Weddings for Real

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 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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Rachel Sheerin, keynote speaker and Megan's first business coach, is guest-hosting this episode. She comes from a wedding background before shifting into corporate events and eventually speaking on the biggest stages.

Today, Rachel brings on Carrie Davenport to discuss how wedding vendors can start adding corporate events to their portfolios and revenue streams.

Carrie Davenport is an accomplished event planner, speaker, leadership coach, and writer with extensive experience in the corporate events, association events, and weddings. She cofounded the Association for Women in Events and currently serves as the lead meeting planner for Altria Group Distribution Company. 
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

"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.

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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

On this episode (listen to part 1 here), we ask engaged couples the questions you can’t really ask when they reach out to you. But we can!  Questions like:

• How are you finding your wedding vendors? Instagram? Website? TikTok?
• Do you need to see pricing on the website?
• Do you want a consultation call, or do you just want info sent by email?
• How do you determine budget? And how has it evolved?
• What's something you wish wedding vendors would do differently?

Every year we do this, and every year this is one of our most downloaded episode. So tune in to go inside the buying minds of engaged couples!

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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

On this episode, we ask engaged couples the questions you can’t really ask when they reach out to you. But we can!  Questions like:

• How are you finding your wedding vendors? Instagram? Website? TikTok?
• Do you need to see pricing on the website?
• Do you want a consultation call, or do you just want info sent by email?
• How do you determine budget? And how has it evolved?
• What's something you wish wedding vendors would do differently?

Every year we do this, and every year this is one of our most downloaded episode. So tune in to go inside the buying minds of engaged couples!

---

Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

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 feature Inez Ribustello, whose unraveling started back on September 11, 2001, when she lost nearly all of her colleagues in the terrorist attacks. At 25 years old, Inez had hustled her way up the ranks to be the beverage director at Windows on the World, a restaurant and entertainment venue located on the 106th and 107th floors of the North Tower. When the attacks happened, Inez and her husband Stephen - who was the sommelier for Windows on the World - happened to be at her sister’s wedding back home in North Carolina.

Instead of slowing down to grieve, Inez kept hustling - and it's only now that she's beginning to process everything that happened.

Inez Ribustello Website | Instagram | Life After Windows | On the Square: The Community That Made a Restaurant

For previous Unravelings:
156
157 with Adrianna McDermott
161 with Aleya Harris
177 with Sara Margulis
184 with Andrea Eppollito
188 with Ashlyn Carter
191 with Kristen Mullins aka "The Pie Lady"
193 with Rachel DeAlto
197 with Sandra Cassios
208 with Brian Green
218 with Nellie Butler
238 with Natalie Franke
245 with Michelle Norwood
253 with Amber Melanie Smith

(01:20) What's an Unraveling? 
(02:15) "With shock came a lot of anger"
(06:00) Finding the right next job
(10:00) Going back to Tarboro North Carolina to start a restaurant
(14:10) "We had zero tools in our toolbox for what we were doing.
(18:00) Throwing in the towel - on the businesses, on the marriage
(24:30) The case for therapy
(27:30) Why one investor refused to keep working with Inez
(30:30) Inez's new 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 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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.p

With finances, I still have blocks (listen to the intro) preventing me from fully feeling comfortable and empowered when it comes to things like tax planning, KPIs, and projections.

I’ve learned through conversations with wedding pros and my own real life experiences that overwhelm can lead to avoidance, so my goal is to make conversations like this one easy to digest and not something you run the other way while covering your ears.

Because as business owners, we really can’t do that. Fortunately, today’s guest Tatiana Podel is someone who explains everything in a way that anyone can understand.

Common Tax Deduction Guide

(00:00) Getting kicked out of my MBA finance class
(04:00) "It truly does not have to be very complicated." + Tip #1
(13:40) Tip #2 - Budgeting and forecasting
(24:00) Tip #3 - Outsourcing and delegating
(30:40) Tip #4 - Understanding your KPIs
(35:00) "Don't spend $1 to save 25 cents."
(37:30) The tax bill is never that big...unless you're surprised by it
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Today we're tackling engagement and booking season, and I'm going to share three strategies and mindset shifts that will help your business stand out, resonate more with your ideal clients, and help you book more easily this year - no matter what vendor category you're in.

