The Event: Crushed Podcast for Wedding Pros

Ep. 19: Growing a Team for 6-Figure Success with Jess Aiken of the Planner's Perspective

Have you ever thought about growing a team, but were too scared to trust someone else with this business that you've built from the ground up? This week's episode is for you! Learn how to avoid burnout by taking the leap to scale your biz, with Jess Aiken of the Planner's Perspective and Wedding Company of Williamsburg. 
Jess shares her journey in the wedding planning industry, from starting as an intern to building a multi-6-figure wedding planning company with 12 employees. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive team and the challenges of transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a large team. Jess also discusses her vision for her educational brand, Planner's Perspective, and the focus on percent-based pricing for planners. She shares insights on how she built her team, starting with her current assistants and training them to become lead planners. Jess also shares how she handles the pay structure for her team and how she manages a large team by using workflows and automations.
 
Key Takeaways
Building a supportive team is crucial for scaling a wedding planning business.
Transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a team requires overcoming the fear of delegating and trusting others.
Percent-based pricing can be a beneficial pricing model for wedding planners.
Starting with current assistants and training them to become lead planners can be an effective way to build a team.
Automating workflows and creating templates for emails and processes can streamline operations and ensure consistent service.
Building a team requires relinquishing control and trusting others to deliver a high level of service.
Understanding the financial aspects of the business, including cash flow and profitability, is essential for sustainable growth.
Changing the language from 'I' to 'we' in marketing materials and client communications helps create the perception of a team and instills confidence in potential clients.
 
Connect with Jess!
The Planner's Perspective:WebsiteInstagramFree Facebook community group
Wedding Co of Williamsburg:WebsiteInstagram
 
Event Crush on instagramwww.eventcrush.comMentorship for new & aspiring planners 
This episode was edited and produced by Ace Sound Design.
 

Ep. 18: What Energy are You Bringing to the Wedding Day?

In this episode, Becky shares a recent wedding day experience and her main takeaways from it, which came down to staying calm when things didn't go as planned and having a positive energy on a wedding day despite the circumstances! She also discusses handling things behind the scenes as much as possible and not bringing situation to couples unless it's absolutely necessary. 
Becky emphasizes the significance of being a calm and positive presence on the wedding day, as it can greatly impact the overall atmosphere and experience for everyone involved. It's always good to ask ourselves... what kind of energy are we bringing to the wedding day? Hopefully it's a positive, joyful, helpful energy!
 
Book More Weddings FREE Virtual Summit!! August 19th-23rd
Grab your free ticket here!
 
Event Crush Wedding Planner Mentorship - now open!
Ace Sound Design, our amazing podcast production company
 
Let's connect!
www.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com@eventcrush on Instagram
 

Ep. 17: Getting Ghosted? Why It's Happening & What You Can Do About It

In this week's solo episode, Becky sits down to chat about all things ghosting in the wedding industry. What is it, why is it happening, and what can we do about it!? She also discusses how ghosting isn't strictly happening from couple to vendor, it's also happening from vendor to couple AND from vendor to vendor! Ghosting isn't going away any time soon, so we need to learn how to deal with it and learn how to prevent it to the best of our ability. Becky ends the episode with a note of encouragement and a reminder that there is only so much we can control, including our response to ghosting. 
 
Takeaways
Ghosting is a common occurrence in the wedding industry, where couples reach out to vendors but never respond after the initial contact or even after the initial consultation.
Vendors can prevent ghosting by being clear in their communication, providing clear next steps, and making it easy for couples to take the next action.
Following up with potential clients is essential to prevent ghosting, as couples may be busy or distracted and need a gentle reminder.
Ghosting can happen from both vendors and couples, and it's important for vendors to be understanding and not take it personally.
Quick response times and clear communication are key to standing out among the many options couples have when planning their wedding.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The "Magic Email"
Own Your Business podcast with Sam Jacobsen
The Wedding Business Solutions podcast with Alan Berg
 
Let's connect!Find us on: Instagram | Threads | WebEmail: becky@eventcrush.com
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet?It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career and start your business with confidence.   
 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience?Make sure to check out their offerings!

