have a guest spot on The Wedding Biz and chat with him. He is also appreciative of Julie Novack, C.E.O. of PartySlate, for referring Andy to Tom. Be sure to visit Tom's website and his social media platforms, and also be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might benefit from and/or enjoy it and to leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:42] – Today's guest is revealed to be Tom Kehoe of Kehoe Designs. [1:50] – We discover that Tom started his floral career when he was only sixteen years old! [4:17] – Tom reveals that when he went to college, he thought that he wanted to own a hotel. [5:02] – We learn how Tom came to buy out the flower shop where he worked as a teenager. [6:53] – Tom discloses that he has never had any partners but has a great team. [9:13] – Tom walks us through the usual process with his wedding clientele. [11:27] – We hear Tom expound upon when his visions for design tend to come to him. [14:32] – Tom shares a story of a favorite wedding event. [17:12] – Tom details an event where colored lighting was projected onto Lake Michigan. [19:36] – We discover whether or not Tom handles galas differently than he does weddings. [22:35] – Tom discusses fear and anxiety around what he does. [24:32] – Tom gives a recent example of a challenge that he had to overcome. [27:53] – We are told how Tom handles the challenge of balancing creativity with business. [30:04] – Andy and Tom discuss how eye-opening it is to track the time and the money that goes into the job. [32:01] – Tom reveals that his love for change is how he stays relevant. [35:03] – Learn where to reach out to Tom!
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz Episode 121 JULIE NOVACK: PartySlate & Building A Venture-Capital Backed Business The Wedding Biz Episode 373 JULIE NOVACK: Optimizing Your Digital Footprint
Kehoe Designs - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 395 ROBIN AND JEFFREY SELDEN: Continuing a Legacy | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:37:22 | |
Welcome to 2022! Kicking off the new year is a great interview with not one but two guests – siblings Robin Selden and Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering, with Robin a managing partner and the executive chef and Jeffrey a managing director and managing partner. With offices in Connecticut and New York City, Marcia Selden Catering holds the esteemed honor of being the first ever catering company to be inducted into the Restaurant Association's Hall of Fame, and they were also named to The Knot Weddings Hall of Fame and best caterer and best of the Gold Coast by Moffly Media. Robin and Jeffrey were also both named two of the 100 most inspiring people in the wedding industry by The Knot and have also been the recipients of various other prestigious recognitions! Robin and Jeffrey are siblings, the children of the founder of the company, Marcia Selden, and they both reflect on what that was like growing up. They elaborate upon how they each ended up deciding to join the family business and what distinguishes them from other companies in the industry. They also discuss various other aspects of the business such as how they handle stress and anxiety, how they market themselves via social media platforms, how they manage to stay relevant, what their hopes and objectives are for the future, and so much more! Andy has run into Robin and Jeffrey on various occasions so is very appreciative of this conversation that he was able to have with them to get to know them a little bit better. Be sure to visit Marcia Selden Catering's website and social media handles, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might also benefit from and/or enjoy it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:47] – Today's guests are revealed to be Robin Selden and Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering. [2:10] – Jeffrey reflects on their childhood and what it was like having Marcia Selden as their mother. [3:15] – Robin discusses her mother having been a role model for her. [5:08] – Robin shares when she knew that she wanted to go into this industry. [6:49] – We learn that Jeffrey knew that he wanted to go into this industry at a very young age. [9:07] – Robin outlines the process that they go through with clients. [12:20] – Robin stresses the importance of their clientele getting to know them. [15:15] – We learn more about Robin's and Jeffrey's social media platforms. [17:58] – Jeffrey shares a story that is especially memorable for him. [20:49] – Robin offers her own insight on memorable experiences with Marcia Selden Catering. [21:36] – Robin comments upon how she and Jeffrey handle stress and anxiety. [24:22] – We discover how Robin and Jeffrey were able to build on what their mother established. [26:28] – Jeffrey shares insight regarding how they have stayed relevant in this industry. [28:52] – Robin shares how she believes their company has stayed relevant. [30:54] – Jeffrey discusses research and development. [32:53] – We learn that Robin loves being challenged by their clients. [33:45] – Jeffrey reveals his goals and hopes for the future. [36:22] – Andy reveals where we can find Robin and Jeffrey online.
Find Robin and Jeffrey: Marcia Selden Catering - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 502 AKESHI AKINSEYE: The Art of Celebrating | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:33:50 | |
Andy is so happy to welcome Akeshi Akinseye to The Wedding Biz this week! Akeshi is a luxury wedding planner and designer based in Chicago. Running Kesh Events, Akeshi specializes in creating extraordinary celebrations all around the world. She is not only a luxury wedding planner and event designer but also an international speaker, author, and business coach, and she joins Andy for this episode to discuss how she came into the business, from where she finds inspiration, and how to open oneself up creatively. Listen in to hear Akeshi also discuss current trends in the industry, how she goes about building an event team, how she has managed to garner such a big social media following, how she draws inspiration from her upbringing in the hospitality industry and her transition into event planning. Discover how Akeshi found her calling in event planning, shifting from a career path in psychology to creating unforgettable experiences for her clients. She delves into her creative process, highlighting the importance of nature and open-mindedness in sparking fresh ideas. while also discussing the significance of culturally immersive entertainment. Akeshi also shares her passion for celebrating life's moments beyond weddings through The Art of Celebrating, a platform that inspires people to host stylish and elegant gatherings, from intimate dinners to lavish picnics. Join Andy as he and Akeshi explore the world of event planning and uncover the beauty of celebration in all its forms! If you enjoy the episode, please don’t keep it to yourself! Andy would really appreciate it if you were to share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! He would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:24] - Today’s guest is Akeshi Akinseye of Kesh Events! [1:37] - Akeshi shares how her upbringing in hospitality led me from psychology to event planning and design. [4:08] - Andy reflects on having mediated a tense conversation between a bride and her mother, offering insightful advice. [5:30] - Akeshi emphasizes the importance of balancing support for clients without taking sides in conflicts. [7:21] - Akeshi stresses the importance of timing when delivering feedback, especially during sensitive moments like dress fittings. [8:21] - From where does Akeshi find inspiration? [10:10] - Akeshi further elaborates, revealing that she finds inspiration in everyday walks, turning photos into collages and drawing from unexpected sources. [13:31] - Slowing down and allowing oneself to reset is crucial for creativity and avoiding forced designs. [15:03] - Akeshi argues that honoring event locations through local culture, music, and personalized elements makes them meaningful and memorable. [18:00] - Creating seamless transitions and immersive experiences in events ensures a memorable journey for guests. [20:13] - Andy highlights his experience in the wedding and event industry, focusing on creating world-class entertainment. [21:31] - Akeshi argues for the importance of forming the right team. [23:16] - Akeshi prioritizes authenticity over aesthetics on social media, focusing on storytelling and brand representation. [24:35] - Akeshi emphasizes the importance of storytelling on social media and discusses the perpetual uncertainty of securing future clients. [26:41] - Andy reflects on business ups and downs, emphasizing faith in oneself to navigate challenges. [29:36] - Appreciating work most during pauses, Akeshi emphasizes gratitude and trust in outcomes. [31:32] - Akeshi discusses The Art of Celebrating, promoting celebration beyond weddings. [33:00] - Learn where to find Akeshi online.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Kesh Events - Website
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 394 REVISIT CHEF ROY YAMAGUCHI: Cuisine, Culture & Community | 03 Jan 2022 | 00:55:21 | |
On today’s episode, Andy shares with us the honor of sitting down with renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi, as he shares his story. Roy shares his experiences from coming to the United States for the first time to attend culinary school, starting his first restaurant in Los Angeles, and finally creating Roy’s in Hawaii. Listen in as Roy shares with Andy, as well as the rest of us, his passion, his mission, and his hopes for the future. Show Highlights:
Resources: | |||
| 393 AJ WILLIAMS: What Success Means in the Wedding and Galas Industry | 20 Dec 2021 | 00:31:39 | |
