Weddings For Real

When you feel your phone buzzing, and you look down to see your client's name, what do you think?  Are you worried it’s something bad? What about when you KNOW it’s something bad? The client isn’t happy for whatever reason, and they’re calling to tell you about it.  Do you get a pit in your stomach?  Of course you do, everyone does.  But how do you handle it? Today we're talking to conflict resolution specialist Jen Trotter about what you SHOULD be doing to handle these types of problems. Jen Trotter is a DFW-based Makeup Artist (Lip Service Makeup), Published Writer, Magazine Editor, Communications Consultant and National Speaker. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new.  Today we talk to Las Vegas luxury wedding planner Andrea Eppolito, who was crushing the Vegas wedding scene in 2016 - until she went home and told her husband, "I hate what I'm doing. I hate who I'm doing it for. I hate who I'm doing it with. I just can't function like this." Andrea Eppolito is the founder of Andrea Eppolito Events and the host of the podcast, "Andrea Eppolito | Celebrating Life, Luxury, & Above All Else Love." For previous Unravelings: 156 157 with Adrianna McDermott 161 with Aleya Harris 177 with Sara Margulis This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with n

Do you have money mindset blocks that are preventing your business from growing and preventing you from leading your best life?  Maybe you believe that you don't deserve to charge more yet. Or maybe you believe you shouldn't charge more because you love what you do. Or maybe you think there's a new competitor popping up every day who charges so little, it's not worth it to raise your prices.  I had some major money mindset blocks - until I discovered our guest today, Denise Duffield-Thomas. Denise Duffield-Thomas is the author of Get Rich, Lucky Bitch and Chill and Prosper, and the host of the Chill and Prosper Podcast. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have buil

What makes an amazing wedding experience for our clients and their guests?  Is it the design elements that make them stop in their tracks when they first see the ballroom or the tent, plus the small little details that start multiple conversations throughout the evening?  Is it the logistics of making sure that every vendor is on the same page and the wedding runs smoothly without any confusion or time that seems to drag on?    As we all know, a truly memorable event has both precise logistics and beautiful design elements, but it can be a challenge to marry those two.  So let's find out how to do it! Becca Atchison is the founding partner and creative director of Rebecca Rose Events, and the co-owner of RRE Method. Weddings for Real episode 29: Percentage-based Pricing with Becca Atchison This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest

Hi (First Name), Welcome to the (insert podcast here) Podcast! Are you wondering how to personalize some of your automated touch points with your (insert industry here) clients to make them feel more natural so you can connect with your clients more authentically? Business Operations Consultant and lifelong ease-seeker Charlotte Isaac tells us how. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in

In some exciting news, after 12 years of running A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning, Megan has passed the torch to the next owner. There have been tears of joy, tears of overwhelm, tears of sadness, and tears of laughter. There have been many WTFs, crazy stories, bad decisions, and life-changing moments.  Today, Megan and Jason reflect on the journey and talk about the next chapter. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be aff

Let’s think about the couples who fill out an inquiry form. They’re interested in the specifics of your services and your price point of course, but what they're truly hoping for is a real, meaningful connection.  It’s the longest they’ll work with someone and it’s the most money they’ll spend on one day, so a wedding pro who makes them feel understood, happy, and excited - that’s who they’re going to pick.  But how do you make that connection happen? Michelle Martinez is the host of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast (which has over 300 episodes!). This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client

What are some ways to effectively work with an intern (and not just give them busy work)?  Megan and Gina Annab Johnston offer 6 projects you can give your intern right away! This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul. The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new.  Today we talk to Sara Margulis, who seemingly had it all - a successful business with her husband, TV appearances all over, an investment from Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary, and partnerships with Target and Hilton - but she was deeply in need of getting rid of her old habits to grow professionally and personally.  Sara Margulis is the co-founder and CEO of Honeyfund.  For the wedding planning guide she mentions, head to https://www.honeyfund.com/weddingplanning. For previous Unravelings: 156 157 with Adrianna McDermott 161 with Aleya Harris This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business w

Emma and Molly Gillikin have taken over the podcast to wish all the moms (especially Megan) Happy Mother's Day!

