The Wedding Biz - Behind The Scenes Of The Wedding Business

In today's conversation, Andy talks with Kimi Werner, the U.S. National Spearfishing Champion of 2008 who transformed her passion for discovery and the sea to inspire others and travel the world. Why is Andy releasing this episode on The Wedding Biz?  Because it’s a very touching and courageous story, and ultimately deeply inspiring. Kimi’s story is about something all of us creatives, in the event industry, can resonate with, which is to fully trust our inner yearnings and choose how we want to express ourselves and how we want to experience this world in which we live.   Kimi grew up in a family of six, in a small shack in a secluded area of Haiku, Maui, where her best friend was a pig named “Muddy.” She may not have had any close human friends beyond her family before she moved to a more traditional neighborhood at age seven, but Kimi always believed that as long as she could explore the wild natural world she would never feel alone. When she wasn't roaming free on land, Kimi was underwater.   At age four,

Join Andy and Melissa Fancy as they dissect the lesson from Alison Hotchkiss Rinderknecht, of Alison Events. Alison has been named one of the top wedding planners in the world by Vogue Magazine and she shared all of her best tips in her interview! Andy and Melissa also discuss: Setting boundaries and how that can make for a better working relationship. The daily rituals that keep Alison grounded and connected with her family. Making sure you only select clients who are the right fit is key to keeping your sanity. A different way to look at adventure. If you haven't listened to Alison's full interview, you can find it here.

Have you ever wondered how can you work and travel the world at the same time? Today’s guest not only does just that, but also excels in her industry planning and designing weddings and events worldwide. Working with top vendors such as caterer Paula LeDuc, she is always seeking projects that expose her to new challenges.   Alison Hotchkiss Rinderknecht, of Alison Events, is not only a destination wedding planner all over the world, but she also finds time to write books! Growing up with the passion to plan Alison went to college at Colorado State College, earning a degree in natural resource recreation and tourism since they did not have anything with event planning. From moving to LA, with her sister, to planning her first weddings in Tahoe and then Hawaii, Alison has the natural ability to travel and plan your wedding with ease. Join us now as she shares her voyage on traveling to far-flung places.   Show Highlights: Corporate event planning and transitioning into Wedding Planning Not working 24/7 in orde

Join Andy and his co-host, Melissa Fancy as they discuss the many unique aspects of Robert Fountain's business that was discussed in the full interview. Robert isn't worried about what anyone else is doing - he's doing what he does best and being true to himself along the way. Andy and Melissa also discuss: How anxiety aids creative people Why he is the only person in his business that clients ever meet The amazingly short amount of time that it takes to create an event. Meetings are a waste of time, so Robert doesn't do meetings. How Robert attracts the clients that understand the way he works and are fine with it. In case you haven't listened to Robert's full interview yet, you can find it here.

Have you ever felt the satisfaction of reorganizing the furniture in your home?  Today’s guest, is quite familiar with that feeling, in fact, he’s been redesigning his spaces since he was young. Now a leader in event design, he stays under the radar with most events, but deserves a serious moment in the spotlight.     Robert Fountain of Robert Fountain International is known all over the world. Creating visions most people can’t even dream of, he has become an artist for top organizations, corporations, and elite individuals. Robert started out with his first event as a Ronald McDonald carnival and now sets himself apart as a master in event planning. Listen in and hear how one 30th birthday party became career-changing for him!   Show Highlights: When event design really began for Robert How he ended up moving to California and what really made him want to stay Accepting the responsibility for unfortunate situations and not blaming others The transition from being a floral designer to designing whole events

In this episode, Andy and Melissa pull out their favorite parts of the Paula LeDuc interview. Paula was such a unique guest, and she's done amazing things in her niche, so there was a lot of ground to cover. Andy and Melissa also discuss: Paula believes she is in the business of happiness Hiring people who love what they do is the key to her success Paula does theater with every event - why it's more than catering. Training every employee on the minutia of every part of service is important to maintain standards. If you haven't listened to Paula's interview, you can listen in here.

