Podcasts about bridal guide

Not everyone is comfortable writing their own wedding vows, and that's okay. For those who don't deem themselves wordsmiths or need a little coaching on how to put together a great Best Man speech, this episode is for you! Our host, Jennifer Stein, is joined by Brian Franklin, professional speechwriter and co-founder of Vows & Speeches. They discuss how Brian went from a political consultant to the business of writing wedding vows. They cover important and helpful topics such as what makes a great wedding speech and how to deliver heartfelt and personalized vows with the help of his service. About Vows & SpeechesBrian Franklin is the Co-Founder of Vows & Speeches and oversees all interviews and script writing.A writer and communications/marketing consultant for over 25 years, most of Brian's work has been as an award-winning political consultant and communications strategist (including speechwriting and debate prep) for federal and state campaigns.Knowing his skills as a writer and speaker, his friends and family would ask him for help with their wedding speeches—and he had the honor of officiating a few weddings himself. (It should be noted that they are all still married!)In mid 2021, after interviewing Jon Macks, a speechwriter and a lead writer for the Tonight Show and other comedians for many years, Brian was inspired and started to look at the wedding industry as a possible career change, and ultimately, after getting some feedback on Clubhouse by other wedding pros, he and his wife Nicole formed Vows & Speeches. By early 2022, Brian was transitioned to Vows & Speeches full time.Brian has now written hundreds of vows, speeches, ceremonies, and other scripts, and been featured in Bridal Guide, Brides, The Knot, Destination I Do and many more respected wedding media outlets. For more information about Vows & Speeches log on to https://vowsandspeeches.com/ or @vowsandspeeches on social media. More about Destination I DoDestination I Do was established in 2004 and has been publishing real destination weddings, helpful content about planning your wedding away (or honeymoon) and giving advice and inspiration for every couple who is dreaming of their perfect celebration away from home. To learn more about Destination I Do, log on to https://destinationido.com/ and follow us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinationido/ or @destinationido on any other social media platform.

Event Pros, and even couples, dream about getting their wedding published.  Either online or in-print.  Prestige, PR, Marketing, SEO's - Being published covers them all.  But how?Our guest today is Meghan Ely, considered by many to be the guru of PR for the wedding and event business.OFD Consulting owner, Meghan Ely, combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. A long-time industry speaker and writer, she is a Wedding Pro educator with The Knot + WeddingWire, as well as a regular contributor to Wedding Planner Magazine, Catersource and Special Events.com. Meghan represents clients globally and has earned them overage with the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Refinery 29, Domino, Forbes and Real Simple, among other outlets. Her team's publicity efforts are regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America. The National Association of Catering and Events just named her Speaker of The Year for 2023. She is one of the few that will give you exact and tangible steps to get your event published today!  She is directly responsible for getting businesses quoted or featured in the NY Times, Parade Magazine, People Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, and Modern Luxury Magazine just to name a fraction of the publications.For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard.The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Telly Awards for best online unscripted series and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

NOVEMBER PREVENTION MAGAZINE Golden Wisdom: Health & Wellness Insights for the Ageless Spirit The Not Old Better Show, Prevention Magazine Interview Series Welcome to The Not Old Better Show Prevention Magazine Health and Wellness Interview Series.  I'm Paul Vogelzang, and I want to greet our audience, but I want to greet those READERS of Prevention Magazine certainly. This is our second episode in our Editor in Chief series, and today we're tackling some of the most pressing health topics that are crucial for our audience—adults over 60 who are committed to living their best lives. Let's get right into it: we have another packed show! First up is our monthly conversation with Editor-in-Chief Sarah Smith, and we're discussing natural remedies for arthritis pain, a topic featured in Prevention Magazine's upcoming November issue. Among our topics today, which natural remedies are showing the most promise for arthritis pain?  For those in our audience who may be skeptical about trying natural remedies, what advice can you offer?  What about the TENS device, often known as the TENS unit?  From arthritis to how we approach the cold and flu season.  Which myths about cold and flu will the November issue debunk? How do these myths specifically impact our older population? And, To stay healthy during the cold and flu season, what preventive measures would you recommend for our audience? I want to introduce Emily Goldman to The Not Old Better Show Prevention Magazine Health and Wellness Interview Series audience.  Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She's spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She's loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. Emily Goldman and I will discuss her cover story, "Is Diabetes Reversible?" Emily will share her personal experience with Type 1 diabetes and how that experience shaped the narrative of her story this month. We'll also discuss the latest scientific findings regarding the reversibility of diabetes, especially for older adults. And how lifestyle changes contribute to managing or even reversing diabetes. My thanks to Prevention Magazine's Editor in Chief Sarah Smith, My thanks to Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. Thank you, Emily and Sarah, for your invaluable insights. And thank you, our audience, for tuning in. Remember, knowledge is power, and it's never too late to live your best life. The Not Old Better Show Prevention Magazine Health and Wellness Interview Series. Check it out next month, and please sign up for the Prevention Magazine Virtual Run.  Everything will be in our show notes today…Be well, be safe, and Let's Talk About Better…The Not Old Better Show, Prevention Magazine Health and Wellness interview series.  Until next time, stay informed and stay healthy; thanks, everybody, and we will see you next month.  CLICK HERE for more information about the great subscription available at Prevention Magazine!

Educate | Empower | Encourage Learning Library - Sign up HERE! Our sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠17hats⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - use code "Dangerous" to receive 50% off your first year.  What is luxury? Can we be ourselves and still thrive in the luxury wedding industry? In this episode of the Dangerous Creatives podcast, Kristin, Julie Bunkley and Courtney Wolf from Invision Events dive into that exact question. They chat about creating luxury in your brand based on your values, understanding your client, and how embracing who you are is your golden ticket to thriving and succeeding as a creative entrepreneur.  Julie Bunkley is the owner & creative director of Invision Events, a Birmingham, Ala. and Atlanta, Ga. based award winning design and plan firm as well as a founder of Educate | Empower | Encourage, an online learning community for creatives who serve or desire to serve the high end niche. A public relations and design maven as well as a long-term, strategic visionary, Julie's aesthetic and passion for building a brand is well over a decade in the making. Her eye is always on the long game, reminding us that a sustainable and successful business is a marathon and not a sprint. Julie and her team at Invision serve couples from coast to coast and are most well known for their refined and tailored aesthetic as well as their thoughtful and intentional approach. Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, The New York Times, Fortune, BRIDES, In Style, Town & Country and Bridal Guide, they've been named twice by BRIDES as a Best Wedding Planner in America and by Southern Living as one of the South's Best Wedding Planners. Courtney Wolf, Invision's principal planner and a founder of Educate | Empower | Encourage is a business and life coach wrapped up in a wedding planner's body. She's been dubbed a “personal trainer for your small biz” and a “small business therapist." Her background includes a degree in Marketing as well as her MBA and with this lens she views our industry objectively and runs all things operational and client facing for Invision. Consider her your personal cheerleader and someone who will transform you into part of the "get it done" crew.Connect with Invision Events: www.invision.eventswww.educateempowerencourage.com  Instagram:@invisionevents @courtney_invision @thejuliebunkley Currently Launching:⁠⁠⁠⁠Study Abroad Trips ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advanced Photographers Mastermind - ⁠⁠⁠APPLY NOW!⁠⁠⁠ Road to 100k Mastermind - Info HERE! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book a discovery call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see which one of our programs might be best for you! Connect with Kristin: ⁠⁠⁠ Instagram @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kristinsweeting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danger School Online Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Credits:  Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@⁠⁠⁠shammydee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jen Madigan Creative⁠

OFD Consultiing owner, Meghan Ely, combines in the trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. Meghan represents clients globally and has earned them to coverage with the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Brides, Bridal Guide, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Travel Channel, HGTV, Brit & Co and Refinery 20, among other.She is a master at finding and getting good PR opportunities, and is a favorite of Behind The Veil Viewers. Her original show regarding PR during Covid is one of our most watched shows with over 20,000 views just on YouTube. Host: Keith Willard - Keith Willard EventsCo-Host: Marci Guttenberg - An Affair To Remember By MarciCo-Host: Brooke Logan Stoner - Pride CateringSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/BehindTheVeilShow)

