Own Your Business

When I ask clients: What does success look like to you? I get a variety of responses. The two most popular are, 1) I want to move into the luxury market, and 2) I want to scale my business to include a team.We spend a lot of time on the podcast talking about how to move into the luxury market, but not nearly as much time exploring what it looks like to scale your business with the team.This week I bring in Taryn Blake, one of our clients who found wild success in all the places most people tend to struggle.In our conversation we cover:What motivated her to build a team in the first placeHow she kept quality standards at the forefront in her strategyThe roles in the company that she spends most of our time onHer version of a solid company cultureIf you've ever considered growing your team beyond just yourself, this is the perfect episode to see what it's like from somebody else's proven path.

Many of you work directly with your spouse - and if you do, you know it’s not always easy. Today, I chat with Jessica and Michael Masi, who co-lead Masi Events, one of the top wedding planners by Over the Moon. We explore:Why they decided to partner in business, not just lifeHow they divide client-facing and BTS workWhat they learned about themselves over the years to make it better to work togetherSpecific recommendations to release pressure when times get tenseEven if you don’t work with your spouse, the insights we discuss are a good way to divide and conquer with anyone on your team as you learn your own role as the boss of your business.

Navigating the current challenges in the wedding industry can be daunting. The discussion highlights the importance of adaptable marketing strategies and smart financial decisions. Listeners learn how to confront industry-specific obstacles and explore practical methods to thrive in tough economic times. A personal anecdote illustrates different responses to difficulties, leading to actionable insights. Emphasis is placed on sustainability and managing expenses to build resilience for the future.

Wouldn’t it be great to get inside the mind of couples doing research for their wedding plans?Until that happens, monitoring their online behavior is the best we can do. Today, I bring in co-founder and CEO of PartySlate, Julie Novack, to share insights and data based on millions of visitors to their site. She shares:What kind of content to share in the early stages of the buyer’s journeyWhat couples want to see immediately when they land on your siteAnd we discuss the current market conditions and what to expect in the short- and mid-term Julie’s studied buyer behavior in digital spaces for decades. Let’s hear what she has to say about what tomorrow’s couples want from your marketing efforts.

Today's wedding client is not interested in yesterday's celebrations - and today's wedding business owner should adapt accordingly.But how do you change things up? What areas do you focus on? How do you know if it will work?Well, there's not one simple answer for any or all businesses to these questions. It depends very much on a number of different factors, but they all start with knowing yourself and what you stand for and what you want. If you don't know these things you can’t take the first step, let alone reach success.In this episode of Own Your Business, I bring on Elizabeth McKellar, the founder and principal planner for The Nouveau Romantics, to discuss what it's like to operate your business with a sense of integrity and authenticity.Learn to think deeply about yourself and your business, so you can avoid the mistakes she made and capitalize on the wisdom she’s gained along the way.

In this discussion, common myths in the wedding industry are tackled head-on. Discover why 'faking it' isn’t the path to success and how mastery of business fundamentals is crucial. Pricing strategies are explored, debunking myths around raising prices without value. The importance of transparency and knowing your audience before rebranding is highlighted. Additionally, blending practicality with intuition is emphasized, showing how mental and physical health can significantly elevate business performance.

Discover how storytelling can transform your marketing and sales strategies. Learn the three key elements of a compelling narrative and six ways to incorporate stories into your communications. Explore the vital role of authentic anecdotes that resonate with potential buyers amidst today's digital noise. Understand how effective storytelling enhances engagement during client interactions and improves information retention. Get actionable tips to start crafting narratives that your audience wants to hear.

Last week I sat down with Rock Paper Coin for a conversation about pricing. We covered a range of topics, including how to talk about budget with potential clients.It reminded me how hard it can be to talk about the topic of money - from both sides of the conversation: couples and vendors. Money matters are hard for most people. So today I thought it would be a good idea to bring back this oldie, but goodie from the podcast way back in 2021.Originally episode 12, this podcast is the one I refer 1:1 clients to more than any other for “homework” after our session if we talk about about discovery calls.Confidence is often about competence. Competence is knowing what you’re doing. Take the next 20 minutes to get the skills you need to talk about budget with potential clients.

Katy and I want to take a minute to provide a PSA to business owners, copywriters, and VAs.Don’t steal other people’s stuff.In our world as copywriters, that means intellectual property. Art. Writing. We see businesses crib our clients’ website copy all the time, which is baffling. It’s like taking someone’s photo and passing it off as your own in a portfolio. Who does that?You’d be surprised. Tune in to today’s podcast for a conversation on a topic no one wants to talk about: Plagiarism.

Sway Mastermind Alumni Panel