Who is your ideal client?Maybe you’ve got it nailed down or maybe you've never thought about this before. Even if you do have an idea of who your ideal client is, this is something that is constantly evolving.In this episode, we’re covering who your ideal client is, how to talk to your ideal client, and how to create your ideal client. I’m also sharing examples of my ideal clients for each of my businesses and everything that I think about when I’m creating my ideal client. A considerable part of creating your ideal client is knowing who you are as a business and your mission. The clearer you are on who you are and what you want, the easier it will be to envision your ideal client. Tune in to get started! I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Are you ready to be the wedding professional that everyone is talking about?In this episode, I’m joined by wedding-professional mentor Carin Hunt to talk about how to become the wedding pro on everyone's lips. Getting the word out about your business goes beyond pretty logos and websites. There’s only so much you can do before you actually have to start putting yourself in front of people, but that can be scary, right? Let’s make it less scary together. Find out how to get the word out about your business, make genuine connections with ideal clients, and get more referrals so that you can establish yourself as the go-to wedding expert in your field. Carin Hunt is a seasoned mentor for wedding professionals with over 14 years of experience in the industry. Her time conducting creative events in the corporate setting inspired her entrepreneurial spirit, so she built a 6-figure destination wedding business that still stands today. Although Carin has retired from planning, she now empowers wedding professionals to find confidence in their business through proven strategies and powerful connections. Her mission is to expand community and collaboration in order to level up the industry as a whole.Topics covered in this episode include:How to let people know what you doGetting the word out about your business to the right peopleEffective ways to make connections with ideal clientsIf you’re not sure how to start putting yourself out there, start here. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Carin’s Website: www.carinhunt.comGet the Be the Gossip Workbook: https://creative-speaker-4528.ck.page/be-the-gossip Listen to Carin’s Podcast: https://celebrationpropodcast.buzzsprout.com/Join the Celebration Pros Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/502691684914836Follow @celebrationpros on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrationpros/ How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes: https://a.co/d/2xr1JFHShow notes available at https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you get overwhelmed trying to create content for all the platforms? If you do, are you repurposing the content you already have?In this episode of Design Your Business, Amy Leisner and I are teaching you how to show up more for your audience without burning out trying to create new content. You’ll learn how to take the content you already have and use it in multiple areas of your business to create more engagement and reach more people. Amy is a copywriter, online marketing strategist, and founder of A18 Media. She helps coaches show up for their business with authority, consistency, and authenticity, all while making marketing fun again!Topics covered in this episode include:How repurposing content works What to look for in your content when you’re repurposing Why it’s good to post the same thing in multiple placesIf you’re ready to simplify your marketing strategy while generating more content, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Amy’s Website: https://a18media.com/Show notes available at https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

When was the last time you updated your contracts?This episode is about ensuring that your contracts are in tip-top shape and that you are covered when things go awry. Let’s face it, not everything is within our control; sometimes things go wrong. What is within your control is how you are legally protecting yourself from the fallout if something does go wrong when you’re working with a client. Our guest for this episode, Leah Weinberg, is an attorney and wedding planner, so she knows all about how to protect yourself in this industry. In this episode, she’s sharing her tips on what to include in your contracts, what mistakes to avoid, and how to choose your policies. Leah Weinberg is an attorney, the owner of Color Pop Events (a New York City-based wedding planning company), and the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster. Her colorful work and party-planning tips have been published online and in print with Vogue, The New York Times, People, CNN, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among many others. As a WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020, Leah travels throughout the country sharing insight with her peers regionally, as well as at national conferences such as ALT Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.If it’s been a while since you gave your contracts a refresh, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Color Pop Events: www.colorpopevents.com Show notes available at https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you want to know a simple way to upgrade your marketing content? In this episode, we are talking about all things branding photography. But who needs branding photography? When should you get it done? How do you know you’re going to like the photos? Find the answers to these questions and more in this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast. Cayla and David Cummings from Carhart Photography are here to share their insider industry knowledge to help you get the best results from your branding photoshoot. Cayla and David Cummings are the founders and CEOs of Carhart Photography, a multi-six-figure wedding photography and videography team business based in Austin, Texas. Topics covered in this episode include:What to expect from a branding photoshootSurprising benefits of having brand photos Why a headshot isn’t enough Are you ready to step up your image with branding photography? Let’s dive in. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit the Carhart Collective Website: www.CarhartCollective.com Visit the Carhart Photography Website: www.CarhartPhotography.com Follow @thecarhartcollective on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarhartcollective/Follow @carhartphotography on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carhartphotography/Follow Carhart Photography on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarhartPhotography/Follow @carhartphotography on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carhartphotography?lang=enSubscribe to the Carhart Photography YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@carhartphotography Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What is a content creator and how do you use one in your business?Is a content creator the same as an influencer? What about a photographer or videographer? Do I really need all of them? I set out to answer all these questions and more in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business with the help of Seattle-based content creator Sheena Kalso. Sheena is here to walk you through everything you need to know about working with a content creator to get the best return on your investment.Topics covered in this episode include:A mind-blowing statistic that reveals the effectiveness of Instagram stories How content creators are changing the wedding and events industry The most effective sales tool that you already have at your disposal An underutilized Instagram feature you should start using If you’re looking for innovative ways to grow your audience and increase your sales, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Sheena’s Website: www.sheenakalsocreates.comShow notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

If you could sit down with a human resources professional, what would you ask them?This episode on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast is your opportunity to spend 30 minutes with your very own HR representative. Deliece Knights-Barnett is here to teach you everything you need to know about hiring and managing employees with professionalism and efficiency. Deliece Knights-Barnett is the founder of Dhalia Events, a wedding planning and production company based in the Hudson Valley, New York. She is also the vice president of HR for a half-billion-dollar company in the creative side of the consumer packaged goods industry.Topics covered in this episode include:Tips and tricks to know when it’s time to hire someone The difference between an employee and a contractor What to do if things are going wrong with your new hire If you’re getting ready to make a hire, now is the perfect time for you to listen to this episode. Tune in to get your HR questions answered. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Deliece’s Website: www.dhaliaevents.com Follow @dhaliaevents on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhaliaevents/ Follow Dhalia Events on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dhaliaevents/ Follow @dhaliaevents on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dhaliaevents?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Follow Dhalia Events on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dhaliaplanned Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Pop the champagne and cut the cake because it’s the Design Your Wedding Business podcast’s second anniversary!Things are going to be changing around here, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to sit down for a chat and talk about how far the podcast has come and what direction it’s headed in. I’m so excited to talk to you about what I have planned for year three, so don’t go anywhere because it might just be the best year yet.Topics covered in this episode include:Never-before-shared stats that you’ve helped me achieve by listening to my podcastTelltale signs you need help with your businessAn insider look at the process that goes into designing your dream business If you’re someone who’s curious about the stats and behind-the-scenes of other people’s businesses (I know I am) then you’ll enjoy this one! I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Schedule a Free Consultation: https://bit.ly/OperationalAuditShow notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you dream of being the wedding planner who all the local wedding professionals want to work with? Listen up! In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, I’m connecting with DJ Craig Slater to learn about his corner of the industry and discuss how we as wedding planners can better serve our clients and build stronger relationships with other wedding professionals. He’s sharing everything you need to know about working with a wedding DJ, including great tips on communication, meetings, scheduling, and more!Craig has been DJing all over the Pacific Northwest for more than 20 years. He worked with clients such as Microsoft, XBOX, Starbucks, and Nintendo before pivoting to weddings which turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions he’s ever made.Topics covered in this episode include:An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a wedding DJWhat DJs want your clients to know One foolproof way to avoid a music-related meltdown on the big dayAre you ready to have the best work relationships of your career? Trust me, the DJs and other wedding professionals in your network will thank you for listening to this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Craig’s Website: www.bugsieproductions.comShow notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Are you considering diversity and inclusivity in your wedding planning process? In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, De Evans and I discuss the promotion of diversity and inclusivity, how to diversify your network of wedding professionals, and how to ensure that your weddings are inclusive for all guests and vendors. De Evans Events creates epic weddings for epic couples. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword to them—it’s the heartbeat of their business. They are opening doors to creativity and collaboration by embracing diversity in all its forms. Topics covered in this episode include:Surprising ways inclusivity makes your job better One thing on your website that could be causing you to lose clients Unique questions to ask your couples to make them feel seenEven if you consider yourself an inclusive service provider, there could be groups of people that you’re not factoring into your plans. Don’t miss this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Visit De’s Website: https://www.deevansevents.com/ Follow @deevansevents on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deevansevents/Follow De Evans Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deevansevents Inclusivity guide: Terms & Resources for Inclusive Wedding ProsShow notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

When was the last time you took a vacation?Summer is approaching and wedding season is ramping up at the same time, so you might be wondering how to take time for yourself and your family while still working with clients and getting everything done. In this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, I’m sharing my advice on how to take a vacation even when you think you’re too busy to do so.  I’m also giving you my tips for working on vacation if that’s something you choose to do. We’re talking about schedules, boundaries, relationships, and more! Topics covered in this episode include:How I plan my day if I’m working on vacation Preparing your clients and team members for your time away Setting boundaries and expectations for your vacation If you’re a chronic overworker who never takes time for yourself, this is a message you need to hear. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What’s it like to work with a wedding photographer?In this series on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, I’m connecting with one wedding professional each week to talk about how we as wedding planners can better educate ourselves and our clients about different areas of the industry. In this episode, we’re learning all about wedding photography from Amy Soper. Amy is a Woodinville wedding photographer capturing joyful photos for all humans who delight in connection, individuality, furry friends, and a good laugh.Topics covered in this episode include:Finding a photographer who is a good fit for your coupleWhat to expect when you’re working with a photographerPlanning enough time for photos on the wedding dayIf you have questions about how to reach out to and work with a wedding photographer, you’ve come to the right place.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Amy’s Website: www.soperphotography.com Follow @yourfriendtographer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfriendtographerFollow Amy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amysoperphotography Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How do you know if you are moving in the right direction?KPIs (key performance indicators) are the best way to see how your business is doing. Tayler Cusick-Hollman is returning to the Design Your Wedding Business podcast to teach you what KPIs are, which ones you need to know, and how to use them. If you have a hard time figuring out what marketing strategies are working well for you, this episode is going to set you on the right track. Tayler has got your back when it comes to simple and understandable marketing strategies. She knows how many other things you have to worry about in your business and complicated marketing is not something anyone has time for. Tayler is a marketing consultant, small-business builder, and founder of Enji: a suite of online marketing tools that fit your lifestyle and make sense for you. Topics covered in this episode include:A simpler way to think about KPIs Why you need to track your numbers Which KPIs you should track Are you looking for ways to simplify your marketing? If so, this episode will help. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Check Out Enji: https://www.enji.co/?ref=zwy0ywjFollow @enji_co on Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/enji_co/ Follow Enji on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjimarketing Follow Enji on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enji Listen to Episode 69: Marketing Tech Tools Are Your New Best Friend with Tayler Cusick-Hollman: https://designyourweddingbusiness.com/69-marketing-tech-tools-are-your-new-best-friend-with-tayler-cusick-hollman/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Sales. The word that triggers some kind of emotional reaction in all of us. Whether you love the sales process or you cringe at the thought of it, this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast will help you perfect it. Sam Jacobson is here to help us with the good, the bad, and the ugly of all things sales-related for wedding planners and other professionals. Sam is showing you how to stand out from the crowd, get more inquiries, and ultimately make more sales so that your wedding business can thrive. Sam Jacobson helps wedding pros book better clients at higher prices using buyer psychology and behavioral economics. Topics covered in this episode include:The biggest challenge wedding professionals face when booking clients Simplifying the sales process How to book more clients Believe it or not, I’m excited to talk about sales, so let’s dive right in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Sam’s Website: www.ideactionconsulting.com Follow @ideactionconsulting on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideactionconsulting/ Listen to the Own Your Business Podcast: https://ideactionconsulting.com/podcast Get Half Off a Website Review with Sam: https://ideactionconsulting.thrivecart.com/website-review/?coupon=HALFOFFREVIEW Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