What you'll learn in this episode: Why the most important thing a jewelry designer can invest in is high-quality photography How Amy finds the topics she writes about for JCK's “All That Glitters” blog How designers can find the story that helps them break through the crowded marketplace Who today's most exciting emerging and independent designers are How the jewelry industry changed during the pandemic, and what retailers must do to engage young consumers About Amy Elliott Amy Elliott is a writer, editor and brand storyteller who specializes in fine jewelry and fashion, and is fluent in other lifestyle categories, including food, weddings and travel. As a former staff editor at The Knot, Bridal Guide, Brides Local Magazines + Brides.com and Lucky, Amy is known for delivering high-quality editorial content across a variety of print and digital media. After recently serving as the Engagement Rings Expert for About.com, Amy joined the freelance staff of JCK as its All That Glitters columnist, while contributing articles about jewelry trends, estate and antique jewelry and gemstones to its prestigious print magazine. Amy also serves as the Fine Jewelry Expert for The Bridal Council, an industry organization composed of luxury bridal designers, retailers and media, and her byline has appeared in Gotham, Hamptons, DuJour, Martha Stewart Weddings, GoodHousekeeping.com and more. Additional Resources: Amy's Website Amy's Twitter Amy's Instagram JCK Article: Cicadas Swarm on Sienna Patti Gallery in Lenox, Mass. JCK Article: Christopher Thompson Royds' Flowers Bloom at Sienna Patti Gallery JCK Article: Look What Happens When Annoushka Gives Peridot A Go Examples of posts that reflect the intersection of jewelry with history, culture and current events: Bob Goodman Wants Jewelers To Join Him in Disrupting the Status Quo: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/bob-goodman-jewelers-disrupting/ The Ten Thousand Things x Met Museum Collaboration Is Coming In Hot: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/ten-thousand-things-x-met-museum/ Go “Sea” Some Serious Silver Treasures At Mystic Seaport Museum: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/sea-as-muse-silver-seaport-museum/ New Jewelry From Rafka Koblence, Olympic Wrestler Turned Designer: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/new-jewelry-from-rafka-koblence/ Transcript: As author of the “All That Glitters” blog for JCK, Amy Elliott has a front row seat to the jewelry industry's up-and-coming trends and designers. She's also been lucky enough to work with some of these designers, helping them refine their brands and create stories that resonate with customers. She joined the Jewelry Journey Podcast to talk about what designers and retailers should do to stay relevant with younger consumers, how art jewelry has influenced high jewelry, and what jewelry trends to watch out for in the coming months. Read the episode transcript here.  Sharon: When you say you like strong, new collections, what catches your eye when somebody's presenting a new collection to you or sends you a press kit or email? Amy: Every time I'm ever interviewed for something, I always say this, but photos are so important, beautiful, beautiful photos. Whatever budget you have, use it for the photography. I love glamorous jewelry. I love high jewelry. I love glamor, big, bold, extremely extravagant jewels; from an editorial standpoint, I love them. I love to excite the senses with beautiful jewelry that makes you stop in your tracks. So, the jewels have to be beautiful, and you need to have beautiful photos to accurately portray that. It's just a strong point of view.  Boucheron came to me, and they have a whole series inspired by a cat that belonged to the Maison Boucheron early on in their life. His name is Vladimir, and it's a whole collection that takes this Persian cat with his swept fur. There's a story there; there's a heritage story. I love that. I love to take a new collection and look back at how it came to be. I love figuring out what a designer's signature is, whether they're well-established or they're just coming out. Every once in a while you'll find a newcomer with a strong point of view and you're like, “I've never seen this before. I'm so excited to tell that story.” Sharon: I think it's so important to say or to reiterate that for everybody, no matter what kind of jewelry you're selling, whether it's fine jewelry or antique jewelry. I'm thinking of some of the tradeshows when I've talked to dealers and they're like, “Oh, I don't have the money for photos.”  Amy: I don't know what to say. I've been saying it for 20 years and it's still a problem. There are some designers that are really overexposed and there are some that are underexposed. I'm always excited to discover somebody I'm not following on Instagram. How exciting! A lot of times, they're international. I'm connected with a PR firm in Paris right now. They've been calling me a lot, and it's a goldmine of designers that don't get featured a lot over here. I think I'm the only editor at JCK that covers estate and antique jewelry. I'm always covering auctions and exhibitions in that vein and all of the art fairs. I've written about Sienna Patti up in the Berkshires several times. It really is a pleasure, and anything goes. I have an action-packed calendar for the holidays. Sharon: It sounds like it, yes. Sienna Patti, I know she's in the western part of Massachusetts.  Amy: Yes, she's in the Berkshires. Sharon: She has an art jewelry gallery I'd love to get to someday. How does art jewelry fit in here? Does it catch your eye if the right photos are sent to you? Do you see it taking more of the market or having a higher profile? Amy: It's interesting. The one thing I will say, and it's so hard to speak in terms of trends when you're dealing with very expensive, high-end, collectible jewelry, but what I have noticed a little bit of is the selling of sweet sets, something that might be convertible, a multipiece set. Christopher Thompson Royds does that. You get a beautiful box, and then it's an earring that can be worn three or four different ways. Annoushka did a collaboration with Fuli Gemstones. Beautiful, bright green peridot like you've never seen. It was not really a collection; it was an eight-piece set. That is what the customer is being asked to buy into, and that feels very collector, very connoisseur, a very specific kind of angle. It's a very specific customer that is going to want to invest in jewelry that can be worn but is presented as an art object or sculpture or something to display in your home as sculpture, but then you can take it out and wear it. I see that as a direction with very, very high-end jewelry that's being shown in galleries, this notion of buying a boxed set. Sharon: When you said sweet sets, I was thinking edible sweets. That's interesting. Amy: Sets of jewels.  Sharon: There's an idea. Tell us who the emerging, independent designers are today. Who should we keep our eye on? Who's overlooked? Who's being so creative, knocking it out of the park, but you don't hear talked about? Who's collectible? Amy: I know this is a very informed and qualified audience, Sharon, so I'm sure these names are going to be familiar to many in your audience, but I think the industry has collectively embraced the work of Harwell Godfrey. Sharon: Now, that's one I don't know.  Amy: Lauren Harwell, I think she's based in LA, and she has a strong point of view. It's beautiful inlaid jewels, weighty, substantial, geometric, absolutely a strong point of view, Sharon. Sharon: I see her on Instagram a lot.  Amy: Yes, Harwell Godfrey is probably one of the strongest voices to emerge in the pandemic era. Before that it was Anna Courey, absolutely with her diamond ear cuffs. I think she set us on a course with that. Glenn Spiro is an under-the-radar but highly, highly couture jeweler. There's a book out from Assouline on him that Jill Newman wrote. I think his name is going to become more well-known among collectors. He's a private jeweler based in London, I believe, and I think we're going to be hearing more about that. Anytime there's a book or an auction, the names are elevated; the names are surfaced and get a little more traction, so I definitely would be watching Glenn Spiro. Nikos Koulis has been around for the last three or four years. He's Greek, and it's sort of neo-Art Deco, very geometric, very strong uses of color, edgy, really modern. Bea Bongiasca with her enamel and ceramic pieces— Sharon: How do you say that? Is she here? Amy: Bea. I think she's based in London but is Italian. She works at Central St. Martin's. Alice Cicolini, also British, does extremely beautiful work with enamel. I think her work is going to be really collectable in the coming years. I think she has a strong point of view. Sharon: Can I interrupt? What does that mean, a strong point of view? What does that mean to you? Amy: It means singular and inimitable.  Sharon: You know it's her when you see the piece of work. Amy: Yes. It's very singular and striking and absolutely inimitable. There's a lot of borrowing of ideas that goes on in the jewelry industry. I think the people I'm mentioning here, their voices present themselves to me as something unique. You can't replicate it; you're not going to see that show up in some form on Amazon. Maggi Simpkins, we all fell in love with her in the Brilliant and Black exhibit at Sotheby's. She did the most beautiful pink diamond ring. Everything is centered in these fan-like, feathered cocoons of gems. It's very feminine and lavish and beautiful. So, Maggi Simpkins is someone, and then Studio Renn. My editor at JCK, Victoria Gomelsky, writes for the New York Times and she did a piece on them. She really has seen everything. They are part of an exhibit that is now ongoing at Phillips that Vivienne Becker curated. I think Studio Renn is a newcomer that is going to be sticking around for a while. Finally, there's Fabio Salini, who's also part of the Vivienne Becker capsule at Phillips. Those are just a few. It changes all the time, but the pandemic era has brought incredible work from the designers in our industry, and they are just now hitting their stride. After all that time creating and dreaming and ruminating, refining their voices, cultivating their Instagram audiences, getting feedback from buyers—now they're out there in the world and ready to be embraced.  Sharon: What about pre-pandemic? Everybody's at home in their living room thinking and designing, so I could understand why it's emerging right now, but what about pre-pandemic? Do you see a big difference? Amy: Yes, the industry has modernized considerably since the before times. The biggest difference is that a mom-and-pop jeweler in the middle of country who had a website but never updated it, they've gone in there, hired a firm, hired a chat bot, completely modernized. The pandemic era forced the industry to fast-track into the digital age. That is a huge, huge difference, making it so you are available to your customers, wherever they may be, whether that's texting or someone dedicated to Instagram inquiries. A lot of this is being done on Instagram now, and that was not true in January 2020. Since jewelry emerged as a category that is a portable asset, it's not a flash in the plan; it has staying power. It's not like buying a trendy handbag, but using your discretionary income to buy jewelry became a thing and was embraced a lot of people during the pandemic as they were sparkle scrolling, as they call it, on their phones. Sharon: I haven't heard that term.  Amy: A lot of people used the time to upgrade their engagement rings and wedding bands, so the bridal industry saw a huge boost. The jewelry industry is really healthy right now, I think, in terms of sales, but what I have noticed is not everybody has a wedding band. Not everyone has a budget to upgrade to a big, giant, 20-carat eternity band, so I'm noticing a lot of brands creating price points under $1,500. They're creating little capsules, creating diffusion lines, if you will, so a customer with modest means can have that same meaningful purchase, that same, “I'm investing and treating myself to something that will last, my first diamond bracelet or my first diamond pendant.” I'm seeing more of those opportunities at the retail level. Sharon: That's interesting. In terms of the emerging designers you've mentioned, is this trickling down to the rest of us who don't have $15,000 to go out and buy a trinket tomorrow? Amy: There's definitely a spectrum. I think estate jewelry in general is so hot, and there are a gazillion ladies on Instagram. They're moving delicate, little gold charms for $200 a pop. There's so much. I hate the term low-hanging fruit, but there is so much attainable luxury out there at the regular-person level. If you're the type to spend $200 on a bunch of drinks on a Saturday night, you can easily do that and buy yourself a beautiful paper clip chain estate piece on someone's Instagram feed.  Also, even further than the art jewelry investment piece, there's a run on pink diamonds, practically, and yellow diamonds were a big story coming out of JCK. That color, yellow, that bright, hopeful, joyful feeling that yellow presents, suppliers and manufacturers—cases were filled with yellow diamond engagement rings. A lot of people are talking about a potential uptick in yellow diamond engagement ring sales, both from the rarity of the investment angle and from the pure joy of it, the feeling that it gives. Also, there's this idea that today's young woman getting engaged doesn't want anything to do with what her mother had. Any ring that remoted resembles that chunky, big, platinum, three-stone diamond ring from 1990, she wants something completely new and different feeling, and yellow diamonds fulfill that. They check that box. I have heard from some of my diamond tiara friends that people are buying very high-end and special loose, fancy-colored diamonds from an investment standpoint because it's a portable asset and they are decreasing in supply. Like I said, there's a whole spectrum of possibilities. Sharon: It's interesting you mention that diamonds are not so much in demand for young women getting engaged or getting married today. Sometimes I look at my diamond wedding ring, which is actually an upgrade from my first one, and I look at it and go, “This looks really dated.” What are you seeing in terms of what's more contemporary or modern? Amy: Here's what everyone's doing. Everyone is taking their old jewelry and up-cycling it, whether their old engagement ring, in your case, or they're taking their grandmother's engagement ring that was given to them and creating a whole new design and style. Heirloom stones are recast as something new and wearable. It could be an engagement ring; they could be breaking apart a clustered diamond pin and creating a “diamonds by the yard” style necklace. That is a huge trend right now because it also covers sustainability. You have this precious item in your possession, but it just isn't your style. You have the materials to work with a designer to make it something new you can wear and enjoy. I feel like every independent designer I speak with nowadays has taken on commissions along those lines. Entire businesses are being built around that very concept of reimagining old jewelry. Sharon: What about non-diamond wedding rings or engagement rings? Are other stones being used besides yellow diamonds?  Amy: I think we can anticipate a sapphire—I hate to say a sapphire boom because jewelry is slow and static, but blue sapphires. The Crown season four, I think, came out last winter, and it centered around Diana. There's a whole generation of young women out there that were not clued into that story, and that blue sapphire engagement ring from Garrard was back in the spotlight again, even though Kate Middleton wears it as hers now. Anyway, there's a whole generation of consumers for whom Diana's blue sapphire ring was not on their radar. Then there is a movie coming out with Kristen Stewart in the starring role called “Spencer” that will center on Diana. I think that's going to put the blue sapphire engagement ring on people's radar again. Honestly, any time the royals or once-were royals are in the news—and they are—it definitely trickles down into consumer appetite. Sharon: Amy, you've seen a lot from both sides of the desk. You've seen the big people; you've talked to people on the business side; you've talked to the designing side, the creative side, and I know you've written several books and things like that. If you had to distill it down into one book or a couple of paragraphs, what would you say are the main challenges? How would you advise people like this? Amy: I love to give advice. I'm solicited in other ways. To retailers, I would say listen to your customers and tune into the social climate. The customers are giving you information you need every time they set foot in your store. Ask them what they like, what they're into. There's an adversarial relationship, almost, between the younger consumers of today and the old-school jewelry retailer, and change is necessary. Try to learn and understand them. If they want a salt and pepper diamond ring and you think it's ugly, that's fine, but you still have to find it for them if you want to retain them as a customer. I think a willingness to change is vital; a willingness to modernize is vital on the part of the retailer. Diversity and inclusion and social justice is very important to the majority of young consumers. You can look at what Zales and Kay Jewelers and these mainstream guys are doing for clues; the same with Tiffany. You can look at what they're doing. That's all informed by serious market research that is telling them that today's younger consumer prioritizes diversity and inclusion, and they're watching companies to see if what they're doing aligns with their values. I'm certainly not the first person to say that, but it is critical; it's essential. To designers, I would say please use whatever discretionary funds you have, again, towards shooting your jewelry with a professional photographer. That is the most important thing. Don't worry about a campaign. Don't worry about hiring models. Literally just still-life photos and giant, big files are what you should be spending your money on. Stay true to your signature and try to be as authentic as possible, but also take advice. Just don't design in a vacuum. Look at what's out in the world and try to see where your point of view fits in. The market is saturated with a lot of same old, same old. How can you break through that? How can you break through the basic and come at it in a different way? It could be as simple as everybody knows alphabet charms are popular and wonderful and a new jewelry wardrobe essential, so what's your thought going to look like? How's your thought going to reflect who you are? What does the alphabet charm reflect for you, and what's the story? Did you see it on a poster for a 1960s Grateful Dead show? Did you go to an exhibit and see an illuminated manuscript? There are so many ways, I think, to get inspired and find your voice. Sharon: That's great. That's very good advice for both sides of the desk. Amy, thank you so much for being here today. Amy: Thank you, Sharon, it's a pleasure. I'm always happy to talk about jewelry and give my opinions. Thank you again for listening. Please leave us a rating and review so we can help others start their own jewelry journey.  

