Check out the episode to get insights into:

Big myths and misconceptions about content creation

What trends to pay attention to - and what ones to avoid

Ways to boost referrals from past and current clients

And the #1 reason most wedding pros struggle with social media

On this episode of Own Your Business, I’m sharing with you:

1. Why small improvements in key areas will produce BIG results

2. 7 deadly sins most wedding pros make in their sales process

3.My simple step-by-step for guiding clients through the buyer’s journey

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Destination weddings are the perfect mix of business and pleasure. Not only are they often fun to do, but they can be very lucrative as well. The markets in Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe are sizable - and getting bigger. But how do you tap into them?

In this week’s episode of Own Your Business, I talk with Destination I Do founder and editor, Jennifer Stein, to share insights and perspectives that will:

Get you more inquiries from destination clients

Build content to attract couples in locations you want to work

Show you who to reach out to for referrals

Give insights into a post-pandemic destination wedding market

No one wants to sound sales-y when they’re selling their services to couples. So how do you close deals without being aggressive, or cheesy…or clumsy? It’s easy if you have a simple approach that leverages buyer psychology.

Discovery calls are complex - and crucial to your businesses success. It’s when you find out if the client is a good fit, when you build value to charge higher prices, and when you learn what triggers their deepest desires for your services.

What you’ll find in this interview is how she took her raw talent and creativity, and then redefined what winning looked like.

You’ll find it’s the practice and preparation before the wedding that makes her so successful.

And you’ll find she’s built on her individual success to create a community filled with photographers who want to learn how to thrive in the luxury market. Who want to become, well, the next KT Merry.

Most wedding pros think couples buy their services because of a strong personal connection. Or their portfolio. Or the awards they’ve won or publications they’re featured in. Or how beautiful their branding is. All these are important, but they only get you so far.

At some point, you have to move them from the “I’m interested” stage to the “I know what I want and you are the one to help get it for me” stage. And that happens on the discovery call.

Finances are one of the most important parts of owning your own business. And they’re also one of the scariest, too. But like most things in life that we’re afraid of, it's because we don’t know how easy it can be to do.

We all talk a lot about “ideal clients.” Wouldn’t it be nice if they were all ideal? Too bad they’re not, because, let’s be honest: Those who inquire run the gamut from perfect fits to completely awful. Some couples are dream clients. Other people are good…just not good for you.

A great way to make more money is to sell more services to each couple who hires you. Unfortunately, what most people do is either a) stuff their packages with more services, or b) offer a la carte options on top of the packages. But both of these options consistently backfire with your buyers.