Own Your Business

It’s that time of the year again. You know, when we set down our goals for the upcoming year - only to completely abandon them before February rolls around. But what if you picked goals that aligned more with what you really want? With why you’re motivated to do things in life? That overlap with how you love to spend your time? In this episode of Own Your Business, I share some a-ha moments I’ve had over the years, as well as some that my clients have had, using a simple process that you can also use for your business, and life. Big takeaways include: - How to set up the right environment to create your goals - A four-step process that lays out a roadmap to success - Why picking the right goal is more important than the action plan You’ll also get some information on our new Shift Retreat, a strategic business workshop for wedding pros who want clarity. Information page for Shift Retreats: www.shiftbusinessretreat.com

You’ve heard me talk about four different types of buyers for your services. (If not, go listen to episodes 4, 32 and 54 after this one.) Selling to different kinds of buyers takes skill. But also takes knowledge to get started and practice to get good. I’m doing a deep dive on each buyer type for the podcast: Relaters Analyzers Bosses Dreamers I’ll share a few insights on - How do you identify them from other buyer types? - What do they want most from you? - How can you tweak the buyer’s journey to make it easier for them to book your services - no matter what services you offer? Today, we talk about Dreamers. These buyers see a world of opportunity. In this episode I’ll show you how to help Dreamers buy your ideas, not your services or products.

You’ve heard me talk about four different types of buyers for your services. (If not, go listen to episodes 4, 32 and 54 after this one.) Selling to different kinds of buyers takes skill. But also takes knowledge to get started and practice to get good. I’m doing a deep dive on each buyer type: Relaters Analyzers Bosses Dreamers I’ll share a few insights on - How do you identify them from other buyer types? - What do they want most from you? - How can you tweak the buyer’s journey to make it easier for them to book your services - no matter what services you offer? Today, we talk about Bosses. These buyers experience the world by getting things done. In this episode I’ll show you how to help Bosses buy positive outcomes, not products or services.

What happens when you take your biggest competition and make them your business partner? That’s what James Christianson and Otto Schulze did seven years ago - and they haven’t looked back on their way to the top ranks of wedding photographers. In this week’s episode of Own Your Business, I dive deep into James and Otto’s artistic education and individual careers to learn how their unique approaches make for a successful partnership. During the conversation we dig into: - How complementary skills and mindsets create a well-rounded business - Why their clients get more with four expert eyes instead of only two - What steps they took to grow - and how they put in effort every single day This episode will provide a peek behind the curtain of how to look 5-10 years down the road, rather than just next year. And you’ll see how seeds you plant today need to be fed and watered and fertilized for years before they’ll bear fruit. James and Otto are two of the savviest business people I know in the wedding industry. Enjoy the insights into how they think and why they’re so good at what they do.

Who says you can’t do luxury outside big markets like New York City, Los Angeles, and DC? Well, this week’s podcast guests prove you can. You might not find as many weddings with massive budgets, but luxury pros can create a successful business in mid-sized cities and even destination markets. Jennifer Thye and Sarrah Gaboury, owners of Imoni Events in Phoenix, Arizona, join me on today’s episode of Own Your Business. They’ve carved out a very successful business over the past decade for themselves - and more importantly, elevated the level of luxury throughout the city in the process. Tune in to learn how you, too, can: - Attract the right clients and avoid those who aren’t a good fit - Find vendors locally and nationally to collaborate on the event - Put yourself in a position to make the leap from premium to luxury

You’ve heard me talk about four different types of buyers for your services. (If not, go listen to episodes 4, 32 and 54 after this one.) Selling to different kinds of buyers takes skill. But also takes knowledge to get started and practice to get good. I’m doing a deep dive on each buyer type: Relaters Analyzers Bosses Dreamers I’ll share a few insights on - How do you identify them from other buyer types? - What do they want most from you? - How can you tweak the buyer’s journey to make it easier for them to book your services - no matter what services you offer? Today, we talk about Analyzers. These buyers filter the world through information. In this episode I’ll show you how to help Analyzers buy your product or service, not you.

You’ve heard me talk about four different types of buyers for your services. (If not, go listen to episodes 4, 32 and 54 after this one.) Selling to different kinds of buyers takes skill. But also takes knowledge to get started and practice to get good. Over the next couple months I’m going to do a deep dive on each buyer type: Relaters Analyzers Bosses Dreamers I’ll share a few insights on - How do you identify them from other buyer types? - What do they want most from you? - How can you tweak the buyer’s journey to make it easier for them to book your services - no matter what services you offer? Today, we start with Relaters. These buyers filter the world through their relationships with others. In this episode I’ll show you how to help Relaters buy you, not your product or service.

This week’s guest on Own Your Business is a risk-taker who rose to the top by jumping off cliffs and building parachutes on the way down. Chris Jespersen is the owner of Storybox Cinema and one of Harper’s Bazaar’s top videographers. He also founded The Madison, a large event space in Cleveland, Ohio, which is fast becoming one of the go-to venues in the city. And he just turned 30. How did he do it all so quickly? He’s the first to say that it started by saying “yes” to the opportunities that came his way. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t doubt himself. And he didn’t wait for the perfect time. He seized the moment in front of him - whatever that happened to be. I hope you enjoy our conversation. It’s a lesson in how you, too, can thrive when you choose to not just survive.

This interview with Abby Jiu is the second in my series of deep dives with wedding pros who sit at the top of their fields - and offer a fresh perspective on what it means to find success with the business. I chose Abby because I wanted listeners to hear more about how she’s done two of the hardest things a wedding pro can do: 1) Thrive in the luxury market and 2) Scale her business. The fact that she’s done both at the same time makes her rise in the industry truly remarkable. She doesn’t just offer one of the best portfolios in the luxury space. Or an unparalleled client experience. Or a team of associates who are nearly as talented as her. She does all three - and more. Today’s conversation ranges from lessons Abby learned selling pharmaceuticals early in her professional career to how she focused on designing a business around luxury mindsets. You’ll hear not just how she implemented strategies, but also WHY they worked for her. And you’ll walk away knowing it’s possible not to sacrifice client experience when you scale. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did recording it with Abby.

After every Engage! Luxury Wedding Summit, I like to list out insights I received during the experience or from speakers on stage. Then I tell you how to apply them in your own business. I’m fresh off the plane from Ireland with my best pieces of advice for wedding professionals interested in a more successful business and rewarding life.