The CEO Show

What’s the point of building a business that gives you freedom if you never actually let yourself use it? This year, I’m taking EIGHT trips without my kids or my husband. Some are for work, some are with friends and some are purely because I want to go. And before you think we have some magical setup behind the scenes lol... we absolutely don’t. We have zero family support nearby, two young kids and all the usual logistics that come with real life. In this episode, I’m sharing why taking time away has become such an important part of how I make motherhood, business and life work together. We’re talking about guilt, partnership, asking for help, stepping away from the mental load and why creating space for yourself can sometimes make you better at everything you come back to. We talk about: Why I started prioritising trips without my family The reality of making it work when life isn’t convenient Why we’ve stopped keeping score in our relationship Letting go of the guilt around doing something just for you Building a life where business creates freedom, not another set of rules If you’ve built your wedding business because you wanted more freedom but still feel guilty actually taking time for yourself, this episode is for you. Relevant links: Join the waitlist for the 2027 Bali Business Retreat Connect with Laura on Instagram Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

Getting more five-star reviews is great. But if all you’re doing is screenshotting them, popping them on your stories and hoping they magically turn into bookings… you’re massively underusing them. In this episode, we’re talking about why collecting testimonials is only the first step and what actually makes social proof useful in your wedding business. Because future couples don’t just want to know that someone thought you were “amazing.” They want to understand what it was like to work with you, why another couple chose you and whether they can see themselves having that same experience. I’m sharing the shift that turns a nice review into something far more powerful and why the story behind the testimonial is often the bit that actually builds trust. We talk about: Why five-star reviews alone aren’t enough The mistake most wedding professionals make with testimonials What makes social proof actually connect with future couples Why the story behind the review matters How to make your best client experiences work harder in your marketing If you’ve collected lovely reviews but they’re mostly sitting on Google or being shared once on Instagram, this episode will show you why you could be getting so much more from them. Relevant links: Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more Connect with Laura on Instagram

I talked about the same offer more than 100 times in one month. And somehow, people were still asking me what it was. That right there is exactly why so many wedding business owners aren’t making enough sales. In this episode, we’re talking about the very unsexy truth that if you want more people to buy from you, you need to get much more comfortable actually selling. Because posting pretty wedding photos, sharing the occasional Reel and mentioning your availability once every few weeks is not the same as consistently selling your offer. I’m sharing what I noticed after talking about The CEO Club relentlessly for an entire month, why repetition matters far more than most business owners realise, and how to keep talking about the same service without feeling like you’re saying the exact same thing over and over again. We talk about: Why your audience probably hasn’t seen your offer enough The difference between posting and actually selling Why repetition helps build trust How to sell the same offer from different angles What could be stopping your content from turning into bookings If you know you’re bloody good at what you do but you’re still feeling shy about talking about your wedding services, this episode is for you. Relevant links: Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more Connect with Laura on Instagram

Every year, award season rolls around and the wedding industry absolutely loses its mind. There’s always drama, strong opinions and plenty of people telling you exactly why you should or shouldn’t enter. So today, I’m giving you my hot take. I’ve had very different experiences with awards in my own business. Some have felt genuinely exciting and well-earned. Others? Let’s just say the process left a lot to be desired. In this episode, we’re chatting about what actually matters when you’re deciding whether an award is worth entering, why I don’t think paying is automatically the red flag people make it out to be, and the bigger marketing opportunity most wedding business owners are completely missing. Because sometimes the industry conversation and the smart business decision are two very different things. We talk about: Why wedding industry awards cause so much controversy What makes an awards process feel credible The truth about paying to enter or attend Why awards can be valuable beyond the trophy How to decide if an opportunity makes sense for your business If you’ve been wondering whether wedding industry awards are worth the money, whether they actually help with bookings or whether you should ignore them altogether, this episode is for you. Relevant links: Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more Connect with Laura on Instagram

Just because weddings are seasonal doesn’t mean your income should be too. One thing I really want wedding business owners to stop accepting is the idea that off-season automatically means struggling, stressing about cash flow or waiting for wedding season to rescue you again. That feast-or-famine cycle might be common in the wedding industry, but it doesn’t have to be your normal. In this episode, I’m talking about what it actually takes to create more consistent revenue throughout the year, even when you’re not delivering as many weddings. We’re getting into the difference between simply being booked and building a business that gives you real financial stability. I’ll also walk you through the key areas to look at if your income tends to drop the second things get quieter, and how to start thinking more strategically about protecting your cash flow before off-season even arrives. We talk about: Why off-season doesn’t have to mean low income The number your business should never dip below What could be causing inconsistent enquiries Why more leads aren’t always the answer Creating smarter income opportunities in quieter months If you’re over the income rollercoaster and want your wedding business to feel more stable, profitable and supportive all year round, this episode is for you. Relevant links: Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more Connect with Laura on Instagram