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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

At the end of last year, I sent out a survey to my email list asking them to share what they want more of and what they want less of in 2024. And at the end, I had a spot for them to share openly about anything they had on their mind, or share a question they want me to answer.

There were so many great questions that I decided to kick off this year with a few of those questions in an ask me anything style podcast episode!

We'll get into:
(04:15) How can wedding pros do a better job of selling their service, but at the same time, educating the client on a specific overall wedding budget they require in their market?
(10:25) Do I really need to overhaul my wardrobe to attract more luxury clients?
(15:00) How do you continue growth at the beginning without feeling like you have to drop thousands of dollars to market and grow?
(20:50) What was the one thing that changed your wedding planning business from regular to being booked out all the time while still increasing your prices?

You don't want to miss:
Free Training Thursday, January 18th at 3:00pm ET
The Planner's Vault Challenge, January 16th to 18th - Use the Code "WFR20"

Episodes referenced:
211. Live Interviews: Inside the (Buying) Mind of Engaged Couples

212. 4 Sales Mistakes Wedding Pros Make, with Sam Jacobson

254. Book the Top Package, from the Own Your Business 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 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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Megan and Jason Gillikin talk about their wins for 2023, their misses, most memorable moments, and goals for 2024.  Tune in and reflect along. Share your 2023 reflections on social media @weddingsforreal.

Past Year-End Recaps:

2022 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018

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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

This week, we're taking a little adventure to explore the not-so-glamorous side of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life. I'm thrilled to share an episode with you where for the first time ever my husband Jason and I teamed up as guests on another entrepreneur podcast called  Hustle + Gather.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at being busy entrepreneurs and parents, all while trying to keep our relationship strong. We haven’t got it all figured out yet (who does?), but we dished out some nuggets of wisdom that I think you’ll find super helpful. 

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Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of raw honesty and ultimate redemption in this episode with Jason and Megan Gillikin! This power couple's fairy-tale relationship took a tumultuous turn when entrepreneurship and parenting collided head-on. Tune in as they share their journey share their journey from an idyllic beginning of ease in their relationship, to the challenges they faced as both entrepreneurs and parents, to how they rebuilt their connection stronger than ever. This episode isn't just about entrepreneurship; it's a story of love, struggle, and the unbreakable bond that can emerge when partners weather the storm together. Whether you're an entrepreneur, parent, or simply someone navigating the complexities of modern relationships, this episode promises real talk and actionable insights that'll leave you inspired and ready to conquer any partnership challenge that comes your way.

This episode of Hustle and Gather was hosted by Dana Kadwell and honorary sister Jessica Lee and is produced by Earfluence.

Check out their other hustles!

•  C&D Events 
• The Bradford Wedding Venue
• Anthem House
• Hustle and Gather

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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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Today we’re sharing an episode of the Own Your Business Podcast, which I was a guest on earlier this year. My friend Sam Jacobson and I talk about how wedding pros can book more couples at higher packages. This has nothing to do with "sales tactics". It’s all about empathy and understanding customer needs, creating an effective pricing proposal, and challenging customers during the discovery call.

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Booking more events is a good goal for any wedding pro. But as your business grows and you start filling your calendar, it’s super important to get more from each date you book. 

It’s the only way you can live the fantasy of “work less, make more.”

Unfortunately, many wedding pros get in their own way when it comes to booking higher packages. Some of it is mindset. Some of it is bad pricing and package design.

In this week’s episode, I talk with my friend and fellow educator, Megan Gillikin, about what stands in your way of getting more for the dates you fill - and what to do about it.

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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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

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 feature Amber Melanie Smith, the Founder and Executive Director of Activate Good, a non-profit she has run for her entire adult life.

As you can imagine, fighting the good fight can be exhausting, and she was burning out. Amber was tired of seeing the vicious cycle of non-profit workers staying below the poverty line. She was tired of thinking about work all the time. She was tired of feeling defeated all the time.