Did you grow up knowing what you wanted to do with your life? Most people change their minds multiple times before they decide on their career. Today’s guest grew up always being creative, as her father was an engineer, building things. If you asked her then, she would not have an idea she would be where she is today - an entrepreneur growing something from nothing, and knowing what her skills were, and what she could pass on to others. Paula LeDuc of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering and Events started out in college studying Sociology and Special Education. With an Italian heritage, Paula LeDuc grew up surrounded by family who loved to cook and entertain, yet she never cooked until after she was married! Exploding unexpectedly, the catering business for Paula came so naturally. Listen in to hear all about Paula’s ultimate goal of creating the experience for her clients. Show Highlights: The transition into becoming a caterer Paula’s first catering event The organic process used for developing Paula’s business How

In today's episode of THE NEXT LEVEL, Andy and guest co-host Sean Low really take a deep dive into the interview with the ladies behind the Oh So Inspired Conference. There's a lot this duo covered in their interview about partnerships and creating live events that we haven't had a chance to discuss with other guests. Andy and Sean also discuss: Don’t mistake fun for whimsy Everyone you work with should be a collaborator Your struggles are not unique to you Get back to why you’re in the business in the first place Also mentioned in this episode: Preston Bailey's interview on The Wedding Biz The Business of Being Creative - Sean Low's Business  

On today’s show, we hear from Kelly McLeskey-Dolata and Nancy Liu Chin, Co-Founders of Oh So Inspired. Each successful in their own right, Kelly in planning and Design with her own company, Savvy Event. Nancy, a floral designer with her company, Nancy Liu Chin Designs. Oh So Inspired, is an annual 3-day retreat for wedding professionals. We will get to hear about Nancy and Kelly and what led them to where they are today, and what they are doing. Also, we will hear about the dynamics of creating a partnership in the industry.     Show Highlights: How Kelly got into the event industry Examples of partnerships Kelly used to grow her business How Nancy got in the event industry How Nancy and Kelly started working together Collaboration is key when working with other vendors at weddings Why Oh So Inspired came about How Kelly and Nancy created the perfect environment for the event The structure of Kelly and Nancy’s partnership How their partnership is organic Most difficult challenges in running the conference Ho

In this episode of THE NEXT LEVEL, Andy and Melissa come together to dive into Andrè Maier's interview. Andrè is a wedding photojournalist and his path to success has been anything but conventional. In this episode, Andy and Melissa also discuss: How Andrè makes his photos evoke emotion. Ways to determine if a client is a good match. The relaxed way Andrè views networking opportunities. Don't compare yourself to your competitors, especially when it comes to pricing. Also mentioned in this episode: Colin Cowie Sean Low  Ceci Johnson   Preston Bailey   Harmony Walton  

Have you ever felt stifled by the exactness and predictability of your chosen career? Today’s guest spent years studying science, such as molecular biology and organic chemistry, all the while his creative side was calling.. Eventually, he transitioned to photojournalism and found that he was really good at it, and more importantly, it fed his soul. Andrè Maier of Andrè Maier Photography has a special gift for photographing subjects and events so that they look as natural as they do in person. It’s not an easy aesthetic to create, because looking natural is as much about what you don’t see, as what you do see. Andrè tells a story with his photography - much the way a journalist would. Andrè thinks of himself as a wedding photojournalist, and not your typical photographer. Andrè has even photographed the Dalai Lama! Join us as he shares his journey from science to art and how he feels now that he is living his passion. Show Highlights: The origin of Andrè’s passion for photography Why Andrè left science for t

In this episode, Andy and Melissa discuss Andy's interview with Jennifer Zabinski, of JZ Events. Jennifer's interview presented so many tangible takeaways for other Designers, so listen in and learn the biggest takeaways from this episode. In this episode, Andy and Melissa discuss: The work of a Designer is a certain form of therapy How Jennifer honed her business skills Ways that working in a restaurant prepared her to be a business owner. The importance of resilience in business. Why you should know every aspect of your business. People remember the little touches and attention to detail.   Make sure if you haven't already listened to Jennifer's show, you can listen here.

This week’s episode features  Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events. Jennifer is a dedicated and talented wedding planner, known for being cool under pressure, great with communication and always looks out for the vendors while honoring the clients.   About Jennifer: Jennifer Zabinski is all about the details. She tailors every event to the couple, adding stylish elements and engaging all the senses in the process. She's also the queen of logistics—her weddings are mini-productions with every detail planned and executed with total precision. The New Yorker has planned events in some of the world's best cities—New York, Paris, San Francisco, Florence and too many fabulous island destinations to name. She loves bringing a couple's vision to life and even enjoys the adrenaline rush on the wedding day.   Show Highlights: Jennifer’s priority of embracing her couples personality Techniques Jennifer uses to get to know her couples Why listening is very important The wedding has to reflect the couple’s personality The impo