Joining Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz is AJ Williams, founder and executive producer of the Boston-based AJ Events. AJ has been named BizBash's top event producer of the year and also made the BizBash 500 most influential professionals list. Every year since 2003, she has made the Boston Business Journal's area's top meeting and event planning companies list, has made Boston Herald's top 10 event planners, and so much more! AJ has also worked with a number of celebrities and well known people such as Jennifer Hudson; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Queen Latifah; President Bill Clinton; The Eagles; etc.! AJ has always loved parties and planning for them. She talks about her gig working for a celebrity chef and how that led to her starting AJ Events, details the usual process between herself and her clients, explains how she deals with nerves and anxiety around her job, and reflects upon the COVID-19 pandemic and how AJ Events got through it and even flourished. She also explains what success means to her and gives advice to wedding planners who might want to dip into galas as well, emphasizing the importance of marketing, strategizing, and fundraising. Andy really appreciates AJ's time and hopes that you enjoy listening to his conversation with her. Be sure to visit AJ's website, Instagram page, and Facebook page! Until the next episode of the podcast, please share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might also benefit from and/or enjoy it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [1:09] – This episode's guest is revealed to be AJ Williams of AJ Events. [2:37] – AJ reveals how she came to be interested in parties. [3:27] – We learn how AJ came to form her own company. [5:25] – AJ talks about her time working for a celebrity chef out of Boston. [7:27] – AJ explains her formula and how it made her successful during the COVID-19 pandemic. [8:50] – AJ walks us through the process that unfolds between her and a client. [11:39] – Andy and AJ discuss strategy and branding assets. [13:09] – We discover that event design, floral design, graphic design, and fundraising are all executed in-house at AJ Events. [15:16] – AJ touches upon and explains hiring outside vendors. [16:02] – AJ discloses that she does deal with anxiety and fear alongside her job. [19:20] – We learn what the most challenging aspect of AJ's job is. [21:01] – AJ reveals that her drive for success is what helps her balance business with art. [23:31] – Andy and AJ agree upon the importance of interactiveness. [24:33] – AJ describes her marketing strategy. [25:29] – AJ discusses resilience and staying relevant in an industry always changing. [28:25] – We are treated to tips and advice if we are looking to explore the galas industry. [29:28] – AJ defines success. [30:57] – Andy tells us where we can find AJ online.
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz Episode 121 Julie Novack: PartySlate & Building A Venture-Capital Backed Business The Wedding Biz Episode 373 JULIE NOVACK: Optimizing Your Digital Footprint
Find AJ:
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 392 MEG SMITH: Photography As A Life’s Work | 13 Dec 2021 | 00:33:45 | |
Meg Smith of Meg Smith Photography joins Andy in this episode to talk about her photography! Meg has done photography for celebrity weddings such as those of Anne Hathaway, Jimmy Kimmel, Governor of California Gavin Newsom, LeAnn Rimes, and the late Robin Williams. She has also photographed engagements for Christina Aguilera and Nicole Richie. Meg is a frequent contributor to Martha Stewart Weddings, Town & Country, and InStyle Magazine, and her photographs have also been featured in many other publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, and Glamour. Her images have also graced covers and been featured in books including, but not limited to, InStyle Weddings and Vera Wang on Weddings! Meg dives into so many interesting topics such as how, early in her career, she photographed riots and protests such as the Gulf War riots and Take Back the Night. She discusses how she really wanted to be a part of history in those ways and how they are examples of photography being found rather than created, as she is interested in authenticity and integrity. She also talks about framing and lighting, what the most difficult part of her job is, how she handles nerves, the importance of knowing who you are and finding contentment, and so much more! Andy had such a fun time talking to Meg about all things her photography and appreciates her willingness to be so open and vulnerable in this interview. He really hopes that you also enjoy your time listening to the conversation and encourages you to check Meg out on her website and on her Instagram page! Until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please share this interview with at least three good friends and/or colleagues who might also benefit from and/or enjoy it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:51] – This episode's guest is revealed to be Meg Smith of Meg Smith Photography. [2:10] – Meg talks about how photographers in her family influenced her. [5:31] – Meg reflects on a darkroom that her father built for her when she was younger. [6:28] – Meg discusses the relationships that she had with mentors. [8:32] – We learn about photographable moments that are found rather than created. [10:52] – Meg talks about her tendency to alternate between film and digital. [13:03] – We discover what Meg thinks about photography elements such as framing and lighting. [14:28] – Meg discusses her typical process with her clients. [17:38] – Andy shifts the conversation toward celebrity clientele. [20:26] – Meg shares insight about different locations where she has shot photos. [21:35] – Meg gives examples of challenges that she has had to overcome. [24:33] – Meg acknowledges nerves and how they are to be expected. [26:55] – Meg encourages people who want to go into similar fields as hers to be true to themselves [29:08] – Meg discusses contentment and how she feels finding it. [30:55] – We learn what type of photography equipment Meg uses now. [32:54] – Andy reveals where we can find Meg online.
RESOURCES Ryan Holiday – The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Meg’s Website Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate. | |||
| 391 REVISIT SIMON T. BAILEY: How To Harness Your Brilliance and Turbo Charge Your Business | 06 Dec 2021 | 00:47:44 | |
Simon T. Bailey is no stranger to success, even though he’s quite familiar with failure. At a young age, Simon was turned down for multiple sports teams-but he didn’t let that stop him. He left his first college after just one year and moved into a low-income neighborhood. His path took him to a high-level role, which he transitioned away from when it became clear his days as an employee there were numbered. But in every situation, Simon was constantly searching for a way to use what he was truly passionate about-- helping others to discover their inner brilliance. Simon is unafraid to transform himself, to recognize the need to evolve. He understands this means putting yourself out there and potentially failing. He spends this episode sharing his experiences and dropping life-changing perspectives on how you can help yourself grow, forgive others, and take responsibility for pursuing your dreams and find success. About Simon T. Bailey: Simon T. Bailey helps people discover their inner brilliance. A best-selling author, Success Magazine’s 2018 Top 25, and renowned teacher, Simon has shaped the lives of more than 2 million people in 45 different countries. Simon is one of America’s Top 10 Most-Booked Corporate and Association Speakers and recently was inducted into the National Speaker’s Association Hall of Fame. Whether advising CEOs or speaking at a conference, Simon knows that everyone has the potential to be brilliant. Simon T. Bailey grew up in Buffalo, New York. Show Highlights:
Links Mentioned in the Show: Simon's Website Simon's Courses - In particular, our Brilliant Presenter and Shift Your Brilliance courses Simon's Lynda Courses Simon on Twitter Simon on Facebook Simon on LinkedIn Simon on Instagram Watch Simon's Videos: The Simon T. Bailey Experience Success.com - “Self-confidence” Other Links: | |||
| 390 In Memory of Sylvia Weinstock: Queen of Cakes | 29 Nov 2021 | 01:00:50 | |
REVISIT: It’s hard to overstate how glad I am to share my conversation with Sylvia Weinstock with you. I am thrilled that you’ll get to spend some time with her, as I’ve been lucky enough to. If you’re in the wedding business or familiar with it, Sylvia needs no introduction. Sylvia Weinstock reinvented the tradition of the wedding cake, and for 37 years she and her team set a standard for wedding creations—quality, workmanship, pride—that few have matched, and few will match. In this episode, I talk with Sylvia about her amazing life and career in the wedding business, her philosophy on both, and about this amazing time in Sylvia’s life as she closes one chapter and opens a new one. LinksOn The Wedding Biz Network: The Stylish Bride with Julie Sabatino
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| 389 ELIZABETH SOLARU: From Biomedicine to Crafting World-Class Cakes | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:37:14 | |
