Own Your Business

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

If it feels like couples are taking forever to book right now, you’re not imagining it. Across the industry, wedding pros are seeing the same thing: inquiries come in, great conversations happen — and then everything slows down. Couples wait weeks, even months, before making a decision. Some ghost. Some circle back at the last minute ready to move.What’s happening isn’t just procrastination — it’s buyer behavior shifting. Today’s couples are juggling busy lives, endless choices, and a constant stream of content that makes every option look good. Planning a wedding has become a second job, and decision fatigue is setting in fast. When people are overloaded, they don’t make confident choices. They stall. They scroll. They default to “not yet.”That’s why, in this episode, we’re unpacking what’s really behind the slowdown — and how you can adjust your process to match the way modern buyers actually make decisions. Because the reality is, you can’t sell to this year’s couples the same way you did even a few years ago. Their brains are working differently. And if you want to keep momentum in your pipeline, your sales approach has to evolve too.We’ll talk through the three big behavioral forces driving the delay — ego depletion, analysis paralysis, and loss aversion — and show you how to design your client journey to guide couples forward with less friction and more trust. It’s about removing obstacles, simplifying choices, and creating an environment where the “yes” feels easy and natural.And while this episode first aired last year, it’s one worth revisiting. The challenges we talked about then have only intensified — and the insights are even more relevant now. So whether you’re listening for the first time or the fifth, take notes. Because understanding what’s really going on in your buyers’ heads is the first step to helping them move from “thinking about it” to “booking it.”

Explore why quick fixes in business often lead to disappointment. Discover that real growth comes from consistent learning and practice rather than chasing silver bullets. Learn about the importance of a robust website and effective social media that goes beyond just pretty pictures. Sam and Katy highlight mastering discovery calls as crucial for success, stressing the value of practice and preparation. Focus on high-impact marketing strategies to boost bookings and prices for a stronger business.

Most wedding pros are treating AI like a shortcut for captions, blogs, and emails, but that’s not what gets clients to say yes. The real opportunity with AI is using it to sharpen your sales game. In this episode, we dig into how AI can help you read your clients better, position yourself against competitors, and keep momentum alive in the sales process. Instead of saving time, you’ll learn how to use AI to close more bookings.TakeawaysWhy treating AI like a content machine is keeping you from stronger salesThe real risks of relying on generic captions, blogs, and emails to win businessHow to use AI for smarter sales insights drawn from feedback, competitors, and your own notesWhat it looks like to shift from busywork to bookings with a Sales IQ approach

Wedding professionals are diving into AI without a plan, leading to bland and off-brand content. Discover why quick fixes waste time and how to spot misaligned AI outputs. The hosts share their initial skepticism and caution against treating AI as a gimmick. Skilled prompts are essential for quality results. Learn how to use AI strategically to streamline tasks while enhancing personal connections. Plus, find out how to leverage AI to boost bookings in 2026. Balance is key to using AI effectively without losing your unique voice.

Summary:You say you’re ready to pivot, but weeks or months later, nothing has actually changed. This episode is for every wedding pro who knows their current strategy isn’t working but can’t seem to gain traction on a new direction. We unpack why strategy shifts so often stall out, the mental spiral that keeps you stuck, and what to do before making any big move. If you feel like you’re circling the same business problems over and over, this conversation will help you find your way out.Takeaways:How to recognize the signs that your strategy needs a resetWhy common “fixes” like rebranding or hiring a coach often don’t solve the core issueThe hidden costs of avoiding deeper strategic workA smarter, slower way to start shifting direction for real

Bookings feel slower. Buyers seem harder to reach. The market feels crowded and uncertain. If you’ve been wondering what’s going on, you’re not alone.In this solo episode, I’m walking through what I see happening across the wedding industry right now. I’ll share my perspective on shifting buyer behavior, rising competition, changing definitions of luxury, and the day-to-day challenges of trying to grow a creative business in a more complex market.This episode is here to give you clarity. Not just about what’s happening, but about what to focus on. Things feel different because they are. But that doesn’t mean your business can’t grow. You just need a clear view of the landscape and a plan for how to show up inside it.Takeaways:Luxury is about how you make people feel. A beautiful design means less if the experience behind it is stressful or disconnected.There are only so many premium clients to go around. More vendors are chasing fewer seats at the high-end table, which makes relationships and consistency even more important.You don’t need a perfect booking. Two out of three is enough. If the price is right, the project is interesting, or the client is kind, take the win.Results follow effort. Keep improving your follow-up, your portfolio, your proposal, and your presence. Focus on what you can control and keep showing up.

Join wedding industry veterans like Abby Jiu, a wedding photographer and social media strategist, and Daniel Kim, an experienced photographer capturing authentic moments. They delve into the shifting landscape of client expectations, emphasizing creativity and genuine connections over traditional luxury. Eleanor Scola discusses the evolution of venue trends, while Kimberly Richmond highlights changes in buyer psychology. Laura Ritchie shares insights on the importance of authentic brand communication and the need for transparency, helping vendors navigate today's competitive market effectively.

Dive into the truth about luxury in the wedding industry, where it's revealed that aesthetics alone won't cut it. Discover what today's luxury clients truly desire, focusing on meaningful experiences rather than just beautiful visuals. Understand the pitfalls of projecting a luxury image without the expertise to back it up, and learn how genuine client relationships can redefine luxury. Equip yourself with strategies to enhance your brand, moving beyond superficiality to create trusted, personalized experiences that resonate.

This discussion dives into the tricky line between genuine business growth and merely increasing workload. Creative entrepreneurs often mistake hustle for progress, leading to chaotic lives. Hiring more help or adding services may not alleviate overwhelm; true growth requires clarity and effective systems. The speakers advocate for redefining success, emphasizing freedom and fulfillment over traditional metrics. A transformative retreat is spotlighted, offering tools for realignment and sustainable growth for wedding industry professionals.