Wedding MBA Podcast

Ryan O'neill, Curate.co.  Ryan discussed the future of AI in wedding businesses, focusing on automation of manual tasks and improving efficiency through AI agents, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining human oversight and proper implementation. The conversation covered practical applications of AI in marketing, brand voice, and contract analysis, with Ryan sharing his experience with various AI tools. Grok-https://x.ai. Typinator-https://ergonis.com/typinator. Discount code to Wedding MBA Conference - "Clint" for $20 discount.

Alan Berg,AlanBerg.com, a seasoned speaker and consultant who has been attending since 2007. Alan shares his expertise on handling customer objections in sales and emphasizes the importance of understanding audience demographics for targeting higher-end wedding industry clients.

Twah Dougherty, the founder and creative director of Twah Dougherty Photography, discussed her journey as a wedding photographer and her framework to help other photographers break into the high-end market. She emphasized the importance of authenticity and presence in wedding photography, and shared her approach of capturing genuine moments without influencing the subjects' reactions. Twah also announced her upcoming course and encouraged attendees to reach out to her on Instagram for more information. @TwahEducation. TwahEducation.com. @TwahPhotography. TwahPhotography.com

Nayri, wedding fashion expert at Lavella Bridal, shared her approach to maintaining consistency and momentum in her work, her discomfort with being the face of her brand, and her journey from being an introvert to embracing her entrepreneurial spirit. @WeddingFashionExpert, @LovellaBridal, @LovellaPlus. "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks.

Colleen Carswell, a fractional COO at StructuredToScale.com, discussed her role in helping businesses enhance their backend systems and processes, as well as the importance of personalized software recommendations. She emphasized the importance of business owners understanding their current workflow and customer journey when evaluating software, as well as the need to verify information about software features before sharing it with clients. The conversation also touched on the upcoming Wedding MBA Conference in Las Vegas, where Colleen will share her insights on using SMS text messaging in business. StructuredToScale.com. @colleencarswell_

Anthony Lambatos. FootersCatering.com. The importance of balancing culture with financial stability in a business, emphasizing the key elements of their successful culture and the significant cost of employee turnover. Anthony@FootersCatering.com. @_The_MIBE. TheMibe.com. Purchase tickets for the conference using the discount code "CLINT" for $20 off.

 Ian Ramirez. VenueHelpDesk.com. Insights on improving sales processes for wedding venues, emphasizing personalized approaches and clear follow-up strategies. @venuehelpdesk. Facebook group: Venue Insiders Network. Tickets for the Wedding MBA Conference 2025 (November 11-13) at weddingmba.com using the discount code CLINT for $20 off.

Elizabeth Marberry preseason. ElizabethMarberry.com. Elizabeth, CEO of Wedding Dance Coach, shared her expertise on optimizing Instagram profiles, creating targeted content, and using the platform to build relationships with potential clients and vendors. The Strut It Podcast. DM "Refresh" for her Refresh Guide.

Nikita Thorne, head of strategy at Guides for Brides and Big Day Agency, discussed the shift towards social media search and the role of hashtags in reaching the desired clientele. The conversation also covered the importance of categorizing content on social media platforms and the significance of the bio in social media profiles. @guidesforbrides. GuidesForBrides.co.uk

Shannon Tarrant. VenueHelpDesk.com, @VenueHelpDesk. Shannon and Clint emphasized the need for businesses in the wedding industry to clarify their brand positioning, focus on ideal clients, and provide clear information on their offerings. 

Renee Dalo, ReneeDalo.com, discussed the importance of maintaining confidence and emotional neutrality. She shared her experience of transitioning from being overly sensitive to becoming more emotionally neutral.

Pre-Season with Marc McIntosh, TeamWeddingMarketing.com. Marc emphasized the challenges of lead generation and the need for businesses to focus on improving their chances of engaging with potential clients, highlighting the significance of clear messaging, transparent pricing, and differentiating themselves from competitors.