What you'll learn in this episode: Why the most important thing a jewelry designer can invest in is high-quality photography How Amy finds the topics she writes about for JCK's “All That Glitters” blog How designers can find the story that helps them break through the crowded marketplace Who today's most exciting emerging and independent designers are How the jewelry industry changed during the pandemic, and what retailers must do to engage young consumers About Amy Elliott Amy Elliott is a writer, editor and brand storyteller who specializes in fine jewelry and fashion, and is fluent in other lifestyle categories, including food, weddings and travel. As a former staff editor at The Knot, Bridal Guide, Brides Local Magazines + Brides.com and Lucky, Amy is known for delivering high-quality editorial content across a variety of print and digital media. After recently serving as the Engagement Rings Expert for About.com, Amy joined the freelance staff of JCK as its All That Glitters columnist, while contributing articles about jewelry trends, estate and antique jewelry and gemstones to its prestigious print magazine. Amy also serves as the Fine Jewelry Expert for The Bridal Council, an industry organization composed of luxury bridal designers, retailers and media, and her byline has appeared in Gotham, Hamptons, DuJour, Martha Stewart Weddings, GoodHousekeeping.com and more. Additional Resources: Amy's Website Amy's Twitter Amy's Instagram JCK Article: Cicadas Swarm on Sienna Patti Gallery in Lenox, Mass. JCK Article: Christopher Thompson Royds' Flowers Bloom at Sienna Patti Gallery JCK Article: Look What Happens When Annoushka Gives Peridot A Go Examples of posts that reflect the intersection of jewelry with history, culture and current events: Bob Goodman Wants Jewelers To Join Him in Disrupting the Status Quo: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/bob-goodman-jewelers-disrupting/ The Ten Thousand Things x Met Museum Collaboration Is Coming In Hot: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/ten-thousand-things-x-met-museum/ Go “Sea” Some Serious Silver Treasures At Mystic Seaport Museum: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/sea-as-muse-silver-seaport-museum/ New Jewelry From Rafka Koblence, Olympic Wrestler Turned Designer: https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/new-jewelry-from-rafka-koblence/ Transcript: As author of the “All That Glitters” blog for JCK, Amy Elliott has a front row seat to the jewelry industry's up-and-coming trends and designers. She's also been lucky enough to work with some of these designers, helping them refine their brands and create stories that resonate with customers. She joined the Jewelry Journey Podcast to talk about what designers and retailers should do to stay relevant with younger consumers, how art jewelry has influenced high jewelry, and what jewelry trends to watch out for in the coming months. Read the episode transcript here.  Sharon: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Jewelry Journey Podcast. Today, our guest is Amy Elliott, founder of Amy Elliott Creative. She is a writer, editor and thought leader who specializes in fine jewelry and fashion which makes most of us envious. That's a great profession. She is a contributing editor to the industry publication we all know, JCK, and writes the blog “All That Glitters.” We will hear all about her jewelry journey today. Amy, welcome to the program Amy: Thank you very much for having me, Sharon. It's a pleasure to be here. Sharon: So glad to have you. I'm always envious of people who are writing about jewelry or makers and designers. That's fabulous. I have no talent in that area, so when I hear about people writing, I think, “Wow, it's great.” Tell us all about your jewelry journey. Amy: My jewelry journey is a mix of personal and professional. I'm an avid collector of jewelry. My mother is a big collector of jewelry, so from age 12 on, jewelry was always a part of my life and something that I gravitated to. As a professional, jewelry has been central to my career as a journalist and a writer since the very beginning, starting at The Knot in 1999. Sharon: The Knot being the bridal publication. Amy: Yes. At that time, it was just a website. I was there when they moved into magazines. I helped coordinate the gowns and accessories for fashion shoots and got a taste of engagement rings and diamonds, the 4Cs. That was my first introduction to jewelry on a professional level. Then I took a job at Bridal Guide Magazine, which is a leading print publication still around, privately owned. I was a senior editor there. I had many duties, but one of them was to produce a jewelry column, and that is when my education in jewelry really began. I began forming connections within the industry to educate myself on the 4Cs, pearl buying, colored gemstones. I've always been drawn to color, so that's when I became a student, if you will, of gems and jewelry and how jewelry fits into conversations about fashion trends and cultural and social current events. That was when I really got into jewelry as a métier. I was one of the founding editors of Brides local magazines, which was a Condé Nast publication of regional wedding magazines that no longer exists. Because we were short on staff, I would call in all the jewelry for our cover shoots. Even though I had a leadership role there—I was the executive editor—I also made it part of my job to call in jewels for art cover shoots. I kept that connection, and then on the side I would freelance for luxury publications. It became the thing that I liked to do the best. I loved the people in the industry. I would always learn something. No matter what I was doing or writing about, I would learn something new, and that's still true to this day. There's always something for me to learn. I discovered that jewelry is the perfect combination of earth science, history, culture, and straight-up beauty and aesthetics. It's a very gratifying topic to cover. I love the way it intersects with current events and with, as I mentioned, the fashion conversations at large. Sharon: When you went to Vassar, did you study writing? They're not known for their metalsmithing program, so did you study writing with the idea “I just want to write”? Amy: Pretty much. I was always pretty good at writing and facility with language, so I went there knowing I'd be an English major. For my thesis I wrote a creative writing thesis; it was like a little novella. I've always had a love affair with words and expression of thoughts, and I loved reading, so I knew I would do something that had to do with words and writing. I actually graduated thinking I would be a romance novelist. That was what I thought I would do. Then, of course, I started out in book publishing, and I found it really, really slow and boring, just painfully slow, and I decided perhaps that wasn't for me. Then I took a job in public relations. I really loved the marketing aspect of it and the creativity involved. Of course, it involved a lot of writing.  Eventually I decided I wanted to be on the editorial side of things once and for all. I had always written for the high school newspaper. I had done an internship at Metropolitan Home Magazine in the design department in college, so magazines were always lurking there and were always the main goal. I ended up there; it just took a couple of years for me to get there. Once I did, I knew I wanted to work for a women's magazine. I love things that would fall under the heading of a women's magazine, relationships, fashion. The wedding magazines I worked at were a great fit for me because it's pure romance and fantasy and big, beautiful ball gowns and fancy parties. It was a good fit for me, and I was able to take that and home in on jewelry as a particular focus elsewhere in my career after those first years.  I will say Vassar is known for its art history program. I was not a star art history pupil by any means, but I took many classes there. I find myself leaning on those skills the most as a jewelry writer, looking closely at an object, peeling back the layers and trying to understand what the artist or jeweler is trying to say through jewelry, much like you would with a painting from the Renaissance. So, I am grateful for that tutelage because I found myself drawing on it often, even though I was definitely a B- student in art history. Sharon: It seems to me if you're not going to be a maker, if you're not going to be a metalsmith or a goldsmith or if you're not going to be selling behind the counter, it seems like art history is a fabulous foundation for jewelry in terms of the skills you draw on. Amy: Absolutely. Historical narratives and every historical event that's going on in the world can be—you can look at jewelry from the past and tie it into something that was going on, whether it was the discovery of platinum or the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. It all intersects so beautifully. Vassar taught me to think critically; it taught me how to express myself, to develop a style of writing that I think is still present in my writing today. I always try to get a little lyricism in there. A good liberal arts foundation took me into the world of magazines and eventually digital publishing. I stayed with Condé Nast for a long time. Then I went to Lucky Magazine and was on staff there for a little over a year and a half. I was exposed to fine jewelry on a more fashion level, like the kind cool girls would wear, gold and diamond jewelry that wasn't big jewels by Oscar Heyman. It was a different category, but still within that universe. That was a great education, to look at fine jewelry in a fashion context. They had layoffs in 2012 and I was forced to strike out on my own, but I've been freelance ever since, doing a mix of copywriting for fashion brands and writing for various publications. I've been writing for JCK since 2016. Sharon: Wow! Amy, we want to hear more about that, but just a couple of things. First, thank you to our subscribers. I want to thank everybody who's gotten in contact with me with their suggestions. I love to get them, so please email me at Sharon@ArtsandJewelry.com or DM me @ArtsandJewelry. Also a big shoutout to Kimberly Klosterman, whose jewelry is featured in the exhibit “Simply Brilliant: Jewelry of the 60s and 70s” at the Cincinnati Art Museum. It's on now through February 6. You can listen to our interview with Kimberly on podcast number 133. Now, back to our interview with Amy. Amy, what I like about what you said—you expressed it very well—is the intersection of jewelry with current events and history. I know I always have difficulty explaining to people why I'm interested in jewelry or jewelry history. They think, “Oh, you like big diamonds,” and it's hard to explain how it tells you so much about the period. Amy: Yes, I think acknowledging how global our industry is and learning about different cultures has been so critical to becoming fluent in this world and the gemstones that come from Afghanistan or Ethiopia or Mozambique. Just learning about the sapphires from Sri Lanka—it's so global and all-encompassing. I read the Cartier book, and their story is so fascinating. I am interested particularly in World War II and how that impacted the jewelry industry, how Susan Beltran saved the business of her lover, how the events of World War II Germany impacted Paris and the jewelers there, how the Cartiers would do the birds in the cage and all that stuff. I think you can look at historic jewels and see reflected back at you current events and moments in our history. Sharon: Definitely. I imagine when you look at something, it's not just seeing the jewel, but you're seeing the whole background behind it, how it sits within that context, that nest of history with World War II and platinum. It's an eye into the world. Amy: Even someone like Judith Leiber, who fled Hungary during wartime and became this amazing designer of handbags in New York. So many of the jewelers that are leaders and pillars of our industry came here because of the pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe. It really does intersect with what was happening in the world. The jewelry industry is a microcosm of all those events, even going to back to the Silk Road and Mesopotamia and the Armenians and the Ottoman Empire. It is a rich tapestry of moments. Historic jewels in particular can give you insight, not just into an artist's vision, but into a moment of time. Sharon: I didn't know that about Judith Leiber; that's interesting. You left Lucky Magazine and opened your own shop. You do a lot of writing and editing. How do the graphics also play into it? Do you art direct? If clients come to you and say, “I need a brochure,” I assume you're doing all the copy and editing, but do they bring you the photos? How does that work? Amy: My background in magazines definitely has given me a pretty robust skillset in terms of working with graphic designers and art directors, conveying ideas and working with them to solve problems. You do emerge with a sense of the visuals, and a taste level is part of it when you're covering fashion and jewelry and things related to style. So yes, I think as a copywriter, one of the things I bring to the table is that I will be able to advise you on the quality of your photos and your look book on the crops, on the model even. Also there's the hierarchy of information; that's definitely a form of direction. It's not very glamorous, but I'm good at understanding how things should be stacked and arranged on a page in terms of hierarchy of messaging. I do have a lot of opinions, I guess, about what looks good and what doesn't. If that feedback is welcome, I'm always happy to share it. Sometimes a client will send me an email for review, and I know they just want to get it out, but I'm like, “No, this is spelled wrong, and the headline should be this, and this needs to go there,” and I'll mock it up on the screen as to where things should go. The best editors and writers, especially when you're dealing with jewelry and fashion and beautiful objects, you have to have a strong sense of the visual. Sharon: I know sometimes clients push back, but I assume they come to you because they want your opinion or they'd do it themselves, right? Amy: Yes. My favorite clients to work with are emerging designers who are just getting out there. They have so many ideas, so many stories to tell, and I help them refine their vision, refine their voice. For many of them, it's the first time they're coming to market, and I can help them present themselves in a professional way that will be compelling to buyers and to media. Sharon: What type of issues are potential clients coming to you for? Is there an overarching—problem might not be the right word—but something you see, a common thread through what they're asking? Amy: There are a number of things. One could be a complicated concept that needs to be explained, something technical like the meteorite that's used in a wedding ring. “We have all this raw material from our supplier. How do we make that customer-facing? How do we make that dense language more lively and easier to digest?” Sometimes it's collection naming. “Here's my collection. Here are the pieces. Can you give them a name? Can you help name this product?” Sometimes it's, “We want to craft a story around this,” and I'm able to come at it with, “I know what the story is here. We've got to shape you to be able to present that story to the world, whether it's a buyer or an editor.”  Usually there is some sort of a concept that is involved; it just hasn't been refined and it's not adjustable. They're so focused on the work and the design vocabulary, they need someone to come in and look at it holistically and figure out how they're going to package this as an overarching idea. Sometimes it's as simple as, “I need to write a letter. These are the things I want to get across to buyers or new accounts or an invitation to an event.” I can take these objectives, these imperatives, and spin them into something compelling and customer-facing and fun to read. It's a mix of imaginative work and down-and-dirty, let me take this corporate document and finesse it and make it more lively and more like something a consumer would want to read on a website. Sharon: They must be so appreciative. Their work may be beautiful, but they have to condense it to say what they are trying to express and get that across to somebody who may not know the language, so somebody wants to pick it up and say, “Oh, that's really interesting.” Amy: Storytelling is a big buzzword right now in the industry, but it's so important. The marketplace is so crowded, and it's not enough to be like, “I have a new collection of stacking rings,” or “I've expanded these rings to include a sapphire version.” You have to come up with some sort of a story to draw in an audience, and then you can use that story on all of your touchpoints, from social media to your email blasts to a landing page on your website. There are a host of jewelry professionals out there that can advise in different ways, to help you get into stores, to help you with specific branding, refining your collection from a merchandising standpoint. There are so many professionals out there that specialize in that, but I think what I bring to the table is knowledge of the industry and a facility with language. It's almost like I'm a mouthpiece for the designer or the corporate brand and a conduit to the consumers' headspace. Sharon: It sounds like a real talent in the areas where there are gaps in what a designer and retailer/manufacturer needs. Telling the story may be a buzzword, but it's words, and you have to use the right words. Tell us about the JCK. You write the blog “All That Glitters,” which is very glittery. It's very attractive. Tell us about it. Amy: Thanks. I was JCK's center for style-related content. Obviously, there's no shortage of breaking news and hard business news, because JCK's first and foremost a serious business publication. Sharon: With the jewelry industry. Amy: With the jewelry industry. I've evolved the blog to be—my favorite things to cover are new collections. I like to interview designers about inspirations. I like to show a broad range of photos from the collection. A lot of it is just showing collections that I love. Maybe I've seen them at Fashion Week; maybe I saw them at the JCK shows or at appointments in the city; maybe I saw something on Instagram. I love to cover design collaborations. Those are one of my favorites things to cover: how two minds can come together to create a new product, like when Suzanne Kalan partnered with Jonathan Adler to do a line of trinket trays. I am interested in cultural events. I like to cover museum exhibits. I covered the Beautiful Creatures exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Because I live in Connecticut, I was able to make it up to Mystic Seaport. They have a beautiful collection of silver trophies by all the best makers, from Tiffany to Shreve, Crump & Low and Gorham. I was able to go up there and see that collection.  It's a blog about culture. It's a blog about things I love. I've written about TV shows that have to do with jewelry. I like the title “All That Glitters” because it gives me a lot of leeway in terms of what I can cover. I've written about writing instruments. Fabergé did a collaboration with whiskey brands and I wrote about that. I try to leave it open, but if there's a strong, new, exciting collection, especially from a high jewelry brand—I'm going to be writing something on one from David Webb coming up. They just released a new collection called Asheville, inspired by his hometown. I like to do a deep dive into a designer story or to show a new collection. My colleague, Brittany Siminitz, does beautiful curations. Sometimes I'll do curations, meaning a roundup of beautiful products that correspond to an overarching theme. I love to do those, but I am happiest when designers come to me with a new collection and something that people haven't seen before. I particularly love discovering new voices and emerging designers that haven't been featured in the press before, so I can be that first introduction.