So Amber chose a radical path to fight burnout - a strategy you probably haven’t heard on podcasts or at conferences before. I know I hadn't.

Resources Mentioned
Amber Melanie Smith on Youtube (50K+ Subscribers)
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork, by Dan Sullivan

For previous Unravelings:
156
157 with Adrianna McDermott
161 with Aleya Harris
177 with Sara Margulis
184 with Andrea Eppollito
188 with Ashlyn Carter
191 with Kristen Mullins aka "The Pie Lady"
193 with Rachel DeAlto
197 with Sandra Cassios
208 with Brian Green
218 with Nellie Butler
238 with Natalie Franke
245 with Michelle Norwood

(01:20) What's an Unraveling? 
(02:40) What You Don't Know About Non-Profits
(07:20) The Gut Punch That Convinced Amber that Something Radical Had to Happen
(11:15) "You have to understand that I am a recovering workaholic"
(14:15) How can you take the first steps toward a sabbatical?
(17:20) What about the solopreneurs out there?
(22:40) What did the sabbatical look like? What did Amber actually do?
(30:30) What's happened since she's been back?

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.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

It's Hot Takes Time. I'll be talking about some common business advice that I think is garbage, my best advice for hiring new team members, one hard lesson I had to learn this year in business, the goal strategy I swear by, and the biggest mistake I see business owners making right now.

Previous Hot Takes Episodes:
224. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 1)
225. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 2)
246. Hot Takes on Tech and AI for Wedding Pros, with Dawn Richardson

(02:10) The biggest mistake wedding pros are making right now is _________
(06:30) This common business advice is complete garbage. 
(09:10) Best advice for hiring new team members
(13:00) The easiest way to lose trust with your client is _________
(16:40) The hardest lesson you've had to learn this year in your business is ________
(22:30) "The one and only Renee Diallo!"
(25:10) What is a goal setting strategy that you swear by? 
(29:00) What is the worst client experience you've ever had? 
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Rate This Podcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

I’m getting lots of DMs and questions about building relationships and superfans and thought that sharing an episode I was a guest on from earlier this year would be a great listen for you this week!  So if building more meaningful relationships that fuel your business growth is on your radar for 2024, this episode is for you!

So today, you’ll be hearing from The Brands that Book Podcast with Davey Jones where I was a guest this past summer talking about creating relationships intentionally that help grow your business.   
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Relationships and content are key when it comes to running a successful business and if you've listened to this podcast, it's something you've heard us say many times before. In today's episode, we're discussing the relationship side of that equation.

Megan Gillikin of The Planner's Vault, joins me to discuss how you can make building relationships your business's superpower. We discuss the importance of building relationships, and how it turned around her business, the impact relationships can have on business, and practical tips for building strong relationships.

As always, links and resources can be found in the show notes. Check ‘em out at https://daveyandkrista.com/building-relationships-business-superpower-btb-194/ 

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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Rate This Podcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Hey friends! Today's episode is a short roundup of a few things I want to share with you, including my thoughts on my upcoming trip to Wedding MBA, my recent Planners Vault Workcation, tips for you on planning your own Workcation, and a quick hitting conversation with my friend Ashley Ebert of The Abundance Group on how to know if you've hired the right team member.

Resources Mentioned:
Ashley Ebert's Training: November 14th, 11:00 am CT - #1 Secret to Building High-Performing Teams
Wedding MBA Bash Tuesday November 7th, 6PM-8PM, Renaissance Hotel Las Vegas
ClarityCoworking.com - November 13th-15th 2023 - a high-value, pitch-free education and coworking experience crafted for dedicated wedding pros like you.

Previous Episodes Mentioned
143. Do You Need a Workcation? Yes, You Do!

