The Wedding Biz - Behind The Scenes Of The Wedding Business

On today’s episode of The Next Level, Guest Co-Host Shannon Leahy, of Shannon Leahy Events, joins Andy Kushner in reflecting on last week’s interview with Liese Gardner. Liese is a blogger, branding and marketing strategist, and influential event industry leader. This episode is full of key tips you can apply to growing your own business. To hear more from this week’s episode translated into tangible tactics join Andy and Shannon on this episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights: Using marketing to make a human connection Becoming our own publishers and media outlets Applying your creativity to media Creating a content calendar Using your voice authentically Marketing to your target audience Getting specific in identifying your market   LIESE GARDNER’S LINKS Website   Instagram @liesegardner Facebook    Twitter   GUEST CO-HOST, SHANNON LEAHY’S LINKS Website    Instagram @shannonleahyevents Facebook  @Shannon-Leahy-Events   THE WEDDING BIZ LINKS The Wedding Biz Website The Wedding Biz Instagram The Wedding

One of the most fundamental components of any business is marketing and communication. The art of learning how to create an effective marketing strategy is crucial. In this episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy Kushner interviews communications specialist, Liese Gardner, and unravels some of the industry secrets to mastering your marketing and expressing your brand. To hear more about creating a sustainable and well-curated business, join Andy and Liese in this episode of The Wedding Biz. Show Highlights: The fundamentals of marketing What makes PR relative to marketing today What drew Liese to the event industry The foundation of starting a business Using Instagram effectively Figuring out categories to focus on for your business How to use Facebook for business Creating a group and targeting your tribe The process of brand therapy Being intentional about how you use your voice Using email as a marketing strategy Re-engineering what you want the future to look like and setting goals The negative impacts of brand

Today Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Harmony Walton, host of The Bridal Bar, discuss Andy’s interview with Jennifer Stein. Jennifer is the founder of Destination I Do Magazine and an experienced consultant with knowledgeable insight on business and the wedding industry. Andy and Harmony further discuss taking a leap of faith, keeping up with change, and how to determine a worthwhile business investment. If you’re interested in tangible advice and tips to apply to your business, tune into this episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights: Taking a leap and transitioning into having your own business Being resilient and providing excellent service by adding value Looking past fear and rejection Keeping up with change to stay relevant Going through seasons of preventative maintenance and trying to keep up Finding passionate people to hold the positions you’re not passionate about Hiring freelancers for collaboration Determining if placing an ad is worth the investment Asking to see the stats and demographics of

The only thing more magical than a destination wedding is putting it in print to share with the world. Today Jennifer Stein, Editor-In-Chief, Co-Founder, and publisher of Destination I Do Magazine, shares where she got her inspiration to begin her journey as a destination wedding specialist. Jennifer has insightful tips for anyone wanting to plan their own destination wedding or get involved in the industry. To hear more about Jennifer’s exciting travels, advice for starting up a business, and broadening horizons in all aspects of life, join Andy Kushner in this episode of The Wedding Biz. Show Highlights: The importance of being raised without boundaries as a female entrepreneur The transformative moment when Jennifer realized what she wanted to do Taking a leap and going full force Financial misconceptions of running a print business Learning from our mistakes and embracing obstacles Having faith in yourself and your product Tips for couples paying for a destination wedding Tips for someone who wants to ge

Join Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Jennifer Stein, Editor-In-Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, in today’s episode of The Next Level! Today Andy and Jennifer discuss key topics from last week’s interview of event planner and designer, Rishi Patel, CEO of HMR Designs. Jennifer Stein is also the Co-Founder of Destination I Do Magazine, the premier magazine for Destination Weddings. It was Jennifer’s own desire to have a destination wedding that led her to the destination wedding industry! From the luxury of service, establishing client relationships, and focusing on the present, this episode provides tangible advice to reflect on and implement in your own business. To hear more about Rishi’s interview tune into this episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights:   Getting out of your own space and traveling Soul searching and finding inspiration The luxury of service Establishing a relationship and making clients feel heard Making the process enjoyable and personalizing the experience Finding clients who ar