In a world where Amazon prime can get you almost anything you need in a day, it's easy to carry the idea of instant gratification into other areas of your life, including your business. But real results take time and often can't be rushed. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about Julie Bunkley's theory about the 18-month time frame, and why it takes that amount of time to see results manifest themselves. About our guest: Julie Bunkley, the owner & creative director of Invision Events, is a PR and design maven as well as a longterm, strategic visionary. With a degree in Public Relations and self taught in In Design, Julie's aesthetic and passion for building a brand is well over a decade in the making. Her eye is always on the long game, reminding us that a sustainable and successful business is a marathon and not a sprint. Her work has been featured on countless occasions in Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, People, The New York Times, Fortune, InStyle, Bridal Guide and Southern Living, among others.  In this episode, listeners will hear about: Julie's background and she got into the wedding industry Julie's theory about the 18-Month Rule, and why it takes that long to see results Long-term planning in your business Several examples of the 18-Month Rule in Julie's business Want to connect with Julie? Online: https://invevents.com/  Instagram: @invisionevents Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/invisionevents/ 

This episode is a conversation with Carl Ray, a Washington, D.C. based celebrity make-up artist, who has been in the beauty industry for over 20 years. Carl's prolific work is evidenced in his position as official make-up artist for former First Lady Michelle Obama since 2009.  Carl has also worked with a long roster of notable clientele including: Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Claire Danes, Diane Von Furstenberg, Debra Messing, Stella McCartney, Kerri Washington, Gabriel Union, Adrianna Lima, Allison Janey, Julia Child, Melinda Gates, Pricilla Chan Zuckerberg, Anna Nicole Smith, Nancy Pelosi, Queen Rana, Queen Noor, Sir Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman, Lin - Manuel Miranda, Hugh Jackman, former President Bill Clinton, and former President Barack Obama. The artistic style of the 'Carl Ray Way' is rooted in enhancing a woman's natural beauty. He enjoys getting to know each individual woman so he can bring out her own personality. Carl prides himself on complimenting individual beauty, and his range of techniques allows him to deliver a natural glam, polished, clean, fresh, and beautiful look. Carl has been voted “top make-up artist” by Washingtonian magazine since the inception of his career in Washington, DC in 1999 and is the go-to make-up artist for weddings. His work has appeared in the bridal magazine covers & pages of: Brides, Martha Stewart, Vogue, The Knot, Washingtonian Bride and Groom, Inside Weddings, Town and Country Weddings, Modern Luxury Brides, Engaged, Bridal Guide, Wedding Style, and Premiere Bride. Carl's work has appeared on and in the magazine covers & pages of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Allure, Ebony, Essence, Harper's Bazaar, More, Ladies' Home Journal, Variety, Seventeen, Red Book, People and Time. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/zara-korutz/message

In this episode, I share my interview with Amy Elliott, Contributing Editor for JCK and writer of the JCK blog All That Glitters. I chat with Amy all about the trends she noticed at JCK Las Vegas 2021, where I had the chance to meet her in person for the first time. Amy is a writer, editor and brand storyteller who specializes in fine jewelry and fashion, and she's a former staff editor at The Knot, Bridal Guide, Brides Local Magazines + Brides.com and Lucky. She was also the Engagement Rings Expert for About.com, so she knows a ton about the bridal jewelry industry even though she gets tired of talking about it, according to her. I'm so excited to share this conversation with you.  