Ep. 16: Marketing Plans Made Simple with Heidi of Evolve Your Wedding Business

Heidi Thompson, founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business, joins Becky on the podcast to share her expertise on marketing plans in the wedding industry. Heidi breaks down the five key components of creating a marketing plan: setting goals, defining your ideal client, getting clear on your messaging, the how/strategy, and evaluation/review.
 
Learn how to create a marketing plan for your wedding business, what a marketing plan should consist of, and how to stick to it! 
 
Heidi also highlights the upcoming Book More Wedding Summit, a free online conference for wedding professionals of all types to learn strategies for booking more clients. There will be 30 wonderful industry speakers sharing their knowledge (including Becky, who will be speaking on networking!)
 
Key Takeaways
Attract and book the right clients while building a business that provides freedom and flexibility.
Break down your marketing plan into five key components: goal, ideal client, messaging, strategy, and evaluation.
Separate CEO and worker bee roles to make strategic decisions and focus on implementation.
Join the Book More Wedding Summit to learn strategies for booking more clients in the wedding industry.
Keywords
wedding industry, marketing plans, attracting clients, booking clients, business freedom, flexibility, ideal client, messaging, strategy
 
Connect with Heidi:
Evolve Your Wedding Business
Evolve Your Wedding Business Podcast
Evolve Your Wedding Business on Instagram
 
Sign up for the FREE Book More Weddings Virtual Summit!
August 19th-23rd, 2024
 
Let's connect!
Find us on: Instagram | Threads | Web
 
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet? It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career! 
 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience?  Make sure to check out their offerings!

Ep. 15: Lifehacks to Increase Productivity for Wedding Pros

In this solo episode, Becky shares five life hacks for productivity and success in both personal and professional life for wedding pros.
 
Becky's Lifehacks for Increased Productivity:
Learn to wake up early! Go to bed sooner (leave the binge watching Netflix behind and swap it with a productive morning routine)
Use a meal planning app like eMeals paired with Walmart+ (or another grocery/delivery app) to simplify meal preparation and grocery shopping each week.
Use a project/task management system like Asana to keep track of tasks both in your personal and professional life, never missing a detail again.
Keep a tidy workspace, which can improve productivity and create a sense of calm.
Consider outsourcing non-business tasks and responsibilities to free up time and reduce stress (house cleaning, landscaping, meal prep, house projects, etc).
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
eMeals Walmart+Asana
 
Previous episodes mentioned: Thriving in the Wedding Industry While Starting a Family with Life in LettersYou Can't Do it All (and That's Okay) with Darcy WardenMy Favorite Tools for Wedding Pros
 
Keywords: productivity, life hacks, waking up early, meal planning, grocery shopping, project management, tidy workspace, outsourcing, wedding pros, wedding professionals, wedding industry
Let's connect! Find us on:Instagram | Threads | Web
Are you a new or aspiring wedding planner? Have you checked out my wedding planner mentorship yet?It's an affordable way to kick-start your wedding planning career! 
This episode is edited and produced by Ace Sound Design. Are you looking to maximize your listening experience? Make sure to check out their offerings!

Ep. 14: Overcoming Wedding Pro Mindset Challenges with Aislinn Eileen Coaching

In this episode, Becky interviews Aislinn McKenna of Aislinn Eileen Coaching about her journey from building her luxury wedding photography business to becoming a full-time coach for wedding pros, leveraging her 14 years of industry experience. Aislinn is passionate about helping others to overcome mindset issues to grow beyond what they thought possible and to love their businesses again. 
Hear about the 77 virtual coffee chats Aislinn hosted during the pandemic that ultimately lead her to pursue coaching, and the common mindset issues that wedding pros struggle with. Aislinn also shares a "pep talk" to motivate and inspire wedding pros that will leave listeners fired up!
 
"If you are not getting invited to the table... make your own table!"
"Stop blending in with everyone else and start showing up as the 'of course' option."
 
Key Takeaways
Having a mindset of curiosity and fearlessness can be beneficial when starting a business
Starting an educational branch of a business should come from a place of service and a desire to help others, rather than as a bandaid for a broken business
Identifying as both an artist and a business owner is crucial for success in the wedding industry
Cutting out external noise and seeking validation from within is necessary for making confident decisions in business
Believing in oneself and recognizing one's worth is essential for charging appropriately and pursuing opportunities
Fear of rejection can hold one back from taking risks and pursuing growth. Embracing rejection as a learning opportunity is key!
Showing up with confidence and a positive attitude has a significant impact on clients and vendor partners
Aislinn offers a range of coaching programs, including the Success Accelerator Program, mastermind, and masterclass vault, to support wedding professionals at different stages of their careers. Connect with her below to learn more!
 