Andy welcomes Elizabeth Solaru to this episode of The Wedding Biz! Elizabeth is the founder of Elizabeth's Cake Emporium and Luxury Business Emporium and creates the most opulent and decadent handcrafted cakes using the finest ingredients! With clients that include British, European, and Middle Eastern royalty; international celebrities; and high net worth individuals, Elizabeth's creations have been featured in many prestigious national and international publications! She has even appeared on several television programs as a luxury expert and is a regular on Sky TV, being the only three-time winner of The Great Cake Bake! She is also a published author, having published the bestselling book Opulencia: Artisan Baking & Sugarcraft and offers master classes in cake-making and overall business consulting. Elizabeth discusses various aspects of her career with Andy, such as her former job as a biomedical scientist and how it was more than two decades before she fully made the switch to making cakes. She also details her artistic process and what it tends to look like between her and her clients, gives an example of one of her favorite client experiences, reveals some of her greatest disasters and what she learned from them, explains how she balances art and business and how she was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic being that many of her clients are international, and so much more such as her experience of having a cake of hers featured in the movie My Best Friend's Wedding! Andy found his conversation with Elizabeth to be so fascinating and such a pleasure and hopes that you have as much fun listening to the conversation as he did having it! Be sure to check out Elizabeth's Cake Emporium online, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please share this interview with at least three good friends who might also benefit from it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:36] – Andy reveals that today's special guest is Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth's Cake Emporium and Luxury Business Emporium. [2:31] – Elizabeth talks a bit about her background in microbiology. [3:45] – We learn how and why Elizabeth made the leap from microbiology to cake designing. [5:48] – We discover that it was about 23 years before Elizabeth made the switch to making cakes. [8:57] – Elizabeth credits Ron Ben-Israel as being her hero. [10:28] – Elizabeth describes the artistic process between her and her clients. [14:11] – Elizabeth gives an example of one of her favorite experiences with a client. [17:15] – Elizabeth addresses the pressure that she feels as a result of this job. [18:48] – We learn about some of Elizabeth's catastrophes and what she learned from them. [22:51] – Elizabeth reflects on how she balances art with business. [26:38] – Andy and Elizabeth discuss what she still struggles with and what is most challenging for her in this industry. [29:20] – We discover whether or not Elizabeth plans to follow up on Opulencia and write another book. [31:01] – Elizabeth enthuses over her cakes being featured in movies such as My Best Friend's Wedding. [33:07] – We learn about Elizabeth's master classes. [36:10] – Find out where Elizabeth can be found online!
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz Episode 48 RON BEN-ISRAEL: Answering the Call of Creativity with Couture Cakes The Wedding Biz Episode 328 A Conversation With: RON BEN-ISRAEL
Find Elizabeth: Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium - Website Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium - Facebook Page Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium - Instagram Page Luxury Business Emporium - Website Opulencia: Artisan Baking & Sugarcraft
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 388 SARA RUSSELL: Wedding Sparrow the Award-Winning Wedding Blog and Shifting Priorities Following COVID | 08 Nov 2021 | 00:25:59 | |
Sara Russell joins Andy in this episode to discuss Wedding Sparrow, the immensely popular wedding blog of which she is founder and editor. Wedding Sparrow has well over 300,000 followers on Instagram alone and has won multiple awards! It is a premier wedding resource and inspirational blog for couples all over the world, and it specializes in featuring film, photography, and fine art weddings. In the past decade, Wedding Sparrow has grown from a blog run by only one person to an international team of fine art lovers! Andy and Sara talk about what Wedding Sparrow is all about and also how Sara chooses between submitted pieces. They also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the wedding industry and how it has affected its future, how Sara got into this industry and how it actually started as a side hobby, what sets Wedding Sparrow apart from other similar websites, how she defines fine art photography, her hopes for the future, and so much more! It was a pleasure for Andy to have this chat with Sara, and he hopes that you enjoy listening to the conversation! Be sure to check out Wedding Sparrow online, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please share this interview with at least three good friends who might also benefit from it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:33] – Andy announces that today's guest is Sara Russell, founder and editor of Wedding Sparrow. [1:42] – Sara reveals how she got into the wedding industry. [3:40] – Sara describes her role with Wedding Sparrow. [5:12] – Sara estimates that it's her level of curation that has won her so many awards. [6:44] – We learn about fine art photography and what it means. [9:06] – Sara reveals how she goes about determining what to feature on the blog. [12:24] – Sara reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected the wedding industry. [14:18] – Andy offers his own insight about how COVID-19 has led to a shift in priorities within the wedding industry. [17:20] – Sara explains why she has never been busier despite the pandemic. [20:56] – We learn what Sara has learned about herself from being an entrepreneur. [23:06] – Sara talks about her workshops and planned workshops for the future. [25:16] – Andy tells us where we can find Sara online.
RESOURCES TWB episode 194 TWB episode 332
Find Sara: Wedding Sparrow - Facebook Page Wedding Sparrow - Instagram Page
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 387 REVISIT EDDIE ZARATSIAN: Experiential Events to Delight the Senses | 01 Nov 2021 | 01:01:50 | |
If you’ve never had the joy of working with a designer who absolutely lives to utterly delight their client, then you will find this interview with today’s guest, Eddie Zaratsian a breath a fresh air. Eddie’s abundant energy and passion for creating a feast for the senses, allows him to reflect the very essence of his clients in an unimaginable way. Eddie Zaratsian is the Owner of Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle and Design. Eddie was born in Armenia and came to the US when he was 5 years old. He watched his parents arrive in the US, unable to speak English, without the promise of a career, and yet they were determined to pursue their dreams. The family arrived in Hollywood and built the life they had dreamed of. Eventually, Eddie started his own business that evolved over time and became a luxury lifestyle and design company serving A-list clients and creating events that cultivate a sense of wonder and delight the senses-both for the clients and their guests. Show Highlights:
[embed]https://vimeo.com/159132188[/embed] Resources: Eddie on Facebook Eddie on Twitter Eddie on Pinterest Eddie on LinkedIn This show is sponsored by Valerie Gernhauser of Sapphire Events:Valerie's Pricing for Profit Course is launching soon and she's offering a special discount for The Wedding Biz listeners! Get $250 off the price of the course by signing up at theweddingbiz.com/sapphiresessions to get your discount today! To learn more about Valerie's philosophy of pricing and the exact structure she uses, listen to her interview on The Wedding Biz here. | |||
| 386 EMILY REIFEL: Talking Weddings with the “Empress Em of Events” at The Plaza, NYC | 25 Oct 2021 | 00:33:30 | |
Joining Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz is Emily Reifel, Social Events Director at CPS Events at The Plaza in New York City! In this wide ranging interview, Emily tackles a lot of different topics such as where her passion for events comes from, how she broke into the industry, what her relationship is like with her clients and with planners, what she looks for in creative partners, her view on how important entertainment is for weddings, how she stays relevant, and so much more! Emily also discusses her nickname, Empress Em of Events at The Plaza, and how it came to be. She enthuses over her love and passion for dance and how that actually led her to New York City and also talks about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it impacted her and her business. She and Andy also agree that the element of surprise (especially when it comes to entertainment) is a crucial part of hosting a wedding! It was a pleasure for Andy to touch base with Emily and get to know her! Be sure to visit Emily's website and Instagram page, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends who might also benefit from it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:37] – Andy reveals the guest of this episode to be Emily Reifel of CPS Events at The Plaza. [2:00] – Emily discusses her reputation as the Empress Em of Events at The Plaza. [3:18] – Emily reflects on her college education and when she first started to think about doing events. [4:35] – We discover how Emily's love for dance led her to New York City. [7:30] – Emily talks about a vision that she had in which she knew that she wanted to run social events at The Plaza. [8:33] – Emily describes what her role is. [10:02] – Emily shares what it's like when there is a planner present vs. when there is not. [12:45] – Andy reflects on his experiences at The Plaza. [13:34] – Emily comments on what her experience was like during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. [16:17] – We learn about how Emily manages her stress and feeling overwhelmed. [18:31] – Emily asserts that her industry is very competitive. [21:23] – Emily details what qualities she looks for in a creative partner. [23:07] – Emily argues that entertainment at a wedding is very important. [26:00] – We learn about Emily's belief that an elegant setting like The Plaza should still be fun. [27:40] – Emily discloses what her biggest challenge within the industry is. [30:04] – We hear Emily discuss how she stays relevant in an ever changing industry. [32:40] – Andy reveals where to find Emily online.
