For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

Aneesa Glines can best be described as a force of nature with a huge smile and even bigger laugh, whose kind nature is matched by her business drive and desire to grow professionally.  She's the owner and lead consultant of Harmony Weddings and Events, the owner of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills , AND the owner of the upcoming venue The Graham Mill . And she only got into weddings - while still in c...

Cindy Novotny has been called "The Radical Mentor" for good reason. She is a no-nonsense, call-it-like-it-is, whether-you-want-to-hear-it-or-not speaker and hospitality consultant. Today she comes on the show to talk about her upcoming book, The Secret to My Stamina, and her previous work, Living with No Balance and Loving It . Cindy has run her consulting business Master Connection Associates wit...

If you're anything like Megan, 2019 has been all about personal and professional growth - how to be a better boss, friend, partner, and mom. And one of the most fascinating ways that she has found to analyze how she can improve overall is the Enneagram personality assessment. So on today's show, Megan talks to Joanna Kenney (also of Jo's Paper Kitchen in Montgomery TX) about what makes the Enneagr...

If you’re a member of the Rising Tide Society Facebook Group, you might have seen a post (since deleted) a few months ago from a photographer who said that when a wedding planner is involved, it makes other wedding vendors’ jobs more difficult and it messes up the flow of a wedding day. From his perspective, it’s better to have a wedding WITHOUT a planner.  Well as you either saw or can imagine, t...

Jose Rolon is the lead wedding planner at  Jose Rolon Events in New York City.  Jose is a single father of 3 children, a 6 year-old and 5 year-old twins, and today he shares such incredible insight into how his children have helped him grow his business in this touching, funny, and emotional episode.     Jose Rolon Events on Social Media: Instagram: @JoseRolonEvents Facebook: @JoseRolonEvents Pint...

Among other incredible accolades, Francie Dorman and Britt Cole of 42 North Weddings in New England have been named one of the top planning companies by Brides Magazine in 2019. With their success, they wanted to mentor up-and-coming wedding planners in the New England area. And so they founded a completely separate brand to do just that -   Mavinhouse Events.   42 North on Social Media: Facebook:...

Megan and Jason went onto the couples' therapy couch and got some amazing advice from their own therapist, Christian Charette from Couple Forward in Raleigh NC. This episode is part two of a two-parter. Last week, Christian shared what roadblocks in a relationship can lead to tension.  This week, it's all about tips for better communication. About Christian Charette: Christian specializes in helpi...

Megan and Jason went onto the couples' therapy couch and got some amazing advice from their own therapist, Christian Charette from Couple Forward in Raleigh NC. This episode is a two-parter, and today Christian shares what roadblocks in a relationship can lead to tension.  So let's get uncomfortable and learn how we can be better partners. And next week, he'll share tips for better communication....

Alisha Chadee is the co-owner of Events by Whim Event Planning in Toronto Ontario, and she comes on the show today to talk about how to make your clients feel like they're the only ones you're working with.  It takes strategic time management and boundaries, and Alisha gives some amazing tips!   At the top of the show, you heard host Megan Gillikin mention that she will be speaking at WIPA Toronto...

Amanda Writesman is screaming from the rooftop that - if you're a wedding vendor - you need to get your Pinterest game back on point!  Will you listen to her?  If you want an easy way to put content out there that you already have, with the purpose of driving couples to your website, in a place where your competitors are slacking, you'll want to tune in! Also, at the end of the episode, Amanda men...

Artem Lomaz is DJ Times' Entertainer of the Year two years in a row, in 2018 and 2019!  Today he talks about what he does to go the extra mile for his clients, from sentimental cards, to trying (and still trying!) to get Lil Jon to send a message to one of his clients.  Artem gives some great advice and tips in this episode so that we don't just do the bare minimum - and instead, we truly make it...

Engagement season is right around the corner, and you don't want a website that repels your ideal client right? On this episode, Megan and Jason Gillikin give 3 easy tips to audit your website so you can book more clients!     Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com . The...