I can’t believe this is Episode 100 of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast!Whether you’re a long-time listener or a newbie, thank you so much for being here. In this 100th episode, we’re talking about visibility for your wedding business. We spend a lot of time thinking and talking about marketing, but what if we’re focusing our attention on the wrong thing? What you really need is visibility, and I’m going to help you get it. Join me for a discussion about the difference between marketing and visibility, what visibility looks like for wedding planners and other business owners, and how to create more visibility for your wedding business.Topics covered in this episode include:Why you should shift your focus from marketing to visibility Ways to be more visible How to create a visibility planHere’s to the next 100 episodes! Are you with me?I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Episode 67: Why You Should Be on Pinterest with Julianne Smith: https://designyourweddingbusiness.com/67-why-you-should-be-on-pinterest-with-julianne-smith/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Does SEO bring out the procrastinator in you? Yeah, me too. When it comes to SEO (Search Engine Optimization), many of us don’t know what to do or where to start. Well, you’re in luck because Sara Dunn is here to show you how easy it can be. In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, Sara is teaching you the basics of SEO for wedding professionals so that you can break through the overwhelm and finally get started on your SEO. She’s sharing simple steps that you can take to get started without spending hours creating new content. Sara Dunn is a Wedding SEO Specialist for wedding planners, photographers, venues, and other wedding professionals who want their websites to rank higher on Google.Topics covered in this episode include:What SEO is and how it works How to rank higher in search results The power of SEO compared to other marketing toolsIf you want to see your business at the top of the Google results page, tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Sara’s Website: https://saradoesseo.com/ Get Sara’s Wedding Blog Template: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-blog-post-template/ Sign Up for the Wedding SEO Bootcamp: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/ Follow @saradoesseo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saradoesseo/ Follow @saradoesseo on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saradoesseo Follow Sara on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraDoesSEO/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Are you trying to do your own market research in the wedding industry?We all know that we need to be doing our research and looking at data, but it’s hard to know where to start or what to look for. In this episode on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, Shane McMurray is sharing everything you need to start researching your market and what’s going on within it. This episode will teach you where to find the data you need, how to understand it, and how to use it in your business. Shane McMurray’s goal is to help you generate more profit, build a better marketing message, make superior pricing decisions, close more sales, generate more qualified leads, identify your core customer, get funding, and find the best opportunities by providing a realistic, unbiased understanding of the wedding market through independent research.Topics covered in this episode include:Market data you need to know An easy way to find the data you need Avoiding overwhelm when you’re looking at data Tune in to start using more data in your wedding business. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit the Wedding Report Website: https://wedding.report/Connect with Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemcmurray/ Subscribe to the Wedding Report YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheWeddingReport Access the Free Wedding Market Report: https://wedding.report/index.cfm/action/wedding_statistics/view/search_market/Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you been thinking about sprucing up your website? It’s not uncommon to find that updating your website gets bumped down your list of priorities and before you know it it’s been five or more years since you last gave it a refresh. Maybe that’s you, or maybe you’re setting up your website for the first time, either way, I want to make sure your website is working for you in the best possible way! In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, website designer Emily Foster and I are talking all about how to create effective websites that drive success for your wedding business. We’re covering everything from branding and visuals to strategy and goals (plus so much more). Emily Foster is the owner of Emily Foster Creative, a brand and website design studio based in Portland, Oregon, that works with wedding professionals around the world.Topics covered in this episode include:How to know if your website is working for you Common mistakes wedding professionals make on their websitesTips for improving your website experienceWhen social media platforms go down, your website is not going anywhere, so why not make it work for you?I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get Emily’s Free Elevated Website Checklist: https://emilyfostercreative.com/design-your-wedding-business-elevated-website-checklistVisit Emily’s Website: www.emilyfostercreative.comFollow @emilyfostercreative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyfostercreativeFollow Emily on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyfostercreativeFollow Emily on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/emilyfostercreative/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What questions do you have about working with rental companies as a wedding planner?With a bit of luck, by the end of this episode, we’ll have those questions answered. When I had a team, I would ask top wedding professionals to come and talk to us about their corner of the industry so that we could better serve our clients and build stronger relationships with other wedding professionals. Now, we’re doing the same thing right here on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast. Each week I connect with one wedding professional to talk about how we as wedding planners can better educate ourselves and our clients. In this episode, we’re talking all about rentals. Robin Denny, Director of Sales for BBJ LaTavola, specializes in working with individuals and organizations in the rental industry to enhance their leadership abilities, cultivate meaningful connections, and drive business strategies for maximum impact. Topics covered in this episode include:How rentals make the wedding industry more sustainableThe impact of the Pantone color of the year (and other trends)Important conversations to have with your rental company If you’ve ever wondered how rentals work, how to reach out to a company, or how rentals affect the big day, you’re in the right place. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

If you have questions about working with a hair and makeup artist but are unsure who to ask, you’re in luck! In this episode on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, we’re talking to makeup artist Anne Timss about what it’s like for a wedding planner and makeup artist to work together and what that process looks like. Anne is covering wedding makeup trends, planning hair and makeup into the wedding day timeline, how to learn your client’s makeup preferences and more! Anne has been a working makeup artist for over 20 years and she absolutely loves it. She worked with Lancôme, MAC, and NARS before she eventually decided to build her own bridal styling company and she hasn't looked back! She specializes in weddings, adventure elopements, and lifestyle commercial work, but she is happy to style you for a fun event or party as well. Topics covered in this episode include:Changes in the wedding industry from a makeup artist’s perspectiveA day in the life of a makeup artist How to build relationships with the wedding professionals you’re working withWhether you’ve worked directly with a makeup artist before or not, you’ll love this chat with Anne!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Anne’s Website: https://www.annetimss.com/Follow @mstimssmakeupartist on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstimssmakeupartist/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

If you’ve never worked directly with a florist before, you might be wondering what that process looks like. Wonder no more because Judi Tschudia is here on Design Your Wedding Business to walk you through the entire process of floral design for weddings from start to finish. Judi is getting into the nitty gritty of everything that goes into wedding floristry and what you and your clients need to know about budget, timing, setup, and more. She’s sharing her tips to make everyone’s lives easier: yours, the florist’s, and your client’s. Judi has loved flowers since she was 10 years old and has learned every day since then about style, production, product availability, and chasing flowers around the world for her business, Fena Flowers. Topics covered in this episode include:A typical day in the shop for a wedding florist The timeframe for wedding floristry How to work with a florist as a wedding planner If you’re interested in working more closely with a florist, this episode has all the details for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Judi’s Website: www.fenaflowers.com Follow @fena_flowers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fena_flowers/ Follow @FenaFlowers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FenaFlowers Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How do you get into planning destination weddings?Maybe you got into the wedding industry with a dream of doing destination weddings or maybe you’re looking to try something new. Whatever has led you here, we’ve got answers for you in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business. Natalie John is here to talk all things destination weddings. She’s teaching you how to get into them, what mistakes to avoid, where you can do them, and what you have to look forward to. Natalie John is the CEO of Dreamy Weddings. The savvy and trend-forward entrepreneur oversees a portfolio of growing businesses that started with Dreamy Weddings, operating in two destinations in 1999, and has grown to operate in 13 Caribbean destinations. Topics covered in this episode include:How to break into the destination wedding market Common challenges that destination wedding planners face Knowing the marriage laws in your destination If you’re trying to break into the destination wedding market, this episode is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit the Dreamy Weddings Website: www.dreamyweddings.com Learn More About CWEP: www.caribbeanwep.com Follow @dreamyweddings_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamyweddings_/ Follow @caribbeanweddingexpert on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caribbeanweddingexpert/ Follow @cwep2020 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwep2020/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you ever done a styled shoot for your wedding business?If you have, you’ll know that they make great marketing material, but they take a lot of work to create, coordinate, and execute from start to finish. So, are styled shoots worth the effort? I thought we should ask a professional. Margaux Fraise is here on Design Your Wedding Business to teach us all about the pros and cons of styled shoots and how to plan one if you decide it’s the right move for your business. Margaux is taking us through her streamlined styled shoot process with an emphasis on post-shoot submission strategies to extend the shelf-life and ROI of your project.Margaux Fraise is the owner and creative director of Harmony Creative Studio, an award-winning boutique wedding firm in Los Angeles, CA. Topics covered in this episode include:The benefits of styled shoots How to use styled shoots to reach your business goals Mistakes to avoid when you’re planning a styled shoot Margaux has so much to share with us, so let’s dive in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Margaux’s Website: www.margauxfraise.comFree Templates and Resources for Planning Styled Shoots: bit.ly/styledshootresourcesFollow @harmonycreative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonycreative/ Follow @weddingsummitseries on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsummitseries/ Join the Wedding Summit Series Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingsummitseries Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What do you do when your pricing doesn’t seem to fit in any market?Your business has grown and you’ve gotten too expensive for the budget shoppers, but you don’t yet have the reputation or prestige that luxury clients are looking for. Does that sound like you? It’s a tricky spot to be in, so in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we’re hearing from someone who has been there and navigated it beautifully. Jenna Noelle is sharing everything she’s learned about how to get out of the price gap. She’s covering what a price gap is, how to know if you’re in one, how to price your services, and when to consider raising your rates. Jenna Noelle is a destination event photographer, small business coach, and podcaster who is passionate about giving creative professionals the tools to define and achieve their own versions of success.Topics covered in this episode include:What happens when you’re in a price gapHow to calculate your prices Standing up for yourself and your prices Tune in for a value-packed episode about how to price yourself. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Jenna Noelle’s Website: https://www.jenna-noelle-creative.com/ Check Out Jenna Noelle’s Mentorship Program: https://endless-summer-collective.com/client-management-freebie Follow @jennanoelleweddings on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennanoelleweddings Follow @jennanoelletravel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennanoelletravel/Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How do you get into the luxury market? If your goal is to work with high-end clients, you might be wondering where to start. I have the perfect guest for you in this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast. James Christianson from James x Schulze is sharing his expert advice for breaking into the luxury market as a wedding professional. There’s more to this than just marketing; we’re talking about mindset, sales, buying psychology, and (of course) systems and processes. In this episode, James explains how all these pieces work together to get you where you want to be: in front of luxury clients. James started his career as an educator and entrepreneur. With 20+ years of experience as a photographer, combined with his business and education experience, James brings a distinctive and clear voice to the world-renowned photography brand James x Schulze. Topics covered in this episode include:Marketing for a luxury audience How to get comfortable talking about your prices The buying psychology of the luxury market Are you ready to break into the luxury wedding market? Get started with this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Sign Up for the Sage Business of Luxury Weddings Course: www.sagejourney.co Join The Business of Luxury Weddings Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessofluxuryweddings Follow @jamesandschulze on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesandschulze Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Follow-up. You know you need to do it, but it always ends up on the back burner. In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, I’m joined by fellow wedding industry mentor Kate Storey to talk about why follow-ups are so valuable and how to use them to get more bookings from your ideal wedding clients. Believe it or not, a good follow-up strategy can double or even triple your business. Yes, triple. How? That’s a great question that Kate would love to answer for you. She’s sharing three tips to help you get more bookings from your follow-ups. Kate Storey is a marketing and messaging expert for wedding professionals who want to book more of their perfect couples at a higher rate. Topics covered in this episode include:Why you need a good follow-up systemHow many times to follow up with a lead Why you shouldn’t start your follow-ups with “congratulations on your engagement”How to resonate with your target audienceAre you working on getting more bookings for your wedding business? Don’t miss this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get the Price Shopper Guide and Email Templates: https://bit.ly/45IDCQA Visit Kate’s Website: https://www.bookmorebrides.com/ Join the Book More Brides Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridescommunity/ Follow @bookmorebrides on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookmorebrides/Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Wedding shows: we all have questions about them. Which is the right show for me? Are they worth it? What should I bring? How do I capture the attention of attendees? Kristen DeBadts has answers for you in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business. Kristen and I are getting into the nitty-gritty of how to choose the right wedding show for you, prepare for it, and follow up afterward. If you’ve never had a booth at a show before, this episode is going to be your one-stop shop for all the information you need to get ready for your first show. Wedding shows are a ton of fun and a great way to network with future clients and vendors. Doing the work ahead of time to prepare will allow you to have the best experience possible and also get the highest return on your investment. Kristen's unwavering commitment to the wedding industry and her genuine desire to help others have positively impacted thousands over the past 19 years. She began at Wedding In New York as an intern during her time at college and has evolved into a passionate expert who empowers small businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Topics covered in this episode include:How to choose the right wedding show for you The process of preparing for a wedding show Tips for standing out from other wedding businesses Tune in for inspiration on how you want to set up your booth and leave an impression on the people you connect with at your next wedding show. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit the Wedding In New York Website: www.WeddinginNewYork.com Follow Kristen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristendebadtsFollow Wedding In New York on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeddingInNewYork/Follow @rochesterwedding on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rochesterweddingFollow @buffalowedding on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buffaloweddingFollow @syracusewedding on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syracusewedding Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What does building a house have in common with building a business?Well, for starters, a house can’t be built in a day and neither can your business. It takes time to lay the foundation, create the structure, and get everything working smoothly. In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, I’m walking you through the process of building and structuring your business and standard operating proceduresFor this episode, think of your business as your house, and let me help you build it. We’re starting with what makes up the foundation and working our way to the top. I’m asking you to reflect on things like your mission, vision, and values; your boundaries; how you present your business; and how you lead your team. Topics covered in this episode include:How building a business is like building a house Creating a strong foundation for your business Why you need to know your mission, vision, and values Is your business structurally sound? This episode will help you figure that out. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get the Small Business Task Worksheet: https://designyourweddingbusiness.com/worksheets/small-business-task/Episode 3: Mission, Vision, and Values: Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Business: https://designyourweddingbusiness.com/mission-vision-and-values-everything-you-need-to-know-to-start-your-business/  Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you been wondering about Human Design but don’t know where to start?Let me make things easier for you and give you a starting point right here! When I first heard about Human Design I was enthralled. It showed me so much about who I am as a person and in turn as a business owner. If you’re wondering what Human Design is and what it has to do with business, don’t worry, our guest Melissa Froehlich is going to be your guide through all things Human Design in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business. She’s going back to basics to give you everything you need to get started with Human Design. Melissa Froehlich is a sought-after business strategist, mentor, and certified mindset coach who works with established female entrepreneurs ready to own the role of being a leader in their business. She empowers and equips female entrepreneurs who want to carve their own paths to build profitable businesses that bring them freedom and fulfillment. Topics covered in this episode include:The core components of a Human Design chartThe five types of people according to Human Design How to understand the basics of Human DesignWhat information you need to create your Human Design chartIf you love knowing your astrological birth chart, Enneagram, and Myers-Briggs, this is for you.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get Your Human Design Chart: https://melissafroehlich.com/human-design-chartVisit Melissa’s Website: www.melissafroehlich.com Follow @melissafroehlich_biz on Instagram: https://instagram.com/melissafroehlich_biz Follow Melissa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MFStrategicBusinessGrowthConnect with Melissa on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissafroehlichJoin Melissa in Her Free Facebook Community: Ready, Set, CEO™: Sales, Marketing, & Mindset for Female Entrepreneurs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uplevelloungeShow notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How can you incorporate more self-care into your life? A few months ago, I did a self-care Sundays series on the 8 Dimensions of Self-Care. In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, I’m joined by the author of that framework herself, Stacy Fisher. Stacy is talking about what self-care really is and how to discover what it means to you. She’s walking us through the 8 Dimensions of Self-Care framework and breaking down each dimension so you can start thinking about what they might look like in your life. Stacy is a registered dietitian, diabetes educator, and published author with more than 20 years of experience in health care. As the creator of the 8 Dimensions of Self-Care framework, she helps clients establish a foundational self-care plan so they can achieve their health and nutrition goals.Topics covered in this episode include:What most people don’t know about self-care Tuning out other people’s opinions on what self-care is or isn’t Allowing your self-care to evolve The 8 Dimensions of Self-Care One small gesture of kindness to yourself can be all it takes; what will you do to show kindness to yourself today? I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Stacy’s Website: www.LivingUpp.com Follow @livingupp on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingupp/Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-fisher-rd-ld/Follow LivingUpp on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LivingUpp/Episode 29: How to Integrate 8 Areas of Self-Care Into Your Life: https://bit.ly/Ep29DWYBPodcast  Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