Clint introduces the new season of the Wedding MBA podcast, featuring interviews with presenters and experts from the upcoming Wedding MBA Conference. He welcomes Terrica, a wedding planning and design firm owner, industry educator, speaker, and coach with 20 years of experience. Terrica emphasizes the importance of understanding one's pricing and the value they bring to their clients, and she explains her approach to vendor referrals, highlighting her ability to connect clients with vendors who fit their style, budget, and needs.

Strategies To Win The Sale with Megan Gillikin, Owner, Weddings for Real / The Planner's Vault. Clint and Megan discussed Megan's transition from wedding planning to creating an educational platform for wedding professionals, focusing on the importance of effective negotiation and value communication in the industry. They explored strategies for wedding professionals to differentiate themselves, understand client needs, and articulate their unique value proposition. 

TikTok and IG Reels Without Paid Ads Nayri, Wedding Fashion Expert, Lovella Bridal. Nayri, a bridal stylist and speaker, shared her insights on the wedding industry, her approach to attracting ideal clients, and her strategies for identifying potential business partners. She also discussed the importance of authenticity on social media, the need for practical implementation of learned knowledge in business operations, and the importance of giving credit to all involved in a video when reposting it. Lastly, Nayri emphasized the need to step out of the business to work on it and to hire the right people to help the business grow.

Create Demand For Your Wedding Business Troy Adams, Owner, Carolina DJ Professionals.  Through a combo of messaging, relationships, reviews, and a bit of automation you can make couples chase you versus ghost you. • Boost your close rate to 80% • Build systems that sell • Messaging and automation techniques

Tech Hacks That Give You Back Your Time Nora Sheils and Elizabeth Sheils, Co-founders RockPaperCoin.com. Technology can enhance your business and give you the breathing space you deserve. • Tech to elevate the customer experience • Automation tools to reduce errors • Leverage technology in your everyday life. TimeLine Genius, Cloud HQ, Grammarly, Mail Tracker, Right Inbox, Unroll.me. Zoom AI Companion, RockPaperCoin.com-WMBAEarlyBird or WMBA24

Google Analytics 4 Guidelines Christie Osborne, Owner, Mountainside Media. Confused and overwhelmed by Google Analytics 4?  Let Christie guide you through the new behind-the-scenes world of Google. Google captures over 90% of searches… make sure you're covered.

Stay Relevant - Stay Top Of Mind - Using AI with Alan Berg CSP, Wedding Business Solutions. AlanBerg.com. • Why new competition isn't a bad thing • What you can learn from new competitors- using AI 

Understand Gender Identity Don Mamone, Keynote speaker, Identity Coach, and Author. DonMamone.com. Learn how to create an inclusive space for all gender identities and expressions. • What gender identity is and what it's not • Recognize, represent, and include gender identity in your business • Create a safer space for everyone

Make More Money with Christopher Shelley, Wedding Celebrant, Speaker, and Author. IlluminatingCeremonies.com. How do you get paid more without losing business to your competitors? • Pricing analysis per region • Officiant pricing templates

Next Level Event Timelines Brian Green, Owner, ByBrianGreen.  You must get it right every time working without a net and with no do-overs. Your timeline is your secret weapon. • A detailed approach to better timelines

Common Legal Myths Debunked Leah Weinberg, Co-Founder & Partner, Oduberg Law, LLP Legal terms and concepts can be confusing, and some myths may prevent you from taking the correct action in your business. • Elements to enter into a binding contract • Classify employees and independent contractors • General tips for your business

New York Times Submissions with Charanna K. Alexander, Weddings Editor Styles Department, The New York Times. New York Times Wedding Editor Charanna Alexander answers your questions on how wedding professionals can get the most out of media coverage. Successful pitches, clear and insightful quote tips backed by relevant data, and strategies to build relationships with the media. • Craft a compelling story and pitch it to the media • What editors look for in expert contributions

This Year's Best Apps with Tanisha Lee, Owner, Collectively Wed. Be the boss of your tech and have your phone work for you. Find the best apps without all the hard work. • Time-saving apps • Apps that track your schedules, projects, and budget • Newest apps you will absolutely love. Motion, Harpsen, Claude.