On today's show, Andy has Sean Low joining as a guest co-host. Today's episode focuses on all of the nuggets that can be extracted from Ceci Johnson's interview. Ceci has an incredibly creative business, so Sean is able to offer some insights on the creative business side. Sean Low is the Founder of The Business of Being Creative.  In this episode, Andy and Sean also discuss: The hustle of starting your own creative business How to accurately price your creative and custom services Ways to scale your creative business How to make sure your business is in the top tier of your niche Branding - is yours giving off the right vibe?   Previous Episodes Mentioned: Colin Cowie Preston Bailey  Julie Sabatino   Connect with Sean Low

This episode features Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York. We have the privilege to listen to how Ceci built her business from the ground up. Ceci of New York is an artist and designer of not only invitations and stationery but art and branding materials as well. Ceci tells stories of her client’s life in her design of invitations and stationery, and about being in the business of happiness.   Show Highlights:   A little on Ceci’s background growing up Some lessons Ceci learned from her father How Ceci works hard on maintaining and projecting such a positive perspective How she got into the bridal industry Ceci moving to New York from California Her first jobs and invitations she created How Ceci gets inspired for each client Some stories of clients Ceci has worked with Save the Dates are your first impression Establishing partnerships with other companies Ceci’s philosophy on pricing Giving alternate solutions/choices The business aspect of the company Systems that are critical in Ceci’s company Ceci’s  brand con

On today's show, Andy and Melissa are joined by Julie Sabatino of The Stylish Bride podcast on The Wedding Biz Network. Today's discussion centers on Ines and Veronica DiSanto's show. In this episode, Andy, Melissa and Julie discuss: The determination of Ines and how that impacted the start of her business. Properly outfitting a bride really isn't about what the designer thinks about the dress - find out what matters more. Involving your children in your business can be life changing for the child - and bond you together in a completely different way. If you haven't listened to the entire interview with Ines and Veronica, you can find it here.

On today’s show we hear from Ines and Veronica of Ines Di Santo, a bridal and evening gown couture dress designer. We learn how Ines grew up with the deep creative passion to having her business now.     Show Highlights: Where the passion got ignited Ines tells her incredible and unique story about growing up including her traumatic move from Buenos Aires to Toronto Ines’s biggest dream in her life was to have a daughter and she is the passion of Ines’s life Ines first wedding dress she made and how she obtained her first sewing machine How Ines convinced a bank for a loan for her first fashion show Veronica growing up in the industry with her mother Veronica’s passion first being in film before it became couture gowns What Veronica’s roll evolved from, was when she started helping her mother, to what it is now How Ines got the exclusive on materials How Ines got distribution Weddings gowns are memories The importance of choosing a gown for your personality Some details on the technique of designing the dres

In today's episode of THE NEXT LEVEL, Andy and Melissa join forces to discuss all of the amazing insights from Pablo Oliveira's episode. Pablo has a unique niche in the wedding industry and he's managed to rise to the very top of his game and he works with many high profile clients. Andy and Melissa also discuss: Every aspect of your business can be creative - even doing your books! Bootstrapping your business can keep you from making some serious financial mistakes. Talking to the people in your business that are on the front lines can make or break your success. Never stop learning. The more you know about your business, the better your decisions about your business will be. If you haven't listened to Pablo's full interview, you can do it here.  

Pablo Oliveira’s work is so elegant and sophisticated, his portfolio images alone are a feast for the eyes. Nuage Designs, the name of Pablo’s company, is growing internationally. From royal weddings to inaugural balls, Nuage Designs has been dressing the tables of some of the most prestigious events globally including Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding.   Pablo grew up in Brazil, and with no history of design or events in his family, becoming who he is today appears to have been a total accident. Always having an artistic side, though also loving math, he ended up going to Switzerland to study Hospitality. Dealing with high end expectations comes from Pablo’s background in the Hospitality industry.  Pablo started his company working in the textile industry and is now considered a trend setter in the linen world. Starting with his first warehouse, Pablo has grown his business and continues to do so.   Show Highlights: Nuage Designs company name and how Pablo came up with it Pablo’s background and passions growing up

In this episode of THE NEXT LEVEL, Andy and Melissa are focused on the most impactful parts of Preston Bailey's second interview with Andy. Preston has been in the wedding business almost 40 years, so he has a tremendous amount of knowledge to share.   In this episode Andy and Melissa also discuss: No one can get away from pricing - even Preston has to educate his clients on the true cost of their dream wedding. How to stay relevant, but also approachable and transparent. Everyone has periods of tight cashflow - it's how you handle them that determines your success. If you haven't listened to Preston's full interview yet, you can find that here.