Wedding MBA Podcast

Susan Southerland, CEO of Just Events Group. "Stranger Things: Disaster-Proof Your Weddings." The importance of wedding professionals remaining calm and prepared for unexpected issues. She advised knowing venue emergency protocols, being transparent with clients about potential challenges, and learning from industry colleagues' experiences. The value of clear communication, especially when working with a team, and how effective problem-solving can enhance a professional's reputation. JustEventsGroup.com. @Susan_Southerland.

Alea Shalae, a hybrid photo and video photographer. StillsToFilms.com. Photography and videography services using consecutive capture rather than simultaneous capture, utilizing modern mirrorless cameras that allow easy switching between photo and video modes. Alea emphasized the benefits of horizontal business growth by offering additional services beyond just vertical expansion to luxury clients, noting that photographers can double their revenues by expanding their service offerings while providing better client service. @Alea.Shalae

Irene, planner and designer. "Turn Creativity Into Profit". How planners and designers can turn creativity into profit by effectively communicating their vision to clients. She described a step-by-step process, starting with building confidence and a belief system, then using tactile tools such as paint swatches and fabric samples to help clients visualize and connect with the design. Use digital tools such as Canva, TripleSeat, and Rendify for 2D and 3D renderings to create a clear and persuasive presentation of the final space. Overcome clients' lack of imagination and facilitate easier decision-making and contract signing. @IreneCoEvents. IreneCoEvents.com

Shannon Tarrant, ShannonTarrant.com. "Predator: Steal couples from competitors." Why clients choose specific vendors over others, rather than focusing solely on unique product offerings. The importance of gathering feedback from referral sources and industry professionals through both email surveys and networking conversations to identify common pain points and unique value propositions. How businesses can leverage both B2B relationships and marketing messaging to better position themselves in the market. @theShannonExperience

Sonja Babich, the owner and CEO of Iron Diamond Media. "Cover Story: How to Get Published." The benefits and process of getting published in wedding publications, including how professionals can submit content, the importance of including multiple vendors in credits, and the value of being featured in both digital and print formats. Sonja shares her perspective on Taylor Swift's recent wedding. @sonja_irondiamond @irondiamondweddings @weddingdaypodcast

Alan Berg, AlanBerg.com. "From Ghosted to Booked: Why Your Leads Go Silent." The biggest opportunity businesses miss - re-engaging with prospects who have already inquired but haven't said no yet. Persistence is different from aggression. Modern couples often get overwhelmed by decision-making in the wedding planning process. Alan advised against forcing immediate calls or meetings with prospects and recommended following up over 90 days rather than sending multiple communications in short periods.

Raina Moskowitz, CEO of The Knot Worldwide. Raina shared insights on industry trends, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and community building, while also discussing how weddings and celebrations play a crucial role in creating human connections. The conversation covered generational differences in wedding planning, the integration of technology and AI in the industry, and Raina's upcoming presentation at the conference, where she encouraged attendees to connect with her both at the event and on LinkedIn.

Terrica, a wedding planner and business coach, shared her approach to wedding sales, emphasizing the importance of creating authentic experiences and building strong relationships with clients. She advised setting boundaries to avoid burnout and using strategic language to communicate service changes. @introducingTerrica

Don Mamone. DonMamone.com. Don explored concepts of purpose, ikigai, and authenticity in business, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and personal development for creating sustainable impact and legacy in the wedding industry.