What if the wedding business you’re trying to build doesn’t need to look anything like the ones you’re comparing it to? Becky Barry is a regional celebrant who went from juggling a secure school job, family life and a brand-new business to creating a career with more freedom, flexibility and space for what matters most to her. But her journey hasn’t followed the usual wedding industry playbook. In this episode, Becky and I have a very honest chat about what it really looks like to back yourself when you live hours from a major city, you’re surrounded by lower-priced options and the traditional marketing advice doesn’t quite fit your business. We talk about the moment she decided to stop waiting for proof that it would work, the challenges she’s faced along the way and how her idea of success has changed as her life has evolved. We talk about: Leaving a secure job before everything felt certain Building a wedding business in a regional area Charging in a market where cheaper options are everywhere Finding bookings without following every marketing rule Creating a business that supports your life and family If you’re building your wedding business around a job, family, location or lifestyle that doesn’t fit the usual mould, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. Relevant links: Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more Connect with Laura on Instagram Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

Have you ever raised your prices, watched your enquiries slow down and immediately thought, “see, I knew I was too expensive”? You’re not alone. So many wedding pros increase their rates, get a few more no’s or suddenly hear crickets, then panic and put their prices straight back down. But what if the price was never actually the problem? In this episode, we’re talking about why changing the numbers on your website isn’t enough to make a price increase stick. I’m also sharing the story of a wedding celebrant who was convinced couples in her area wouldn’t pay more. She’d tried increasing her prices before, but it never worked. This time, she used the proven price increase strategy from The CEO Club and what happened next completely changed the way she saw her pricing. We talk about: Why your previous price increase may not have worked The mistake wedding professionals make when updating their rates What couples need to understand before they’ll pay more How to raise your prices without immediately losing confidence If you know you’re undercharging but you’re terrified that increasing your prices will lead to fewer enquiries, more ghosting or no bookings, this episode is for you. LINKS Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more

Being fully booked is often sold as the ultimate sign of success in the wedding industry. But what if a packed calendar, endless meetings and every weekend taken up with weddings is not actually the dream? In this episode, I’m breaking down why being fully booked can leave you exhausted, underpaid and with a business that relies entirely on you being available all the time. Because more weddings do not automatically mean more profit, more freedom or a better life. We talk about: Why being fully booked often means more admin, more pressure and less freedom, not more success Why chasing volume can quietly keep your prices low and your business unprofitable The real difference between revenue and profit, and why most people never look at it What one client changed after hitting 100 bookings in her first year and nearly burning out Why some of my clients now make more money from fewer, better fit bookings If you are busy all the time but your bank account is not reflecting the effort you are putting in, this episode is for you. Because the goal is not to be fully booked. The goal is to be fully profitable. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram

What if the thing holding your business back is not talent, but trying to sell everything at once? This week I'm joined by past client Britt, a Byron Bay marriage celebrant and founder of Happy Days Weddings. Before starting her business, Britt was juggling three jobs and stuck in a cycle where the money came in and went straight back out again. She knew she wanted more, but had never been taught how to actually run a business, and it took her over a year of sitting on the fence before she finally invested in support. Once Britt got ruthlessly clear on her one core offer, everything changed. She left her corporate job and built a business that now gives her both the income and the freedom she once thought she had to choose between. In this episode we discuss: Why being brilliant at your craft does not mean you know how to run a business Why pulling back to one core offer felt boring, but became the foundation for everything after How the right support gave Britt the courage to hand in her resignation with no safety net Why lead trackers and KPIs became her favourite part of running a business This is such a good listen if you have big ideas and are ready to build a business that actually works instead of spinning your wheels. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram If you’d like to register for one of Britt’s Breathwork sessions, click here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

If you want to make more money in your wedding business but consistent $20K months feel completely out of reach, this episode is for you. There are so many myths around what it takes to reach bigger income goals. You might think you need a huge audience, a luxury brand, a big team, more offers or a diary packed with even more weddings. But consistent $20K months are not about becoming a completely different business. They are about building a business model designed to create more revenue, more profit and more freedom from the work you are already doing. In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest myths that keep wedding pros playing small and capping their income potential. We talk about: Why you do not need a massive audience or thousands of followers to make more money Why $20K months are possible without positioning yourself in the luxury wedding market How solopreneurs and small teams can create consistent $15K to $30K months Why creating more packages and offers can actually make your business harder to grow The difference between being fully booked and being genuinely profitable How better pricing, positioning, sales and systems can help you earn more without sacrificing more weekends Why the right business model matters more than being internet famous, having a huge team or working harder If you have been telling yourself that bigger income months are only available to people with a completely different business, audience or lifestyle, this episode will help you challenge those beliefs and see what is actually possible for you. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