CPS Events at The Plaza - Website CPS Events at The Plaza - Instagram Page
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 385 CHIOMA ADURE NWOGU-JOHNSON: Humility and Accountability in a Multicultural World | 18 Oct 2021 | 00:39:40 | |
Andy is so happy to bring Chioma Adure Nwogu-Johnson to this episode of The Wedding Biz! Chioma is the creative director of Dure Events, a full service wedding and event planning company based in Houston, Texas. Chioma has planned events across the United States, Saint Lucia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South Africa, Dubai, Paris, and more! She has also been featured on platforms such as CNN, Ebony Magazine, Essence Magazines, Bridal Bliss, and many more! Chioma walks us through her story, such as where her love for planning events comes from and how it began to manifest right in childhood even though she initially thought that she wanted to sing and dance on Broadway. She also shares her design signature and how she personalizes the experience for each and every one of her couples, her love for cooking, how she balances the business side of what she does with the creative side of it, her pricing philosophy, her social media and marketing strategies, how she stays relevant in an ever changing industry, and more! Andy thanks Chioma for the wonderful conversation and hopes that you will enjoy listening to it! Be sure to visit Chioma's website and social media handles, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends who might also benefit from it, and leave a great review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:38] – Andy reveals that this episode's guest is Chioma Adure Nwogo-Johnson of Dure Events. [1:58] – Chioma discusses her childhood. [4:48] – Chioma reveals how she first got into events planning. [7:33] – We learn about Chioma's mentor. [8:55] – Chioma describes her signature. [11:05] – Chioma expounds upon individualizing and personalizing wedding experiences. [13:33] – Chioma enthuses over her job being a form of therapy but how it can be emotionally draining. [15:09] – We discover that Chioma cooks to unwind and destress. [18:22] – Andy and Chioma discuss the business side of what she does. [20:34] – Chioma reveals approximately how many weddings she does per year. [22:37] – Chioma talks about her pricing philosophy. [24:54] – We learn about Chioma's social media presence. [27:40] – Chioma does, she explains, have a quirky side to her personality. [29:44] – We learn more about Chioma's focus on multicultural weddings. [32:44] – Andy offers insight about offering a counter solution when you have to say no. [33:47] – Chioma asserts how she keeps up with change and stays relevant. [36:59] – Chioma stresses the importance of humility and accountability. [38:52] – We learn where we can find Chioma online.
Find Chioma:
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 501 ANNA ROUSSOS/Photographer: Capturing Love: A Journey from Fashion to Romance | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:33:06 | |
Andy dives into an enriching conversation this week with Anna Roussos, a prominent wedding photographer renowned across Europe. Anna shares her journey from a TV director to a distinguished wedding photographer, unveiling the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Discover how Anna's childhood fascination with romance and artistry steered her towards capturing timeless moments of love and emotion through her lens. From her early days in fashion photography to her transformation into a leading figure in luxury wedding photography, Anna's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Anna has a truly unique approach to wedding photography, blending elegant reportage with a touch of fashion, and she shares insights into storytelling, aesthetic coherence, and client satisfaction. She also discusses the intricacies of branding and niche development in the wedding photography industry and unveils the key elements of building a successful luxury brand. She even elaborates upon the impact of technology and social media on wedding photography, from the demand for quick turnaround times to the rise of drone photography and content creation. Gain valuable tips on portfolio curation, client communication, and balancing artistry with business acumen in the dynamic world of wedding photography. You won't want to miss out on this insightful conversation with Anna Roussos, and if you do enjoy it, then Andy would really appreciate it if you were to share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! Andy would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:55] - Andy reveals this episode’s guest to be Anna Roussos! [3:26] - When did Anna realize that she wanted to do photography as a career? [5:44] - After discovering the joy of capturing love, Anna transitioned to full-time wedding photography. [8:47] - Anna reflects on her style, revealing that her style style blends elegance with storytelling, emphasizing aesthetic cohesion and client satisfaction. [11:42] - Anna prioritizes thorough client engagement, crafting detailed timelines and mood boards for personalized wedding photography. [14:47] - Andy points out how collaborating with planners on draft timelines allows for optimal event coordination and enhancements. [15:38] - Having input on draft timelines is crucial to Anna for capturing specific moments and adjusting as needed. [18:44] - How does Anna describe her niche? [19:43] - Anna argues that building a strong brand image through portfolio selection is vital for attracting ideal clients. [22:46] - In today's fast-paced world of social media, quick delivery times are essential for photographers. [25:59] - Anna feels that creating a luxury brand for wedding photography involves rarity, exclusivity, prestige, and authenticity. [28:47] - Andy asserts that establishing immediate connection and excitement enhances the client experience from the first interaction. [30:50] - Learn what equipment Anna is currently using. [32:21] - Andy touches upon where Anna can be found online.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 384 EMILY CAMPBELL: Planning and Designing Events with an Anthropological Perspective | 11 Oct 2021 | 00:36:40 | |
Emily Campbell, founder and executive director of Go Bella Events based in Colorado, joins Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz to discuss her career! Over the course of over twenty years, Emily has created celebrations in over forty countries and on five continents from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central Europe, and the Caribbean! Emily is also the co-founder and executive director of Engage Foundation and is also a member of The Knot's Best of Weddings Hall of Fame. Her work has been featured by Martha Stewart, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Rocky Mountain Bride, and more! She dives into so many interesting topics such as her major in Anthropology and how that relates to what she does now in the events industry and how the complications of a benign tumor steered her away from a more traditional job in Anthropology and led her to where she is now. She and Andy also talk about how to find the right balance between being focused on a project while not seeming standoffish as well as how things have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily also touches upon her work with Engage Foundation and how it fulfills her. Andy really appreciates Emily taking the time to come onto the podcast to share her story. Be sure to visit Emily's website and social media handles, and until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends who might also benefit from it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:48] – Andy reveals that this episode's guest is Emily Campbell of Go Bella. [2:15] – Emily discusses her love of studying people and how it relates to what she does. [4:01] – We learn why Emily switched from Anthropology to events. [6:23] – Emily reflects on what she would probably be doing now if her life had gone differently. [7:43] – We discover what Emily considers her signature to be. [10:00] – Emily describes how she gets to know her clients. [12:38] – Emily talks about what it's like to work around the natural beauty in Colorado. [15:19] – We learn how Emily finds teams with the right skill sets. [17:26] – The most stressful aspect of her job, Emily asserts, is the unknown. [20:00] – Emily describes what her psyche is like during production setup. [23:05] – Emily credits herself for being relaxed around her clients. [24:03] – Emily reveals how she goes about making her team feel respected. [26:45] – Andy and Emily have a conversation about expectations being reset because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [28:56] – Emily observes a recent lack of editing in graphic design. [30:08] – Emily makes a statement about her involvement with the Engage Foundation. [33:12] – Emily addresses sustainability and its importance to her. [34:41] – Emily enthuses over events that she has planned for 2022. [35:48] – Andy gives us information about where Emily can be found online.
