The Wedding Biz - Behind The Scenes Of The Wedding Business

Today on The Next Level, Andy Kushner is speaking with Augusta Cole, Executive Director to Lynn Easton, of Easton Events, a world-renowned planner and designer. Augusta and Christina are lucky enough to work for individuals who allow them to truly have a voice and to feel a sense of ownership in their companies. Christina has worked with David Beahm Experiences for many years and they maintain their relationship by having respect and trust. David shows confidence in her abilities and Christina knows that he appreciates what she is doing and trusts that she will always do what is best for the company. They speak about the similarities between the way David Beahm and Lynn Easton lead their teams, the ritual of debriefing after events and how they allow everyone to give ideas on how to make the next one better.  Augusta is in agreement with Christina on many things and needing a forward thinker leading the company is one of them. They feel that if you have someone who cares about what you think, where you want t

Welcome to the Wedding Biz Christina Matteucci, the Executive Director at David Beahm Experiences. Christina is on the show to discuss how to be the best “number two” to your “number ones,” and how your “number ones” can best support the “number twos.” Andy and Christina take a deep dive into this topic as it is one that Christina has spoken about at several events, not the least of which is the Engage Summit. Christina is affectionately known as “Teuccimama” by her colleagues and friends in the events industry and has been in the industry for almost two decades. She has first-hand experience in creating a sustainable and functional infrastructure to support a growing creative talent. Her experience has made her a highly sought-after resource in the event industry and a captivating speaker on all things “Number Two.”  Christina has so many amazing nuggets of information to share about building a business around a creative talent and what that entails. Listen in as she reveals a bit about her past, her love fo

Today on The Next Level, Andy Kushner is speaking with Valerie Gernhouser, Owner of Sapphire Events. She also created Sapphire Sessions Speaking Tour, a specialized program for wedding planners and event designers. They speak this week about Carrie Goldberg, the Travel and Wedding Director at Harpers Bazaar. She oversees all things bridal, weddings, and travel for Bazaar.com. She is also responsible for content strategy and visuals for Bazaar's digital travel and wedding verticals, and editor of Bazaar's new subscription program called Bazaar Brides. Valerie chats with us about her views, in addition to Carrie’s, on redefining luxury, how it is a feeling, not about how much money you spend. She also agrees with Carrie that brides and grooms are more focused on the emotions, what makes it unique, and that it’s all about the guests enjoying themselves. This is also a conversation about millennials, the digital natives. Anything they want is at their fingertips, and they are very adept at finding it. You won't w

Andy is very excited to welcome Carrie Goldberg. She is the Digital Travel & Weddings Editor at Harpers Bazaar where she oversees all things weddings and travel for HarpersBazaar.com. She is in charge of content, strategy, and visuals for Bazaar's digital travel and wedding verticals and editor of their new membership program Bazaar Bride. She has worked on Live with Regis and Kelly at ABC and as fashion editor for Martha Stewart Weddings to name a few. When she joined Harpers Bazaar, they didn't really focus on weddings and she changed all of that. Since then she has published dozens of original fashion and decor content for the site, plus she has created a considerable brand voice.  Carrie and Andy chat about her internships and working the red carpet at the Oscars with Faith Cromas, Kelly Ripa's stylist. She speaks to us about working with Martha Stewart Weddings, which helped her gain the knowledge to succeed in her job at Harpers Bazaar. Carrie says she has the job she always wanted, even as a small

Today on The Next Level, Andy Kushner is speaking with Lynn Easton, creator of Easton Destination Events, a worldwide luxury destination wedding design, and planning company. She is also the Co-Founder of Easton Porter Group, a luxury hospitality company with a portfolio of award-winning boutique hotels, vineyards, restaurants and event venues in North America and Europe. The discussion this week is on Marcy Blum, an internationally sought-after event planner, and entertainment expert. She has been named one of the best in the world by Vogue, Martha Stuart Weddings, Harper's Bazaar and the New York Times magazine.  Marcy has worked with celebrities including LeBron James, George and Tamika Soros, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, to name a few. She has also appeared on television shows including Oprah, Live with Regis and Kelly and the Rachel Ray Show. Lynn speaks about how events need to evolve as they unfold. She also believes that every event should be customized for each client. Planners always need to up th