“Luxury does not come without service. Service is luxury.” Today, CEO of HMR Designs, Rishi Patel, talks about how service and luxury work cohesively to create astonishing events and a mutually fulfilling experience for the client and their designers.   In this episode, Andy and Rishi focus on establishing connections, finding your position in life and in your career, and how to showcase your work. Join this week’s lighthearted and educational conversation on The Wedding Biz for tips on how you can catapult your career.   Show Highlights:   What makes service a luxury Making the process a fulfilling and luxurious experience What manifested and directed Rishi to find his passion Finding yourself and being revitalized by traveling The eye-opening experiences and inspiration that accompanies traveling How networking can direct and impact the course of your career Using social media to grow and benefit your business Showcasing and marketing your work with social media Creating an environment that evokes gratific

Welcome to another episode of The Next Level! This week Andy Kushner brings on another industry icon, Sean Low of The Business Of Being Creative, to discuss highlights from last week’s interview with Andre Wells. Andre is a high-end event planner and designer who incorporates his elegance and love for fashion into every event. Andy and Sean tackle topics such as how to break into the industry, how to project professionalism and individualism, and carrying the confidence that attracts clients. To hear more about how you can apply these simple but impactful strategies to your own business tune into this episode of The Next Level!   Show Highlights:   Breaking into the industry, for education and networking opportunity, by volunteering for what can later become creative partners Finding ways to educate yourself further Having a hunger to learn and improve Being fashion forward and having a signature style Carrying confidence that projects your brand Using fashion to project an image The implications of being a

Sometimes we have to go through a preparation period before we’re able to tackle our dreams head on. Today Andre Wells, event planner, designer, and fashion enthusiast, shares his own personal growth process and how it led him to create his own flourishing business.   Andre also talks about the positive impact he’s seen in his career through pursuing a clear vision and putting forth the hard work necessary to propel you into the right place at the right time. Tune into this episode of The Wedding Biz with your host, Andy Kushner to hear more about manifesting your dreams and building a reputable brand, in a seemingly limited industry. Show Highlights:   What sparked Andre’s passion for his current career Building your brand to manifest your dreams The power of having a clear vision The importance of having freedom of creativity Getting the experience necessary to prepare you to reach your goals Having a signature aesthetic to translate your image Making a thoughtful experience feel subtle and not overdone

Today, Andy and guest host, Julie Sabatino of The Stylish Bride, discuss highlights from this week’s interview with Laurie Arons. Laurie is a talented, luxury event and wedding planner who previously shared many generous and thoughtful tips on how to build relationships, a social media platform, and your business. This episode breaks down and evaluates those tactics in a way that will help you implement them into your own business. Join Andy Kushner and Julie Sabatino on this episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights: Creating a brand image that reflects who you are The impact of having a memorable follow-up Being thoughtful about how you execute persistence Responding to people with a sense of urgency Paying it forward and building good relationships Building a loyal following with curated images How to present the real and polished elements of your business Being generous with giving credit to others Bringing authenticity to your work The importance of time management The Wedding Biz Links The Wedding Bi

We’ve all been told to “fake it till we make it,” but sometimes honesty and tenacity are all it really takes to succeed. Today’s guest, Laurie Arons, is a luxury event planner who has been named one of the top planners in the industry by esteemed magazines such as Vogue, Harper Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings. Based in San Francisco, Laurie’s business caters to high-end and extravagant occasions all around the world. Not only does Laurie offer her impeccable taste and eye for style, but she doesn’t hesitate to lend her expertise, her kindness, and her time to others. To hear more about Laurie’s story, technique, and passion for the event industry, tune into this episode of The Wedding Biz with your host, Andy Kushner. Show Highlights: Getting out fear and replacing it with creativity How childhood influenced Laurie’s love for planning The influence of having entrepreneurial parents Appreciating the finer things in life Facets of Laurie’s life that shaped her into the person she is today What directed Laur