The Wedding Biz - Episode 296 CEO of VOW To End Child Marriage
Go Bella - Website
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate. | |||
| 383 REVISIT MINDY WEISS: Setting the Standard | 04 Oct 2021 | 01:07:59 | |
Mindy Weiss is a force in the high-end wedding and event planning business. Since her early beginnings, she has delighted celebrity and non-celebrity clients alike with her ability to build meaningful relationships every step of the way. On this episode, Mindy shares her wealth of knowledge about what it’s like to maintain an A-List clientele. But while there certainly are additional factors to consider when planning luxury events for celebrities, Mindy’s insights from years of experience working with families and couples are applicable to anyone in the event planning industry. From getting to truly know your clients-- both financially and personally-- to how you might be able to successfully evade the paparazzi, Mindy Weiss dives in with honesty and humor to share her wisdom on this episode. About Mindy: Mindy Weiss is based in Beverly Hills and is the best-selling author of 3 books: The Wedding Book, The New Mindy Weiss Wedding Organizer, and The Baby Keepsake Book and Planner. She is also a product innovator and spokesperson, planning celebrations all over the world for celebrity clients like Fergie, Ellen Degeneres, Pink, Jessica Simpson, Serena Williams, and Heidi Klum, among many others. Show Highlights:
Links Mentioned in the Show: Mindy Weiss on Instagram - @mindyweiss and @under30over50 Vow To Be Chic - The Mindy Bridesmaid Dress The Wedding Book by Mindy Weiss The New Mindy Weiss Wedding Organizer | |||
| 382 EVA CLARK: Anticipating Needs and Evoking Senses | 27 Sep 2021 | 00:44:40 | |
Eva Clark is the award-winning owner and creative director of Eva Clark Events. She joins Andy in this episode of The Wedding Biz to discuss various aspects of her business and her life. She touches upon her business and how she found her love for weddings and especially travel, her newfound status as a destination planner, and so much more! Eva Clark Events plans and designs, specializing in luxury destination weddings. Named one of Atlanta's women of power and influence in 2016 and one of the best planners in America in 2019, Eva is based out of Atlanta. Her weddings have been published in many different wedding publications! She, in fact, even had a wedding that served as the backdrop of a music video of a chart-topping single! (Tune in to find out which one!) Andy and Eva talk about what sets Eva's business apart and how Eva does not want what she does to ever be cookie cutter and cliché but rather to be appropriate for the collective personality of each couple. Eva also readily admits to not being a good fit for every couple and describes what an ideal match between a couple and herself looks like. She even digs pretty deep and opens herself up to discuss a devastating personal tragedy from her past that helped her form a new perspective and helped her realize just how important that family is at the end of the day. Andy is so appreciative of Eva coming onto the show and spending some time with him to chat, and he especially appreciates her willingness to be vulnerable and share so much about herself! Until the next episode of The Wedding Biz, please be sure to share this interview with at least three good friends who might also enjoy it, and leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:39] – Andy announces this episode's guest as Eva Clark of Eva Clark Events. [2:22] – Eva discusses her upbringing and where she discovered her love for travel. [4:42] – Eva reflects on her high school and college years. [5:45] – We discover how Eva got to a point at which she had her own business. [8:46] – Eva reveals how she personalizes each and every event for each couple. [11:08] – Eva says that she is an empathic learner when it comes to her clients. [12:22] – Eva provides examples of how she anticipates her clients' needs. [14:06] – We learn about Eva having had a wedding featured in a major music video. [17:15] – Eva details what type of client wouldn't be a good fit for her or her for them. [19:30] – Andy and Eva agree that declining clients that you don't vibe with leaves those spaces open for better matches. [22:44] – Andy and Eva discuss Eva's desire to broaden her horizons and not work the same venue too many times. [25:30] – Eva reveals what happens when she encounters a language barrier in another country. [28:33] – Eva stresses how important it is to have someone with you who can speak the language of the region you're in. [29:10] – We hear about an event disaster that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and how Eva overcame it. [31:40] – Eva gives us another example of an event that didn't go as planned. [34:50] – Eva reveals what happened after finding a large snake at an event. [37:32] – Eva shares a personal tragedy from her past and explains how it affected her life and her business. [42:30] – Eva touches upon her additional role as a design consultant. [43:50] – Andy shares Eva's contact information with us.
RESOURCES Zac Brown Band - “Sweet Annie”
Eva Clark Events – Website On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 381 LAURYN PRATTES: Staying Relevant in a Saturated Market | 20 Sep 2021 | 00:40:23 | |
Joining Andy today is a good friend of his, Lauryn Prattes of Lauryn Prattes Events. Lauryn is one of the top planners in the country as per Martha Stewart Weddings' assessment, and she has also been recognized by numerous other publications as being one of the top planners in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Andy is not only a friend of Lauryn's but has also worked with her and her team, so he can speak to their high level of professionalism, commitment, and creativity! Lauryn and Andy chat about a vast array of topics in this episode of The Wedding Biz, including how Lauryn got started in this industry and eventually started her own business, how she tends to run her business, how she came to discover her personal style, her usual process with her clients, how she handles destination weddings, her philosophy around pricing, how she went about building an impressive social media following, how she finds a balance between her personal life and her professional life, and so much more! Andy really enjoyed his conversation with Lauryn in this episode and hopes that you will enjoy tuning in and listening to it! He encourages you to share this interview with three good friends who might also enjoy it. He would also be grateful if you were to leave a review of the podcast wherever you listen to it as it helps people find it! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [1:20] – We learn that today's guest is Lauryn Prattes of Lauryn Prattes Events. [2:43] – Lauryn reflects on her childhood and how her love for fashion and creativity started. [4:33] – Lauryn reveals that her internship after college was with the bridal market. [6:45] – Lauryn talks about her time working with The Bridal Bar. [8:32] – We discover whether or not going out on her own and starting her own business was scary for Lauryn. [10:20] – We learn that Lauryn at first worked in retail so that she could afford to turn down potential clients that didn't mesh with her vision. [11:44] – Lauryn discusses textures and details and what they mean to her. [13:52] – Lauryn delineates her procedural process with bringing clients on board. [16:48] – There are, Lauryn argues, trends in the wedding industry just like there are fashion trends. [19:29] – Lauryn explains the logistics of planning a destination wedding. [22:48] – Lauryn talks about language barriers in other countries. [23:56] – We learn about some of Lauryn's biggest challenges, such as road closures, and how she overcame them. [25:45] – Lauryn comments on how she balances the artistic side of what she does with the artistic side of it. [27:58] – Lauryn enthuses over the importance of social media and what benefits it has for her. [30:25] – We hear about how Lauryn approaches her pricing strategy. [32:45] – Lauryn asserts that there is always the possibility of being replaced in her industry which is why relevance is crucial. [34:24] – Lauryn discloses what her biggest struggle currently is. [35:35] – Lauryn admits that she has a tough time balancing her business life with her personal life. [39:16] – Andy reveals where we can find Lauryn online.