What are you doing to continue your education as a wedding professional?Let’s face it, you don't just sign one contract, send out one proposal, do one wedding, and know it all. You have to take time to continue to invest in yourself to grow as a business owner and wedding professional. That’s why continuing education within the industry is so important, and in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, I’m joined by Tara Melvin to talk about one way to do it: conferences! If you’re looking for new ways to continue your education within the wedding industry, you’re in the right place. Tara is talking all about the value of continuing education and the many elements that make a great conference, specifically for wedding professionals. Tara Melvin is an award-winning event planner in the Washington DC metro area. She is the founder and producer of The Signature CEO Conference, founder and mentor of The Executive Mentor Program, and founder and President of The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals. Topics covered in this episode include:What makes a good conference in the wedding industry Why continuing education is so important for wedding professionalsThe importance of diversifying professional spaces How to continue your education as a wedding professionalTune in for some inspiration to invest in yourself and continue your own education in the wedding industry. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Tara’s Website: www.perfectplanningevents-dc.com Get Tickets to The Signature CEO Conference 2024: www.thesignatureceo.com Follow @signatureconceptsllc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signatureconceptsllc/ Follow @signatureceo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signatureceo/ Follow @nsbwep on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nsbwep/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

So, the slow season is approaching and you know you had things you wanted to do but you can’t remember what they all were. Don’t panic, I’m sharing my list of everything I like to get done during the off-season to make sure that my business can continue running smoothly. Work your way through this list and you’ll be good to go by the time things start picking up again. Take advantage of this slower time when you don’t have as much going on to dedicate some brain power to the things you don’t usually have time for. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later. Does your contract need updating? Do you need a new marketing plan? Is your software outdated? Now’s the time to get it all taken care of so that you don’t have to worry about it when you’re slammed. Topics covered in this episode include:What to get done during the off-season Things to reflect on and review in your business Reviewing your contract, marketing plan, systems, and procedures Use this episode to make a plan for your off-season! I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How can you simplify your schedule?There are three things you need to include in your schedule to set yourself up for the best week possible, and I’m sharing them in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business. I’m teaching you how to plan your calendar and create your schedule to make your weeks more manageable, productive, and efficient. If you want to save yourself time and make sure that you’re getting everything on your to-do list done every week, this is for you. Topics covered in this episode include:The best way to plan your calendarWhy you need a CEO day in your week Scheduling time for yourself into your week Sit back and let me be your wedding business coach for the next ten minutes in this quick and actionable episode of the podcast. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you have a process for wrapping up your year and transitioning into the new year? If not, get some inspiration from this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast. I’m sharing what I do at the end of each year to prepare for the new year and make the transition as easy as possible. We’re covering organization, standard operating procedures, pricing, and more. Ensure that no areas of your business get left in the past and make this end-of-year process part of your wedding industry business plan. If you want a smooth and simple transition from the old year to the new year, this is for you. Topics covered in this episode include:How to simplify the transition into the new year Getting reviews and testimonials from the previous year’s clients Things to reflect on as you look back on your yearWhy this is a good time to look at your pricing I hope this episode helps you get ready for the new year!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Episode 73: Digital Organization Hacks with Lisa McHargue: https://designyourweddingbusiness.com/73-digital-organization-hacks-with-lisa-mchargue/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How do you feel about your conflict resolution skills? Could they use some brushing up? At some point in your career, you might experience a relationship with a coworker that goes sideways. It might be a passing comment that gets taken the wrong way or maybe an action that causes hurt and distrust. Whatever the cause, we all have to repair relationships from time to time. Luckily for us, I know someone who can help. Sarah Chianese is here to teach us how to repair a working relationship in this episode of Design Your Wedding Business. She’s trained in conflict resolution and she has plenty of experience in the wedding and event space, so I know we’re in good hands. Sarah Chianese (Key-uh-nay-zeh) is the owner and executive chef of Mangia and Enjoy!, a boutique wedding and event catering company based out of the Hudson Valley, NY, and Colorado Springs, CO. Topics covered in this episode include:The dynamics of different working relationshipsThings that can break relationshipsConflict resolution strategies If you have a working relationship that’s not in the best place right now, try using the strategies from this episode to repair it.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Sarah’s Website: https://www.MangiaAndEnjoy.comFollow @mangiaandenjoy on Instagram: https://instagram.com/mangiaandenjoy/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you ever been in a toxic relationship with a client?It’s hard to accept when a client relationship isn’t working out, but sometimes it’s better to move on than be hurt by a toxic client relationship (or any relationship for that matter).I had the opportunity to sit down with Cathy O’Connell to talk about walking away from toxic relationships. How do you do it? How do you know when it’s time? How do you recover from feeling like you failed? These are all normal and valid questions to have when you’re dealing with a toxic relationship, and we’re going to get your questions answered in this episode. Cathy O'Connell is a business leader, educator, and motivator who is passionate about creating inspiring experiences. In 2004, Cathy co-founded COJ Events, a luxury destination event planning studio and hospitality consultancy based in Palm Springs, CA.Topics covered in this episode include:How to know when to end a client relationship Red flags to look out for in a clientThe best way to end a toxic relationship with a client If you’re in a toxic relationship with a client and you don’t know what to do, let us help!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Cathy’s Website: www.cojevents.comFollow @coj_events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coj_events/ Follow COJ Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cojevents Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you often feel stressed or overwhelmed?We all face stressful situations in our careers as wedding professionals, whether it’s at an event, in a meeting with a client, or behind the scenes. This episode is going to provide you with the tools you need to regulate your system and manage stress. Christina Algeciras is joining us to share her knowledge of the nervous system and teach us some of the neuroscience behind stress. She’s sharing practical techniques that you can use in any stressful situation to calm your mind and body so that you can get back to doing what you love. Christina Algeciras believes in the endless possibilities of the human spirit and is committed to helping girls and women develop a passion for being their most authentic and fulfilled selves. She has been working as a wellness professional with girls and women since 2009, helping them learn how to thrive through yoga, mindfulness, healthy eating, coaching, and creative and expressive arts, as well as mental health therapy and counseling. Topics covered in this episode include:The basics of the nervous system What causes you to become deregulated and feel stressHow to prepare for a situation that you anticipate being stressful You can do hard things but, hopefully, this episode will make them a little easier. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Learn About Christina’s Therapy Services: www.christinaalgeciras.comLearn About Christina’s Coaching and Speaking Services: www.benestarwellness.com Follow @christinatherapy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/christinatherapy Follow @benestarwellness on Instagram: www.instagram.com/benestarwellness Get the Quick Tools for Self Regulation Freebie: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11szH7iavSjX7boWUWYqVtP8IfrzJFD9G/view Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

This episode is a tribute to my new life. Five years ago at 2 a.m. on October 31st, my husband passed away.  As I reflected on this experience and what I wanted to share about it, I thought about all the things I’ve learned and worked on over the last five years that have shaped me into who I am today, and that’s what I want to talk about. Of course, there have been times that felt impossibly difficult and if you’ve experienced grief, you know that it’s not a linear process, but I’m grateful to have found my way here and learned what I’ve learned along the way. Topics covered in this episode include:How to keep going and not give up Putting yourself out there and doing the things you want to do The importance of taking care of yourself, especially through griefGiving yourself grace as you grieve Wherever brings you to this episode, I hope that my experience can offer you some comfort and encouragement to keep moving forward. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How do you balance your wedding business with all the obligations you have over the holidays?The holiday season is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare to make sure that you can enjoy your holiday season and not burn yourself out from trying to do all the things. There are two important questions for you to ask yourself: what are your self-imposed obligations over the holidays? And what boundaries and expectations do you have for the holidays? Tune into this episode for a breakdown of how I approach each of these questions to prepare for the chaos of the holiday season. Trust me, you won’t regret starting now.Topics covered in this episode include:Identifying what your self-imposed obligations are over the holidays Choosing your work hours for the holidays How to plan your holiday calendar Setting boundaries and expectations with your familyIf you’re used to being overwhelmed and burnt out during the holiday season, this is the year we change that! It starts here.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do I need to hire a virtual assistant?If you’re asking yourself this question, this episode of Design Your Wedding Business is for you. As your wedding business coach and mentor, I want to make sure you have all the information you need about who to hire in your business. We’ve talked about online business managers, now it’s time to cover virtual assistants. Emilie Given is here to answer all your questions about virtual assistants in the wedding industry. She’s breaking down what a virtual assistant is, what a virtual assistant can do for you as a wedding professional, and how to know if you need one. Emilie is a virtual assistant agency owner and online entrepreneur. She is passionate about matching C-level executive assistants with dynamic business leaders who have taken on too much. Topics covered in this episode include:The key benefits of hiring a virtual assistantHow to identify tasks that you could delegate How virtual assistants drive your business development forward The cost of a virtual assistant If you’re trying to do it all, let us help you in this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Emilie’s Website: www.shesagiven.com Follow @shesagiven_ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesagiven_/ Follow She’s A Given on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shesagiven Learn 25 Things to Delegate to a Virtual Assistant: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1olIo4cgLbQaG1YEFdQXucd_EY-02Fw5b/view?usp=share_linkShow notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you need an online business manager?That’s the million-dollar question that I’m going to answer in this episode with the help of our guest, Kristin Amundson. If you have no clue where to start when it comes to hiring an online business manager or virtual assistant for your wedding business, we’ve got you covered. We’re starting with the basics like what an online business manager is, what they can do for your business, how they differ from virtual assistants, and how to know if you need one. Kristin Amundson has been in the online space since 2020 as an online business manager (OBM) and strategic consultant for entrepreneurs and service-based businesses. Topics covered in this episode include:What online business managers doHow to choose between an online business manager and a virtual assistantWhen to hire an online business managerThis episode is your one-stop-shop for all your questions about online business managers. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get Kristin’s Free guide to the Top 6 Reasons You Need an OBM: https://hummingbirdvirtualconsulting.com/top-6-reasons-you-need-an-obm/Visit Kristin’s Website: www.hummingbirdvirtualconsulting.com Follow @hummingbird_virtualconsulting on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird_virtualconsultingConnect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinamundsonhvc/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Where are my organization lovers at? Okay, how about my organization haters?Whatever camp you fall in, I want you to listen up for this episode! I’m getting geeky with Lisa McHargue and we’re talking about organizing your digital clutter. Lisa is walking us through how to streamline your email, Google Drive, Dropbox, hard drive, and other digital storage systems. If you’re overwhelmed by your digital clutter and it just keeps building up because you’re scared to look at it, this episode is going to break it all down for you and turn it into a task you can tackle one chunk at a time. Lisa McHargue is a former high school Spanish teacher turned digital organizer. Since 2020 she’s been helping online business owners take control of their digital chaos and create systems to keep the backend of their businesses organized so they can focus their time on doing what they love instead of swearing at Google Drive. Topics covered in this episode include:How to get started with digital organization The importance of having a clear and simple systemThe one-minute rule you need to knowCan we persuade you to open the junk drawer of your computer and finally get it organized? It starts right here! I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get the 3 Steps to an Inbox That Doesn’t Look Like SH*T: https://lisamch.com/email Visit Lisa’s Website: https://lisamch.com Follow @lisajmch on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisajmchFollow Lisa on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063446247000 Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

