Own Your Business

If your calendar’s full but your goals are still sitting on the shelf, you’ve got a problem—and it’s probably not lack of effort. In this episode, Sam and Katy call out the quiet time sucks: projects that go nowhere, clients who demand too much, and work that looks impressive but leads to zero traction.You’ll hear what they’ve cut, what they’ve kept, and how they’re protecting their time like it’s a VIP guest list.Inside the episode:The hidden difference between being busy and being effectiveWhy people-pleasing is secretly wrecking your scheduleHow to spot (and stop) the projects that don’t deserve your energyA simple audit exercise that gives you hours back every weekPerfect listening if you’re ready to stop doing all the things and start doing the right things.

Most business owners end the year searching for tactics, but the real growth comes from getting clear on why you’re in business in the first place. In this episode, I walk through the turning points that helped me reconnect with my own motivations and explain how easy it is to drift into old goals or other people’s expectations without noticing. As you get ready for a new year, this conversation will help you zoom out, reset your direction, and make sure the business you’re building actually matches the life you want.Takeaways• Why you need to revisit your core motivations at the end of the year• How drifting into old goals or others’ expectations can derail your business• The role your psychological drivers play in every major decision• How to build next year around the life you actually want to live

In this insightful conversation, Abby Jiu, co-founder of Duet Social Media and a key figure in the wedding industry, offers a fresh perspective on the Engage event. She discusses the true value of such events beyond the parties, emphasizing the importance of visibility in luxury branding. Abby shares how clients prefer relatable personalities, and gives practical tips for connecting with new contacts. The duo also reflects on emotional moments from the conference and urges attendees to embrace their authentic selves while networking.

You’re wiped. Or maybe just wildly uninterested in your own business. That’s not always burnout—it could be bore out, and it’s a real problem. In this episode, Sam and Katy unpack the difference between doing too much and not being challenged enough, and how each one quietly derails creative entrepreneurs.Inside this episode:Why burnout isn’t the only reason you feel stuckHow to recognize bore out before it tanks your motivationThe business moves people make when they’re bored (and how they backfire)Practical ways to reignite your energy without burning everything downThis is the episode you need when your business feels more like a chore than a calling.

Transform your website with simple fixes that boost performance! Discover how to guide visitors like a conversation and leverage testimonials effectively without falling into the carousel trap. Learn to craft a services page that captivates and simplifies your contact form to increase inquiries. Katy highlights the importance of matching hero images to emotional motivations, while Sam stresses the website's role as a sales tool. Get ready for impactful changes that attract better clients!

Today we’re diving into a conversation I know so many of you in mid-size and mid-market regions have been craving. Because while Instagram might make it look like luxury only happens in New York, LA, or destination hot spots, the truth is that real growth, real demand, and real opportunity exist everywhere — including the places where the industry often assumes it doesn’t.And few embody that better than today’s guest: Kate Turner of Kate & Company. If you’ve been in the wedding world for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard her name — or worked with someone she’s impacted — because Kate has built something remarkable out of St. Louis, Missouri. She’s grown a planning and design firm that serves high-end clients, produces destination events around the world, and still leads with an unapologetic honesty about what it actually takes to make it in this business.This episode isn’t just about design or pricing or scaling a service. It’s about what happens when you’re building a business in a mid-market that’s under-resourced, under-estimated, and sometimes flat-out resistant to change. We talk about being the first in your market to raise your prices, the confidence gap so many wedding pros struggle with, the messy reality of striving for more, and how vulnerability — real vulnerability — can become the thing that finally unlocks deeper connection with clients and peers.I've worked with Kate for years now, and she’s generous, candid, and incredibly grounded. And if you’ve ever felt alone in your market, or unsure if you can build a luxury-level business where you live, this conversation is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.Let’s get into it.

In the wedding industry, your clients don’t get a test drive. They have to hand over control, spend a lot of money, and trust that it will all work out. That means your real job in the sales process is not to impress people. It is to make them feel safe.In this episode, we talk about what actually builds trust fast. It is not perfection. It is proof, transparency, and humanity. You will learn how to use both direct and indirect trust builders to help clients feel seen, secure, and confident saying yes. We cover how to show credibility without sounding salesy, how transparency builds trust faster than polish, and why consistency across your website, calls, and emails matters more than you think.By the end, you will have a clear framework for building trust in every step of your sales process so clients feel at ease choosing you.Takeaways:Clients do not buy perfection. They buy trust.Trust comes from empathy, authority, and consistency.Direct trust builders include testimonials, press, metrics, and clear process steps.Indirect trust builders include calm confidence, active listening, and transparent communication.Transparency builds trust faster than polish ever will.Every interaction should communicate, “You can trust me to take care of you.”

Most websites don’t fail because of bad design. They fail because the pages don’t have jobs.Every page on your website should do something specific to move the buyer forward — build trust, create clarity, or drive action. In this episode, we break down the six essential website pages that actually sell. You’ll learn how each page fits into the buyer’s journey, what kind of content belongs on it, and how to design your site so it guides visitors naturally from curiosity to commitment.We also look at how to use social proof strategically across your site, why the Services page is often the missing link between interest and inquiry, and how your full site should tell one clear story instead of six disconnected ones.Takeaways:Most websites fail because the pages aren’t built with purpose or strategy.Each page has a specific job: empathy, connection, clarity, proof, or action.The six essential pages are Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Case Studies or Blog, and Contact.Every page needs proof points that build trust and reduce risk.Your website should tell one cohesive story that leads buyers toward a confident yes.

Explore how your website serves as a critical decision-making tool for buyers who arrive already interested. Learn to prioritize clarity, empathy, and proof over broad education. Discover the importance of strategic integration with social media to convert interest into inquiries. Hear insights on the value of testimonials in revealing buyer concerns and creating transformation narratives. Plus, gain practical tips on crafting compelling homepage hooks and effective About pages that resonate with visitors.

Most people think the magic of Engage happens once you arrive, but the truth is your success starts long before the welcome party. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of showing up to a major industry event, this episode will help you feel prepared and confident from the start.After attending eighteen Engage events and coaching dozens of clients through their own experiences, I’m sharing exactly how to plan ahead so you can show up intentionally, connect authentically, and make every conversation count. From refining your online presence to setting goals and mapping out follow-ups, these strategies will help you get the most out of your investment — and actually enjoy the experience while you’re there.Takeaways:• Define your “why” for attending so you stay focused and intentional• Update your online presence before you step into the room• Prepare your talking points to make networking feel natural• Plan your follow-up strategy before the event even begins