018. In this week's episode of “Priority Pursuit,” we're continuing our conversation about creating an excellent customer experience by discussing how to create the perfect client welcome gift! We'll be answering the following questions:  What kind of creative entrepreneurs should be sending a welcome gift? Why should you send a welcome box or gift to your clients? What should you include in your welcome box? How much should you spend on a welcome gift? How do you design a welcome gift?  How do you find time to send welcome boxes? You can find a more detailed version of this episode's show notes at: https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-create-perfect-client-welcome-gift Mentioned Links & Resources Show Notes: https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-create-perfect-client-welcome-gift  “Episode 017: How to Create a Client Experience that Allows You to Book More Clients & Raise Your Prices” - https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-create-client-experience-allows-book-more-clients-raise-prices/  “Episode 014: 4 Easy Ways You Can Under Promise & Over Deliver to Your Customers” - https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/four-ways-you-can-under-promise-over-deliver-to-your-clients/  Katelyn James' Bridal Guide - https://katelynjames.com/kj-bridal-guide   “Episode 007: How to Develop & Communicate Your Brand as a Creative Entrepreneur” - https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-develop-communicate-brand-creative-entrepreneur/  Packlane - https://packlane.com/  Crinkle Paper - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F6FRWTB/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07F6FRWTB&linkCode=as2&tag=victoriaray01-20&linkId=f21216e0aae7a3f7ba0a04564f1d0093  Richelle in a Handbasket - https://www.richelleinahandbasket.com/  Marigold Grey - https://marigoldgrey.com/  Join the Priority Pursuit Podcast Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/179106264013426    Receive 50% Off Your First Order with Photographer's Edit - http://victoriarayburnphotography.com/pe/  Save 50% on Your First Six Months of Quickbooks Self-Employed - http://victoriarayburnphotography.com/quickbooks/ 

017. Friend, can I tell you something that you likely don't want to hear? The quality of the client experience that you offer matters far more than the quality of your products or services.  I don't know about you, but as a photographer, I love what I do, and I take a lot of pride in my work. I want my images to speak for themselves, and I want people to book with me because they love my photos.  But, here's the thing. The average person doesn't know what makes a great photo. The average person doesn't look at a photo and think, “Whoa. I bet that harsh light was hard to shoot in. Victoria killed it!” Or, “I so appreciate how Victoria used lead lines and framed the couple in these images. She has to be our wedding photographer!”  Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't master your craft or offer anything less than great work, but with this in mind, there comes a point where the key to being able to successfully sell your products or services at a luxury or just a higher price point that allows you to make ends meet is the client experience you offer.  With this in mind, the next few solo episodes of Priority Pursuit are going to focus on strategic ways you can elevate your client experience. We'll be talking about ways you can surprise your clients, how to create the perfect welcome box, and more. And, today, we're going to start by simply thinking about and mapping out what you'd like your client experience to look like touchpoint by touchpoint with your ideal customer in mind.  - Step 1: Know that the basis of a great customer experience is to under promise & over deliver.  - Step 2: Determine what's most important to your ideal customer in regards to your products or services.  - Step 3: Map out what you'd like every step & touch point of your customer experience to look like.  You can find a more detailed version of this episode's show notes at: https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-create-client-experience-allows-book-more-clients-raise-prices  Mentioned Links & Resources Show Notes: https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/how-create-client-experience-allows-book-more-clients-raise-prices    “Episode 014: 4 Easy Ways You Can Under Promise & Over Deliver to Your Customers” - https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/four-ways-you-can-under-promise-over-deliver-to-your-clients/  The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1501147765/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1501147765&linkCode=as2&tag=rayburnvict05-20&linkId=e808b659abf487b835727c134bd11ca1  Katelyn James' Bridal Guide - https://katelynjames.com/kj-bridal-guide  Katelyn James Courses - https://katelynjames.com/store  How to Create a Customer Avatar with DigitalMarketer - https://www.digitalmarketer.com/blog/create-customer-avatar-youtube/ Pixellu Smartslides - https://www.pixellu.com/smartslides/  Episode 011: How to Build Your Team as a Creative Entrepreneur with Jessie Roseberry of Roseberry & Co. - https://victoriarayburnphotography.com/build-your-team-as-a-creative-entrepreneur-jessie-roseberry/  Join the Priority Pursuit Podcast Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/179106264013426    Receive 50% Off Your First Order with Photographer's Edit - http://victoriarayburnphotography.com/pe/  Save 50% on Your First Six Months of Quickbooks Self-Employed - http://victoriarayburnphotography.com/quickbooks/  Receive $20 Off Your First Pair of Rothy's - http://victoriarayburnphotography.com/rothys

What you’ll learn in this episode: The history of Mark Patterson, and the serendipitous moments that launched Josette’s career How the bridal and engagement jewelry market has changed over the years A jewelry veteran’s advice for young jewelers The creative process of developing a jewelry book About Josette Patterson Josette Patterson is cofounder and creative director of Mark Patterson, a Newport Beach, California-based fine jewelry brand founded in 1985 in New York City. A graduate of the Gemological institute of America, Josette met her husband Mark during her studies. Soon after graduation, they both moved to New York City, where Josette was freelancing her designs and pursuing more design classes at the Parson School of Design and other art schools in New York City. In 2010, Josette and Mark opened their Flagship Store/Studio in Newport Beach, California. Together, they personally work with local clientele to custom design fine jewelry items and repurpose family heirlooms for the most discerning individuals. The Mark Patterson team of artisans meticulously hand craft from start to finish each piece of jewelry, whether it is an engagement ring, wedding band or any bespoke heirloom under the discerning eyes of Mark and Josette. The Mark Patterson brand is represented in over 50 independent retail stores nationally where their highly successful Promise Bridal Collection receives industry awards and acclaim. About Amy Elliott Amy Elliott is a writer, editor and brand storyteller who specializes in fine jewelry and fashion, and is fluent in other lifestyle categories, including food, weddings and travel. As a former staff editor at The Knot, Bridal Guide, Brides Local Magazines + Brides.com and Lucky, Amy is known for delivering high-quality editorial content across a variety of print and digital media. After recently serving as the Engagement Rings Expert for About.com, Amy joined the freelance staff of JCK as its All That Glitters columnist, while contributing articles about jewelry trends, estate and antique jewelry and gemstones to its prestigious print magazine (which will soon celebrate its 150th anniversary).   Amy also serves as the Fine Jewelry Expert for The Bridal Council, an industry organization composed of luxury bridal designers, retailers and media, and her byline has appeared in Gotham, Hamptons, DuJour, Martha Stewart Weddings, GoodHousekeeping.com and more. Transcript Additional Links: https://www.markpatterson.com/ MP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markpattersonjewelry/ All That Glitters on JCK Amy Elliott Instagram: @aelliott718 If you’d like a copy of the book, the Pattersons are requesting donations of $70 or more to the Lebanese Red Cross; email your receipt to josette@markpatterson.com.  Photos:      

With the holidays coming up people are getting presents shipped already. Sugar Plum Chocolates is a fantastic company to consider while we deal with the pandemic. Co-founder Neil opens up about how his mother started this business over 25 years ago. Things were not always great. Find out how they have persevered despite Covid19. Also check out their gift collections for the perfect treats for your loved ones! They were kind enough to share a special promo code for my listeners ONLY! PROMO CODE: ash10 Web: https://www.sugar-plum.com Follow: @sugarplumchocolates About: In 1995, Frann Edley began a candy business in Kingston, Pennsylvania whose mission was to give the world a little sweetness one bite at a time. Frann along with her son, Neil established the company with an unyielding focus on quality, service, and value which enabled them to quickly expand their mail order business. For over 25 years, the Edley family has offered quality and premium chocolate confections to its clients. Using only the finest ingredients for our delectable treats, customers have responded by coming back for seconds, thirds, and more! One of our most popular items, the famous chocolate dessert tray, makes every occasion delicious and special! Our vision has always revolved around being a creative, independent, female owned business. Our focus is to help make a difference in the lives of people by offering high quality and safe products that can be used for employee recognition, client appreciation, wedding, and numerous other events that touch our daily lives. Sugar Plum's quality, service and commitment to offering only safe products, is second to none. We have been praised in a myriad of publications, including Women's Day magazine and Bridal Guide. Sugar Plum ships nationwide and has an easy to navigate website that is open for your shopping convenience 24/7, 365 days a year to support the buying needs of our customers and clients. All of us at Sugar Plum have an instinctive pride in our gift baskets that are perfect for every occasion including Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Secretary Day, Easter, baby showers, bridal showers, and other important holidays and events throughout the year. About the show: ► Website: http://www.ashsaidit.com ► Got Goli Gummies? https://go.goli.com/1loveash5 ► For $5 in ride credit, download the Lyft app using my referral link: https://www.lyft.com/ici/ASH584216 ► For discount Pangea Products: https://embracepangaea.grsm.io/ashsaiditmedia3226 ► Want the ‘coldest' water? https://thecoldestwater.com/?ref=ashleybrown12 ► Become A Podcast Legend: http://ashsaidit.podcastersmastery.zaxaa.com/s/6543767021305 ► Review Us: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ash-said-it/id1144197789 ► SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/c/AshSaidItSuwanee ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1loveash ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashsaidit ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/1loveAsh ► Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AshSaidItMedia ► Blog: http://www.ashsaidit.com/blog ► Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/1LoveAsh/ ► Newsletter: manage1.com/subscribe?u=2a2ca3b799467f125b53863http://ashsaidit.us11.list-c8&id=a6f43cd472 #atlanta #ashsaidit #ashsaidthat #ashblogsit #ashsaidit® Ash Brown is a gifted American producer, blogger, speaker, media personality and event emcee. The blog on AshSaidit.com showcases exclusive event invites, product reviews and so much more. Her motivational podcast "Ash Said It Daily" is available on major media platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, iHeart Radio & Google Podcasts. This program has over half a million streams worldwide. She uses these mediums to motivate & encourage her audience in the most powerful way. She keeps it real!

With the holidays coming up people are getting presents shipped already. Sugar Plum Chocolates is a fantastic company to consider while we deal with the pandemic. Co-founder Neil opens up about how his mother started this business over 25 years ago. Things were not always great. Find out how they have persevered despite Covid19. Also check out their gift collections for the perfect treats for your loved ones! They were kind enough to share a special promo code for my listeners ONLY! PROMO CODE: ash10 Web: https://www.sugar-plum.com Follow: @sugarplumchocolates About: In 1995, Frann Edley began a candy business in Kingston, Pennsylvania whose mission was to give the world a little sweetness one bite at a time. Frann along with her son, Neil established the company with an unyielding focus on quality, service, and value which enabled them to quickly expand their mail order business. For over 25 years, the Edley family has offered quality and premium chocolate confections to its clients. Using only the finest ingredients for our delectable treats, customers have responded by coming back for seconds, thirds, and more! One of our most popular items, the famous chocolate dessert tray, makes every occasion delicious and special! Our vision has always revolved around being a creative, independent, female owned business. Our focus is to help make a difference in the lives of people by offering high quality and safe products that can be used for employee recognition, client appreciation, wedding, and numerous other events that touch our daily lives. Sugar Plum's quality, service and commitment to offering only safe products, is second to none. We have been praised in a myriad of publications, including Women's Day magazine and Bridal Guide. Sugar Plum ships nationwide and has an easy to navigate website that is open for your shopping convenience 24/7, 365 days a year to support the buying needs of our customers and clients. All of us at Sugar Plum have an instinctive pride in our gift baskets that are perfect for every occasion including Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Secretary Day, Easter, baby showers, bridal showers, and other important holidays and events throughout the year. About the show: ► Website: http://www.ashsaidit.com ► Got Goli Gummies? https://go.goli.com/1loveash5 ► For $5 in ride credit, download the Lyft app using my referral link: https://www.lyft.com/ici/ASH584216 ► For discount Pangea Products: https://embracepangaea.grsm.io/ashsaiditmedia3226 ► Want the ‘coldest' water? https://thecoldestwater.com/?ref=ashleybrown12 ► Become A Podcast Legend: http://ashsaidit.podcastersmastery.zaxaa.com/s/6543767021305 ► Review Us: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ash-said-it/id1144197789 ► SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/c/AshSaidItSuwanee ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1loveash ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashsaidit ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/1loveAsh ► Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AshSaidItMedia ► Blog: http://www.ashsaidit.com/blog ► Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/1LoveAsh/ ► Newsletter: manage1.com/subscribe?u=2a2ca3b799467f125b53863http://ashsaidit.us11.list-c8&id=a6f43cd472 #atlanta #ashsaidit #ashsaidthat #ashblogsit #ashsaidit® Ash Brown is a gifted American producer, blogger, speaker, media personality and event emcee. The blog on AshSaidit.com showcases exclusive event invites, product reviews and so much more. Her motivational podcast "Ash Said It Daily" is available on major media platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, iHeart Radio & Google Podcasts. This program has over half a million streams worldwide. She uses these mediums to motivate & encourage her audience in the most powerful way. She keeps it real!