Being able to create the perfect ambiance for a wedding or event that leaves a lasting impact is a skill that sometimes gets overlooked. In this episode, Shannon Leahy, this week’s guest co-host and one of the top wedding and event planners in the world according to Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar, brings additional insight and wisdom to today’s conversation about Natasha Miller’s interview. Ranging from executing a vision, channeling calm energy, and how to get in touch with your subconscious to live a more centered life, this podcast has something for everyone. Join Andy Kushner in this week’s inspiring episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights: Communicating your vision from the beginning of a project Clearly developing a feeling that has a lasting impact How calm energy can redirect chaos Mastering the art of living a stress-free life Starting your day with centering practices Learning to trust and embrace other individuals skills Getting in touch with your subconscious Lin

Creativity can be sparked in a number of ways, but sometimes necessity is the best motivator. In today’s episode, Natasha Miller, President and CEO of Entire Productions, talks about how hardship in her youth drove her to create the empire she has today. Not only has she managed to build a platform, she continues to exceed client expectations with her experiential design skills for hundreds of events annually. To hear more on Natasha’s story and how she used her hardship to fuel her entrepreneurial pursuits, tune into this episode of The Wedding Biz with Andy Kushner.   Show Highlights:   Using hardship from younger years as a drive The tranquility music brings How necessity sparks creativity The organic process of building a business Learning how to be a better delegator and trust employees Setting standards and relaying expectations Building in emotional touchpoints for events The process behind experience design Keeping people curious and enticed Using touch-points to hold attention Anticipating challenge

Today’s guest co-host, Harmony Walton, joins Andy to help reflect on The Wedding Biz interview with Colin Cowie, Part 2, and how Colin finds innovation in everything. Harmony Walton is the founder of The Bridal Bar, luxury destination weddings and honeymoon blog site, Jet Fete, and host of the Bridal Bar Radio. She has a decade of experience in marketing, consulting and brand representation in the luxury wedding industry. Harmony has many celebrity clients such as Tom Cruise and Katherine Heigl. Listen today and discover new insight on Colin’s wonderful new interview. Show Highlights: Innovation in everything and Colin’s process with it Giving yourself time to think and reflect as part of your job Andy’s epiphany for his podcasts from giving himself space to reflect Employees retention increases when you create space for them The constant need to reinvent yourself and stay relevant Living in a buyers world The endpoint in the sales process One of Harmony’s trips she will always remember Improving closing rat

Designing and planning an event is creating theater and telling a story. Today’s guest has a unique set of skills that he uses to tell these wonderful stories that we call weddings and special events. Colin Cowie, of Colin Cowie Lifestyle, is an iconic event planner and designer. Yet again, Colin is working on a host of exciting, fun and diverse projects that will take him all over the world. The experience starts the moment the clients arrive to meet him. Tune in today and get the inside scoop on the exhilarating world of Colin Cowie. Show Highlights: Colin’s answer to what were his favorite events of the previous year Creating theater, telling stories The particular ways Colin educates his employees/team of his company culture The process of being innovative and constantly reinventing oneself Embracing millennials and operating in a buyer’s market The process from when a client arrives through the event How Colin prices his services Creative partners and how Colin chooses them How Colin works with his crea

In this week’s discussion, photographer Greg Lawson takes Andy through his museum-like gallery in Sedona, Arizona, to explore the fundamentals of his philosophy on human nature. This is a departure from the typical episode, released on The Wedding Biz, in that Greg is not an event industry photographer. As Andy says, this is an unusually grounding conversation which he and so many of us need to have from time to time in our hectic lives. Our conversation with Greg is unlike any you’d heard with a traditional photographer. Greg got his first camera when he was 14 and considers himself a naturalist and discoverer at heart. He will leave his home and on a whim, for one to four weeks at a time, to simply drive, experience new cultures, and photograph whatever speaks to him. Greg is on a mission to share the positive side of the world with others, and photography helps him achieve that goal. His latest project, “The Principle Movement,” emerged from the idea that principles—like empathy, integrity, loyalty—are the