Andy is very excited to welcome Marcy Blum, an internationally sought after event planner and entertaining expert who has 30 years experience. She has been named one of the best in the world by Vogue, Martha Stuart Weddings, Harper's Bazaar and the New York Times magazine. Marcy has appeared on many television shows and, with event planner Sarah Haywood, has developed EPIC, the Event Planners International Collaborative that offers an intensive and advanced wedding and event planning education. In this episode, Andy and Marcy discuss how she got started in the industry, when she started her own business and how scary it was to strike out on her own. She tells us about wanting her event designs to be different from everyone else and looking for clients who wanted the same thing. She also gives us insight into what the business looked like when she got started in the 80’s and how it has evolved today. Listen in as Marcy talks to us about some of the weddings she remembers, the way she structures the rates she c

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Phillip Van Nostrand a photographer based in New York and California, talk about King Dahl’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Phil has been been published in numerous publications including the New York Times, Fortune.com, Huffington Post and Forbes.com and was a master class speaker at WPPI.  Listen in as they talk about King Dahl and his incredible designs. King is the former Executive Director of Event Design for MGM Resorts, where he was responsible for 1200 events a year. He is known for his signature style which is large, dramatic productions and was inducted into the Event Solutions Magazine Hall of Fame. They talk about how he left his career when he was at the top to slow down and enjoy life and then came back, two years later, as an in-demand event design and production consultant. This is a very entertaining episode about King Dahl, Phil’s life philosophy, travel and making your job work around your life. So relax, plug in and get ready for an entert

Andy is excited to welcome King Dahl, former Executive Director of Events at MGM Resort Event Productions leading the design and sales teams and ultimately responsible for 1200 events a year. King began in the event industry with Cheryl Fish before starting his own company King Dahl event design, which he later sold. King is known for large dramatic productions and he became an inductee of the Event Solutions Magazine Hall of Fame. King left it all behind to design his dream life, taking time with his family and traveling but also to allow the young guns in the event industry to spread their wings and see what they could do. He now works when he wants, on the events he wants to design and produce, and works around his life instead of living around his work. Listen as King give us a glimpse into his world, his events, his mentors and why he is glad that his new lifestyle allows him to play jazz again. He didn’t let fear stand in his way as he planned and strategized to make this new lifestyle happen. Listen c

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Julie Novack, CEO and Co-Founder of Party Slate, chat about Ali Barone's interview on the Wedding Biz. Party Slate is a photo rich website where leading event professionals share their work, build their brand and drive leads. Listen in as they talk about why Ali started her own company, how she built her business with her ideal clients, and how she has her clients pin on their pinterest board with reckless abandon. Julie speaks about getting involved with the community when building your team, and how there are no bad ideas when brainstorming. Andy and Julie are professionals in this industry and never disappoint so sit back, unplug and listen to this entertaining discussion.   Show Highlights: [00:53] Welcome back to the show Julie! [02:28] Andy chats with Julie about Ali Barone and using imagination instead of devices. [05:10] They discuss how Ali stated that she wanted to choose her ideal clients, and set her own schedule which is why she started her own

Andy is excited to welcome, Ali Barone of Ali Barone Events, a multidimensional event design company. Ali was also on TLC’S show “While You Were Out,” an emmy-nominated home improvement and design TV show. In this episode, Ali chats about her childhood, moving to the city with help from her grandma and friends to work in television by designing sets for shows and working with Diana Gould Limited. She tells us how she found her calling when she started planning events and even tells us about an event that she was really proud of and why education is so important to her. Listen as Ali tells us about what it takes to bring an event together and how she puts on workshops to educate people about how event works. Why Preston Bailey’s Protege Program is such a wonderful learning experience, which she speaks at, and why she believes that getting people together in her coworking loft makes a difference. This is a really wonderful episode that will make you want to sit back and take it all in.  Show Highlights: [02:44]

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 David’s comments on social engineering, his insights on augmented reality, radical humanization and code switching. The idea that events are like standing around the water cooler or going to the town square. And hear about his philosophy on how we, in the event business, are  “collaboration artists.” You might just learn something from this episode that you didn’t know so sit back, relax and enjoy. Show Highlights: [00:51] Welcome back to the show Sean! [02:09] Andy chats with Sean about David Adler. [02:55] Sean discusses his take on David’s ideas of collaboration artists and social engineering. [03:56] Andy and S

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 dad Warren Adler, author of “The War of the Roses”, and the business model he used for BizBash. Listen in as David describes events he has gone to and how he believes event planners are really collaboration artists that get everyone and everything together in one place. He has a unique take on technology, augmented reality, and radical humanism that you won’t want to miss, as well as informing us as to what’s coming in the near future for the event industry and how it will be transformed. So, tune in, sit back and enjoy.  Show Highlights: [01:50] Welcome to the show David Adler! [02:52] David tells us about his busi