Getting found by potential buyers is key for any business, and the wedding industry is no exception. Being in business means being a marketer, and in this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about marketing, what it means, and tips for doing it successfully. Our guest is not only in the wedding industry, but joined it with an extensive background in the corporate world and an MBA. Listen is as she shares her advice for marketing your business effectively. About our guest: Courtney Wolf is Invision Event’s principal planner and a founder of Educate | Empower | Encourage, a private, members-only online learning community for high achieving creatives - the dreamers and the doers. A business and life coach wrapped up in a wedding planner’s body, she's been dubbed a “personal trainer for your small biz” and a “small business therapist”. Her background includes a degree in Marketing as well as her MBA and with this lens she views our industry objectively and runs all things operational and client facing for Invision. Together alongside Julie Bunkley, Invision's owner and creative director, they serve couples from coast to coast and are known for their refined and tailored aesthetic as well as their thoughtful and intentional approach. Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, The New York Times, Fortune, BRIDES, In Style and Bridal Guide, they've been named by Southern Living as one of the South's Best Wedding Planners. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Courtney's background and how she got started in the wedding industry The 4 P's of Marketing How Courtney tracks client inquiries in order to determine what channels are the most effective The importance of understanding your ideal client, including where they shop and how they celebrate Looking through the lens of your client vs. your own Why cutting marketing isn't the first thing you should do during a downturn The value of networking and relationship building Want to connect with Courtney? Online: http://www.invision.events/ and https://www.educateempowerencourage.com/ Instagram: @invisionevents / @courtney_invision Facebook: www.facebook.com/invisionevents ------- SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Have you gotten value from This Week In Weddings? If so, it's time to pay it forward! Your contribution of as little as 10-cents a day will help us offset our costs, like file storage, web hosting, and editing. Plus, a larger donation gets you perks, like access to a private Facebook group to discuss each week’s episode! Check out the ways you can contribute to the show.

Today on the podcast we have Courtney Wolf! Courtney Wolf is Invision Event's principal planner and a founder of Educate | Empower | Encourage, an online private membership community for high achieving dreamers and doers in the wedding and special events industry. A business and life coach wrapped up in a wedding planner's body, she's been dubbed a “personal trainer for your small biz” and a “small business therapist”. Her background includes a degree in Marketing as well as her MBA and with this lens she views our industry objectively and runs all things operational and client facing for Invision. Together alongside Julie Bunkley, Invision's founder and creative director, they serve couples from coast to coast and are known for their refined and tailored aesthetic as well as their thoughtful and intentional approach. Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, The New York Times, Fortune, BRIDES, In Style, Town & Country and Bridal Guide, they've been named by Southern Living as one of the South's Best Wedding Planners. Tune in for an incredible podcast about trusting your intuition, following your creativity, and how to know when to take your own leap into the unknown! Connect with Courtney! Instagram: @courtney_invision & @invisionevents Website: http://invision.events/ & EducateEmpowerEncourage.com

Have you ever wondered what it takes to work with a luxury planner? And what does luxury actually mean? Today’s episode is an interview with Julie and Courtney from Invision Events. You might want to take notes today, because these ladies dropped a ton of wisdom in today’s episode.Julie Bunkley is the owner & creative director of Invision Events, a Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA. based design and plan firm. A PR and design maven as well as a longterm, strategic visionary, Julie’s aesthetic and passion for building a brand is well over a decade in the making. Her eye is always on the long game, reminding us that a sustainable and successful business is a marathon and not a sprint.Courtney Wolf is Invision’s principal planner and is a business and life coach wrapped up in a wedding planner’s body. Dubbed a “personal trainer for your small biz” and a “small business therapist,” her background includes a degree in Marketing as well as her MBA. With this lens, she views our industry objectively and runs all things operational and client facing for Invision.Together they serve couples from coast to coast and are known for their refined and tailored aesthetic as well as their thoughtful and intentional approach. Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, The New York Times, Fortune, BRIDES, In Style and Bridal Guide, they've been named by Southern Living as one of the South's Best Wedding Planners.--Connect with Julie & Courtney--Instagram: @invisionevents // @courtney_invisionWebsite: www.invision.events // www.educateempowerencourage.com--Connect with Taylor--@thelevelupco // @taylorpetrinovichthelevelupco.com --MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU--**Check out my Instagram MasterclassJoin the Level Up Your Wedding Film Business Community on FacebookCheck out these free resources:-Download your Free Guide to Instagram Hashtags here.-Are you ready to raise your prices? Click here to find out.Visit the Level Up Your Wedding Film Business website

We are chatting with Julie and Courtney from Invision Events about why the high-end wedding planner is your secret weapon. Julie and Courtney share helpful advice, practical tips, and incredible insight on how to create and cultivate relationships that matter with high-end wedding planners. Julie and Courtney serve clients from coast to coast and are known for their refined and tailored aesthetic as well as their thoughtful and intentional approach. Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, People, The New York Times, Fortune, BRIDES, In Style, and Bridal Guide, they've been named by Southern Living as one of the South's Best Wedding Planners. Visit Website: www.invision.events Instagram: @invisionevents and @courtney_invision Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/invisionevents Our Educate | Empower | Encourage community is LIVE and enrollment is open for a limited time. Listeners can learn more and sign up, here. Our online course How to Start a Podcast is here! Sign up for Flodesk Here and lock in the beta discount of $19 per month forever! Love the podcast? Please leave a 5 ⭐️ review on Apple Podcasts. Stay up to date & visit us at www.teawithjaine.com and follow @jainekershner on Instagram to see our latest IGTV episodes. Have a topic you'd like us to discuss? Email us at hello@teawithjaine.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Chavah Grant is an award winning entrepreneur, businesswoman and soon-to-be author with Event offices in Hawaii, Texas and soon, Paris, France. Vida Chic has been up and running for 7+ years. Chavah has been featured in Who’s Who in San Antonio: Woman Edition, Voted Best of 2015:Entrepreneur in San Antonio magazine, featured in over 100 bridal blogs/magazines like Popsugar weddings,  Bridal Guide, San Antonio Weddings Magazine, Hawaii Bride and Groom and countless more, and is now here on WoMRadio. Meet Chavah in our Authors Alley on October 2 at 1pmET/10amPT and anytime in archive. Be sure to connect with Chavah on VidaChic.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Thank you sponsors Safety Bags, Inc and StadiumBags.com and No Such Thing as a Bully.  Thanks to Smith Sisters Bluegrass for our theme song She is You! Connect with #WoMMedia on  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For info on how to become a guest or sponsor email dori@wordofmomradio.com. #WordofMom ~ Sharing the Wisdom of Women in Business and in Life!

Today's podcast is a fun one because my guest and I really take on two very different topics, but they all evolve out of her experience in the wedding industry. You'll not only hear what it's like to be an employee of several different styles of wedding venues, but also all about how putting a focus on public relations can help grow your business - even with small steps to begin. Who better to cover both of these than Meghan Ely? In this episode, you'll hear about: Meet Meghan and hear her story What were the consistent practices from her work at different venues How the level of venue service changed from working at a non-profit vs a 5-diamond property Ways that venues can raise their level of service Best practices for running a wedding venue How Meghan transitioned from venues to the world of PR How PR efforts can benefit your wedding venue business Easiest and low-hanging-fruit ways to get started with PR Ways to work in partnership with photographers for PR submissions Resources to know when you are featured in the press What do publications want to see (and not want to see) Knowing what publications are ideal for your wedding venue Local or national PR – what's better? Recent media changes to be aware of Best advice for getting more publicity RESOURCES WE MENTION:  OFD Consulting – use code AISLEFILES to save $20 SCORE – business mentoring and resources Kristin Binford Venue Consultant – new venue owners' Facebook group and Masterclass EventStable – save $100 on your order The Venue Owner Shop – use code FIRSTORDER to save 15% on your first order The Contract Law Shop – use code KELLYEWELL10 to save 10% ABOUT OUR GUEST:  Meghan Ely is the owner of OFD Consulting, where she combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR. She is a WeddingWire Education Expert as well as a regular contributor to Wedding Planner Magazine, Wedding Business Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com. Meghan represents clients globally and has earned them coverage with the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Brides, Bridal Guide, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, the Travel Channel, HGTV, Brit & Co, and Refinery 29, among others. But before all that, Meghan got her start working at wedding venues. From a location with limited resources to a 5-diamond property, she'll share what it was like to be a venue employee. BE A FRIEND:  Leave an iTunes review here. BE A GUEST:  Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge about running a wedding venue? Know someone who is? Email us at kelly@aislefilespodcast.com to let us know why you'd be a great person interview! Find full show notes from this episode here. — Connect with Aisle Files Podcast Online Website: www.aislefilespodcast.com  Email: kelly@aislefilespodcast.com Instagram: @aislefilespodcast Facebook: @aislefilespodcast The Aisle Files Podcast is created and produced by Kelly Ewell, owner of 48 Fields Farm.