As business owners in the digital age, we are constantly surrounded by screens. From the computers in our offices to the smartphones in our pockets, it seems as though we're always connected, but have you taken measures to protect your business privacy and ensure your personal safety? In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we are discussing the often overlooked yet extremely vital steps to build a tech security starter pack that keeps out hackers, viruses, and other unwanted intruders. Our guest, Elizabeth Sheils, is sharing five easy-to-implement steps to safeguard sensitive information in your business and on behalf of your clients so you can sleep better at night.Co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, Elizabeth Sheils never pictured a career in tech, but that’s where her wedding planning career led her. In 2018, Elizabeth and her sister-in-law Nora launched Rock Paper Coin, the first-ever software to bring together event planners, couples, and vendors into one system for managing contracts, paying invoices, and sharing documents. Topics covered in this episode include:Best practices for storing passwords and sensitive informationWhat to do if your website or social media has been compromisedHow to make your accounts difficult to hack Let’s upgrade your tech security today and protect you from future attacks. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Check Out Rock Paper Coin: https://rockpapercoin.com/ Follow @rockpapercoin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockpapercoin/ Follow Rock Paper Coin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockpapercoin Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Are you making marketing decisions based on data and analytics? If not, you’re missing out on an opportunity to make your marketing much more effective. Lisa Galletti is joining me to talk about how to validate your marketing efforts with Google Analytics. She gets that Google Analytics can be overwhelming and she’s here to help. This episode will walk you through what Google Analytics is, how to use it, and how to make your marketing more efficient. When you regularly assess how your marketing is doing, you can use that information to double down on what’s working and stop wasting time on what’s not. It’s definitely a skill worth learning. Lisa Galletti creates marketing strategies for people who care about real results, not vanity metrics. She specializes in guiding individuals and businesses toward marketing success that goes way beyond the numbers. She offers tailored strategies to help you build genuine connections, engage your audience, and achieve remarkable business growth. Topics covered in this episode include:The basics of Google Analytics How to get your marketing content in front of the right audienceTips for setting up Google Analytics Are you ready to step up your marketing game? Let’s get started. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Book a Call with Lisa: https://lisagalletti.as.meConnect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagalletti/ Follow Lisa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heylisagalletti Get Lisa’s Free Guide to Google Analytics: https://www.subscribepage.com/google_analytics_demystified Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you feel a little lost when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?It sounds complicated and technical, but the most important SEO principles are actually pretty simple and can do a lot for the visibility of your wedding business. Let’s dive into the world of SEO with marketing expert Adrienna McDermott. You might remember her from our recent episode about marketing funnels, and she’s back to share more of the good stuff. You’ll learn what SEO is, what the most important SEO principles are, and how to use them to boost the visibility of your website. Adrienna McDermott is the founder and CEO of Ava & the Bee, a marketing agency exclusively for wedding pros that builds connections with dream couples through inclusive, results-driven marketing. Topics covered in this episode include:Simple ways to boost your SEO How to figure out your keywords How to get on the first page of Google resultsI’m sure you’ve heard about SEO and been told that it helps with your visibility, but how does it work and where do you start? Find out in this episode!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Adrienna’s Website: https://avaandthebee.com/Get the Wedding Pros Guide to Blogging: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64051b90d72bad5482cadc21 Follow @avaandthebee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avaandthebee/Follow Ava & the Bee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avaandthebee/ Follow @avaandthebee on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/avaandthebee/_created/Follow Ava & the Bee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ava-and-the-bee/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do you find marketing overwhelming in an age of social media, digital advertising, and advanced technology?A lot has changed since the days when we depended on flyers, brochures, and magazines to get the word out. Now it can be all too easy to get lost trying to navigate things like graphic design, video content, and SEO. Enter Tayler Cusick Hollman. She is here to share her top marketing tech tools to make your life easier. If you’ve ever wished you could clone yourself, technology is the closest you're going to get, so you might as well put it to work. Tayler is a marketing consultant, a small-business builder, and the founder of Enji—an exciting new startup bringing you a suite of online marketing tools that fit your lifestyle and make sense for you. Topics covered in this episode include:Why you should add technology to your marketing toolbox What marketing tech tools are absolute must-haves How to make marketing easier Are you ready to master this marketing thing? Let’s get started. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Learn More About Enji: https://www.enji.co/ Follow @enji_co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enji_co/  Follow Enji on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enjimarketing Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How can you create more visibility for your wedding business?Over the next few episodes of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, we’ll be learning about some of the best tools available to help you grow your wedding business through marketing and visibility. These tools are going to make things easier for you behind the scenes of your business so that you can spend more time doing what you really love. With the right tools, you can streamline and simplify your business processes and delegate the tasks you don’t enjoy. My guests and I will be sharing tools and strategies for marketing, visibility, SEO, security, organization, and more. Topics covered in this episode include:How to create more visibility for your businessUtilizing tools that can help you in your business The best marketing tools If, like me, you’re ready to improve your visibility, you’re going to want to stick around. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

“My clients aren’t hanging out on Pinterest.”“Only DIYers go on Pinterest for their weddings.”In this episode, Julianne Smith is breaking down these myths and talking about why you need to be on Pinterest as a wedding business owner. If you’re feeling burnt out by social media and you need more inquiries and more business, Pinterest is your solution. Find out how to get started (or restarted) on Pinterest, how to set up your account to attract quality leads, and why Pinterest is the perfect platform for wedding business professionals like you. Julianne Smith is a nationally recognized wedding accessory designer, digital media strategist, and small business educator. Julianne owns The Garter Girl, a stylish wedding garter design company she started in 2004, and now also helps creative small businesses in the wedding industry with their online presence through done-for-you services, online courses, and speaking engagements on search engine optimization, blogging, and Pinterest. Topics covered in this episode include:How Pinterest is different from social media Easy ways to manage your Pinterest accountWhether you should start a new Pinterest account or use your old oneTune in to this episode and let us convince you to give Pinterest a second chance. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Check Out Julianne’s Services: www.juliannesmith.comVisit the Garter Girl Website: www.gartergirl.com Follow @gartergirl on Instagram: www.instagram.com/gartergirlFollow @thejuliannesmith on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejuliannesmith Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Do wedding professionals need marketing funnels?That’s the question Adrienna McDermott is helping us answer in this episode. She’s explaining what a marketing funnel actually is and how it compares to a sales funnel and is busting some of the misconceptions you might have heard about them. She’s also taking us step-by-step through what a marketing funnel looks like, so if you’ve ever had a question about funnels in the wedding industry, you’re in luck. Your marketing needs to build the know, like, and trust factor with your audience so that you can start warming up your leads and converting them into paying clients. If a marketing funnel can help you achieve that then yes, it’s for you! Adrienna McDermott is the founder and CEO of Ava & the Bee, a marketing agency exclusively for wedding pros that builds connections with dream couples through inclusive, results-driven marketing. Topics covered in this episode include:The simple steps of a marketing funnelHow to convert a lead to a client The marketing power of email Why you’re being ghostedIf your marketing is in need of a makeover, you’re in the right place. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Visit Adrienna’s Website: https://avaandthebee.com/Get the Free Guide to Email Marketing Funnels: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64b19351e181ddda00ff2930Follow @avaandthebee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avaandthebee/Follow Ava & the Bee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avaandthebee/ Follow @avaandthebee on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/avaandthebee/_created/Follow Ava & the Bee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ava-and-the-bee/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Are you tired of throwing random marketing ideas at the wall to see what sticks? It might be time for a more strategic plan. This episode is about how to create an effective marketing plan to save you from overwhelm and avoid shiny object syndrome, and our guest (and fellow wedding industry mentor), Heidi Thompson, is the perfect person to take us through it. Heidi is sharing the five steps to creating a marketing plan. She’s covering everything from market research to measuring your results, and she’s teaching you how to make it all simple and easy to implement. Heidi Thompson is the best-selling author of Clone Your Best Clients and the founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business. She helps wedding professionals book more ideal clients and craft a business that gives them the income, life, and freedom they want. Topics covered in this episode include:How to create your marketing plan Why you need to measure your results How to reduce decision fatigue in your marketing planIf you want to save time and get better results from your marketing, don’t miss this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Start Your Free Trial of The Wedding Business Collective: https://www.theweddingbusinesscollective.com/wbc-checkout-new-sept-2022/?coupon=DYWBPODCAST Visit Heidi’s Website: https://evolveyourweddingbusiness.com/ Follow @evolveyourweddingbusiness on Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/evolveyourweddingbusiness/Join Heidi’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmoreweddingssummitGet Heidi’s Free Private Podcast Training: https://evolveyourweddingbusiness.com/6pillars Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

How are your marketing efforts going in your business? If you could use some guidance and you’re interested in learning more about marketing, you’re going to enjoy the next few episodes of the podcast. I’m teaching you how to get started with marketing, put yourself out there, and get more eyes on your business. Sometimes marketing looks a little different for wedding businesses than it does for other service-based businesses, so I want you to have some resources specific to you and your industry. We’ll also be covering how to map out a marketing plan, set up your marketing funnel, and use search engines to create more visibility. Topics covered in this episode include:Why you need a marketing plan and funnelHow to make yourself more visible in the wedding industryWhy you should be treating Pinterest as a search engine, not a social media platformIf you’re ready to talk about all things visibility, tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Let’s talk about money. If you’re someone who avoids conversations about money at all costs, stick with me. I know it can be an uncomfortable or boring topic for many, but let’s face it, as women in business, we have to deal with money. I thought I’d make your life easier and bring a financial advisor right to you, so Stephanie Jones is here to bring you all the answers to your money questions. Think of her as your own financial advisor for all 24 minutes of this episode. We’re talking about budgets, investments, tracking expenses, financial software, and so much more. Stephanie Jones is the CEO and owner of Stephanie Jones Wealth and is a financial advisor for one of Forbes' Top 20 Wealth Management Companies. Stephanie has helped others with their finances for over 17 years. She is passionate about working with women to improve their relationships with money, ease their fears of money management, and achieve their financial goals. Topics covered in this episode include:How to budget without feeling like you are restricted What a financial advisor does What you need to know about investments and retirement planningTips for achieving your financial goalsIf you’re ready to get your business finances in order, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Follow @stephanie_jones_wealth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_jones_wealth/Follow @stephaniejoneswealth on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniejoneswealthConnect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniejoneswealth/ Book a call with Stephanie: https://client.stephaniejoneswealth.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6373dfe7219caa509a960e88/scheduleShow notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you ever felt like a sleazy salesperson? It’s the worst, right?In this episode, we’re talking about how to make sales non-sleazy with Annie P. Ruggles. This episode is an absolute must-listen, as Annie P. is sharing some priceless tips on how to prepare for, execute, and follow up on your sales calls. She’s teaching you the language she uses to have great sales conversations every single time. For over a decade, Annie P. has harnessed her Hulk-like disdain for hard sales, tacky self-promotion, and overly competitive sleazeballs as inspiration to help people find better ways to grow their small businesses. As Founder of The Non-Sleazy Sales Academy & Quirk Works Consulting, she's guided hundreds of people toward making deeper connections, creating lasting impressions, and having friendlier, more lucrative transactions and conversations. Topics covered in this episode include:Assumptions to avoid making about a couple you are selling to Questions to ask a prospective client How to make clients feel comfortable and respected The best phrase to use in salesIf you hate sales calls, this is going to be a game-changer for you and your wedding business. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Grab a free copy of Annie’s sales novella and workbook The Coach Who Would Not Sell at www.sellcoachsell.com—use the code JENSENTME to redeem!Follow @anniepreneur on Instagram: www.instagram.com/anniepreneur Connect with Annie P. on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/anniepassanisi Listen to the Too Legitimate to Quit podcast: https://www.podpage.com/too-legitimate-to-quit/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