Find Lauryn:
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate. | |||
| 380 COLIN COWIE: The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn’t Know They Wanted | 13 Sep 2021 | 00:37:38 | |
Having had celebrity clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, Kim Kardashian, Lil Wayne, Nicole Kidman, and Demi Moore, this episode's returning guest has enjoyed quite the career so far. Colin Cowie has also had many corporate clients such as Dom Pérignon, Warner Brothers, CBS, Whitney Museum of American Art, Architectural Digest, and so many more! Colin is also a published author, having written books such as Dinner After Dark: Sexy, Sumptuous Supper Soirees, Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life as It Should Be, and Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration. Colin, as he discusses with Andy in this episode, is all about making sure that he delivers the ultimate experience for his clients. Colin and Andy also talk about Colin's new book, The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted, which is Colin's eleventh published book! Colin discusses luxury and what it means in any business – that it is about customer service and not just the product that you are selling. He discusses how to ascertain what customers want so that you can provide it to them before they even realize what they want. We also hear Colin talk about the importance of not only having good relationships with your clients but also with the employees of your company, how important that protocol and consistency are to him, how to get customers to keep coming back to you, and so much more! Andy has known Colin for nearly two decades and is so impressed with everything that he has accomplished. He always has such a blast with Colin, when he has him on the podcast, and is grateful for his time. Andy encourages you to go back and listen to his previous episodes with Colin and to also check out his new book The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted. Please share this interview with at least three good friends who might also enjoy it, and leave a top review of the podcast wherever you listen! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:44] – Andy reveals that Colin Cowie is today's guest! [3:03] – Colin explains why he decided to write his new book The Gold Standard. [5:59] – Colin expounds upon his belief that customer service is the new luxury. [7:05] – We learn how to deliver to customers what they didn't realize they wanted. [9:36] – Colin gives examples of how to build relationships with clients. [10:58] – Colin affirms that you need to make sure that your employees have an emotional connection with you. [13:30] – Andy enthuses over how the COVID-19 pandemic gave us opportunities to reform company culture. [14:07] – Colin emphasizes how crucial teamwork and communication are. [17:29] – Andy and Colin agree that creating and owning your brand is important. [20:13] – We are persuaded of the importance of including everyone in meetings, even receptionists. [22:58] – Colin asserts how important protocols are to him. [25:52] – We discover that Colin is always updating protocols based on new things that are learned. [27:36] – Colin gives an example of great customer service provided by a pilot. [30:35] – We learn how we can get customers to keep coming back to us. [33:02] – Colin provides insight on failure and both its inevitability and its importance. [34:20] – Colin reveals what about the future excites him. [36:34] – Andy shares where online we can find Colin.
Colin Cowie – Dinner After Dark: Sexy, Sumptuous Supper Soirees Find Colin: Colin's Website Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.
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| 379 JACK EZON: Bespoke Travel & A Risk-Taking Entrepreneur | 30 Aug 2021 | 00:35:10 | |
Andy chats today with Jack Ezon, C.E.O. and managing partner of EMBARK Beyond! EMBARK Beyond is a luxury lifestyle partnership that specializes in bespoke travel experiences, and they have the ability to access royal palaces, private homes, luxury yachts, global landmarks, and so much more! Negotiating hotel, air, and other components related to travel, EMBARK Beyond acts as a full concierge service in order to develop the perfect itinerary! Jack talks about some of the things that he and his company have been asked to do – some of them being pretty colorful and illegal in certain countries – and reveals where his wanderlust originates. He also reflects on how he started as an attorney in commercial financing but knew that he wanted to be a travel agent, especially since he hated being a lawyer and didn't like the corporate world. Jack also discusses failure and having to overcome fear and take measured risks in order to grow, and he enthusiastically touches upon the concept of loyalty and what it means to him in regards to the relationship between his company and his clients. He offers some really touching examples of times that EMBARK Beyond did truly wonderful things for its clients, and he affirms how important it is to him to protect his brand both personally and professionally. Andy and Jack also have a conversation about the COVID-19 pandemic and crises in general, and Jack reflects on the struggle of having been at the front of a travel company in the midst of a pandemic, revealing how he overcame the crisis and came out stronger than ever. This conversation with Jack Ezon made for such a fun interview for Andy, especially with Jack being so open and willing to discuss just about anything and everything! He encourages you to share this interview with three good friends who might also enjoy it! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:44] – Today's interview is with Jack Ezon of EMBARK Beyond. [2:10] – Jack explains his willingness to do anything as long as it's legal and ethical. [3:21] – Jack reveals where his passion for travel comes from. [5:31] – Jack reflects on how the transition between careers went for him. [7:27] – We discover how Jack personally dealt with such a major loss of money when he was younger. [10:25] – Jack talks about 9/11 having ended an opportunity for him but having led to other opportunities. [11:53] – We learn how and why Jack started EMBARK Beyond. [13:27] – Jack explains how EMBARK Beyond takes risks and doesn't fear failure. [15:23] – Failures, Jack emphasizes, are opportunities to grow. [16:13] – Jack gives an example of a failure from his past that he overcame and explains how he overcame it. [20:30] – Jack discusses the standards of his company's philosophy. [22:33] – Jack details a specific example of an emotionally meaningful situation that they created for a client. [24:56] – Jack argues that building loyalty is about connecting to your clients and listening to them. [26:08] – We hear about further examples of meaningful trips that EMBARK Beyond planned. [27:52] – The most stressful part of Jack's job, he reveals, is maintaining his reputation. [29:08] – We discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Jack and EMBARK Beyond. [31:46] – Jack discusses his favorite travel destination and what excites him most about the future. [33:58] – Andy reveals where to find Jack online.
RESOURCES Ryan Holiday - The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Find Jack: EMBARK Beyond - Instagram Page
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment. | |||
| 378 REVISIT MINDY RICE of MINDY RICE DESIGN: Creating Feelings Instead of Just Events | 23 Aug 2021 | 00:44:55 | |
When we think about wedding and event floral designs, our imagination is often limited to bouquets and centerpieces. Today, I am talking to one of the premier event designers in the world. She sees flowers and foliage as a way to create lasting memories of events your guests will never forget. Mindy Rice, of Mindy Rice Design, is a native Californian with a creative lineage. Growing up, Mindy was taught how to think like a designer. Never feeling confined by the “rules” wedding floral arrangements like to follow, Mindy seemed to fall into the wedding business after designing events for the corporate world. What makes Mindy unique is how she encourages her clients to step into their most daring self. She turns dreams into reality—no Pinterest board copy-cat ideas here! Today, Mindy is going to walk us through her process, from the exciting ideation stages to actually executing her most memorable pieces. She will share stories of how she has transformed a simple barn into a Redwood wonderland. Mindy will describe her favorite pieces, and how she uses color and perspective to transform any event space. Mindy’s goal is to create unique elements for each event that guests will really remember. She is not afraid to take a risk because she knows the risky pieces will always pay off. Every bloom and bough is placed thoughtfully so that guests will feel something long after the last toast and dance. “Everybody has two personalities—who they really are, and who they dare themselves to be.” ~Mindy Rice Today is not just about flowers and spectacle! Mindy and I will chat about what it means to own our own business, and how we can successfully balance our creative endeavors with family life. The event design business sometimes feels as though it could take over everything! Mindy embraces the life she’s been given and chooses jobs that will both fulfill her creatively and best support her family. Mindy is inspiring in so many ways, and I know she is going to transform the way you’ve always thought about flowers. Expect the unexpected when Mindy is around! Show Highlights:
Connect with Mindy: | |||
| 377 SUNNA YASSIN & MOLLIE JONES-HENNES: Staying Relevant in an Everchanging Industry | 16 Aug 2021 | 00:36:24 | |
Andy hopes that you will tune in to this episode of The Wedding Biz as he talks with Sunna Yassin and Mollie Jones-Hennes of Bash Please. Named top planners by Brides, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Martha Stewart Weddings, they are a full service creative event production company with studios out of Los Angeles and San Francisco. They are here to talk about what it takes to create an enjoyable and successful partnership, their social media strategy, their pricing philosophy, how they manage the business side of things, and so much more! Sunna and Mollie reveal how they came together as partners, explaining that it happened very organically. They touch upon how they handle the business and financial side of the business in addition to the creative side as well as how they maintain balance between work and their personal lives, emphasizing the importance of finding time for self-care. They also discuss how they feel about virtual meetings and how they stay relevant in an industry that is always changing. The industry changes every six months or so, and Sunna and Mollie credit their relevance with the unique way that they interact with their current clients, resulting in word-of-mouth. Andy had a great time talking with Sunna and Mollie of Bash Please and encourages you to share this interview with three good friends who might get something out of it too! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:44] – Today's guests are Sunna Yassin and Mollie Jones-Hennes of Bash Please. [1:50] – We learn about the pivotal moment in Sunna's life that veered her toward her current career. [3:08] – Mollie reflects on her childhood and college years and how they affected her career path. [4:50] – Discover how Sunna and Mollie formed their partnership. [7:03] – Sunna reflects on whether or not there was any trepidation about partnering. [8:52] – Mollie reveals that she more so handles the business side of things whereas Sunna handles the more creative side of things. [10:12] – We learn how Mollie felt when she made the transition into partnership with Sunna. [11:54] – We learn what makes Mollie's and Sunna's partnership unique. [13:20] – For the most part, as they elaborate upon, both Mollie and Sunna are present at meetings with clients. [15:10] – Sunna and Mollie talk about how they feel about virtual meetings. [19:20] – Sunna and Mollie describe an upcoming event as an example of what they normally do. [22:23] – Andy shifts the conversation toward the business side of things. [23:09] – We learn that the experience that both Sunna and Mollie had prior to their partnership ended up being invaluable to it. [24:37] – Mollie and Sunna touch upon what aspect of the job is the most challenging and stressful. [26:48] – We discover Mollie's and Sunna's pricing philosophy. [28:17] – Sunna and Mollie explain how they stay relevant in an industry that is always changing. [31:08] – Mollie and Sunna elaborate upon their social media strategy and how they remain successful on social media. [33:04] – We receive some advice regarding partnering. [35:42] – Andy reveals how to find Sunna and Mollie online.