Oh, time off. It can be hard to come by when you have a busy event schedule. But did you know that forcing yourself to take time off can actually make you more productive when you are working? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with return guest Kelly McWilliams who is sharing how she's started arranging her calendar to allow for 5 days off per month and how doing so has made her even more productive each week. If taking time off is hard for you, this is a must-listen episode! About our guest: A Florida native, Kelly McWilliams, a destination wedding planner-designer has been producing weddings, social events and celebrations since 2002.  In 2018 her business expanded beyond Florida to formally include Nevis, West Indies and Punta De Mita Mexico to her roster of islands and Waterfront cities which already included Sanibel, Captiva, Marco, Boca Grande, Naples & the Florida Keys. Her company, Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings & Parties, has been a leader in the destination wedding industry in SW Florida by keeping the local industry community based and fostering over 40 college student internships.  She helped to put the not so metropolitan area on the map for destination weddings through media press & publish and by bringing what was “big and happening” in the major metropolitan areas back to this small region on the Florida Gulf Coast. In 2016 Kelly also began consulting with venues to help them “up their game” to obtain the appeal for more luxury weddings clientele. When it comes to creating weddings, Kelly’s most known for her designs which are subtle with statements. Her goal is that the events are as equal in beauty as they are an outstanding experience no guest will ever forget; and that they are as personalized as they are traditionally elegant. Her weddings have graced the pages of The knot, Inside Weddings, Brides, Destination I Do, Modern Luxury, Destination Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Celebration Society, Bridal Guide and countless others.  She has been quoted on CNN, NBC, Fox and spoken at countless industry conferences around the globe. Kelly has been married to her husband also named Kelly for over 20 years and is a mom to daughters Madeline & Emily and her dog Monreau Gray.  In the upcoming year Kelly will be expanding her commitment to sharing her expertise with her IGTV channel for engaged couples and small group 2 day intensives and calendaring workshops for wedding professionals. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Kelly's background in the wedding industry Kelly's first episode on the This Week In Weddings podcast Kelly's experience with burnout and how she realized she needed more time off Why forcing time off makes you more productive How Kelly communicates with her clients and vendors that she is taking the time off Kelly's "Calendaring for Brain Peace" class as part of her 2 Day Work Away intensive Discount code for the 2 Day Work Away: TWIW Want to connect with Kelly? Website: KellyMcWilliams.com / 2DayWorkAway.com  Instagram: @KellyAMcWilliams / @2dayworkaway (if applicable) IGTV channel: @KellyAMcWilliams Facebook: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations / 2 Day Work Away 

Harris Lane is a lead vocalist and CEO of Hank Lane. As the president of Hank Lane Music, Harris has performed at hundreds of weddings, private parties and special events in his career. His band has been highly publicized in Bridal Guide, Inside Weddings, Gotham Magazine, the New York Post, and New York Magazine and has become one of the most sought-after and exciting contemporary dance bands for weddings and private parties in the industry today. Anthony sits down with Harris to discuss what it takes to build a legacy brand, what it's like to take over a family business and the pressures involved. Harris talks about paving his own way in the industry, living through the economic downturn of 2008 and preparing for the next one. Anthony and Harris discuss how to truly service your clients, how to expand your business beyond your original market, and how to balance entrepreneurship and fatherhood.

It is one thing for someone to make a wedding dress for you perfectly but to actually design and make that dress from scratch is a truly rare and impressive talent. Chantelle from Chantelle Sophia has talent in droves and an incredible passion for creating the perfect dress for YOU as well as promoting body confidence for everyone.

Terri Huggins Hart is a freelance writer by day, a Zumba instructor, and enthused pole dancer. Her work can be found in Redbook, The Frisky, Dance Magazine, Huffington Post, Bridal Guide and more. When she’s not writing, dancing or helping people find joy, Terri can be found volunteering for a cause dear to her heart and finding new ways to aggressively beat down debt. In this episode, Terri teaches us how to get started in freelance writing. She shows us that not only can freelance writing be a fulfilling career but it can also be a lucrative side gig too!   In this episode we cover: What is a freelance writer? The day in the life of a freelance writer (and new mom) What to include in a pitch to an editor   Connect with Terri Huggins Hart:  Website: http://blog.terrificwords.com Instagram: @terrificwords Twitter: @terrificwords   Connect with Me:  Podcast Website: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com Facebook: @thethoughtcard Instagram: @thethoughtcard Twitter: @thethoughtcard    For all of the resources mentioned in this episode visit our website: https://podcast.thoughtcard.com/episode20/

There are tons of wedding and event industry conferences. From WeddingMBA and The Special Event to the Be Sage Conference and Engage! Luxury Wedding Business Summit, there's something for everyone. If you have plans to add some education and networking to your agenda with an upcoming event conference, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. We're chatting with wedding planner Kelly McWilliams, who shares some of her top tips for getting the most out of your conference experience. Whether you're a conference junkie or just starting to think about attending your first, this episode is full of valuable advice from a wedding industry veteran. About our guest:  A Florida native, Kelly McWilliams, a destination wedding planner-designer has been producing weddings, social events and celebrations since 2002. In 2018, her business expanded beyond Florida to formally include Nevis & St. Kitts to her roster of islands and Waterfront cities which already included Sanibel, Captiva, Marco, Boca Grande, Naples & the Florida Keys. Her company, Kelly McWilliams Celebrations, Weddings & Parties, has been a leader in the destination wedding industry in SW Florida by keeping the local industry community based and fostering over 40 college student internships. She helped to put the not so metropolitan area on the map for destination weddings. through media press & publish and by bringing what was “big and happening” in the major metropolitan areas back to this small region on the Florida Gulf Coast. In 2016 Kelly also began consulting with venues to help them “up their game” and obtain appeal for more luxury wedding clientele. When it comes to creating weddings, Kelly’s most known for her designs which are subtle with statements. Her goal is that the events are as equal in beauty as they are an outstanding experience no guest will ever forget; and that they are as personalized as they are traditionally elegant. Her weddings have graced the pages of The knot, Inside Weddings, Brides, Destination I Do, Modern Luxury, Destination Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Celebration Society, Bridal Guide and countless others. She has been quoted on CNN, NBC, Fox and spoken at countless industry conferences around the globe. Kelly has been married to her husband also named Kelly for over 20 years and is a mom to daughters Madeline & Emily and her dog Monreau Gray. In the upcoming year Kelly will be expanding her commitment to sharing her expertise with her IGTV channel for engaged couples and small group 1 day intensives for wedding professionals. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Kelly's background and how she went from actress to accountant to wedding planner What you should do to connect with other attendees and conference organizers before you attend Why Kelly suggests having a conference roommate The benefits of adding on a day before or after the conference Kelly's thoughts on international conferences Post-event follow up Want to connect with Kelly? On the web: https://www.kellymcwilliams.com/  Instagram: @weddingtidbits Facebook: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations

We've all seen brand partnerships all over the place – from Target's collaboration with Missoni to Kanye West's partnership with Adidas. But as a wedding business, how can you leverage a brand partnership? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about brand partnerships and how even small businesses can think about growing their brands with valuable collaborations.   About our guest:  As Head of Brand Content at Shutterfly, Amber Harrison oversees the content strategy for all of Shutterfly Inc., including Tiny Prints, the Wedding Shop and flagship Shutterfly. In this role she is responsible for the strategic development of influencer relations, content creation and amplification, organic social awareness, UGC and brand partnerships.  Previously, Amber headed up all communications for Wedding Paper Divas (now the Wedding shop by Shutterfly) where she established successful strategic partnerships with high profile industry experts, including wedding planner Mindy Weiss, designer Claire Pettibone and reality star Whitney Port. She created visibility for the brand through celebrity wedding celebrations, such as Sofia Vergara & Joe Manganello’s and Tara Lipinski & Todd Kapostasy’s. Through her work as a writer, interviewer and producer, Amber is known as a modern authority on relationships, wedding trends and etiquette guidelines. She developed and hosted a weekly web series called “Small talk. Big day”, which has accumulated nearly 2 million views to-date. Through the series, Amber offered couples and their families practical advice and insights for the wedding planning process and interviewed industry influencers. For nearly two years, she wrote a weekly etiquette and advice column, Manners Mondays, for Huffington Post. Amber’s expertise and advice is regularly featured in wide variety of national media outlets including the Today Show, ABC News, Good Morning America, E! News, FABLife, Glamour, Brit & Co., Bridal Guide and Inside Weddings. Prior to Shutterfly, Amber was an Account Supervisor at Edelman, the world’s largest communications firm. There she created and managed public relations programs on behalf of clients such as Orange France Telecom, Adobe Systems Incorporated and others. Amber came to Edelman from Zazzle.com where she developed a celebrity-endorsed cause-based marketing campaign that increased the company’s market share by nearly 15%, moving the company ahead of a major competitor. Working with The Birthday Party Project, which aims to bring joy to homeless children through the magic of birthdays, Amber brought the monthly celebrations to two new locations —San Francisco and Silicon Valley— and established awareness and support within the local communities. Amber studied Musical Theatre at Ithaca College and acting at The New Actors Workshop in New York. Her first job was in a touring production of Pippi Longstocking, in which she played the role of Annika.   In this episode, listeners will hear about: Brand partnerships and how they come to be The why of partnering with another company or brand Things to keep in mind when considering partnership opportunities Viewing styled shoots as partnerships How even small businesses can partner with larger brands Considering what you have to offer and what you have to give in a brand partnership situation     Want to connect with Amber? On the web: The Wedding Shop by Shutterfly Amber Harrison: Instagram Wedding Shop by Shutterfly: Facebook / Instagram  Shutterfly: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter   

As we say each week, running a business is hard! But when you're dealing with your own personal struggles – whether it be a death in the family, issues with your children, or even a bout with depression – it can be even harder. In this week's episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, we're chatting with custom invitation designer Tifany Wunschl, who shares how she's kept her business afloat for 13 years when life hasn't always made it easy.  About our guest:  Tifany Wunschl started Gourmet Invitations in 2005. She wanted her business to reflect her personality and as a foodie, Gourmet Invitations was the perfect name for her custom invitation business. She has been seen on WeTV’s “Preston Bailey’s Midnight Wedding” after having the honor of designing invitations for Preston Bailey. Her work has been seen on Entertainment Tonight and published in wedding magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Destination Weddings I Do, Brides, The Knot and many others. Her work has also been featured on Style Me Pretty, Brides.com, Glamour.com, People.com, and much more. Tifany has worked with celebrity wedding designers and her clients include TV and radio personalities, an NBA All-Star, an NFL superstars (including a Superbowl ring holder), an MLB star, and even a royal highness. Tifany is also a speaker with expertise in many different subjects. She has spoken to NACE, ILEA, ABC, and will be speaking at Engage 18 in Cabo San Lucas. In 2016, she launched Amuse Invitations, an amusing bite size portion of Gourmet Invitations. The Etsy shop offers instant download items such as signs and table numbers. She also partnered with Rebecca Marie Photography in 2017, to form T&R Stock, a curated stock photo company specializing in imagery for the busy entrepreneur. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Tifany's tips for doing work in less time, by focusing on the task at hand and eliminating distractions How having a community has helped Tifany keep going during difficult times Tifany's personal struggle with depression and how she has learned to identify and combat her triggers Dealing with clients and setting expectations when times get tough Want to connect with Tifany? Website: Gourmet Invitations Instagram: @gourmetinvites Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/GourmetInvitations/  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gourmetinvites/ 