Have you ever used a cash flow plan in your business?If not, this episode is about to change the game for you. I know you might not be a numbers person, but I promise the simple financial knowledge and skills in this episode will go a long way for your business. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Loretta to talk about cash flow reports, financial strategies, and why you need them in your wedding business plan. Michelle Loretta is a strategist for the event industry and creator of Be Sage Consulting. Michelle provides financial strategy services and fractional CFO consulting to event business owners.Topics covered in this episode include:What a cash flow strategy and plan isQuestions to be asking yourself as a small business owner How to create a cash flow report If you want to see your profits rise, stick around for this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Get the Cash Flow Sheet: https://besageconsulting.com/cashflow Follow @besagealways on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besagealways/ Show notes available at: designyourweddingbusiness.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/Want to find out which of the 8 CEO's your business needs you to be and the tasks that will benefit you the most? Take the 2 minute quiz and find out now: https://bit.ly/DWYBQuiz

We need to talk about cash flow. What is it? Cash flow is all the money that’s moving into and out of your business. For starters, do you know exactly what money is entering and leaving your accounts? Where is your money going and are you putting it to the best use? These are great questions and important ones to be asking yourself. In this episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, I’m talking about how to make money and make it work for you, everything you need to consider in your financial planning to run a successful business, and what to expect from the next few episodes of the podcast all about finances. Topics covered in this episode include:Putting your money to the best use  How to make sales without being sleazy Strategically mapping your business finances A lot of people don’t like to talk about or deal with money, so if that’s you, let me help you! All you have to do is hit play on this episode and we’ll get started together. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast

After reading the title of this episode, you might be asking yourself, “Why do I need to get out of the urgent?” Well, do you want a life outside your business? Do you want time to spend on yourself, your family, and your friends? If you’re still here, I’m guessing your answer is probably “yes,” so let’s make it happen. As your wedding business coach, I’m sharing the roadmap to getting out of the urgent, saving your sanity, and creating more time outside your business. This is a six-step process, so I’m taking you through each step, explaining why it’s important, and teaching you how to implement it. Like so many things in business, the key to getting out of the urgent is operations. This episode will teach you how to run the operations of your wedding business so that you can reclaim your time and your life. Topics covered in this episode include:Why you need to create a workflowTaking the time to write down your operating procedures The value of automationWhat tasks you should outsource If you’re ready to get out of the urgent and start creating more time for yourself outside your business, tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Free Small Business Task List: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/Free Getting Out of the Urgent Roadmap: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/getting-out-of-the-urgent/Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast

What really goes into business operations? In this episode, we’re tackling the final CEO of your business: operations. Most of us have heard of business operations, but do we really know what it means?We’ve talked about all the other CEOs in previous episodes, but operations hold it all together. I’m covering everything you need to know to get started as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of your business. I’m sharing things like the difference between a CEO and a COO, the role and responsibilities of a COO, and why your business needs a COO.Topics covered in this episode include:Why your business needs a COOThe difference between a CEO and a COOHow to be the COO of your businessGet ready to talk all things operations. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Free Small Business Task List: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast

Are your employees your company’s biggest fans?In this episode, we’re talking about how to create a brand ambassador for your wedding business. We’re covering what their role is in your company, what you need to do to create one, and how they will make your business more successful. There are four main things for you to consider when you’re creating a brand ambassador: key values, hiring the right people, onboarding, and empowering your employees. Your wedding industry mentor (hi, that’s me) is here to break down each topic in this episode.Topics covered in this episode include:What a brand ambassador is How to hire the right person to be your brand ambassador The importance of empowering your employeesIf you want a team of people who are rooting for and promoting your business, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business!Resources Mentioned:Schedule a Call: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/services/ Episode 54: A Comprehensive Guide to Onboarding New Employees: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-onboarding-new-employees/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast

We’re celebrating one year of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast!Can you believe it’s been a year already? Maybe you’ve been here since the beginning or maybe you’re tuning in for the first time. Either way, thanks for joining me on this journey. I’ve had a great time over the last year making new connections, learning new skills, and connecting with you. I know that alongside the wedding professionals, we have realtors, interior designers, and other small business owners joining us as we all work together to figure out how to do business. Whatever corner of the internet you’re coming from, you’re welcome here! Over the last year, I’ve talked about things like the eight CEOs in your business, finances, systems, products, and so much more, but one thing I haven’t talked about is how I can help you with your business. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I do and how I help my clients succeed. Topics covered in this episode include:What the Design Your Wedding Business podcast is aboutHow I can help you with your businessWays to work with me How to get a fresh start in your businessIf you’ve ever wondered how you could work with me, this episode is the one you’ve been waiting for. Tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business/!Resources Mentioned:Schedule a Call: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/services/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode56

What’s the difference between an employee and an independent contractor?You might think you know the answer, but the line between the two can get a little blurry, especially in the wedding industry.On this podcast, I help you create your wedding industry business plan, and in this episode, we’re tackling employees vs. independent contractors. We’re talking about how to know which you should hire, what you need to know about both, and how each can benefit your business. There’s a simple question you can ask yourself to determine which type of hire you need to make, and I’m sharing it in this episode. Topics covered in this episode include:How to know if someone is an employee or an independent contractorRegulations you need to know if you’re hiring an employeeHow to avoid legal trouble if you’re working with an independent contractorThings that wedding professionals need to look out for when hiringIf you’ve been asking yourself whether you need to bring on an employee or an independent contractor, this episode has the answers for you. Start listening now!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business/!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode55

How do you feel about onboarding new employees?My goal with this episode of Design Your Wedding Business is to create some ease around the onboarding process because it tends to cause a lot of anxiety. We’re going through everything you need to cover in your onboarding process start to finish, item by item. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a complete plan to create your onboarding process from the interview and offer letter all the way through to the end of training. Topics covered in this episode include:Templates that will help you with the onboarding process What to put in your offer letter How to prepare for an interview How to help your new employee feel comfortable and supported If onboarding is intimidating to you and maybe even holding you back from growing your team, all you need is 12 minutes to listen to this episode and you’ll be fully equipped with everything you need to know to set up your onboarding process. Tune in to get started now!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/design_your_wedding_business/!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylor Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode54

Let’s talk about teams.When should you add to your team? How many employees should you bring on? What happens when you have a slow season?Dana and Courtney from Hustle + Gather are here to answer your questions. They are total pros when it comes to building a dream team in the wedding industry and they’re here to share their insider knowledge with you. Hustle + Gather is a training and consulting firm that is on a mission to inspire others to take big leaps, dream big dreams, and create amazing teams that grow profits and enjoyable (but productive) culture within business.Topics covered in this episode include:How to know when it’s time to grow your teamCreating a team that is the right size for your business model Finding people who are invested in your visionHow to hire the right personIf managing a team is a little outside your comfort zone, fear no more. This episode has got you covered. Tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:Use code PODCAST for $20 off the Finding Your Ride or Die Team e-course: www.hustleandgather.com/store Follow @hustleandgather on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hustleandgather/Follow @thebradfordnc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebradfordnc/ Follow @canddevents on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canddeventsFollow @anthem.house on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anthem.house Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode53

Do you have an HR management plan in place?In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we are talking about another one of the 8 CEOs: teams!  Yep, you are your own Chief of Staff/HR Department! If you have a team already, this means you serve as a leader to all of your employees whether they are on payroll or contractors. You are responsible for ensuring they have everything they need to perform their job and meet expectations, as well as providing feedback to help them improve in their role.If you’re on your own, you might not worry about wearing this hat right now, but when you reach a point where you need help, and you will, you will be responsible for navigating every step of the hiring process, from writing the job description and conducting interviews to selecting the right candidate and onboarding them. If you haven’t prepared for that, now’s the time to get started!Topics covered in this episode include:What your strategic HR management plan isEverything you need to consider when you’re bringing on employeesThe importance of knowing the federal and state lawsTune in to get started on your strategic HR management plan!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:U.S. Department of Labor General Resources: https://www.dol.gov/general/topicsHours Worked Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Fact Sheet: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs22.htmThe Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/fmlaThe Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/adaStrategic Human Resource Management Plan PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RvKHK4gjZ9HLnkveESAibAa7ipbHeYvy/view?usp=share_link Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode52

Why is it so important to develop a brand strategy?A strong brand is critical for building connections with your customers. A successful brand strategy can help improve loyalty, drive brand awareness, create repeat customers, and inspire word-of-mouth marketing and referrals.Jordan Kentris is joining me in this episode to teach you how to create a brand strategy for the wedding business you want. If you’re having a hard time nailing down your brand, or you feel like you’ve outgrown your brand but you’re not sure how to update it, this episode is packed with the information you need. Jordan Kentris is the founder and owner of the boutique design firm A Good Day, which was created to serve planners and their eclectic couples with one-of-a-kind stationery that establishes a unique brand for each event. An innovator in the industry, he was recognized by BizBash as one of the Most Innovative People in 2020 and was a finalist for the NACE One Awards Innovator of the Year.Topics covered in this episode include:What a brand strategy is The pieces that go into building a brand How to assess what is and isn’t working in your branding Updating your brand doesn’t have to be a huge, week-long project. Tune in to learn some of the small things you can do right now to start getting your brand more in line with your vision and attracting the clients you’re looking for. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Jordan’s Website: https://www.agooddayinc.comFollow @agooddayinc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agooddayinc Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode51

Are you using short-form video to grow your business?This episode of Design Your Wedding Business is all about why you should be using TikTok and Reels for your business content and how to get started. I’m joined by Meagan Culkin who is the queen of short-form video strategy and the perfect person to teach us all about it. If you’ve been avoiding creating your own TikToks and Reels because it seems like a lot to learn, you’ve come to the right place. Meagan is breaking it all down to make video creation simple, easy, and fun for you to do! Meagan Culkin is the owner of Magnolia Collective, a planning and design company that serves both the NC and VA markets. When not designing event spaces, Meagan spends her time consulting for wedding businesses, discovering foodie haunts in her new hometown of Richmond, VA, and trying to get her dogs to cooperate for Tiktok videos.Topics covered in this episode include:Why you should use TikTok and Reels to publish contentHow to be relevant to today’s couplesWhat types of videos perform best What’s stopping you from creating your first video? Tune in to this episode to start connecting with your audience in a whole new way. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:Use Code 20PODCAST at Checkout for $20 Off Your Initial Coaching Call: https://www.idomagnolia.com/shopCheatsheet Download for Optimizing your Tiktok Content Visit Meagan’s Website: www.idomagnolia.com Follow @magnoliacollective.co on Instagram: www.instagram.com/magnoliacollective.coFollow @magnolia.collective on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@magnolia.collectiveFollow @magnoliacollectiveco on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/magnoliacollectiveco Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode50

Are you ready to be the wedding professional that everyone is talking about?In this episode, I’m joined by wedding-professional mentor Carin Hunt to talk about how to become the wedding pro on everyone's lips. Getting the word out about your business goes beyond pretty logos and websites. There’s only so much you can do before you actually have to start putting yourself in front of people, but that can be scary, right? Let’s make it less scary together. Find out how to get the word out about your business, make genuine connections with ideal clients, and get more referrals so that you can establish yourself as the go-to wedding expert in your field. Carin Hunt is a seasoned mentor for wedding professionals with over 14 years of experience in the industry. Her time conducting creative events in the corporate setting inspired her entrepreneurial spirit, so she built a 6-figure destination wedding business that still stands today. Although Carin has retired from planning, she now empowers wedding professionals to find confidence in their business through proven strategies and powerful connections. Her mission is to expand community and collaboration in order to level up the industry as a whole.Topics covered in this episode include:How to let people know what you doGetting the word out about your business to the right peopleEffective ways to make connections with ideal clientsIf you’re not sure how to start putting yourself out there, start here. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness!Resources Mentioned:Visit Carin’s Website: www.carinhunt.comGet the Be the Gossip Workbook: https://creative-speaker-4528.ck.page/be-the-gossip Listen to Carin’s Podcast: https://www.carinhunt.com/blog.htmlJoin the Celebration Pros Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/502691684914836Follow @celebrationpros on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrationpros/ How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes: https://a.co/d/2xr1JFHShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode49