Find Sunna and Mollie:
On Clubhouse, follow Andy @andykushner and join his club “The Wedding Biz” to get additional content and to get direct access to Andy.
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 376 REVISIT THE TRAVEL SIBLINGS: Experiential Destination Travel | 09 Aug 2021 | 00:54:35 | |
When you think of experiencing personalized and experiential destination weddings, you most likely need to be thinking of Harlan and Kara, The Travel Siblings. This duo has been designing private and intimate events and luxury travel experiences around the globe for years through their affiliation with the Elite Division of Travel Leaders - Tzell Travel Group and were recently recognized by Conde Nast as the "Best Agents for Destination Weddings". The pair found their love for travel when Harlan was working as a traveling opera singer as a young teen. He would often bring his younger sister Kara on a few getaways in between tours. There, they both fell in love with the art of luxurious travel, fine dining, and unique global experiences. These moments informed and influenced the pair’s business of offering unforgettable luxury travel experiences uniquely catered to their clients whom wish to wed at a magical destinations. Today, Andy, Harlan, and Kara share a fun and lively talk about how the sibling’s upbringing shaped their passions and careers, and how they manage to work together creatively and professionally. The three also chat about how they create experiences out of each destination, some of their favorite and most wild honeymoon and wedding stories to date, and what the best part of their job really is to them. This luxurious and decadent episode will have you ready to book your own destination wedding with the one and only Harlan and Kara. Listen to their full episode right here. Links
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here. | |||
| 375 DAVE CALZARETTA: Fighting the Fear of Missing Out and Making Your Own Luck | 02 Aug 2021 | 00:39:26 | |
Listen in to Andy's conversation with Dave Calzaretta, the founder and president of Magnificent Events & Entertainment! Magnificent Events & Entertainment was founded in 2000 and has since established an impeccable reputation out of Chicago, Illinois (and also now Scottsdale, Arizona), and it is considered an international booking and event expert company. Dave always had a love for music, especially after fostering a unique friendship with The Temptations at a young age, but he majored in accounting because he was told that he should choose something practical. He reveals how he landed the career that he now has in the events and wedding market, however, and reveals what it was like to make the jump from the corporate world to a career in music and events. Motivated by a fear of missing out, Dave explains, he became an entrepreneur because he didn't want a 9-5 office job but instead wanted to live a more whimsical lifestyle. He discusses negotiation and how it's about gathering what's important on both sides of a transaction. He also reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected his career and his business over the last year or so. Andy has been wanting to have Dave on the show for a while and appreciates his connection and friendship with Dave. He's so happy to have had this chance to talk with him on the show! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [1:12] – Andy reveals that this episode's interviewee is Dave Calzaretta, founder and president of Magnificent Events & Entertainment. [2:31] – Dave reflects on a time at fourteen years old when his father took him to see The Temptations. [5:08] – Dave talks about how he majored in accounting despite his love for music. [7:50] – Dave explains what it was like to make the leap from the corporate world to the music world. [9:25] – Having an accounting degree, Dave shares, made him comfortable with the gap between careers. [11:33] – We discover how Dave balances business and art. [14:07] – Dave looks back at the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected his career. [16:43] – We learn how Dave's career doesn't have a shelf life anymore and he can continue to do this into his sixties. [18:06] – Dave talks about his office in Chicago and how he manages it post-pandemic. [21:08] – Dave describes his family situation. [23:50] – The biggest challenge that the industry faces, Dave asserts, is the waves of people who value price over quality. [27:01] – Andy expounds upon the challenge of explaining why you're worth your price to prospective clients. [28:26] – We hear Dave reflect on how difficult it is to reach prospective clients via video. [31:49] – Dave discusses negotiation and how a lot of musicians don't recognize their own value. [34:21] – Dave shares his thoughts about current emerging trends and talents. [38:21] – Andy reveals where Dave can be found online.
RESOURCES Andy’s Top 10 Event Luminary Tips For Dealing With Stress
Find Dave: Magnificent Events - Facebook Page Magnificent.Events - Instagram Page
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 500 JENNIFER STEIN: Building Destination Dreams: Two Decades of Wedding Industry Resilience | 15 Apr 2024 | 00:33:06 | |
Returning to the podcast this week is none other than Jennifer Stein, editor-in-chief, publisher, and co-owner of Destination I Do Magazine, a magazine that can be found online and on newsstands. Jennifer joins Andy today to explore the journey of building a renowned brand in the destination wedding industry, sharing how she and her business partner started Destination I Do twenty years ago to fill a gap in the wedding industry by showcasing real couples celebrating their destination weddings worldwide. From humble beginnings with an amateurish first issue to becoming sought-after across various platforms, Jennifer reveals the challenges they faced, including financial struggles and burnout. Despite setbacks, they persevered, eventually turning a profit after three years of hard work and reinvestment. She also discusses their staffing approach, emphasizing flexibility with independent contractors and prioritizing long-term relationships. She shares insights into their decision not to use virtual assistants and how they adapted during the pandemic by listening to clients’ needs and offering tailored solutions. With destination weddings making a strong comeback post-pandemic, Jennifer reflects on the industry's resilience and the evolving trends that she is observing. Throughout the interview, Jennifer's passion for storytelling and commitment to serving her clients shine through, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned over two decades in the business. Andy had such a great time having her back on the show, especially since he feels that their conversations together are always especially animated and electric! If you enjoy this conversation with Jennifer Stein, then please don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! Andy would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:00] - This is episode 500, and Andy expresses gratitude for all of his loyal listeners! [0:51] - Today’s guest is returning guest Jennifer Stein of Destination I Do! [2:44] - Launching Destination I Do filled a gap for couples seeking more than tropical destinations. [4:23] - How long was it before Jennifer turned a profit? [5:55] - Jennifer touches upon how initial setbacks led to learning from mistakes, paving the way for eventual success and growth. [8:06] - Jennifer reveals how limited resources led to self-financing without investors or loans, navigating challenges like the mortgage crisis. [10:38] - Flexible staffing, Jennifer explains, includes hiring contractors for roles like sales, creating long-term mutual relationships. [13:08] - Hear why Jennifer prefers not to use virtual assistants. [15:24] - Jennifer nearly sold her business three times, prioritizing buyers who understand the wedding industry intricacies. [16:34] - Despite setbacks and burnout, Jennifer avoided selling her company, realizing buyers misunderstood her situation and intentions. [19:31] - Jennifer's realization in 2020 prompted her to pay herself what she's worth. [20:53] - Andy reflects on a time when he felt burnt out and found relief by getting a business partner, re-energizing him for success. [23:33] - Amid the 2020 pandemic, Jennifer prioritized client needs, offering assets and support and fostering valuable partnerships. [26:05] - Jennifer shares how she and Harmony Walton revamped projects, enhancing storytelling and revenue. [28:57] - Jennifer, a Gen Xer, learned that success isn't instant, facing setbacks but finding joy in victories. [31:09] - Jennifer strongly feels that destination weddings are back with a vengeance! [32:27] - Learn from Andy where Destination I Do can be found online.