Jenna Parks is the co-owner of Southern Bride and Groom Magazine of the Triangle. Jenna’s mom Donna started the magazine back in 1986, and Jenna came on board in 2010 to advance it into the  digital age. To have any sort of impact in the wedding magazine space – which features some huge names like Martha Stewart, Brides Magazine, Grace Ormonde, Premier Bride, Wedding Style, The Knot, Bridal Guide, and Inside Weddings – a smaller magazine needs to know their local market extremely well. That’s exactly what Southern Bride and Groom has done over the past 30+ years. They don’t just write articles about what’s trending or what the color of the year is or what celebrity wore what dress to a wedding. They get to know their local vendors so they can recommend to Raleigh area couples what the best venues are, who the legitimate wedding planners are, what linen companies are reputable, etc.  They develop that trust with couples and vendors alike, and they become entrenched in the market so couples know when flipping through the magazine, that if they use these vendors, they can be comfortable with who they hired. Jenna came on the show to talk about how her mom started the company and how she came on to take it to the next level, instagram etiquette, and marketing strategy for wedding vendors – where should you as a vendor spend not only your money but your time as well. Southern Bride and Groom Magazine 2018   Southern Bride and Groom Magazine 1996 Jenna's Blog Post about the reliability of reviews. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MEGAN.  We have launched The Planner’s Vault, a membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there will be guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. My mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul. For more information, head on over to ThePlannersVault.com.  Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning.  She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at megan@weddingsforreal.com. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Are you intimidated with the thought of building a photography brand that represents you? In episode 88 of the Bokeh Podcast, Danette Chappell shares how she built a brand that reflected her style and attracted adventurous couples eloping in Las Vegas. Listen in as she provides three steps to creating a powerful brand that you’re passionate about. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. About Danette: Danette is a Las Vegas-based wedding and elopement photographer who's photographed over 1,500 weddings and elopements in 14 different states. She has a passion for teaching business and helping other creative entrepreneurs succeed. She’s also a staff writer for Fstoppers.com and leads a monthly entrepreneur meeting for creatives in Las Vegas. She’s been featured in many online publications including Shoot and Share, Offbeat Bride, Forbes, The Knot, Weddingwire, and Bridal Guide. She also loves cats, Harry Potter, and the occasional video game. Danette’s Aha Moment: After being in business for a few years and moving to Las Vegas, she realized that she was so focused on the technical aspect of her business that she had no interest in the business side of her business. When she decided to take the business side seriously, she saw a positive change in her business. She made this change by investing in education to learn more about business rather than technicalities of photography. Danette’s Advice on Creating Free Time: Set the expectations with your clients of what hours you’re working and you don’t have to go back on it. How to Stand Out in A Group of Photographers Create a niche that you love. Danette’s Niche: High-end adventurous elopements. What is a brand? The perception that is in someone’s mind when they think of your company. Steps to Create a Powerful Photography Brand: 1. Know and understand your “why.” 2. Define your ideal client. 3. Create a clear distinction for your brand. Photographers Mentioned in this Episode: Sarah Barlow Mike Cologne Links: 4 Hour Work Week - Tim Ferris Website: Amberlightcollective.com Instagram: @amberlight_collective_photo FStoppers - Does Your Photography Have a Brand? You May Also Enjoy: 7: Building a Photography Brand Chad Diblasio 31: Creating a Clear Brand Position - Petronella Lugemwa 34: Define Your Values, Define Your Business - The Harris Company 71: Why We Do What We Do - Jessica Kaucz See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rebekah Wilbur is a custom wedding cake designer and owner of Rebekah Naomi Cake Design. She is also the Managing Editor of American Cake Decorating Magazine. Rebekah dedicates her free time to teaching live cake decorating classes, blogging about cake matters, demonstrating at cake shows, and creating online tutorials. Recognized as a Satin Ice Artist of Excellence, she enjoys sharing her passion for cake decorating with others. Her style is instantly recognizable for it’s stylistic sugar florals and refined elegance. Rebekah likes to draw inspiration from art, fashion, fabrics and textiles in the creation of her designs. Rebekah has been featured in many notable bridal magazines. You can find her work as a contributing writer for Bridal Guide and several features in Harper’s Bazaar Bride. She says her greatest professional achievement as a cake decorator is creating a 14-tier cake for the wedding of Kristen Jarvis West. Kristen was the Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama. Both the past First Lady and the First Daughter were in attendance at the wedding and enjoyed a piece of Rebekah’s masterpiece! Rebekah’s Cake Design StoryMoving to the states and discovering her love of baking [3:52] Getting paid was the turning point [6:25] First action steps to being a true business [7:15] Approaching the magazine with a dream in mind [22:26] Candle Flickering MomentsThe effects of turning your hobby into a business [13:55] Business growth and pricing implications [14:47] Business Building InsightsThe power of an accountability partner [8:07] Surrounding yourself with people already doing what you want to do [10:44] Connecting with local competitors is a PLUS [11:37] Proper pricing is not comparing your price to others [15:52] Defining highly specialized products [17:23] Dress for success – your website is your online presence [19:11] Social media influence on sales [20:40] Advice on your approach if you want to be published [25:52] Meeting with clients as a homebased biz [31:29] Industry specific networking [32:51] Productivity/Lifestyle Tool Hootsuite (https://hootsuite.com/) – Manage multiple social networks, connect with customers, and grow your brand on social media. Sharepoint (https://products.office.com/en-us/sharepoint/collaboration) – Share and manage content, knowledge, and applications to empower teamwork, quickly find information, and seamlessly collaborate across the organization. Reading and Listening Contact Links Website (http://www.rebekahnaomicakedesign.com) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RebekahNaomiCakeDesign/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rebekahnaomicakedesign/) American Cake Decorating Magazine (http://www.americancakedecorating.com/digital.html) If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in (http://www.giftbizunwrapped.com/GooglePodcasts) . That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue

Today on the podcast, we have Claire Swinarski who is a copywriter and content marketer for creative entrepreneurs. She has been featured in the Washington Post, Seventeen Magazine, Bridal Guide, and many other amazing magazines and publications around the country. Claire is based out of Wisconsin and she pretty much loves burrito bowls, so we like her. She is a girl after our own burrito loving hearts. In today’s episode, Clair is going to break down a lot of stuff that many of you need help with, like copyrighting. First, we are figuring out how to dive into knowing your ideal client, because you have to start there before you even know what to write in the first place. Next, Claire walks us through the pages that you probably should have on your website and others not to even worry about, as well as how to actually break down what goes on that website itself. Claire also gives her tips on how to avoid that copy overwhelm, and how to stay true to yourself in your own copy so that you can repel the “wrong kind” of people. Make sure you listen all the way to the very end because she gives some really quick tips on how you can update your copy today and not be so stressed about it anymore. If this is your jam and you need a refresh for your website, then be sure to give this one a listen. Hunker down, put your socks on, we are going to get started! Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate and review The Strategy Hour Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. For show notes go to thestrategyhour.com. To download the transcript of this episode head to: thestrategyhour.com.

FULL SHOW NOTES My guest today is Claire Swinarski, a freelance journalist & copywriter for creative entrepreneurs. Claire has been published in publications like Cosmopolitan, Bridal Guide, Woman Getting Married and MORE. In today's episode Claire is breaking down the world of freelance journalism so we can better understand how to get published in large publications and how it can up-level our wedding businesses.

This episode is a bit different, mostly because we talk about 2 completely different topics, so yay for having multi-passions! My guest, Margo Donohue is a blogger and podcast host for one of my favorite fitness blogs, Fit Bottomed Girls. She also hosts the podcast, Book vs. Movie. In this episode, we talk about how to have a healthy relationship to fitness (and why losing your last 5lbs WON’T help you get the guy). Margo happens to be a movie expert, so we also talk about the best and the worst rom-coms, and how they’ve often subconsciously held us back and ruin our expectations around dating, relationships, and love. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to make friends with your body when you have poor body image Why fitness and working out alone won’t solve your confidence, emotional, or relationship problems How movies and pop culture completely convolute what a “healthy” relationship looks like How to know what a healthy relationship feels like, even if you’ve never had one About Margo: Margo Donohue is the creator of the health & fitness Blog Brooklyn Fit Chick which has been featured in Fitness magazine, Shape.com, Bridal Guide, DietsinReview.com and Fitbie.com. She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY is both a Group Fitness and Personal Trainer with certifications from NASM, AFAA, ACE and TRX.  Follow her on Twitter @BrooklynFitChik, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  She is also the producer and co-host of the Fit Bottomed Girls podcast as well as the Book Vs. Movie Podcast.  Her favorite thing about living in Brooklyn is that it isn’t Manhattan.  Important: -Ready to bust through your love blocks and make 2017 the year you find your perfect-for-you partner? Apply my 1x1 coaching HERE. -Grab the free, on demand class, The Singles Holiday Survival Guide Workshop: The do’s + don’ts of a stress-free, joyful holiday season no matter your relationship status HERE.  -If you get value from Date Yourself Radio, please rate & review it in iTunes. It only takes a sec to impact our ranking + it’ll help other women find our community! Grab all the links mentioned in this episode at veronicgrant.com/episode47

Susan Schneider has over ten years experience as executive editor of Bridal Guide, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines. She decided to leave magazines to pursue writing and cover everything wedding, from fashion to flowers to food to stationery.  She especially enjoys writing true-life wedding stories. In today’s episode Holli Ehrlich interviews Susan about her […]

Susan Schneider has over ten years experience as executive editor of Bridal Guide, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines. She decided to leave magazines to pursue writing and cover everything wedding, from fashion to flowers to food to stationery.  She especially enjoys writing true-life wedding stories. In today’s episode Holli Ehrlich interviews Susan about her […]

If you’re living with, at risk of or affected by diabetes, planning or attending a wedding, this inside guide to one of life’s most important celebrations is for you! Join Mr. Divabetic as he officiates a full hour featuring a guest list of wedding, food and fashion experts with tips and suggestions for brides, grooms, attendants and attendees. Guests include Jessica Issler and Judi Wilcox, certified diabetes educators, Christine Campanelli, wedding cake designer, Holly Clegg, celebrity cookbook author, Catherine Schuller, fashion stylist, former brides and more.   

Dreaming about your wedding gown?  Wedding Podcast Network and the fashion team of Bridal Guide magazine got together to discuss bridal fashion, the designers, the beautiful gowns and accessory tren...

Dreaming about your wedding gown?  Wedding Podcast Network and the fashion team of Bridal Guide magazine got together to discuss bridal fashion, the designers, the beautiful gowns and accessory tren...

Diane Forden, Editor in Chief, VP Bridal Guide, one of America’s leading wedding magazines, discusses important information on what to keep in mind, what to prioritize, and things to avoid while creating your dream wedding.  With Diane’s e...

Diane Forden, Editor in Chief, VP Bridal Guide, one of America’s leading wedding magazines, discusses important information on what to keep in mind, what to prioritize, and things to avoid while creating your dream wedding.  With Diane’s e...