Wedding Business Solutions

Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses I was reading an article about the richest people in the world and realized that no one will ever have it all, not even those people with all of their money. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to better yourself or your status… as long as that’s what’s really important to you. Who are you trying to impress, because they may not care. Listen to this new,...

I found myself complaining recently about being given an upgrade, on an international flight, only to have it taken away because they double booked the seat. In reality, I would have preferred to never haven gotten the upgrade, as I lost my original exit row seat in the process. While expressing my dissatisfaction with how it was being handled, I realized how ridiculous it was to be complaining ab...

If ever there was a problem needing a solution, this is it. Brian helps couples write better, more personal vows, their parents and friends write better speeches and their officiant (very often a friend or family member these days) write a better ceremony. It’s easy to get ordained to perform the ceremony, it’s much harder to understand the timeline - the parts you need to include – including “ple...

So many businesses claim to be giving 5-Star service, yet their customers don’t always feel that’s what they’ve received. In this episode I relate the story of a 5-Star hotel who recognized that their people have never been on the receiving end of real 5-Star service, so how could they be expected to know what it feels like. Listen to this new, 9-minute episode to hear how that played out and some...

I was a picky eater as a child, really picky. It’s amazing how many foods I eat now that I wouldn’t even try back then. That’s actually true of a lot of things in our lives, things we’ve never even tried, but think we don’t or wouldn’t like. What is that making us miss out on? What could we be accomplishing or enjoying, if we’d just remove that roadblock, one that we’re putting there by ourselves....

I saw an article on LinkedIn by my friend Bill Cates titled: “5 things that don’t make you different”, and the title intrigued me. In reading through them, I was struck by how many of these companies in the wedding and events industry are using, thinking it shows how they’re different, when they don’t. So, I asked Bill to come on and talk through these with me so we can give you some ideas on how...

I often hear wedding and event businesses complaining about all of the new competitors in their market. I’m sure this is not limited to the wedding/event industry. Most businesses don’t want to see another competitor enter their market. Whether they’ve been in business longer than you, or are brand new, are they really competitors? What is your perspective on competition? Listen to this new, 6-min...

Everyone hates no-shows on appointments and tours, but is charging the solution? I saw a conversation on Facebook started by a venue owner, @corbinmock. Obviously frustrated by couples making appointments and then not showing up, this started a serious of comments. While I agree with the premise, I have some ideas on this subject. Listen to this new, 8-minute episode for my thoughts on how you mig...

Every once in a while, I come across someone who’s carved out a really unique niche in the wedding and events industry. I met Andrew at a WeddingPro COR event and when he told me he provides weather tools for wedding professionals, I was intrigued. Of course weather is a big factor for weddings and events, but why are the apps on our phones not giving us the full picture and how does Andrew, and h...

The event went great, the customer/couple is thrilled… but they didn’t post a review!! It’s frustrating, but it’s not their fault. Just like asking for the sale, asking for reviews is your responsibility. And if you’re not getting your happy customers to post reviews, it’s probably the way and timing of your asking. Listen to this new, 10-minute episode for ideas that are working for real wedding...

Every so often I see someone posting on Facebook, complaining about another vendor asking for a commission when they refer business. It’s always such a controversial subject and one that I’ve been addressing for years. As a matter of fact, I did two webinars on this, one with just venues and caterers and one with all suppliers. The links are below. Listen to this new, 10-minute episode for some pe...

As the holidays approach it’s always a good time to take a look at our websites to see what we can do to help them convert better. For this, I’ve invited my good friend and go-to for websites and SEO, Brian Lawrence of Local Traffic Builder. Whether your site is current, starting to get dated or needs to be scrapped, this episode will give you some ideas on how to improve with the traffic you’re a...

When you go to a networking event or conference, are you deciding who to talk to, or whom to meet based upon what they can do for you, or what you can get from them? Or, are you leaving yourself open to other kinds of value by not having any expectations when you meet new people. Listen to this new 8-minute episode for my thoughts on networking and value. If you have any questions about anything i...

Are you giving your customers what they’re asking for, or are you challenging their assumptions with results and experiences that they couldn’t have imagined? One way to differentiate yourself is to show customers things they haven’t asked for, which to them are new and unique, even if you’ve done them before. I mention a book – The Challenger Sale – and there’s a link to it below. Listen to this...

Some of my guests for these dialogues have carved out a niche, some have made a pivot. I invited Artem Lomaz on because he did a pivot into a niche. His clients and couples saw the need and pulled him in a direction that had led him to a better place. Listen to this new episode for some inspiration on how you might find your own pivot that helps you narrow your niche, to find a better place for yo...

I recently read (listened) to “The Gap and The Gain” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. I was really intrigued by the concept of how we can so easily fall into The Gap, and focus on what we don’t have, instead of The Gain, where we can appreciate what we’ve already done to get where we are. At first, I thought it was a simplistic concept, but it gets much deeper in this very short book. Liste...

Are you letting others define success for you? Do you see what other’s are achieving and make that your benchmark? Or, are you choosing your own definition of success… the only one that really matters. Listen to this new 6-minute episode for a little perspective on this topic. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please...

Right about the same time that I asked Myrna to come on the podcast, I got a listener suggestion from Rev. Annie Lawrence in NY City to do an episode on making your website ADA Compatible (ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act). Over the years I’ve heard conflicting information about who needs to make their websites more accessible. The easy answer is that all of us should do it, but is it require...

Discounting is always a hotly contested topic, whether for my speaking or consulting. This was a listener suggestion (thanks, and keep them coming) and whether you’re a solo-preneur, a small group, or a large company, coming up with the right pricing strategy is key to profitability. While I’ve spoken and written about this for years, and my clients, businesses just like yours, ask me about this,...

This topic is another listener suggestion (thanks, and keep them coming). Many of you have either already gone from having a hobby to a side-hustle. Some of you have already made the leap to full time, and others are thinking about it. If you’ve done it already, listen to see how familiar some of this sounds. If you haven’t yet made the leap, this should help you decide when it’s the right time. L...

I could have interviewed Matt about scaling his business to be the largest in his market, or how he pivoted into coaching. Matt recently asked me to join him in a Beta program on Mentor Pods, his latest venture and niche, and in this episode we talk about how and why Mentor Pods came to be and how it’s different than other learning and coaching programs. Listen to this new episode and then go to w...

Much of my work with wedding and event pros, like you, is on growing your business. I try to get you to focus on profitability, not just sales. One way to do that is to really understand your inventory, and I’m not just talking about physical goods. Your most valuable inventory are your time and your calendar. Understand those, and basic economics, and you’ll learn to profit more. Listen to this n...

I saw this phrase and it inspired me to do this episode, because so many of you are doing things at a high level, and that took work. At the same time, many of you are worried about the next new competitor. Maybe they’re doing more work than you to improve, maybe not. If you’re not doing things that seem hard, right now, you’re not pushing yourself higher. Listen to this new 8-minute episode for s...

When I had Rod Baker on the podcast to talk about his pivot, we were chatting during a break about how so many DJs, and other wedding and event pros, are introverts. No matter how gregarious they may seem at an event, that could be a façade that’s masking their true, introverted selves. We had a lively discussion that I think you’d like to hear. Enjoy! About Rod Rod Baker is an industry optimist w...

A Facebook post inspired this conversation about how wedding and event pros do, or don’t work well with others on the same wedding or event. I’ve heard some great stories and some horror stories about this, and in this episode I weigh in with my thoughts. Listen to this new, 8-minute episode to hear my perspective on how wedding and event pros can and should work together. If you have any question...