You’ve probably heard of auditing, but have you ever heard of a marketing audit?In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, Amanda Zack is joining us to teach us all about what a marketing audit is, how to do one, and why they are important for you as a wedding business professional. You know that I’m always rooting for the success of your business, which is why I’ve brought Amanda on for this episode. Don’t miss what she has to say, because it could change the game for your marketing strategy. Amanda Zack is the owner of Lantern Room Creative, a boutique copywriting agency that specializes in brand messaging and digital marketing solutions for creatives and wedding professionals.Topics covered in this episode include:How to do your own marketing auditThe importance of messaging in your marketing Key things to look at when you’re doing an audit Are you ready to step up your marketing, branding, and messaging? Tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness!Resources Mentioned:Visit the Lantern Room Creative Website: www.lanternroomcreative.com Follow @lanternroomcreative on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanternroomcreative/Follow Lantern Room Creative on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lanternroomcreativeFollow Lantern Room Creative on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lantern-room-creative/Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode48

Do you get overwhelmed trying to create content for all the platforms? If you do, are you repurposing the content you already have?In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, Amy Leisner and I are teaching you how to show up more for your audience without burning out trying to create new content. You’ll learn how to take the content you already have and use it in multiple areas of your business to create more engagement and reach more people. Amy is a copywriter, online marketing strategist, and founder of A18 Media. She helps coaches show up for their business with authority, consistency, and authenticity, all while making marketing fun again!Topics covered in this episode include:How repurposing content works What to look for in your content when you’re repurposing Why it’s good to post the same thing in multiple placesIf you’re ready to simplify your marketing strategy while generating more content, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Amy’s Website: https://a18media.com/Get Amy’s Ultimate Launch Checklist: https://a18media.mykajabi.com/launchchecklistGet Amy’s Repurposing Flowchart: https://a18media.mykajabi.com/repurposing-flowchart-1Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode47

What are you doing to create visibility for your wedding business?In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we’re covering one of the 8 CEOs in your business: the Chief Marketing Officer. As your wedding industry mentor, I’m here to tell you that visibility and marketing are critical to the success of your business. At the end of the day, your offers won’t sell if people don’t know about them. So how are you getting the word out?This bite-sized episode is a beginner's guide to visibility and marketing. I’m covering all the basics that you need to start thinking about to get your business off the ground.Topics covered in this episode include:Different ways to create visibility for your businessWhy networking is an important part of your visibility and marketing strategyHow to create content that is in line with your brand image If you’re wondering where to start when it comes to marketing, you’re in the right place. Tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignYourWeddingBusiness & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness!Resources Mentioned:Schedule a Call: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/services Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode46

Have you ever had a job that was a miserable experience because you were trying to meet completely unrealistic expectations?Setting client expectations is part of the job when you’re in the wedding planning business or really any client-facing business. No matter what service or product you provide, it's important to set client expectations and maintain them from the start to the finish of your experience together. In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we’re talking about how to seamlessly set client expectations in the wedding and event industry with special guest Renée Sabo. Trust me, setting expectations early in the process of working with a client makes the whole experience so much easier and more enjoyable for everyone, so let’s talk about how to do it. Renée is a wedding planner, educator, and creative entrepreneur serving event professionals who are ready to grow in the wedding industry. Her vast array of industry experience over the past twelve years has given her insight into every facet of the event industry and helped shape her approach to wedding planning today.Topics covered in this episode include:The importance of transparency How to set realistic client expectations How to be the best team playerIf you’re someone who often finds yourself bending over backward trying to make people happy, this one’s for you!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/designyourweddingbusiness/!Resources Mentioned:Visit Renée’s Website: www.reneesabo.comFollow @theconfettihour on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconfettihour/ Follow @urban_soiree on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urban_soiree/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode45

What’s a business without happy clients?In this episode of Design Your Wedding Business, we’re talking all about the client experience and your role as the chief experience officer (CXO) of your wedding business. What does a CXO do? I’m covering everything from onboarding and offboarding to email sequences and software in this bite-sized episode, so even if you’ve never heard the term “client experience” before, this episode will help you get started. As well as covering the basics, I want to dig into some of the parts of the client experience that don’t often get talked about but are still really important. Topics covered in this episode include:The role of the chief experience officerHow to outline boundaries and expectations with a new client Why you should make things clear, simple, and easy for your clientsWorkflows to put in place to improve your client experience If you’re looking for a guide to help you set up your client experience workflows, you’re in luck! This is the episode for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode44

Do you find sales a bit of a scary topic?Your sales skills will get better and better with practice, so let’s talk about how to get that practice and close those sales. This episode of Design Your Wedding Business is all about how to get a “heck yes” on your sales calls. I’m sitting down with Carissa Woo to talk about everything you need to know about the sales process for wedding professionals. Carissa Woo is a hopeless romantic who has made her love for stories into a successful career. As an award-winning wedding photographer turned business coach, she helps serious photographers go from feeling stuck to thriving as six-figure industry leaders.Topics covered in this episode include:Red flags to look out for when you’re meeting with a potential clientThe process for following up after a sales callQuestions that every wedding professional should be asking when they’re trying to make a saleHow to get a firm “yes” or “no” at the end of a sales callIf you’re not super confident in your sales skills, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Visit Carissa’s Website: www.heckyesmedia.co Follow @carissawoo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo/ Follow @carissawoophotography on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissawoophotography/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode43

Are you being a good Chief Systems Officer for your wedding planning business?In this episode, we’re talking about one of the 8 CEOs: systems.Larger corporations have CIOs (Chief Information Officers) but I prefer to think of this role as the CSO (Chief Systems Officer). It’s less I.T.-based and more focused on using tech to develop structures that set your business apart from competitors. If you’ve never heard of CSOs before, don’t worry about it! As your wedding industry mentor, I’m teaching you everything you need to know in this quick and actionable episode. If you missed the last episode, Kevin Dennis talked all about the systems that he uses and recommends, so if you want to learn more about what’s out there, be sure to go back and catch that one too!If you’re ready to get some systems in place to streamline your wedding business, tune in! I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Download the Small Business Systems Worksheet: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/systems/Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode42

Are you utilizing new technology and apps in your wedding planner coaching business?In this episode, Kevin Dennis and I are digging into the world of technical applications and technology. There’s a lot out there, so we want to help you narrow down your options and figure out what tech is best for you. Kevin is here to teach you what apps are out there, how to use them to make your life easier, and how to make technology work for you and your business. Everyone has different needs, so it’s okay to pick and choose what you want to try. With over 30 years in the game, Kevin Dennis is no stranger to the wedding biz. He entered the industry when he started Fantasy Sound Event Services right after high school — funnily enough, his intentions were to become a legit DJ and meet girls. (No, really.) Whether he was successful is neither here nor there, but one thing is certain: Fantasy Sound was built to last. Today, his Livermore-based business has evolved into a renowned full-service lighting and entertainment company that serves the wedding and event market in California.Get ready to streamline your communication, planning, payments, and so much more. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:99+ Essential Tech Tools for Your Wedding Business: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626ad48a1e8046b220253c21Visit the WeddingIQ Website: https://weddingiq.com/ Follow @wedding_iq on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wedding_iq/ Visit the Fantasy Sound Website: https://fantasysound.com/ Follow @fsevents on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fsesevents/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode41

What would you ask someone who has been networking since they could speak?Our guest in this episode, Chérie Ronning, is a true friend to myself and to the wedding business industry, and she is a natural-born networker. I’m so excited to have her on the podcast to ask her for all her advice on networking. We’re digging into the do’s and don’ts of networking and learning more about why networking is so important for your career in the wedding business industry. She’s sharing things like what to talk about, how to stay connected, and how to seek more opportunities. Chérie Ronning started her career in the finance and accounting world with commercial banks, credit unions, and CPA firms. It was great work… but boring. She pivoted into the wedding world, where she stayed for over 25 years. During that time, she founded a national wedding networking organization and traveled through several states, Canada, Mexico, and Jamaica speaking to wedding professionals about networking and business. During the pandemic, she closed down all her businesses and now she’s starting her third career path, designing and selling print-on-demand products.Get ready to expand your wedding business horizons. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Visit Chérie’s Website: https://www.cherieronning.com Follow @cherieronning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherieronning/ Follow Chérie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherieronningconsultant Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode40

What are your intentions for networking this year?Whether it’s in-person or online, networking should be a priority in your wedding industry business plan. Getting your name out there is a huge part of growing your business and networking is how you do it. If you’re feeling a little rusty when it comes to networking, I’ve got you covered. I’m talking about how in-person networking varies from online networking, the benefits of each, and how to navigate them. In this episode of the podcast, you’ll find out my best networking tips and start growing your wedding business network, no matter where you are on your journey.Tune in to get started!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode39

Do you find yourself apologizing for things that aren’t your fault? Not wanting to sound too bold? Trying to make your emails sound a little softer? In this episode, I’m talking to Renée Dalo about how the power of language can transform your business. She’s here to teach you how to speak about yourself and your wedding business without making yourself sound smaller. You’re probably using words to make yourself sound smaller without even realizing it!Renée is a wedding planner and business coach on a mission to help wedding pros get more visible and become bold, empowered entrepreneurs!She’s taking us through her four-step process and sharing the tools you can use to start changing your language as soon as you finish this episode. If you’re ready to start sounding more confident and accomplished, tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Visit Renée’s Website: http://www.reneedalo.com Check Out Renée’s Wedding Business: https://moxiebrightevents.com Follow @reneedalo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneedalo/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode38

What is networking?It’s more than just passing out business cards and making small talk. It’s actually a really important part of your strategy to consider as part of your wedding industry business plan. Networking is how you get your face and name out there so that people know who you are and what you do. In this episode, I’m teaching you how to get involved in your local community of wedding professionals and start building relationships. It’s easy when you know how, but I know it can be overwhelming when you’re getting started and you feel like you don’t know anyone yet. You’re going to have an established network in no time, and over the next few episodes, I’m going to show you how to make it happen. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:WIPA: https://www.wipa.orgNACE: https://www.nace.netILEA: https://ileahub.comMPI: https://www.mpi.orgBNI: https://www.bni.comChamber of Commerce: https://www.chamberofcommerce.comShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode37

Who doesn’t love playing around with designs in Canva?Canva might be fun to use, but it also has a bunch of great professional tools built in that a lot of people don’t know about. That’s why I wanted to bring Canva Verified Expert Brenda Cadman on the podcast to teach us some of her tips and tricks. She’s explaining what the Canva Verified Expert program is, teaching us the basics of how to get the most out of Canva, and sharing what you need to know about Canva that no one else knows. Brenda Cadman is a Canva Verified Expert from Prince Edward Island, Canada. After spending more than two decades supporting businesses with their website development needs, she now focuses on teaching entrepreneurs how to use Canva more effectively and efficiently. Brenda has taught thousands of small business owners through her courses, and she loves to help business owners tame their hot mess Canva accounts by creating an organizational system that ensures they can spend less time in Canva, and more time doing what they love.No matter what level of experience you have with Canva, I know that you’re going to benefit from Brenda’s expert tips in this episode.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Visit Brenda’s Website: www.BrendaCadman.com Join Brenda’s Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/howtousecanva Follow @brendacadman on Instagram: www.instagram.com/brendacadmanSubscribe to Brenda’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/brendacadmanShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode36

Do you have CEO days in your calendar? If not, listen up. In this episode, I’m sharing what CEO days are, how to make time for them in your busy schedule, and what you should be doing on your CEO days. Spoiler: They are SO important for your business.Remember, you’re a business owner first, so it’s really important that you’re making time to work on your business, not just in it. No one else is going to take care of the business side of things for you, so it’s up to you to make sure that everything is running smoothly! The best way to do this? By checking in regularly.Schedule your CEO days in your calendar and stick to the schedule you choose. Very quickly, you’ll see how CEO days make your job as a business owner easier. If you still need to be persuaded to start scheduling CEO days for yourself, tune in. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task List: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode35

Are you acting like the owner of your wedding business?You are not a wedding planner, DJ, florist, or caterer. You are first and foremost a business owner, which means you have to do business owner things. You might not enjoy dealing with the business side of things, but it’s your responsibility to make sure that your business is running smoothly. Remember the 8 CEOs? Those are the “business owner things” that you need to be staying on top of. This episode is a recap of some of the tasks you need to be reviewing in your business and why it’s so important to put your role as business owner first. You need to create a business that works for you so that you can do more of what you love, and I want to help you in this episode!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode34

