Author: Erin Giberson

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 079: Kate Storey Gives You 4 Steps to Convert Website Traffic into Sales

By Erin Giberson on

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As a planner, do you ever struggle with getting the right clients? Such as the ones you want to work with because they resonate with you? Or, are you hesitant to turn away clients, even if you know they aren’t the right fit? This guest understands. Even more, she tells you how to fix it. 

So, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Kate Storey and her husband Nick are co-owners of Book More Brides, a marketing firm that specializes in helping wedding planners attract and book their ideal client couples. Kate is a digital marketing specialist, copywriter, and social media expert: overall, her passion is helping wedding business owners stand out from the crowd. Additionally, she is the host of The Book More Brides Podcast. With nearly 20 years of experience, she knows how to help you connect at a deeper level with the customers you want.

In this episode, Kate explains why you should answer the emotional needs of your clients. In fact, she wants you to clarify what you will do for them and how they will feel as a result. Specifically, she gives you 4 steps you can use right now to make sure your website will book more brides.

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Certified Timeline Genius

Congratulations to Our Certified Timeline Geniuses!

By Erin Giberson on

 

Did you know that you can become a Certified Timeline Genius? With Timeline Genius, you can become a certified expert at creating wedding day timelines!

In fact, we’re proud to show off the profiles and spotlight pages of our newest Certified Timeline Geniuses – right here! Just click on the links below to learn more about each wedding planning professional.

Congratulations to all our amazing planners who became Certified Timeline Geniuses this week! We applaud you for strengthening your timeline creation skills and elevating the standards for our industry!

Are you ready to become a Certified Timeline Genius? Get your own certification at https://weddingtimelinecertification.com/

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 078: Wendy Kay Reveals How She Gained a Positive Money Mindset

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Do you ever feel like you’re great at planning but “bad at money”? It’s a common issue, yet it’s holding you back. Want to hear this guest share her tips for how to take control of your money?

Then, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Wendy Kay is the Owner and Creative Director of Birds of a Feather, a Dallas-based wedding planning firm. She is also the founder of Partridge and Pear Weddings, an event management studio. Wendy brings a decade of experience in producing, editing, and directing live television to her nearly 11 years of leadership in the wedding industry.  She was named a Top Wedding Planner and Event Designer Worldwide by Martha Stewart Weddings. Additionally, she was recognized as a Best Wedding Planner in America by BRIDES.

In this episode, Wendy talks about developing a good money mindset, charging what you’re worth, and investing in yourself. Specifically, she advises you to make sound financial management your top priority.

READ MORE “WII 078: Wendy Kay Reveals How She Gained a Positive Money Mindset” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 077: Tara Melvin Advises You to Learn and Network Like a CEO

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When it comes to small business success, having a great product – or being a great planner – isn’t all it takes. The truth is that running a business requires its own skill-set. And this guest is here to tell you how to gain it through transformational learning.

So, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Tara Melvin is the Principal Planner & Designer of Perfect Planning Events, an award-winning event planning firm in the Washington DC metro area. She is also the Founder and Organizer of The Signature CEO Conference, an educational platform and annual event designed to help creative entrepreneurs ignite business acumen and leadership skills. Additionally, she is the Founder and President/CEO of The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals (NSBWEP). Considered the Olivia Pope of Events, she was named the 2021 WeddingPro Fellowship for Change Mentor and was listed in BizBash’s 2020 List of 500 Most Influential Event Professionals.

In this episode, Tara talks about the importance of concrete business ownership skills as well as the power of networking. Plus, she shares the branding and selling tips that will help you stand out from the crowd.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 076: Elizabeth Priya Kumar Inspires You to Crush Fear with This Game-changing Mindset

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Do you question what your clients might think of the real you? Or study others to figure out what you should do? Are you curious to hear how this guest faced these same questions but then rejected this way of thinking?

Then be sure to hit play – because this episode is one you don’t want to miss!

Elizabeth Priya Kumar is the Founder and CEO of Premini Events, an award-winning event planning and creative service agency. With offices in both NYC and Los Angeles, Priya has over a decade of experience in producing luxury weddings around the world. In addition, the Wedding International Planners Association named her the 2019 Planner of the Year.

Currently, Priya serves on the Board of Directors for the NYC Chapter of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association. Her work has also been featured in countless publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Town & Country, BRIDES, The New York Times, Refinery29, Party Slate, South Asian Bride Magazine, TLC’s Four Weddings, Strictly Weddings, and The Knot.