A.I. And The Content Apocalypse with Sara Margulis, Co-Founder and CEO Honeyfund.com. Convert videos to blogs, pamphlets to e-books, and social media snippets to emails with your new A.I. assistants. • Reduce creative burnout and save time • Use A.I. for efficient content strategies. charmiq.ai. starry.ai. Adobe Firefly

Sure-Fire Sales Techniques with Bethel Nathan, Owner, CeremoniesByBethel.com & ElevateByBethel.com. Good quality sales leads have become more challenging to find. How do you book more weddings and increase your sales game? • Best ways to find new leads  Overcome sales objections

Wedding Show Success with Lindsay J. Williams, Owner, The Bridal Show Blueprint. LindsayJWilliams.com.  It's time to give wedding shows another chance. Make every face-to-face event work for you. • Pre-show marketing campaigns • Analyze and determine the right show • Book appointments at your next show. LindsayJWilliams.com/quickstart. LindsayJWilliams.com/group

CASH FLOW ROLLER COASTER with Matt Radicelli, Owner, MentorPods.com. Just like the ups and downs of a roller coaster, wedding pros struggle with consistent cash flow. • Navigate cash flow ups and downs • Free tools for predictable cash management • Strategies to stabilize financial fluctuations https://www.mentorpods.com/clint https://www.mentorpods.com/weddingmbapodcast

Styled Shoots with Katie Cotton, Owner, CottonRougeandCompany.com.   A place setting so flawless it doesn't look real. You need the latest colors, themes, and details. With the average engagement lasting 15 months, by the day of the wedding, the look can be out-of-date. Stay ahead of your competitors with these styled shoot techniques. • Put together a wedding pro team

Extravagant Celebrations with Fausto Pifferrer, Co-Owner, BlueElephantCatering.com. When it comes to creating the ultimate event, it's all about the execution. Even the most creative ideas are nothing without the event planner's vision and direction. • Social worthy inspiration.

Lead, Hire, And Expand Your Workforce with Talmar Anderson, Owner, Boss HQ. yourbosshq.com. How can the employees focus if their boss needs a crash course on leadership? What is the best way to delegate the day-to-day tasks while keeping a finger on the pulse of business strategies? • First steps to expand your team • Stop making these hiring mistakes

Get Paid For ALL Your Time Renee Dalo, Owner, Moxie Bright Events. MoxieBrightEvents.com. As a planner, you manage more details than any other wedding specialty. All you have to sell is your expert time. Get paid for all the time you invest in each wedding. • Day-of, wedding management, partial planning, and full service • Negate competitors who over-promise and undercharge

More Profit - Less Drama with Braden Drake, Owner, Braden Drake LLC Attorney & Tax Professional. NotAVGLaw.com. Creatives don't get into the wedding business. If you don't do your homework, you will over-pay. Industry-specific concerns are niche and necessary. Find some money you've been leaving on the table. • Deduction guide for wedding pros • S Corp vs LLC • Guideline for contractors and employees

Venue Marketing For Maximum Reach with Colleen Carswell, Owner of Smoky Blue Events. SmokeyBlueEvents.com. Other wedding pros have your preferred vendor list to maximize their word of mouth referrals, but who's spreading the word about your venue? Get featured in local and national outlets and build instant trust, authority, and credibility with engaged couples.  Reach couples without the social media grind Create content that lasts for years, not hours Get more promotions from others for free

MBA Level Operations Advice with Bethel Nathan, Owner, Ceremonies By Bethel & Elevate By Bethel. ElevateByBethel.com. Owning a wedding business can be terrifying. You risk everything when you start or expand it. Avoid these horrifying entrepreneurial fails. • Unexpected business emergencies • Successful business goal-setting • Recover from bad reviews