Are you using PR to grow your business? Join me for a chat with wedding PR guru Meghan Ely to talk about all things wedding business PR.We’re talking about what PR looks like for wedding professionals, how to get your work featured, how to stand out in a competitive industry, and so much more. Think of this episode as your guide to all things PR.OFD Consulting owner, Meghan Ely, CWIP (Certified Wedding Industry Professional), combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. Her team’s publicity efforts are regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America, and most recently, Meghan was named the NACE Speaker of the Year.A long-time industry speaker and writer, she is a WeddingPro educator with The Knot + WeddingWire, as well as a regular contributor to Wedding Planner Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com. Meghan currently serves as the 2022 International President for WIPA.Whether you know a bit about PR already or you’re just getting started, this episode has something for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Follow @ofdconsulting on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ofdconsulting Follow OFD Consulting on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ofdconsultingVisit Meghan’s Website: www.ofdconsulting.com Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode33

What do you do to plan and prepare for a new year?This episode is about looking forward to the new year and how to prepare for it. The last episode was about how to review, so if you listen to that episode and this one, you should have a pretty comprehensive guide to getting wrapped up with the last year and ready for the new one. When you’re finished with your review of the last year, it’s time to ask yourself what you want the next one to look like. Is there anything you want to do differently? Do you have different financial goals? Use what you’ve learned from running a business over the last year to inform what you do next! If you’re not sure where to start with your prep for the upcoming year, you’re in the right place. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode32

Do you recap your year as part of your wedding industry business plan?2022 is coming to a close and it’s time to start thinking about what happened this year and what you’d like to change for next year. By taking time to learn from the previous year and implement any changes you need to make to keep your wedding industry business plan in alignment with the life you want to live, you will set yourself up for success. In this episode, I am teaching you where to start.Don’t miss this chance to review and improve your business! Tune in now. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode31

How much time do you spend working on your business? I’m not talking about the time you spend with clients; I’m talking about the time you spend working on your 8 CEOs. In this episode of the podcast, I’m talking about making time to work on your wedding business by having a quarterly day (or half-day) where you can create a plan for the upcoming quarter. I’m teaching you how to get started, what areas to review, and where to find a great resource to help you set up quarterly days. You are a business owner and it’s up to you to take responsibility for the success of your business. Quarterly days give you an opportunity to do that by allowing you to review how things are going in your business and what you need to do to stay on track with your goals and expectations for the year. Tune in to this episode to get started!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode30

What is self-care and what does it look like for you as someone in the wedding industry?Self-care is multidimensional; it goes beyond facials and pedicures, but it can be hard to figure out what to do for yourself besides putting on a face mask! And if you’re like me, you might find this concept a little difficult to grasp.In this episode, we’re discussing multidimensional self-care and how to integrate it into your life. I’m going over 8 areas of self-care and sharing what I try to do to take care of myself in each of them.  I’m not always good at these things, but hopefully, my examples will get you thinking about what might work for you too and we can work on them together!If you have a hard time figuring out what self-care looks like for you on a more meaningful level, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:LivingUpp: www.livingupp.comShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode29

How do you find time for everything during the holidays? Do you end up sacrificing evenings and weekends?The holiday season is almost here, so you might suddenly feel like you’re trying to find extra time for family, friends, parties, clients, and everything else on your plate as a wedding planner. So let’s talk about setting boundaries for yourself, your clients, and your loved ones during the holidays.For me, clear boundaries are key to getting through the holiday season. In this episode, I’m sharing why you need to be implementing boundaries as part of your wedding planner business plan. This goes for the holiday season and the rest of the year! I’m taking you through everything you need to consider when you’re setting your boundaries and how to make sure that you, your clients, and your loved ones stick to them. If you need some help surviving the holiday season, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode28

Have you ever wondered why you feel so productive in the spring or fall but when winter comes around, all you want to do is hibernate?Our bodies are connected to the earth, and as the seasons change so do we. My energy healer Jeni Dahn is joining us for this episode to teach us about the energies of the seasons and how they can benefit our lives and wedding businesses. Jeni is taking us through each season and teaching us how to embrace them, as well as touching on how your life aligns with the seasons as a weddings business coach. Jeni Dahn is a gifted and experienced shamanic practitioner, energetic healer, and life coach who empowers her clients to reconnect with their inner wisdom and live authentically. Jeni uses a variety of indigenous and modern healing modalities which focus on removing the energetic and mental barriers which prevent individuals from living their lives to their fullest potential. If you want to get aligned with the seasons, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Visit Jeni’s Website: www.jenidahn.comFollow @lightbydahn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightbydahn/ Connect with Jeni on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeni.dahnShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode27

Could it be time to pivot? Are you on a path that will take you to the life you really want?I want to take you through the story of my life over the last four years, so that you can see how I navigated the loss of my husband, the pandemic, and pivoting my business. It’s important to talk about self-care and how the seasons affect us as humans, so I want to share what I’ve learned about self-care in my life and the tools I use to manifest the life I want. The seasons change and so do we, so it’s okay to say that you want to pivot! The path you chose was right for you once, but maybe it’s not anymore, so what are you going to do about it? Are you going to stay on a path that doesn’t make you happy anymore, or are you going to pivot to start creating a life that you want for yourself? Tune in to hear my story. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:LivingUpp: https://www.livingupp.comShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode26

Do you have a backup plan for your business for when things go awry? Is it documented?Whether we like it or not, sometimes things go wrong. You can’t know when every emergency will strike, so how do you prepare your business to survive when you have to leave without a moment’s notice? This episode is all about standard operating procedures and why they are so important for your business. I’m sharing some of my own experiences when standard operating procedures have saved me in times of crisis as well as what goes into standard operating procedures, how to get them set up, and how to make them thorough enough that your business can run without you. Whether you already have standard operating procedures in place or not, this episode will teach you something new.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode25

When was the last time you updated your contracts?This episode is about ensuring that your contracts are in tip-top shape and that you are covered when things go awry. Let’s face it, not everything is within our control; sometimes things go wrong. What is within your control is how you are legally protecting yourself from the fallout if something does go wrong when you’re working with a client. Our guest for this episode, Leah Weinberg, is an attorney and wedding planner, so she knows all about how to protect yourself in this industry. In this episode, she’s sharing her tips on what to include in your contracts, what mistakes to avoid, and how to choose your policies. Leah Weinberg is an attorney, the owner of Color Pop Events (a New York City-based wedding planning company), and the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster. Her colorful work and party-planning tips have been published online and in print with Vogue, The New York Times, People, CNN, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among many others. As a WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020, Leah travels throughout the country sharing insight with her peers regionally, as well as at national conferences such as ALT Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.If it’s been a while since you gave your contracts a refresh, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Legally Set: www.legallyset.com Color Pop Events: www.colorpopevents.com Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode24

How do you feel about putting on your CFO hat? Is it a little intimidating?In this episode, we’re talking all about being the CFO of your business with Profit First Professional Jenni Davis. Jenni is teaching us what Profit First is, why it’s a game-changer for your finances, and how to get started with it through her new program.This episode is a great introduction to Profit First and we’re sharing all the resources you need to learn more about it. Whether you’ve heard of it before or not, this episode has something for you. Jenni Davis is a Certified Profit First Professional, CFO, and owner of JMD Business Solutions. With over 25 years of experience, Jenni has learned how to step into service-based business as the "Chaos Tamer," the "Money Manager," and their #2 in the day-to-day financial operations. Jenni is passionate about eradicating financial stress for business owners and equipping them to plan for profit like they’ve never seen before. Jenni is a Profit First coach, consultant, and educator in the online business community.At JMD Business Solutions, Jenni and her team are breaking the mold in the accounting/CFO space by combining financials and operations in a way that skyrockets cash flow and plans for profit. Through profit strategy and cash flow design, Jenni and her team come alongside their clients with a “can do” attitude and take ownership of the financial aspect of the business so they don’t have to anymore. Jenni believes it's not about how much you earn, it's about how much you keep!If you need help getting your finances in order, tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Profit First Simplified: https://4jentaylor--jmdbusinesssolutions.thrivecart.com/profit-first-simplified/ Why Profit First: https://jmdbusinesssolutions.com/why-profit-first/ Follow @jmdbusiness on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmdbusiness/Follow JMD Business Solutions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMDBusinessSolutionsConnect with Jenni on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmd-business-solutions/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode23

Are you tracking the numbers in your business?In this episode, we’re talking about tracking everything coming in and going out of your business financially. The three trackers that you should have set up in your business are sales, expenses, and cash flow. I’m teaching you how to set up some simple spreadsheets that will cover everything you need to be tracking and I’m also explaining why it’s so important to be looking at your trackers regularly. Tracking your numbers is crucial for business growth. I had a lot of questions when I first started tracking finances, so I hope I can answer some of those questions for you in this episode. If you want to see the progress you’re making toward your goals, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Download Your Free Sales Tracker Template: https://fierce-composer-1597.ck.page/6395a3d9e2Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode22

Money matters. That's why financials are critical for entrepreneurs to manage. As the chief financial officer (CFO) of your business, you need to know how much money is coming in and going out at any given time. There are a lot of different areas of financial management that we’ll touch on in other episodes of the podcast, but this one is all about financial reporting. If you need someone to go back to basics on business finances, I’ve got you covered. We’re talking about what a profit and loss statement is, what a balance sheet is, how to protect yourself legally, and more. If you look at your financial reports and don’t have a clue what to do with them, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode21

Do you struggle to keep track of rentals and inventory?In the last few episodes of the podcast, we’ve talked about processes and systems that improve both the client experience and your experience as a business owner. In this episode, Mallory Mullen is here to teach us all about Goodshuffle Pro’s powerful inventory management software. You may or may not already know that I'm an inventory nerd, so I’m excited to be sitting down with Mallory to learn more about Goodshuffle Pro and how it can serve you in your wedding planning business. When I was starting out, I had to make do with spreadsheets and word docs, so I would have been thrilled to have access to something like this! With over a decade of events experience, Mallory Mullen empowers event business owners to unlock their potential and reach their business goals. As a Sales Manager with Goodshuffle Pro, Mallory works with various companies, from small to large firms. Mallory solves their unique challenges, drives customer/client engagement, and ultimately generates more revenue for their businesses with her powerful insight.Tune in to find out how Goodshuffle Pro is changing the game for inventory management. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Schedule a Call to Learn More About Goodshuffle Pro: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/design-your-wedding-business/Follow @goodshuffle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodshuffle/ Follow @eventlifemal on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventlifemal/Connect with Goodshuffle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodshuffleConnect with Goodshuffle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodshuffle/Event Rental Inventory Management: Learn How To Keep Track of Inventory: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/education/event-inventory-managementParty Rental Marketing: Build the Best Event Business Website: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/education/website-strategy-for-event-companiesThis Event Company Cut Their Sales Process in Half and Booked More Business by Switching Software: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/education/case-studies/render-eventsGoodshuffle Pro’s Website Wishlist Integration: https://pro.goodshuffle.com/integrations/website-wishlist/ Show notes available at  jentaylorconsulting.com/episode20

Are you using software or systems to enhance your client experience?If you have systems that are clunky, difficult to use, or ineffective, your clients will notice. Systems can make or break the client experience, so you want to make sure that their interactions with your business are easy, reassuring, and stress-free. But how do you do that? We’re taking a look at it in this episode. I’m sharing what systems I use as well as some other systems that might work for you. There are a lot of systems out there, so don’t settle for ones that don’t feel like the right fit for you. Try out different things until you find what you love!Whether you need help with CRM, emails, scheduling, or project management, or if you just want your clients to love every moment they spend working with you, this episode is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Systems Worksheet: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/smallbusinesssystems Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode19

Recently on the podcast, we’ve been talking about products, services, and systems, and in this episode, we’re learning about a system from its founder and CEO. Randi Bushell is the founder and CEO of Merri, a 3D visualization platform for the events industry, bringing venues, planners, and vendors into one single platform to design and execute best-in-class events. Prior to Merri, Randi spent her early career in e-commerce at Macy's, jet.com, and walmart.com. While planning her wedding in 2018, she struggled to make design decisions without adequate tools to visualize the event, which acted as a catalyst for starting Merri. Merri is now one of the fastest-growing platforms in the industry. Merri is a tool that I wish I had when I was planning weddings—so much so that I’m tempted to plan a wedding just so I can get the chance to try it out! In this episode, you’ll hear all about the creation of Merri including what it’s like to be the founder of a startup and how planning her own wedding led Randi down this entrepreneurial path. I know you’ll love Merri, Randi, and this episode, so tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Planners can either sign up and add the code DYWBPodcast (not case sensitive) to the “referral code” field or simply click the following link to sign up: https://bemerri.com/signup?rf=DYWBPodcast.Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode18