In this episode, Priya shares how truly being herself has shaped her company. Specifically, she talks about the mindset of belief, surrender, and gratitude that fuels her success.

READ MORE “WII 076: Elizabeth Priya Kumar Inspires You to Crush Fear with This Game-changing Mindset” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 075: Eddie Babbage and Brooke Richie-Babbage Reveal Their Most Valuable Lessons as Entrepreneurs

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You know that Timeline Genius saves you time and easily creates professional, personalized timelines. But did you know the story of how Timeline Genius became the company it is today? If you’re a wedding planner, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, we think you’ll want to hear this interview.

So, we invite you to tune in for our very special 75th podcast episode with Eddie Babbage and Brooke Richie-Babbage!

Eddie is the Founder of Timeline Genius, a software company that’s 100% dedicated to making it easy to create customized wedding timelines. A graduate of both Duke and Harvard Law School, Eddie is a serial entrepreneur and former lawyer. Inspired by conversations with hundreds of planners, he created the Timeline Genius software to streamline the process of creating personalized timelines.

Brooke is a strategic coach and executive consultant for nonprofit leaders around the country. With degrees from Yale, Harvard, and Harvard Law School, Brooke’s experience includes starting her own nonprofit and supporting Timeline Genius. She also hosts the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast.

In this episode, Eddie and Brooke talk about the foundation and mission of Timeline Genius. In particular, they share about their experience as entrepreneurs and why Timeline Genius is, above all, smart with heart.

READ MORE “WII 075: Eddie Babbage and Brooke Richie-Babbage Reveal Their Most Valuable Lessons as Entrepreneurs” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 074: Laurie Arons Discusses the Importance of Loving What You Do and Taking Risks

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What do you think is the most important factor in a wedding planner’s success? This week’s guest, whose clientele includes Sofia Coppola, Vanessa Getty, and Christy Turlington, says it all comes down to her love for bringing people together and creating once-in-a-lifetime moments.

So, be sure to tune in, because this episode is one you don’t want to miss!

Laurie Arons is the Founder of Laurie Arons Special Events, a full-service event planning company based in California. With over 25 years of industry experience, Laurie is also an educator who designs and hosts an annual destination Wedding Planner Masterclass.  Additionally, she is recognized in three premier lists of top wedding planners: Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Harper’s Bazaar. In similar fashion, her work is featured in countless publications, including W, Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, C Weddings, People, Glamour, Town & Country Weddings, Geraldine Magazine and InStyle Weddings.

In this episode, Laurie talks about how her love of wedding planning motivates everything else, including launching her company and tackling the design challenges that have made her a leader in the wedding industry.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 073: Leah Weinberg Gets Candid About the Emotional Cost of Wedding Planning

By Erin Giberson on

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Know the feeling of taking the blame, as a wedding planner, for something that wasn’t really your fault? Wondering how to combat the emotional overwhelm that’s sometimes par for the course? 

If so, then be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Leah Weinberg is the Owner and Creative Director of Color Pop Events. A former commercial real estate attorney, Leah has quickly become a wedding planning industry leader. She has been recognized in BizBash’s Top 500 Event Pros in the US as well as “25 Young Event Pros to Watch” by Special Events Magazine. She is also the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster, and her planning tips have been featured in publications such as Vogue, The New York Times, CNBC, and People.

In this episode, Leah talks about the emotional territory of wedding planning – for both couples and planners – and explains ways to navigate it. Additionally, she breaks down how to maximize the value of producing your own styled shoots.

READ MORE “WII 073: Leah Weinberg Gets Candid About the Emotional Cost of Wedding Planning” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 072: Tasha Bracken Challenges You to Invest in the Brand That You Want to Build

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Feel like you’ve ramped up your business too quickly? Or like you’ve given so much you’re burned-out?

If so, then be sure to listen to this podcast episode!

Tasha Bracken is the Owner and Principle Event Producer at Tasha Bracken Events and the Founder of Protégé Collaborative for Planners. She has almost two decades of experience in event planning, and her work has been featured in numerous publications such as Style Me Pretty and Carats & Cake. With a background in PR and Marketing, Tasha is an industry expert in producing weddings as well as nonprofit galas. She has also won the NACE Boston chapter award Wedding of the Year five times.

In this episode, Tasha talks about the way that she rebranded her business and refreshed her love of event production.

READ MORE “WII 072: Tasha Bracken Challenges You to Invest in the Brand That You Want to Build” →