LINKS AND RESOURCES Jennifer’s Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz
Find Jennifer:
Destination I Do – Facebook Page
Destination I Do – Instagram Page
Destination I Do – Twitter Page
Destination I Do – Pinterest Page
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
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| 374 REVISIT MICHELLE RAGO: Weddings Around the Globe | 26 Jul 2021 | 00:52:06 | |
Michelle Rago has always had wanderlust flowing through her veins. It’s what has inspired her to build her massively successful career as a wedding and event destination producer and expert. She’s now one of the most sought-after destination event planners in the world, in large part because of her vision, relationship building skills, and meticulous attention to every possible detail. Her love for travel and experiencing new cultures came from a study abroad trip in Greece when she was just 15. Ever since, she’s been exploring new ways to bring stunning events and weddings to the most inspiring and beautiful locations around the globe. Today, Andy and Michelle chat about the steps she took to growing her passions and her business, and some of the major epiphanies and milestones she realized along the way. The pair also dive into how she untangles the vastly intricate puzzles of destination weddings, her process of making an event come to fruition, and some of her favorite and most satisfying events to date. This week’s episode taps into the idea that following what your heart desires can truly lead to a career full of personal and professional achievements. Check out the full episode now. Links | |||
| 373 JULIE NOVACK: Optimizing Your Digital Footprint | 19 Jul 2021 | 00:23:05 | |
Join Andy in this episode as he chats with Julie Novack, C.E.O. and co-founder of PartySlate, a photo-rich website (that, in fact, just recently hit a million photos) where leading event professionals share their work, build their brand, and drive leads. Before founding Party Slate, Julie held executive positions at top-tier digital agencies such as Razorfish, Vibes, and Agency.com. With over twenty years of digital marketing experience, Julie has helped some of the biggest brands in the world. Longtime listeners of The Wedding Biz may actually remember Julie having been on the show before as she has been on a number of occasions such as in episode 121. Julie is here in this episode to talk about how to optimize your digital footprint. She discusses how to do that with your website, blog, social media, backlinks (which she describes as very similar to PR), third-party platforms, etc. She talks about what she calls a homepage handshake and why it is so crucial on your website since no one should have to do a whole lot of investigating to find out what you actually do, and she comments on blogs and how they can help you build authority. Julie also encourages listeners to spend at least one hour making their LinkedIn profiles represent them and their companies and to be sure to have at least 500 contacts on LinkedIn. In closing, Julie puts particular emphasis on the importance of networking and building strong online connections with other people and with other companies. Only so much of Julie's vast knowledge on this subject can be shared in twenty minutes, but this is such a fantastic summary and overview, and Andy strongly encourages listeners to not only go back and listen to this episode a second time to take notes but to also go back and listen to Julie's earlier episodes of The Wedding Biz, especially episode 121. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode, and if you can think of at least three good friends who would benefit from listening, share it with them! Andy would also appreciate a positive review wherever you listen to the podcast and for you to go back and listen to some of the interviews in his back catalogue, especially if you're a new listener having just recently come on board! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:43] – Andy reveals that this episode's guest is Julie Novack, C.E.O. and co-founder of PartySlate. [2:12] – Julie starts by talking about how to improve your digital presence via websites. [3:46] – Julie presents the possibility that about 80% of websites miss what she calls the homepage handshake. [5:03] – Julie offers her general opinion on blogs. [5:40] – We are provided with an example of how a blog entry could be helpful. [7:10] – Julie touches upon the importance of marketing yourself on social media, especially Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. [8:53] – Julie addresses the difference in importance between having a personal profile and a business profile on LinkedIn. [9:35] – We are strongly encouraged to occasionally post content on LinkedIn and are told why. [10:36] – Julie encourages us to have at least 500 contacts on LinkedIn. [13:00] – Julie explains the difference between content SEO and technical SEO. [14:32] – We learn what backlinks are and why they are important. [16:08] – With third-party platforms, Julie explains that they tend to be polarizing and why. [19:08] – Julie sums up by encouraging us to think about our online connections and how they can help us. [22:23] – Andy gives Party Slate's contact information.
RESOURCES The Wedding Biz - Episode 121 Julie Novack: PartySlate & Building A Venture-Capital Backed Business
julie@partyslate.com
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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & PartySlate.
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| 372 NSBWEP: The National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals | 12 Jul 2021 | 00:19:24 | |
NSBWEP stands for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals and was created in the summer of 2019. Since the inception of the association, they now have over 135+ Black-owned businesses that represent the industry from the East Coast to the West Coast to include the Caribbean. Membership is based on each business owner passing mandatory credentials and having an exemplary business performance. By the end of 2022, the association is on track to include 300+ businesses! NSBWEP serves as a foundation for its members to build hope, opportunity, community, and more while creating change makers to thrive in this dynamic environment! In this episode of the podcast, Andy chats with Tara Melvin (founder and Creative Director of Perfect Planning Events and founder and President of NSBWEP), Brian Green (Chief Event Architect and creative visionary of By Brian Green LLC and Chairman of the Board of NSBWEP), and Marc Wilson (founder and creative director of The Style Marc and Vice President and founding member of NSBWEP). Tara – who has been in the wedding and events planning industry for nearly two decades - reveals that the NSBWEP arose out of the racial turmoil that we saw last year in 2020 such as the renewed wave of the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd. She talks about the fact that the percentage of Black wedding event professionals being represented tends to be less than 1%, which made her want to create a space for more representation. Marc, who has been in the business for twenty-five years, personally felt that lack of representation in the industry which has made community so important to him in this organization. Tara, Brian, and Marc also talk about the educational programs that they have put in place and share the organization's goals in the future, such as how they want to expand their influence from twenty-three states to forty states and to Canada and even Europe. Andy is so excited about what NSBWEP is doing and respects and admires their mission so much. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss an episode, and if you can think of at least three good friends who would benefit from listening to the podcast, share it with them! Andy would also appreciate a positive review wherever you listen to the podcast! Have you heard about the brand new show on The Wedding Biz Network, Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!
Time Stamps [0:56] – Andy announces the guests of this episode – Tara Melvin, Brian Green, and Marc Wilson of NSBWEP. [2:53] – Tara explains how the NSBWEP came about. [5:21] – Tara reflects on how she had to give a lot of strategic thought to who she would bring on to help her bring about NSBWEP. [6:32] – Brian reveals that NSBWEP is still the only wedding and events planning organization with the mission statement of representing Black wedding and event professionals. [7:25] – Marc touches upon community and how important it is to him. [9:15] – Tara shares some of NSBWEP's biggest accomplishments. [12:11] – We learn more about NSBWEP's mission and initiatives in place for the future. [13:02] – We hear about some of the industry icons that are allied with NSBWEP. [14:09] – Tara asserts that NSBWEP is for all Black wedding and event professionals regardless of how big or small their businesses are or where their businesses are located. [16:38] – We discover how we can learn more about and/or become members of NSBWEP. [18:06] – Andy offers more specifics about how to find NSBWEP online.
By Brian Green LLC - Website
NSBWEP - Website
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