What software are you using to house your products and services?In this episode, I’m sharing the best systems out there for housing products and services. There are so many resources out there to help you set up your business, but this is an area that always seems to be left out. If you’ve been wondering where to start when it comes to deciding what system to use, let me help you! This episode is a quick and easy way to get started. Once you know the best options available to you, you’ll be able to figure out what will work best for you and your business. The systems I’m sharing are ones that I know work well for wedding professionals, so you don’t have to worry about that. Some will enhance the client experience and some will enhance your experience as a business owner! Whether you’re just getting started or you’re further along on your journey, tune in to find out what systems I recommend. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Systems Worksheet: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/smallbusinesssystems Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode17

Are you a wedding planner? consultant? day director? designer? All of the above?There are a lot of options in the wedding industry, but it’s a good idea to figure out who you are within your business because it will guide your products, niche, and offers. The other benefit of deciding who you are, and perhaps the most important, is that it will clarify what your responsibilities are on the day of an event. You can’t try to do everything on the day of a wedding, you have to pick a role and stick to it. If you need help defining who you are in your business and figuring out whether or not you need a partner, this episode is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode16

Have you ever resented a client because you felt like you weren’t being paid enough to deal with a situation? How do you avoid that happening in the future?The answer lies in how your price your packages. In this episode, we’re getting into the numbers. We’re talking about pricing packages and everything that goes along with it. I’m covering things like charging for your time, how to create packages, how to handle negotiations, and what the resentment factor is. I’m even sharing the formula that you can use to determine your prices and giving you real examples to help you see how this all breaks down. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to charging for your time,  I’m here to help. Tune in!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:The Wedding Report: https://wedding.report/ Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode15

Who is your ideal client?Maybe you’ve got it nailed down or maybe you've never thought about this before. Even if you do have an idea of who your ideal client is, this is something that is constantly evolving.In this episode, we’re covering who your ideal client is, how to talk to your ideal client, and how to create your ideal client. I’m also sharing examples of my ideal clients for each of my businesses and everything that I think about when I’m creating my ideal client. A considerable part of creating your ideal client is knowing who you are as a business and your mission. The clearer you are on who you are and what you want, the easier it will be to envision your ideal client. Tune in to get started! I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode14

Have you found your niche?Your niche is about more than just who you work with; it’s about you, your talents, and your strengths.In this episode, I’m sharing some questions for you to ask yourself to find your niche as well as my answers to these questions and how they have changed with my business. I want you to ask yourself these questions, but I also want to share my answers as examples to help you get started. We’re also taking a look at how your niche influences your brand and how to start building your brand once you’ve found your niche.Whether you’re finding your niche for the first time or you’re reviewing your niche somewhere along your journey, this episode with these questions will provide you with so much value.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode13

What’s a business without an offer?One of the many areas of your business that you have to take care of is your products and services. Whether you’re product-based or service-based, you need to be putting out quality work.When your clients are looking at your offer, they’re tuned into the WIIFM (what’s in it for me) radio station. Do you know what your clients really need? You have to be aware of what their problems are and how your offer solves those problems if you want them to stick around.In this episode, I’m teaching you the basics of creating and refining an irresistible offer for your products and services. I’m covering offer creation, offer management, profitability, feedback, and more.Whether you already have your products and services laid out and you’re looking to refine them, or you’re starting from scratch, this episode is for you.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode12

Do you need to heal your hustle?Tune in to this episode to find out what this has to do with Myers-Briggs, how to use your Myers-Briggs type in business, whether or not ambiverts exist, and what it means to heal the hustle with special guest Jessica Butts.Jessica is the queen of all things Myers-Briggs, and I’m so excited to have this opportunity to sit down with her and find out how we can heal our hustle by having a better understanding of ourselves.Jessica Butts is a psychotherapist, three-time author, Myers-Briggs expert, corporate trainer, and keynote speaker. She recently sold everything she owns and moved to Maui to heal her hustle. She hopes to help others do the same through her podcast, upcoming book, retreats on Maui, and private work with people. She is an ENFJ and her greatest passion in life is helping people understand their personality types so they can be more unapologetically themselves in life, love, and businessIf you want to be more productive at work, do more of what you love, and create better relationships, this episode is for you.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Jessica’s Personality Assessment: https://jessica-butts.mykajabi.com/personality-assessmentJessica’s Books: https://jessicabutts.com/buy-the-book/Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode11

Do you find it easy or difficult to work from home?Many of us in the wedding industry are working from home when we’re not in an event space. Some people thrive in a WFH environment, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. If you have a hard time staying focused and doing everything you said you were going to do within work hours, I’ve got some tips and tricks for you. This episode is all about the things you need to get done while you’re working from home. We’re talking about things like having a separate place to work, managing work meetings, and scope creep. Even if you’re not working from home right now, you might want to stick around for this episode so that you’re prepared if you ever need to in the future! If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we never know what’s going to happen. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorEpisode 5: Creating Boundaries & Expectations: www.jentaylorconsulting.com/episode5 Episode 9: Time Blocking: The Secret to Creating Your Perfect Day: www.jentaylorconsulting.com/episode9 Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode10

What would your perfect day look like?I’ve learned that the secret to creating my perfect day is time blocking, so I am sharing my process with you in this episode. I use this method to help my clients create their perfect days as well because it really works.At the beginning of the episode, I’m teaching you how to identify what you’re spending your time on right now so that you know how long your daily tasks take and where you might have some extra time in your schedule.If you get to the end of the day and feel like you’ve achieved nothing, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, so tune in because I want to teach you what I have learned and how I am time blocking my schedule to get everything done now!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode9

What offers do you have in your business? How do you work with your clients?This episode is about the top three ways I work with my clients: VIP days, three-month intensives, and 1-to-1 coaching. We can become so focused on serving our clients that we forget to serve ourselves and our businesses. I’ve tried, failed, and succeeded enough times that I have my system nailed down, and now I want to share it with you. I love being able to meet my clients where they’re at and work with them through the offer best-suited to their needs. Everyone’s business looks different, so everyone’s looking for help in different ways.Whether you’re looking for inspiration on how to structure your offers or wondering how you can work with me, this episode has something for you.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode8

Do you think of yourself as a CEO?As a business owner, you can get in your own way more often than not. Melissa Froehlich is here on the podcast to talk about creating a CEO mindset and the tools we need to get out of our own way. She’s sharing what in the world it means to have a CEO mindset, why it’s important, and how to get it.Melissa Froehlich is a sought-after business strategist, mentor, and certified mindset coach who works with established female entrepreneurs who are ready to own the role of leader in their business.After leaving her Fortune 500 corporate job to follow her active duty Air Force husband across the United States, Melissa rapidly built a booked-out multi-six-figure coaching business where she empowers and equips female entrepreneurs who want to carve out their own path to building profitable businesses. Through coaching, consulting, and community she helps them see what is possible and become confident CEOs who grow their businesses based on their unique definition of success. Melissa finds true joy in helping these trailblazing CEOs shorten their paths to success, grow their businesses, and gain more freedom to pursue their dreams through the power of proven strategies, a rewired mindset, and the accountability to make it stick. Whether you feel confident in your role as CEO or not, you’re not going to want to miss the knowledge that Melissa is sharing in this episode. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:The Five-Minute Journal: https://amzn.to/3NASWWCAtomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.to/3PyXgYxMindset by Carol S. Dweck: https://amzn.to/39PMSeiMelissa’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uplevelloungeShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode7

You have a dream of starting your small business, but once you get into it, how are you going to avoid getting lost in the weeds?Having some structure on the back-end of your business is really important, so in this episode, I’m sharing the small business task list that I use to manage my workflows. I’m taking you through what tasks you should be doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis to stay on top of all the important areas of your business. This process will teach you how to create a workflow around each of the 8 CEOs that we discussed in Episode 2, so if you don’t know where to start when it comes to structuring your business, start with that episode and then tune in to this one!I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Get the Small Business Task List: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/tasklistShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode6

Do you say yes when really you should say no? Do you find work creeping into your out-of-office hours?This episode is about setting boundaries and expectations to protect your time, health, and relationships. You can prevent burnout and manage your client experience by setting clear boundaries. Once you’ve established your boundaries and put them in place, you’ll never go back to how things were before. You’ll get more work done inside your work hours, your clients will be happier than ever, you’ll spend more time with friends and family, and most importantly, you’ll have more time to take care of yourself.If you’re someone who takes work on vacation or says yes to more than you have time for, this is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:FREE Best Practices Sheet: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/bestpracticesShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode5

Welcome to the first episode of the Design Your Wedding Business podcast. I’m so excited to have you here at the beginning of this journey! I want to start by getting to know each other. I want to hear your story, and in this episode, you’ll get to hear mine. As a wedding business coach, I've made it my mission to help creative entrepreneurs build streamlined workflows, processes, and procedures so they can grow their businesses and spend time on what they love the most: their craft, families, and lives. I know it’s not always fun to put in the work to build a well-oiled machine, but luckily for you, that's what I love to do. On this podcast, I'm teaching you how to take the stress and chaos out of your business, remove the guesswork, and discover a clear, profitable path to sustainable growth.If you’re trying to grow your wedding business, this is the place for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode1

Have you ever taken the time to actually write down your one, three, or five-year plans?I write these plans and goals in the form of letters to myself. It helps me visualize what I’m working towards and breaks my big goals down into quarterly goals that keep moving me forward.In this episode, I’m sharing the templates of these letters so that you can use them to write down your own one, three, or five-year plans. When you’re finished with your letters, you’ll have a clear picture of your life three or five years from now and a plan to get there.In the last episode, we talked about mission, vision, and values. In this episode, we’re taking a deeper dive into the “vision” portion and creating a plan to help you achieve your vision for the future.If you’re ready to start working towards your dream life, this episode is for you. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode4

Did you know that there are 8 CEOs in your business?This episode is all about operations, and the 8 CEOs are what make up your operations. I’m sharing what the 8 CEOs are and the roles they play in your business as well as providing tools and resources that you can use for each one. You are responsible for making sure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes of your business, and that’s what operations is all about. I want to teach you the systems and processes that you need to set up a successful business. Whether you’re just starting out or you have an established business, this episode will help you identify the areas of operations that need strengthening to make sure that things are running as efficiently as possible. Tune in to find out how to get your operations running more smoothly than ever. I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Administration: www.sba.gov Gusto: www.gusto.com QuickBooks: www.quickbooks.intuit.com Xero: www.xero.com FreshBooks: www.freshbooks.com Google Forms: www.google.com/forms/about Typeform: www.typeform.com Dubsado: www.dubsado.com HoneyBook: www.honeybook.com 17hats: www.17hats.com Trello: www.trello.com Basecamp: www.basecamp.com Asana: www.asana.com Slack: www.slack.com Calendly: www.calendly.com Acuity Scheduling: www.acuityscheduling.com Show notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode2

Do you know your mission, vision, and values? If I asked you to share them with me right now, could you do it without hesitation?In this episode, I’m teaching you how to figure out your mission, vision, and values, and how each of them impacts your business. This is one of the first things I go over with my clients when we start mapping out their businesses. Get ready to ask yourself some important questions. Who are you? What is your business? Where do you want to be in 3-5 years? What do you value?I review these questions in my own business at least every six months because they can change over time. As long as you’re evolving as a person and business, your mission, vision, and values will be evolving too. If you’re feeling lost in your business, this is a great place to start.I would love to connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting & Instagram: www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting!Resources Mentioned:Join the Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/designyourbusinessjentaylorShow notes available at jentaylorconsulting.com/episode3

Are you a woman entrepreneur in the wedding and event industry who is burnt out? Do you want your business to work for you instead of the other way around? Does the stress and frustration you’re feeling ever make you want to throw in the towel, give up on your dream, and start working on your resumé?Stop right there! Host Jen Taylor understands how you feel and has answers for you.When she started out over 15 years ago as a successful destination wedding planner in Washington and Maui, it wasn’t long before she recognized a need within the wedding and creative industries for more organized systems and processes. After all, they are the key to a happier life, both in terms of work and personal time.Since then, she has made it her mission to help creative entrepreneurs build streamlined workflows, processes, and procedures so they can grow their business and spend their time on what they love most — their craft, their family, and their life.If you are ready to stop reinventing the wheel and start getting the most out of your business, join Jen each week on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast where she shares the resources, strategies, and support you need.To find out more, visit  www.jentaylorconsulting.com