The Wedding Biz - Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Sean Low, Founder and President of The Business of Being Creative LLC, chat about David Adler's interview on the Wedding Biz. Seans' consulting firm is focused on providing practical advice to those in the business of being creative, his client list includes many of the biggest names in the wedding and design industries. Listen in as they discuss...

Andy is excited to welcome, David Adler, CEO and Founder of BizBash Media, a resource marketplace for event organizers of all types and the host of a podcast called Gather Geeks. In this episode, David chats about how he got started in the media world, the magazine he started when he was 21, the idea behind BizBash and how technology is changing the way people look at events. David talks about his...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Jennifer Stein, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, discuss Sean De Freitas's interview on the Wedding Biz. Jennifer was recognized as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by the Arizona Republic and has over 19 years of experience in business and publishing. If you are planning a destination wedding and need ideas th...

Andy is excited to welcome, Sean De Freitas, Founder of Designs by Sean an International award-winning full service event decor company specializing in both corporate and social events. Sean's work has been recognized with over 35 industry awards and his designs are out of this world. In this episode, Sean chats about how he got started in design, his influences along the way, how a logistic mind...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Tait Larson, co-founder of Style Me Pretty, discuss Tim Chi's interview on the Wedding Biz. Tait and his wife Abby founded Style Me Pretty, sold it to AOL, and then took it back after AOL announced they were shutting it down. Tait has some fantastic insights to share on Tim's interview and the future of the industry. Learn how Tait and Andy feel...

Andy welcomes to the show Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, a technologist and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to creating better, more efficient technologies for the education and wedding industries. Before co-founding WeddingWire, he co-founded Blackboard. Tim is driven to help others by creating resources through technology! In this episode, Tim chats about his inspiration for Wedding...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Valerie Gernhauser, CEO of Sapphire Events, discuss Meryl Snow's second interview on the Wedding Biz. Valerie is a self-proclaimed, recovering attorney who has built a business out of design practices and principles as well as teaching others how to build their own business. She loves sharing the knowledge she has gained through trial and error i...

Andy welcomes back to the show Meryl Snow, an icon in the events and catering industry. In Meryl's first interview, she and Andy discussed her multiple businesses and how she started in the space. The conversation was amazing and there were so many more details to unpack.  On this episode, Meryl shares everything from why she admires the millennial work philosophy and how to prepare, create, and g...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Julie Novack, founder of PartySlate, chat about Calder Clark's interview on the Wedding Biz. Julie is a marketing expert who has been in the business for more than 20 years and is working to make PartySlate the best resource in the world for connecting wedding vendors and their clients. Julie and Andy discuss everything from Clader's initial mark...

Calder Clark, owner and creative director at Calder Clark, has created a devoted following due to her flawless attention to detail for her immaculate destination fetes. Andy and Calder dive deep into her background, processes, and what truly drives her to plan and design the events she takes on.  Learn how she set herself up for success early on, learned the ins and outs of the wedding biz from he...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy and Jes Gordon, the rockstar event producer, chat about Darren Olarsch's interview on The Wedding Biz. Jes has been involved in planning and visualizing top tier events for huge companies and has a lot to say about the space. Listen in to hear her input on the live music scene for occasions and how passion is the driver of business.   Andy and Jess dive deep...

Darren Olarsch, Founder of On The Move Entertainment, has built a business out of creating the ultimate music-scapes for every event he puts on.  He is sought after for his focus on live bands and orchestras and creating the most amazing dramatic music scenes for his events.  Learn how music is the keystone of each event and how Darren layers his musical themes to create a magical dream-scape for...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Sean Low, chat about key topics from Andy's interview with David Monn. Sean has been featured on several of THE NEXT LEVEL conversations and always provides wonderful insights into the businesses of The Wedding Biz guests. This episode is no different. Amongst other valuable topics, Sean and Andy discuss the details of David's phil...

Join David Monn and Andy as they travel down memory lane to discover the events and steps that led David to develop a unique sense of design in the event industry. Join Andy and David as they travel down memory lane to discover the events and steps that led him to develop a unique sense of design in the event industry. David's unique ability to align the senses to create the most effective event t...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Sean Low, discuss key topics from last Monday's interview with Meryl Snow. Sean is a big-picture thinker who connects the dots for creative business owners to find high levels of success.    On this episode of The Next Level, Sean and Andy discuss the way Meryl Snow built her business to where it is now. From becoming a trendsetter...

Meryl has spent 28 years in the special event & catering industry as co-founder of Feastivities Events, along with its subsidiaries OffShoots Decor and Philadelphia's Picnic Company.  She also is the author of Booked It! Selling, Closing And Standing Out In The Special Events Industry. Meryl also authored Cha Ching There's No Money In Sales For 2nd Place. And three how-to Style & Design videos. He...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Andre Wells, discuss key topics from this week's interview with Mark Ingram. Andre is a renowned event planner and designer known for creating high caliber parties for his many high-profile clients.  On this episode of The Next Level, Andy and Andre discuss the wonderful nuggets of wisdom Mark Ingram provided in his interview. Firs...

Mark Ingram has spent his life studying, admiring, and sharing fashion. After spending years in the fashion industry in various positions, he decided to open his own boutique bridal salon in New York City called Mark Ingram Atelier. His new line of wedding dresses are now available worldwide, which can currently be seen in person in his atelier. Mark shares how his family influenced his love of fa...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Rachel Birthistle, discuss last week's interview with Kiana Underwood. Rachel is the CEO and owner of The Lake Como Wedding Planner and happens to be in Italy overlooking beautiful Lake Como during this interview. Welcome to another episode of The Next Level. Today, Andy is joined by co-host Rachel Birthistle to discuss his amazing...

Floral artist Kiana Underwood is the celebrated owner of Tulipina an internationally renowned floral design studio that creates bespoke experiences for luxury weddings throughout the world. She has been named one of the top wedding floral designers in the US and is the most followed floral designer on Instagram . She is the author of Color Me Floral and the host of sold-out international workshops...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Jennifer Stein, discuss key topics from last week's interview with Meghan Ely. Jennifer is the Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine . Welcome to another episode of The Next Level, in which I have a guest co-host, and the two of us talk about my recent interview of the week. This week we discuss how Meg...

PR is actually a big part of lux weddings. Getting the word out in a positive light can build an exciting event that everyone wants to attend or at least hear about. Meghan Ely is a creative with marketing, PR, and wedding planning education and experience under her belt. In this podcast, she shares how she had an epiphany to niche down her business and combine the things she loved an knew. She le...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Zachary Oxman, discuss key topics from last week's interview with Ray Thompson. Zack is a true artist and creative who has quite a story as a sculptor and how his work ties in to what Ray does.    Welcome to another episode of The Next Level, in which I have a guest co-host, and the two of us talk about my recent interview of the w...

Lighting designer and owner of Images by Lighting Ray Thompson is here today to talk about storytelling with lighting for events and designing lighting for lux weddings. He has over 30 years of experience and an amazing passion for creative design. He also pioneered the modern event lighting industry. His company has created the lighting for events at major corporations like Adobe, Taco Bell, Gill...

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Bill Bowen, discuss key topics from last week's interview with Andrea Eppolito. Andrea is an experienced and enthusiastic event planner, who brings a profound perspective of celebration and love to every event. Andy and Bill take Andrea's vision and turn it into tangible and attainable tactics for you to incorporate into your own l...