Valerie Gernhauser runs two wedding planning companies - Sapphire Events and Ruby and Pearl Events  - in the same market (New Orleans). Why did she decide to do that? She wanted to diversify her business to reach different clientele at different price points. But why not just offer different packages?  Valerie explains her strategy behind separating the brands and how it's worked for her so far! A...

Wedding photographer Rachel May talks to Megan about motherhood, and they come up with the definitive guide to how to be an amazing mother, be ever-present with your kids, run your business well, be always put-together, give your kids the right amount of screen time and social media, and never feel guilt about anything.  With a combined six kids, Megan and Rachel know exactly what needs to be done...

Kevin Dennis has been in the wedding industry for 30 years (!!) as the owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services  near San Francisco and the Napa Valley. He's also the international president of WIPA, the Wedding International Professionals Association. He's also involved in NACE and many other network associations.  So needless to say, he knows his networking. Today, he shares how to use that network...

Imposter Syndrome: a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".  Sometimes as creatives, we experience this, and it can be crippling to our success and our mental state. So what do we do?  Megan talked to Nikki Whitt Belch from Fancy This Photography , and they share their struggles as well as some...

Sam Jacobson, founder of Ideaction Consulting , has found that there are 4 types of buyers in the wedding market - The Relator, the Analyzer, the Boss, and the Dreamer.  And today, Sam gives some ways to identify what each of your clients are, how to sell them, how to work best with them, and how you need to change your sales strategy if you want to maximize the opportunities for clients to work w...

When Cavin Elizabeth moved to the San Diego market, she was wondering if making educational videos and sharing them on YouTube would be a way to attract clients and grow her business.  After 140 videos and over 1,700 subscribers, YouTube has been a resounding success. But why aren't most of us taking advantage of video marketing? We talk all about it in this week's episode! Support this show by su...

At the Engage Luxury Wedding Summit in June, therapist and entrepreneurial coach Andy Maurer gave the most impactful and self-reflective speech at a breakout session - "Toxic Stress and How It's Killing Your Business". Many people left that session crying. I told as many people I could about it but could never do the speech justice. So I had to have Andy back on the show today to share his breakou...

Styled Shoots.  You get your friendors together and create a completely unique pretend wedding that you don't have to plan out for months.  They seem easy right? Well, not exactly. Styled shoots can cost money, time, and sanity, so today, Leah Weinberg from Color Pop Events in New York City comes on to share her 3 Do's and 3 Don't's for Styled Shoots!   Support this show by supporting our sponsor:...

Weekend Wine Down Time! Megan and Jason talk about the live show coming up in August, where to spend a long weekend, and 9 years of A Southern Soiree! The host of Weddings for Real is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning .  She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at megan@weddingsforreal.com . Wedd...

In a wedding market already filled with planners, photographers, videographers, DJs, florists....every wedding vendor you can possibly imagine, how can you possibly stand out?  Raleigh-based wedding photographer Julia Wade is one of a kind, and she shares her tips for individuality in a saturated market!   Support this show by supporting our sponsors: Visit MyPinkPartyBox.com for Vendor Gifts and...

  Michelle Loretta from Sage Wedding Pros is a wedding business consultant with a mind for numbers and a passion for business plans! Today she comes on the show to talk all about how to make your big business decisions, and it can't be just because your competitors are doing it.   Sage Wedding Pros on Social Media: Instagram: @SageWeddingPros Facebook: @SageWeddingPros twitter: @SageWeddingPros  ...

  Kinsey Roberts is the owner Vista View Events on Open Heart Ranch in Colorado, but you probably know her best as the fabulous host of the She Creates Business Podcast !  Today, Kinsey comes on the show to talk all about opening up a wedding venue! What are some tips and recommendations to help you through the process? And what are some potential landmines to avoid?   Kinsey Roberts (image by Mek...

  The latest Engage! Summit was June 10-13th in the Bahamas, and Megan was there for the full luxury wedding and event education experience!  And today, she shares her top ten takeaways from the speakers she heard.   Tips are from:   1)  Hayley Paige (14:10) 2) Amirah Kassem (18:40) 3) Cindy Novotny (22:30)  4) Duncan Wardle (26:50) 5) Julian Leaver (31:55)  6) Tracie Domino (35:10)  7) Tracie Dom...