Business First Impressions with Becca Pountney, Wedding Industry Marketing Consultant. BeccaPountney.com In a fraction of a second, prospective couples form opinions about your company. This instant judgment happens when they look at your website, social media posts, email, or talk with you on the phone. How do you make a stellar first impression that ultimately leads to a sale? • Proven first-impression digital techniques • Repair a flubbed first impression • In-person and virtual impression do's and don'ts

Websites That Captivate And Convert with Marc McIntosh, Team Wedding Marketing. teamwedding.com. How many times have you clicked off or silently judged someone's online storefront? Your immediate response is from a first impression you can't erase. A stellar website increases credibility, brand awareness, organic traffic, and new leads. • Five components of a successful website • Optimize user experience and conversions • Real cost of not getting it right

Guide To Book Better Clients with Margaux Fraise, Owner, Wedding Summit Series. harmonycreativestudio.com How do you distinguish the difference between solid inquiries and time wasters? Wedding planners are often told to reject the wrong clients early in the inquiry process. Are you confident you aren't eliminating clients who will become your greatest allies? Discover the warning signs you should look for so you don't end up with badly behaved clients. • Potential red flags that will surprise you • Keywords that indicate price shoppers vs genuine leads • When clients want you to change your contract

Fake Lead Philosophy with Alan Berg. AlanBerg.com. You get lots of inquiries, but they don't convert to sales. Are they real leads or time-wasting fakes? Also, do your responses not connect with how you reply? If your old techniques don't work, it's time for a refresh. Fine-tune your inquiry process into a profitable sales machine. • Spot a fake lead from a real one • Should you reply to leads from different sources • Get better ROI from your current leads

Preseason chat with Joe Rare. WeddingBookingSystem.com. What is automated marketing? The difference between marketing, advertising, and sales. What is ringless voicemail? How Joe's company tests a wedding market.

Preseason with Jennifer Bernal. HouseofBernal.com. How does a floral design company grow to the top of its market in only three years? How to network effectively. How to find the right market for your business.

Preseason chat with Elizabeth Marberry. ElizabethMarberry.com. How to turn Instagram followers into clients. Create content for your specific ideal client. Use your bio effectively. Do the call to action correctly. "Tag your fiancé!". Repost the most viewed content.

Preseason with Shannon Tarrant. WeddingVenueMap.com. Prospects are taking longer to book. When are the Peak and Off-Peak seasons? The two-week special. Discounts or added value? Who holds the power? When is a client too difficult?

Preseason chat with Kristin Banta. KristinBanta.com. How does she discover the right design for her clients? How did Kristin achieve her incredible success? She shares some of her marketing strategies and what scares her.

Preseason chat with Renee Dalo. ReneeDalo.com. How to avoid burnout. How a business and career coach can help you. The most successful event professionals are open and curious. How Renee dealt with her performance nerves.

Preseason chat with Mark Chapman. The IDoSociety.com. Online advertising. What platforms are most effective? What is the difference between advertising on Google and Meta (Facebook and Instagram)?

Preseason episode with Sara Dunn. SaraDoesSEO.com. How to improve the SEO of your website over time with baby steps regularly. How to use keywords. How to make the images on your site discoverable by Google. Get free resources at SaraDoesSEO.com. Use the discount code "Clint" to get $20 off when you buy tickets to the Wedding MBA Conference.

Pre-season with Meghan Ely. OFDconsulting.com. What is publicity? What are media producers looking for? Is social media a good publicity platform? Should you write a book?

Pre-Season episode with Rob Schenk. WeddingIndustryLaw.com. How do you protect your business if the client moves the date of the event? Do you need malpractice insurance? What to do if your supplier doesn't get you what you need in time.

Wedding MBA Conference 2023 recap with Becca Pountney. www.beccapountney.com Interviews with attendees and speakers.