What if the goal is not to make more money, but to create a wedding business that actually gives you more freedom? This week I’m joined by past client Zena Lythgo, a Melbourne marriage celebrant, funeral celebrant and co-founder of I Do Drive Thru Weddings. After 12 years in business, Zena had built an incredible reputation, but behind the scenes, the business had started to feel chaotic. She was working too many weekends, saying yes to meetings whenever couples needed them, and trying to keep everything moving while life was also life-ing hard. Her goal was not necessarily to make more money. She wanted more freedom, more structure, more space to enjoy her life and a business that felt sustainable again. Once Zena stopped winging it and started making a few intentional changes behind the scenes, she created more white space, stronger boundaries and 250% increase in revenue. In this episode we discuss: Why being brilliant at your craft does not automatically mean you are across the business side How Zena went from self-confessed creative hot mess to understanding her leads, cash flow and projections Why more structure can actually create more freedom in your wedding business The impact hiring a VA had on Zena’s workload and capacity How support, accountability and the right people around you can help you finally follow through on the changes you have been putting off This is such a good listen if you have built a business you love, but you are tired of feeling like you are constantly chasing your tail behind the scenes. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram

If your calendar is looking a little too empty, your first thought is probably, “I need more enquiries.” But what if that is not actually the problem? In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest mistake I see wedding business owners make when they want to grow, and how to work out whether you really have a marketing problem, a sales problem - or something else entirely holding your income back. We talk about: How to tell whether you genuinely need more wedding enquiries or whether your marketing is already doing its job Why getting ghosted can actually give you useful information about your business What to look at if you are booking weddings but still not making enough money The three key areas that could be creating a bottleneck in your wedding business Why tracking a few simple numbers can save you months of wasted time, money and effort If you have been creating more content, joining directories, considering ads, or trying every possible way to get more leads, this episode will help you figure out whether that is actually where your focus needs to go. LINKS: Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram

What if the reason you are not hitting $20K months has nothing to do with your followers, your niche, or your team? In this episode, I'm busting the biggest myths I hear when wedding pros tell me consistent $20K months are not possible for them. Because when income feels capped, it is easy to assume you need a bigger following, a luxury rebrand, a bigger team, or more offers to sell. But most of my clients making $15K to $30K months are normal humans running normal businesses, and the real difference has nothing to do with any of that. We talk about: Why you do not need a massive following to hit $20K months Why you do not need to be in the luxury market to make this kind of money Why a bigger team is not what creates more revenue Why more offers usually creates more chaos, not more money Why booking more weddings is not the answer either If you have been telling yourself $20K months are only for other people, this episode will help you see what is actually possible for your wedding business. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE Wedding Business Growth Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram

You can be incredibly talented at what you do and still struggle to make the money, book the right couples, or create the freedom you want from your wedding business. Being a brilliant wedding photographer, planner, florist, celebrant, DJ, stylist, content creator or cake maker is just one part of building a successful wedding business. In this episode, I’m talking about the shift from being a wedding professional who is focused on their craft, to becoming a Wedding CEO who understands how to grow a profitable, sustainable business behind the scenes. We talk about: Why calling yourself a wedding vendor or supplier can keep you thinking smaller than you need to The difference between being brilliant at your craft and being brilliant at business How Wedding CEOs approach pricing, marketing and sales differently Why relying solely on Instagram is not a sustainable marketing strategy The simple business skills that help wedding pros create more consistent income and stop working every weekend for less than they deserve If you know you are great at what you do but your income or freedom are not reflecting that yet, this episode will help you see the gap between where you are now and the Wedding CEO you are ready to become. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram

I was ready to throw it all in the bin! Have you ever had a season in your business where you’ve wondered whether you’ve outgrown it, lost your spark, or just need to burn the whole thing down and start again? In this episode, I’m sharing why I disappeared from the podcast for 16 months, why I genuinely considered quitting my business and actually getting a job [eek!] and what I eventually realised was really going on. We talk about: Why feeling disconnected from your business does not always mean you need to quit The danger of creating new offers, projects and plans when you are already overwhelmed Why so many women are taught to push through instead of listening to what their body needs How to tell the difference between a genuine business problem and a season where you need more support, rest or care If you have been feeling flat, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or like you are one bad day away from throwing your business in the bin, this episode is for you my love. LINKS Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Join the waitlist for the CEO Mastermind Connect with Laura on Instagram