Nora Sheils, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, a CRM software platform for the wedding and event industry, to discuss the importance of effective sales through education and client matching. Nora emphasizes the value of community and collaboration in the event planning industry. The discussion concludes with practical advice for business owners on selecting and utilizing CRM platforms, including the importance of customer support and clear communication strategies, along with an offer of free access to the platform for listeners. RockPaperCoin.com. https://app.rockpapercoin.com/SignUp?promoCode=CLINT

Colleen Carswell. StructuredToScale.com. SMS marketing strategies for different generations. Colleen explained various communication techniques and data analysis around text marketing, including the use of chatbots and booking methods to improve conversion rates. Colleen emphasized the importance of providing clear customer communication options while maintaining human interaction. @ColleenCarswell_

Nayri, a Wedding Fashion Expert, who discussed her work at Lovella Bridal and shared insights on social media marketing strategies for the wedding industry. Nayri emphasized the importance of storytelling, vendor collaboration, and personal presentation in wedding business success, while also discussing her approach to social media content creation and management. @weddingfashionexpert, @lovellabridal, @lovellaplus. YouTube: Wedding Fashion Expert.

Clint interviews Amanda Schuman, the founder and CEO of Carrylove Designs, CarryLoveDesigns.com, a marketing agency serving the wedding and event industry, to discuss her background and upcoming presentation at the Wedding MBA Conference. They explore strategies for engaging couples after inquiries, emphasizing the importance of follow-up and converting inquiries into bookings through a structured booking process. Amanda shares insights on maintaining a personal tone in automated messages, responding quickly to potential clients, and the need for wedding professionals to positively influence client experiences while demonstrating leadership and expertise. hello@CarryLoveDesigns.com

Andrea Shaw, AndreaShah.com. The discussion focused on understanding different buyer personalities in wedding sales and tailoring sales approaches accordingly, with Andrea providing insights on how to approach both emotional and logical buyers through effective communication and information sharing.

Shannon Tarrant, VenueHelpDesk.com. Shannon shared insights on addressing lead conversion issues in the wedding industry, emphasizing the importance of simplifying pricing, language, and the sales process to better engage with modern couples. They discussed the role of AI and social media in marketing strategies, with Shannon highlighting the need for businesses to adapt to current trends and audience preferences.

Anthony Lambatos, TheMIBE.com, shares his experience as a second-generation family business owner and discussed his new venture "Make It Better Every Day," MIBE, which focuses on educating the hospitality industry about leadership, culture, and financial growth. The conversation covered key business metrics, cash flow management, revenue tracking, and company culture, with Anthony emphasizing the importance of understanding financial metrics, analyzing conversion points, and maintaining a positive work environment. Anthony@FootersCatering.com.

Attorney Braden Drake, NotAVGLaw.com, discusses his upcoming presentation at the 2025 Wedding MBA Conference, focusing on contract essentials and litigation risk reduction for wedding professionals. He emphasizes the importance of documenting all agreements and modifications in writing, explaining that while oral contracts are legally binding, they're difficult to enforce without evidence. Braden shares insights from his mediation experience and discusses legal considerations for officiants, highlighting that written contracts serve as valuable conflict resolution tools beyond mere legal protection. @NotAVGLaw.

Jen Trotter, LipServiceMakeup.com. Communication strategies and conflict resolution. Jen shares her approach to influencing clients and vendor partners through subtle communication techniques, emphasizing the importance of tone, body language, and meeting clients where they are. @LipServiceMakeup

Matt Radicelli, Mentor Pods. Matt shared insights on referral marketing strategies for service-based industry professionals, emphasizing the importance of building a business model focused on repeat business and referrals rather than paid advertising. The discussion covered various aspects of marketing and communication, including the use of templates, authentic outreach, and the importance of tracking marketing metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of referral programs. Matt@MentorPods.com. MentorPods.com/WeddingMBA

Rene Dallo, ReneeDalo.com, a wedding planner and educator who will be presenting on Instagram reel techniques. The discussion focused on social media content creation strategies in the wedding industry, with Renee sharing her experience of evolving from dismissing video content to embracing it as a marketing tool. They explored various aspects of content creation, including the importance of authenticity, consistency, and automation, while also discussing the challenges of balancing professional content with personal presence across different social media platforms. CapCut. ManyChat. Vanessa Van Edwards, ScienceOfPeople.com. @ReneeDalo.