As David Stark says, putting together a team is one of the most creative things you can do. That is just one of the dynamic topics Andy discusses with today’s guest co-host, on The Next Level, Sean Low of the Business of Being Creative. Today, we discuss David Stark’s interview - a Part 2.  David is Chief Creative Officer of David Stark Design and Production. High profile clients and events include Brad Pitt, Glenn Close, Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary, Louis Vuitton and more! David has five books published so far and product collaborations including a limited edition collection of one of a kind art pieces with Bergdorf Goodman. David was also inducted into the event organization Biz Bash’s hall of Fame. Show Highlights: How you need to see every departure of an employee as an opportunity Making sure you have the right team for each event How to empower teams to be successful Discussing the mission statement together, with your team, in order to have a unified goal Pricing, a sensitive issue and what D

Today’s guest is a Part 2 interview with renowned New York City event designer and producer David Stark, Chief Creative Officer of David Stark Design and Production, whose team creates events worldwide for weddings, entertainment, fashion, publishing, arts, media, and consumer product industries.   David’s high profile clients and events include Brad Pitt, Glenn Close, Saturday Night Live’s 40th Anniversary, Louis Vuitton and more! He also creates high-visibility events & fundraising Galas for the nations most elite. David has 5 books published, so far, and has product collaborations including a limited edition arts collection with Bergdorf Goodman, has been a guest expert on many television shows, featured numerous times in various major publications, and is a Hall of Fame member of Biz Bash   Listen in today and hear how David keeps the creative flow going, runs his business, and never stops innovating.   Show Highlights: Re-released David’s Part One of The Wedding Biz interviews on December 10th, 2018

Weddings are compiled of moments, planning, and people who have invested their all into ensuring that the result is magical. Having someone along the way to capture those details is an investment you won’t regret. In today’s episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Valerie Gernhauser, founder of Sapphire Events, discuss the valuable tips given by Bill Bowen in last Monday’s interview. Bill Bowen, founder of Suburban Video, is a videographer who has skillfully perfected the art of shooting weddings and events in a timeless manner. To hear more about Bill’s techniques and how you can apply tactical strategies to your business, regardless of whether or not you are a videographer, tune into this episode of The Next Level. Show Highlights: Emotionally connecting with your surroundings The living legacy videography carries on Holding the attention of the audience by creating authentic art Capturing the intimate moments Creating a personal connection with the client and building trust The responsibility of effec

Bill Bowen is the Founder and President of Suburban Video based out of Rockville, Maryland though he travels worldwide. Being able to look back and watch a video, that was so artfully created, is a gift that the rest of us can enjoy for the rest of our lives. Knowing how to capture all the precious moments, and the details that become so emotionally impactful, are what Bill is so gifted at doing. Join us today as we discover why Bill finds his job so satisfying and learn why it’s his heart that guides him. Prior to becoming a Videographer, Bill was a private investigator, so listening to his personal story is not only fascinating but also educational and inspirational.   Show Highlights: Bill’s career before he became a videographer Where Bill’s passion for capturing stories came from Background on how Bill started working weddings Making sure you video from all angles getting guests reactions as well The general process from when Bill first meets wedding clients through the entire event The most satisfying

Being able to curate an authentic experience that coincides with luxury is what ultimately differentiates a high-end wedding planner from another. Colin Cowie is a brilliant designer and highly sought after wedding planner, due in part to his special capabilities and desire to create a unique experience for every client. His clientele includes celebrities such as Oprah, Elton John, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Tom Cruise, and many more.   In today’s episode, Andy Kushner and co-host, Abby Larson, founder of Style Me Pretty, discuss the strategies and methods Colin uses in order to ensure a luxurious experience for each of his clients. Tune into this episode of The Next Level for more tactical strategies to bring authenticity into your wedding experience and learn how to consistently offer fresh and creative ideas.   Show Highlights: Bringing authenticity to create luxurious experiences Being authentic to yourself as a designer Making the right space and time for every individual event Creating a unique