When you’re running a business, it can feel pretty overwhelming -  like you need to do all the things and do them all really well. And even if you’re at the point in your business where you can outsource some, being aware of everything to make the critical decisions can seem exhausting. But the good news is your business can be broken down into just 6 core competencies - and you don't have to be amazing at all of them. Brandee Gaar is a business coach, speaker, and fellow wedding planner. Join the Wedding Pro CEO Summit and get $100 off by using the code "plannersvault". This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred

Let's face it, this is one of the busiest seasons of your career.  It feels like you don't have time for anything other than your clients, but in this solo episode, I'm giving 9 tips for you to become a better wedding pro. Pick a couple to focus on now, then come back once it slows down to implement the rest!   Here’s the link to our 20+ Helpful Email Template Bundle I mentioned in the episode from our shop! This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I

Let’s talk about your brand. Does it reflect who you are as a person and as a company - and does it attract your ideal clients?  Is it something you’re proud of and passionate about, and you truly understand what your colors mean?  Is it consistent throughout your website, your socials, your newsletters, and all the things?  Branding can be super confusing, so that’s why I brought on branding expert Lisa Aihara to give us some answers. Seasonal Brand Personality Workbook and Brand Keyword Workbook This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault i

It’s been 4 years since Weddings for Real came to be. Over the last 4 years we’ve evolved and grown in a lot of ways and today, we’ll share some of our all time favorite AHA-moment episodes, and we invite you to join in on the fun! Episodes mentioned include: 71: Toxic Stress and How It's Killing Your Business, with Therapist and Executive Coach Andy Maurer 73: Relator, Analyzer, Boss, and Dreamer: How to Sell To and Work With the 4 Types of Wedding Clients, with Ideaction's Sam Jacobson 85: What My Children Have Taught ME About Business, with Single Dad Jose Rolon 104: Defining Luxury on Your Own Terms, with The Flower Guy Bron 113: What is Entrepreneurship Costing You? (She Creates Business Podcast with Kinsey Roberts) 119: Preventing Squirrel Brain: Time Blocking and Productivity Tips from Brandee Gaar 140: Daily Routines and Personal Growth for Wedding Pros, with Gurminder Banga 157: Unraveling, with Adrienna McDermott 154: How to shift your business to meet Amazon-addicted couples, with Michel

On last week’s episode, Ashley Ebert gave us the inside scoop on WHY we need to build a team, even though it can be pretty scary.  But what happens when you actually DO start building a team?  How can you create a culture that you can truly be proud of, something that represents both you and your brand, and something that your team, your partners, and your clients can feel?  As we graduate from solopreneurs to leaders, it is our responsibility to create this elusive culture, but most of us aren’t really sure where to start.   Today's guest is Jonathan Aymin (@JonoAymin), Business Owner, Podcast Host (The Venue RX), Author, and Educator, whose mission is to help people build better businesses that allow them to reach their goals quicker - without burnout - in part by improving your hiring and company culture. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault,

When you think about building a team around you, what comes to mind? Is it that your company will be able to work more weddings and you’ll be able to make more money because of it?  Or is it that more team members means more headaches and loss of control? Growth in numbers can be scary, but it doesn't have to be. Today, Ashley Ebert gives us the 3 myths of building a team.   Ashley Ebert is the owner of The Simply Elegant Group and co-founder of The Abundance Group (You can also DM Ashley @TheAbundanceGroup). To learn more about Ashley's 12-week intensive team building program, head on over to ThePlannersVault.com/TeamBuilding.   This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I

As a wedding planner, I’ve found that our jobs are 30% logistics, 30% vision and decor, and about 40% therapy.  If you’re a planner - or wedding vendor who works with couples - you know that there’s stress, disagreements with family members, and quite a few (not happy) tears. I always tell the planners I coach that you can expect some sort of full meltdown one to two weeks before the wedding.  For me 12 years ago, it was about gift bags.  So wouldn’t it be great if we could get some help from someone who’s a certified life coach - someone who specializes in helping couples navigate some of these hard and meltdown-inspiring moments? Kara Ghassabeh is a bridal coach and host of the Whispers to a Bride Podcast. You can find her on instagram where she's @KarahGhassabeh. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics re

One of my least favorite topics in the world to talk about is money. Don’t get me wrong, I love money and all the things money can buy for me and my family. And I love to see that what I’m charging for weddings - and what my coaching clients are charging for weddings - continues to increase. But the analysis of budgets and payroll and credit and assets….well, it’s not my superpower. So recently I hired an accountant who’s willing to take the time to talk strategy - to someone who's "not a numbers person" - in words I can actually understand. Danielle Hayden is the CEO of Kickstart Accounting (subscribe to the newsletter!) and host of the Entrepreneur Money Stories Podcast. Follow Kickstart on instagram @KickstartAccounting. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a success

One of the most frequent questions we get in The Planners Vault is, How can I get on the preferred vendor list at the best wedding venue in my market?  Or even before getting on the preferred vendor list, how do I even get the venue coordinators to know who I am?   It’s not as simple as sending an email to introduce yourself. So what do you do?  Shannon Tarrant has some actionable tips - and mistakes to avoid. Wedding Venue Map | @WeddingVenueMap | @TheVenuePlaybook This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (al

"Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, 'Make me feel important.' Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life." - Mary Kay Ash Keep that quote in mind for this solo episode, as Megan Gillikin is giving her 5 tips for getting more referrals from your fellow wedding pros. This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community