Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 109: The Marketing Secret to Use in Your Messaging – with Kate Storey

Today’s guest first joined us in Episode 79 to share 4 steps to increase website conversions. Now, she’s back to help you create and market your unique story.

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. Additionally, she is the host of The Book More Brides Podcast

In this episode, Kate breaks down the common problems with messaging. These include sounding like competitors, which leads customers to go by price, and presenting product details rather than emotional needs. Specifically, she illustrates why knowing your story is what makes your marketing efforts work without being forced. Read More “WII 109: The Marketing Secret to Use in Your Messaging – with Kate Storey”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 108: Don’t Waste Your Life Not Being Yourself – with Jove Meyer

Judged for being gay, he grew up hating himself and trying to be someone else.  But after years of pretending, he learned that being himself was not only inherently good but also that it authentically fueled his business. 

Now, he uses his brand to show others kindness and respect as well as to empower marginalized communities. Because in the business of love, there’s no room for hate!

Jove Meyer is the visionary behind Jove Meyer Events, a global design firm for those who dare to be different.  In addition to providing planning and design services for events and weddings, Jove Meyer Events offers interior design that fuses intentionality with permanence. Named one of the world’s top planners by Martha Stewart and Harper’s Bazaar, he’s featured in publications such as Domino, Vogue, The New York Times, and The Magnolia Network. This month, he also joins Tara Lipinski and José Rolón in the just-released talk show Wedding Talk (free on Crackle). 

In this episode, Jove explains how being who you are – instead of who you think you should be – is what will create success that matters to you.

Read More “WII 108: Don’t Waste Your Life Not Being Yourself – with Jove Meyer”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 107: Ashley Ebert Shares the 4 Laws of Leadership for Positive Influence

Do you see yourself as a leader? Or do you tell yourself you’re not one? 

If it’s the latter, reject that thinking. 

Because leadership is a learned skill. As today’s guest emphasizes, “it is not an innate personal trait that some people are better leaders than others”. It’s something they were taught

Ready to learn how? It starts here. 

Ashley Ebert is the Owner of The Simply Elegant Group, a wedding planning company with 9 locations and 40 employees that has produced over 4 million in sales.  She is also the Co-Founder of The Abundance Group, which teaches leadership and team development for service based entrepreneurs. With over 13 years of industry experience, she continues to lead the industry and coach creatives to scale their business. 

In this episode, Ashley shares how the work of John Maxwell has inspired both her and her father Dale Henry to teach business owners how to be influential leaders. Specifically, she explains the four pillars of leadership that you can use as you grow your company (remember to check out the Show Notes!).

Read More “WII 107: Ashley Ebert Shares the 4 Laws of Leadership for Positive Influence”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 106: Gain Control of Your Business One SOP at a Time, with Irene Tyndale

To gain control of your business, you need to map out your standard operating procedures (SOPs). Today’s guest explains where you can start.

Irene Tyndale is the Founder and CEO of Irene Tyndale Weddings & Events, an award-winning and full-service boutique event planning firm based in Atlanta. With a background in corporate event planning, Irene has over 20 years of industry experience. Her work has been featured in publications such as Modern Luxury and B Collective. Additionally, she is a leading industry speaker, author, coach, and educator.

In this episode, Irene challenges you to gain control of your business. Specifically, she highlights the importance of building relationships that later yield invaluable referrals, getting clear about the details of your procedures, and knowing your goals.

Read More “WII 106: Gain Control of Your Business One SOP at a Time, with Irene Tyndale”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

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

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.

Read More “WII 105: Nikki Begg On Why You Should Be Kinder to Yourself”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

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

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.

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

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 103: Use Your Greater Vision to Build a Sustainable Business – with Alia Wilson

If you find that you’re fighting imposter syndrome or your vision for your business is vague, then it’s time to figure out what’s driving you at your core.

Alia Wilson is the Owner and Creative Director of Firefly Events, a full-service planning and design company specializing in weddings, parties, and celebrations. With over 11 years of experience, Alia also provides coaching for wedding planners who are looking to grow their businesses. She is recognized as a top planner by BRIDES, Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Martha Stewart Weddings, BizBash, and The Knot. Additionally, Firefly Events has earned features in more than thirty print and digital industry publications. 

In this episode, Alia talks about why building a sustainable business requires having a vision that’s greater than getting higher paying clients. And further, in order to create a job you want to go to, you must pinpoint your core motivation as well as respect the work you do.

Read More “WII 103: Use Your Greater Vision to Build a Sustainable Business – with Alia Wilson”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 102: How to Build and Lead a Successful Team with Jade Robinson

Want to build a team but can’t afford it yet?

Check out this episode to get actionable ways you can build a team from the ground up!

Jade Robinson is the Founder and Lead Planner of J.R. Events, an event management company in Jacksonville, Florida. Jade has over 12 years of experience producing corporate and non-profit events and has been planning weddings since 2015. Currently, she manages a team of 5 lead coordinators and 12 wedding assistants. Additionally, she oversees the intern program for J.R. Events and is a rising industry speaker on the topics of team-building, mindset, and leadership. Notably, J.R. Events has been voted the #1 Event Planner in the 904-area and has won WeddingWire’s Couples Choice Award four times since 2018. 

In this episode, Jade talks about the way that she embraced her own growth in order to build her highly-regarded team. Specifically, she shares the lessons that fueled her team-building success.

Read More “WII 102: How to Build and Lead a Successful Team with Jade Robinson”

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

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

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”