If people are enquiring to work with you, congrats! You’ve done the hard part. Whether they’re emailing, DMing, filling out your forms or downloading your price guides - this is where the magic happens. However, it’s also where things can fall apart FAST. Your first response to a new lead is single handedly one of the most important means of communication you’ll have in the entire customer journey [no pressure!] If your response is a flop, you’ll lose that sale. And honestly, too many people are missing out on $$$ because their responses are wishy washy AF. I’ve reviewed, edited, and revamped countless enquiry responses for my clients and in this episode, I’m sharing exactly what makes the difference between getting ghosted and getting booked. In this episode: Why you’re getting ghosted: The #1 mistake business owners make when responding to enquiries. The sweet spot for length: Why both too-short and too-long responses are killing your sales. How to structure a winning response: What to include, what to leave out, and how to keep it fun and engaging. Simple fixes that increase bookings: Easy tweaks that boost your response rate instantly. LINKS: Apply for Freedom Empire [1:1 Business Consulting & Mastermind] Join the Offer Lab and build your premium, sell out offer Get my free AI Bot to create your million dollar offer Connect with me on Instagram here Learn more about working with me here

Content creation always seems to be every business owners pet peeve. Not enough time, don’t know what to post, stressing over the algorithm, feeling overwhelmed with all the chatter of content pillars, themes, buckets and all the things… The reason you’re overthinking it is because you’re likely drowning in a sea of social media ‘expert’ advice that’s making you think you need a fancy schmancy strategy. And when we’re confused AF, we get paralysed and don’t do anything - which means you’re very likely not posting at all right now [and this is not a vibe!] In this episode I want to give you the confidence to tell the content pillars to f*ck off and just keep everything super simple so that you can stop stressing and start sharing! In this episode you’ll learn: Why content pillars and complicated strategies are holding you back from showing up online How to tap into your dream client’s desires, struggles, and cravings to create magnetic content How to choose content topics effortlessly, even if you’re in the middle of a launch How to forget the ‘right’ format and instead choose what feels fun and easy for YOU to share LINKS: Apply for Freedom Empire [1:1 Business Consulting & Mastermind] Join the Offer Lab and build your premium, sell out offer Get my free AI Bot to create your million dollar offer Connect with me on Instagram here Learn more about working with me here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

This year has gone by so fast, like holy crap! And while everyone is sharing their Spotify wrapped, huge 2024 wins and big juicy plans for 2025, it can be easy to get caught up in the income goals, milestones and comparisons. In this episode I want to share with you the process I undertake to reflect on my year, without my ‘success’ being entirely determined by my income. Because right now, at the end of 2024 I am the richest I’ve ever been [but it’s not because of what you might think!] In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why success isn’t just about financial milestones How to reflect meaningfully on your year without tying it to your worth The power of calling in abundance beyond money How creating time and space can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life LINKS: My 1:1 business consulting is now open for applications. Click here to apply to work with me in 2025. Ready to take a break? Join the Bali Business Retreat. Click here to learn more Wanna see how else to work with me? Head here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program

Let’s talk about actually enjoying your success. Because maybe you’re already owning your wins. Maybe you’re celebrating them, too. But then what? Are you actually kicking back and reaping the rewards of all your hard work? Or are you smashing the goal, ticking it off, and moving on to the next thing without pausing to soak it all in? This episode is for you if you’ve created success, but you’re struggling to slow down, enjoy the ease you’ve worked so hard to build, or let your business truly support you. In this episode, I cover: Why so many high-achieving women struggle to enjoy the ease they’ve created. Signs you might be subconsciously sabotaging yourself when things start feeling simple. How I struggled to slow down and actually enjoy my 4 month trip to Europe despite spending 3.5 years building a business I could take anywhere. Why it’s safe to let things feel easeful, calm, and simple - and how to lean into that. Fave Quote: "What’s the point of all that effort if you don’t actually stop to enjoy it?" If you’re looking for a place to grow your business with personalised support, my mastermind is open for applications. Click here to apply or DM me on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. LINKS Learn how to work with Laura here Join the Bali Business Retreat

Welcome back to CEO Conversations! I am so excited for my chat this week with Em Chapman, a WA based event stylist and wedding planner who has taken her business from side-hustle to six-figures in the last 12 months. Since we started working together in 2023, Em has smashed every single thing on her to-do list, goal sheet and vision board in record timing. Hitting her first $100k+ year, buying her first home, getting her beautiful furbaby and dream car - all the things. In this episode we talk about how she made it happen and some of the big moments she attributes to her success. Including the challenges of creating structure and a new routine when you move from side-hustle or part time business to it becoming your all in thing. And we also dive into the complexities of trying to date when you’re an independent woman with your own business and how it’s often challenging to meet a guy who is actually on the same level, plus the pressure of being the sole income earner and how that impacts making decisions in the business. I can’t wait for you to hear from her! Let’s go… In this episode we discuss: Her journey of transitioning from a secure government job to becoming her own boss. The importance of work-life balance, flexibility, and the joy of small moments in how you determine ‘success’ The challenges of creating structure in a new routine Quote of the episode: ‘I get to do that now because of my business’ If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your own version of success over the next 6-12 months, the CEO Mastermind is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program