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 this magazine, and Jennifer’s blog, is where you should start. Listen as they talk about Sean’s designs, events, and a wedding story you won’t want to miss. They chat about losing focus on your business, feeling burned out and what you can do to get the spark back, how you can make it new again. If you listen closely you might hear a tidbit you can use next time you are feeling overwhelmed and ready to quit.  Show Highlights: [00:59] Welcome back to the show Jennifer! [01:55] Andy chats with Jennifer about Sean De Freitas. [02:50] Learn Jennifer’s thoughts on Sean and his designs. [03:40] Andy and Jennifer share their

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 is crucial and how lighting can make or break an event. Listen in as he tells a moving story about how getting to know his client led to making a father-daughter dance a moment they and none of their guests will ever forget.  In this episode you will get it all from Sean, the ups, the downs and what he had to change to make this his best life.  Go to his website to see his amazing designs then sit back, tune in and learn about the man behind the creations.  Show Highlights: [03:10] Welcome to the show Sean De Freitas! [04:53] Sean tells us how he knew what he wanted to do with his life after going to Carnival at 6 ye

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 about Tim’s opinions on failure, courage, and entrepreneurship. They dig deep into their views on the role of failure, or obstacles, in building a business and a life. There were so many great tips and ideas shared on this episode. You won't want to miss it!   Show Highlights: [01:32] Welcome back to the show Tait! [02:16] Tait introduced Andy and Tim for the interview that took place. [03:19] Learn Tait’s thoughts on Tim’s views about company culture. [05:43] How an authentic relationship with your employees changes the culture. [08:07] Tait shares his feelings on entrepreneurship, courage, and the need to test. [0

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 WeddingWire, why he decided to merge with The Knot, now the world’s largest vertical marketplace servicing the wedding industry, and what keeps driving him to innovate and create trends. Learn how he became an entrepreneur and why he worried about telling his parents about his endeavors. Tim is open and honest about what he sees for the future of the wedding industry and how changes in buying habits and trends have affected the business. Tim is an awesome guest and his insights into the changes of the industry and business, in general, are extremely informative. Listen in and learn how Tim has gotten to where he is and what

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 in her years in the business. Listen to learn how Valerie and Andy feel about Meryl’s philosophies about training, pricing, and sales. They dive deep into how they train their teams, the importance of cold calling, and why Meryl’s thoughts on pricing had them re-evaluating their own pricing structures. There are so many great tidbits of thought and reflection in this episode. Don’t miss out on a word!   Show Highlights: [01:02] Welcome back to the show Valerie Gernhauser. [02:16] Valerie discusses the need for having sales strategies and processes in place. [03:35] Hear Valerie’s goals for both of her brands and how s

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 grow a successful business. Listen in to learn some really juicy tidbits from a true business genius. Been struggling with creating proposals, creating your brand story, or setting your pricing strategy? Meryl digs in and provides her tips and beliefs on why we shouldn’t be working ourselves to the bone any longer. She also provides amazing insights on how creating a brand story and storytelling set you apart with your potential clients. This was an amazing conversation and Meryl is truly an open book. Listen in and learn how she’s gotten to where she is now and the philosophies that have kept her and her business rel

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 market research through peer shopping to her beliefs on having multiple streams of revenue. Learn why processes are the foundation of growth and why they should never be static. Listen as Julie shares her insights on all of the wonderful things Calder has done to market and grow her business. Show Highlights: [00:49] Andy welcomes Julie Novack, the founder of PartySlate to the show. [02:23] How does Julie feel about shopping your peers?  [03:45] Learn the value of metaphor when explaining the details of a business. [05:01] Why are systems and processes necessary in business? [09:03] Adjusting is a continual process and

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 her hotel days, and why multiple revenue streams and investing are so important. She gives some amazing tips for those just starting out in the business and provides a truly transparent look at her business and philosophies.  If you’ve been looking to hear how a successful wedding and events planner and designer has managed to find work/life balance and prosperity, then you won’t want to miss Andy’s conversation with Calder Clark. Show Highlights: [02:14] Welcome to the podcast Calder Clark! [03:30] Learn about Calder’s early years and how she was inspired to get into the industry. [09:58] What was Calder’s first posit