244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat 

(01:30) What's happening at Wedding MBA (I'll be up on stage 3 times in 24 hours!)
(04:00) What happened at the recent Planner's Vault Workcation?
(07:30) How do you build a team? And what happens when you hire the wrong person? (Interview with Ashley Ebert)
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Rate This Podcast

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

After 12 years as a wedding planner, I can say this with deep conviction.  The number one way I built my business from unknown and scrappy to respected, referred and booked out year after year - was from referrals. These referrals were what allowed me to be able to hire team members, raise our rates and eventually sell my business last year so I could focus full time on education and support for wedding pros. When I sold, we were charging premium pricing, we had venue partnerships with a few high end venues in my market and we paid zero dollars a year for advertising.  

I want to share some of my top strategies with you today to help you lean into this area in your own business.

Resources Mentioned:
Wedding MBA Bash Tuesday November 7th, 6PM-8PM, Renaissance Hotel Las Vegas
SusanSoutherlandWorkshops.com - Cashing in on Corporate Clients opens on November 30, 2023
ClarityCoworking.com - November 13th-15th 2023 - a high-value, pitch-free education and coworking experience crafted for dedicated wedding pros like you.

(05:30) Leaning into relationships with your current clients
(11:30) Leaning into relationships with vendors
(19:20) The case for corporate, with Susan Southerland
(32:45) Next level vendor relationship building
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Over the years, I've had countless conversations with wedding pros about the constant challenge of nailing down their business messaging and how they are perceived in their market. While the landscape of marketing as a whole has evolved, the core issues remain unchanged.

So, what's on every wedding pro's mind?  I hear questions like:  

• Where should I invest my time or growing my business?
• What should I showcase on my website to attract the ideal clients and repel the wrong ones?
• How can I guide my team to embrace our brand messaging and differentiators?

Well today, we’re in some pretty good company, as public relations expert Natalie Denyse is on to share how she’s guiding her clients through these challenges.

In Good Company PR | Instagram

Resource Mentioned:
What is Your Wedding Pro Superpower?

(01:45) Introducing Natalie Denyse
(02:45) The recession fears and wedding gap are a gift?
(06:00) "Pretend every person has a sign around their neck that says, 'Make me feel important'"
(07:00) What questions should we be asking in discovery calls or client kickoffs?
(18:30) Why should you say "yes" to working with couples?
(22:10) What is your wedding pro superpower?
(27:30) How do you exhibit brand standards to your team?
(30:45) Can you articulate your company vision?
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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Are you struggling to balance too many commitments with a never ending to-do list? (Raising my hand with you)

Maybe you're feeling that that stress is in an all time high. and you're paddling through the Sea of Overwhelm with a leaky boat.

Well today, I've got 10 stress-reducing tips to help you through!

Episodes Mentioned:
244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat
236. Life For Real Series: Miscommunications, Mental Load, and Meltdown Moments, with Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy D

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Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.

Weddings for Real on Social Media:

Instagram: @weddingsforreal

Facebook: @weddingsforreal

twitter: @weddingsforreal

Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

It's time for some more hot takes, this time with the Tech Savvy Creative, and all about the latest tech and AI trends in our industry.  We’ll be answering questions like:

• Is AI all it’s cracked up to be? 
• What apps are overrated, and what apps are overlooked? 
• And maybe most importantly, what happens when dozens of people recommend hundreds of different apps and it all becomes overwhelming? Where do you even start?!?!

Tech Savvy Creative | instagram | Free AI Toolkit for Creatives

Previous Hot Takes
224. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 1)
225. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 2)

(01:40) Introducing Dawn Richardson, the Tech Savvy Creative
(03:00) AI will never replace a wedding pro when it comes to (blank)
(08:15) The most underrated AI application for reaching your ideal client as a wedding professional is (blank)
(13:15) This common tech advice for wedding pros is complete garbage
(16:50) The smartest money you can spend on tech for business growth is on (blank)
(28:00) Stop using (blank) and start implementing (blank) tools when working with clients
(29:30) What is your favorite must have time saving tech tool? 
(31:45) The easiest way to frustrate your peers in the industry with tech is (blank)
(38:30) The biggest tech mistake that wedding pros are making is (blank)
(43:15) Is there a good market research tool for the wedding industry?
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Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.