Tag: podcast

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 105: Nikki Begg On Why You Should Be Kinder to Yourself

By Erin Giberson on

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Where’s the whiskey? Where’s the Oreos? 

At the height of lockdown in Bermuda, Nikki Begg found herself refunding previously booked clients over a quarter of a million dollars when they canceled their destination weddings due to COVID-19. Cue skipping fresh produce in favor of liquor and cookies.

But, ultimately, that challenging time helped her discover what she wants moving forward. It includes a career change as well as prioritizing her own happiness.

Now, Nikki is the owner of The Intentional Coach, where she provides coaching services for women who want a reboot. She is also the founder of Bermuda Bride, the premier wedding planning company in Bermuda. With over 23 years of experience, she’s a renowned industry speaker and is featured as an A-List Planner by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.

In this episode, Nikki talks about how she used her experience during the pandemic to launch a new chapter of her career. Specifically, she shares the lessons that help her not only achieve success but also feel content.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 104: Stick Your Foot in the Door Before it Shuts – with Megan Gillikin

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Imagine that you not only quit your job but also took out a small business loan. In addition to that, you’ve only been married for 3 weeks. And then you learn the business you bought is basically sinking. What do you do? Today’s guest made a choice:

“I decided that I was committed to figuring it out, even though the fear of failure and the fear of unknown and the fear of never getting out from underneath the reputation – those fears were super, super strong.”

Megan Gillikin is the founder and owner of The Planner’s Vault, an educational resource and community-based network for wedding planners. She is also the host of the Weddings for Real podcast as well as an industry educator and speaker. Additionally, she is the owner of A Southern Soiree, a wedding and event planning company that she rebranded and revitalized after purchasing it in 2010.

In this episode, Megan shares about the lessons she gained from purchasing and rebranding an existing wedding planning business. Specifically, she talks about how she uses the experience to now help other wedding planners achieve their business goals.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 101: How to Become the CEO of Your Business with Brandee Gaar

By Erin Giberson on

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Ever feel like your business appears successful on the outside but on the inside it’s chaos and weighing on your shoulders?

There’s only so long you can sustain juggling way too many balls. Staying up all night. Working all day. Working seven days a week. The weight of never getting to the bottom of your to-do list. That’s not sustainable long-term.

That’s why this guest explains when she realized she needed to change her business and how she did it.

Brandee Gaar is the founder and CEO of Blush by Brandee Gaar, which offers full-service planning for weddings and events in Central and North Florida. She is also a business coach, speaker, and consultant for wedding planners. Additionally, and with over fifteen years of industry experience, she is the host of the Wedding Pro CEO podcast. 

In this episode, Brandee talks about what you should do to move from overwhelmed and underpaid to a thriving business owner. Specifically, she explains how you should remove yourself from the day-to-day processes of your business.

Read More “WII 101: How to Become the CEO of Your Business with Brandee Gaar” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 097: Carissa Kruse Walks You Through Creating A Lead Generation Funnel

By Erin Giberson on

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When you’re growing your business, it’s tempting to put ads in all the places you think you should. Facebook. Pinterest. Wedding websites. 

But before you direct people to your site, everything else needs to be fine-tuned. Or it’s money wasted.  

That’s why this episode will help you make sure you have the right foundation in place first.

Carissa Kruse is the founder of Weddings by Carue, a multi-state wedding business that offers couples a range of photography, videography, photo booth, and DJ services, as well as invitations. Notably, Weddings by Carue is the winner of WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award and The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” for six consecutive years (2016-2021).  Carissa is also the owner of Carissa Kruse Weddings, which provides education, resources, and coaching for wedding pros and entrepreneurs in the wedding industry. Additionally, she is a sought-after industry speaker who has been featured in numerous publications, including COSMOPOLITAN, Forbes, The Knot, Rent My Wedding, and WeddingWire.

In this episode, Carissa shares the marketing tactics that you need to use in order to scale your business.  Specifically, she walks you through the steps to create a funnel that attracts the leads you want.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 093: Randi Bushell Gives You the 3D Way to Make Faster Design Decisions

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In event design, each decision matters and every decision has so many variables.

That’s why today’s guest shares the tech tool that helps you accurately create and customize your event vision. 

So, just hit play to hear the full details!

Randi Bushell is the Founder and CEO of Merri, a 3D visualization platform made for event planning. With a background in retail and E-Commerce, Randi started Merri after planning her own wedding and finding it difficult to capture her design vision with 2D renderings. Now, she continues to revolutionize event planning with Merri’s all-in-one software solution for visualizing, designing, and booking events.  

In this episode, Randi explains how Merri gives you the tools you need in order to easily create and share customized, 3D event designs with your clients.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 090: Gretchen Culver Dares You to Make Your Life Better with Automation

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For most of us, the biggest problem with automation is finding the time to set it up. 

That’s why it can help to switch your thinking from all or nothing to one thing at a time.

And today’s guest, who owns not one but three companies, encourages you to start by automating just one system in your business. She’s convinced that it will save you time, return the investment, and be what your clients want.

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

Gretchen Culver is the Owner and Creative Director of Rocket Science Events, a planning, design, and production company in Minneapolis. Additionally, she is the owner of two other companies that she began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Minne Weddings and Moon & Star Events. She previously co-founded The Small Wedding Society and is both an industry coach and national speaker.  She is further recognized for her award-winning work in Special Events’ “30 Under 40 to Watch” and BizBash’s “500 Most Influential Event Pros”. BRIDES and Martha Stewart Weddings also list her as a top planner.

In this episode, Gretchen talks about how automating even one aspect of your business will not only help you stay relevant in today’s market but also will free you up for better experiences and more opportunities. Plus, she shares the impact of connecting with industry peers and being herself.

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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 089: Savannah Kilpatrick and Brooke Bowenschulte Empower You to Try New Tech Options for Wedding Planners

By Erin Giberson on

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Do you want to use software programs in your business yet aren’t sure how? Are you using certain apps but want to try something new?

Maybe you’re hesitant to leave what generally works or are worried about onboarding. Perhaps you feel strapped on time. 

In fact, we understand the reasons. We know it’s an investment to try new tech options. And that’s exactly why we’re using this episode to talk about what you can do to get the most out of technology for your business!

So, be sure to tune in!

Savannah Kilpatrick is the Director of Operations for Timeline Genius, a smart software that creates customized wedding day timelines. Savannah began her industry career after interning with CeCe Todd and ultimately launching her own wedding planning and floral design company. She was also previously the Director of Customer Success at Aisle Planner. Now, she oversees the way that Timeline Genius serves its planners as well as how it executes its #smartwithheart mission.

Brooke Bowenschulte is Timeline Genius’ Account Development Manager. Brooke holds a degree in hospitality management and is herself a Certified Wedding Planner. She was also a former Event Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs before working as a Sales Director for a rental company. In her current role with Timeline Genius, Brooke directly demos our software and helps planners learn the specific ways it can support their businesses. 

In this episode, Savannah and Brooke talk about the intersection of the wedding industry and tech software. Specifically, they encourage you to invest in your business by trying out what today’s wedding tech companies have to offer.

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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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Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

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

By Erin Giberson on

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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” →