Work with Aislinn: https://aislinneileen.com/ 
Profitable Photographer Free Masterclass: https://aislinneileen.com/freebie
Find Aislinn on Instagram: https://instagram.com/aislinneileencoaching
Clarity Convos for Wedding Pros Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clarity-convos-for-wedding-pros/id1676987204

Ep. 13: 5 Things I'd Do Differently if I was Starting My Business in 2024

In this solo episode, Becky reflects on her 12 years in the wedding industry and shares five things she would do differently if she were starting her business now instead of in 2012. She discusses the importance of investing in necessary tools and systems, managing money better, investing in education, growing a team, and giving back to the community. She also highlights two things she would do the same: prioritizing networking and building relationships, and prioritizing SEO. Becky emphasizes the value of learning from her own experiences and the abundance of resources available to new business owners today.
 
Takeaways
Invest in the necessary tools and systems to run your business efficiently from the beginning.
Manage your money better by implementing a clear system for paying yourself and using accounting software.
Invest in education early on to continuously improve yourself and your business.
Consider growing a team and hiring an associate coordinator to expand your capacity and provide better service.
Give back to the community through your business by donating your time and services to causes you care about.
Prioritize networking and building relationships to establish a strong foundation for your business.
Focus on SEO to improve your online visibility and attract more clients through search engines.
 
Let's connect!
Find us on Instagramwww.eventcrush.combecky@eventcrush.com
This episode was produced and edited by Ace Sound Design.If you're interested in taking your audio experience to the next level, they are currently taking on new clients!

Ep. 12: Thriving in the Wedding Industry While Starting a Family with Life in Letters

In this week's episode, Becky interviews McKenna of Life In Letters about her journey as a wedding calligrapher. McKenna shares how her signage and stationery business began and how she quickly grew to having over 100 weddings in one year and was able to quit her full time job. From there, she was able to scale back the number of weddings she was taking on each year while increasing her minimum, so she was able to work with significantly fewer clients while still supporting her growing family. She shares what she's learned since becoming a new mom while running her business, and ends with five fantastic tips for those who are getting started in the wedding industry.
Connect with McKenna! Instagram WebsitePinterest
 
Thanks for tuning in this week. Check back every Friday for a brand new episode!Follow along on instagram: @eventcrushwww.eventcrush.com
 
This episode was produced and edited by Ace Sound DesignLooking for audio excellence to maximize the listening experience? Reach out today! 

Ep. 11: My Thoughts on Instagram for Wedding Pros in 2024

Are you feeling burnt out on Instagram these days? Does it feel like you are putting time and effort into this app for little or no return? 
In this episode, I'm chatting about my thoughts on Instagram in 2024 and how to still enjoy the platform without letting it suck the life out of you. I explain why I continue to use Instagram for my business after nine years on the app, the pros/cons of Instagram for business, and the love/hate relationship many of us have with it. I discuss strategies for using Instagram effectively in 2024, and encouragement for those who are currently struggling to know if the time and effort is really worth it. 
 
Main Takeaways:
The algorithm is not out to get you
How mindset can affect our Instagram experience
Instagram doesn't owe us anything
Don't sleep on stories
Quality over quantity, always
Take the pressure off yourself
Find the fun in it again by connecting and collaborating with others 
Mentioned in this episode:Good Content Podcast with Shannon McKinstrie
 
Speaking of Instagram... let's connect!Event Crush on Instagrambecky@eventcrush.comwww.eventcrush.com
 
See you back here next Friday!If you haven't had a chance to leave a review yet, please consider it. TYSM!

Ep. 10: You Can't Do it All (And That's Okay) With Darcy Warden

In this episode, Becky interviews Darcy Warden, a virtual assistant for wedding professionals (and Event Crush's own VA for the last several years!) 
Darcy shares her journey from being a wedding planner to starting her own VA business during the pandemic. We discuss the different services that VAs can provide, the signs that a business might be ready to hire a virtual assistant, VA pricing structure, and how it's impossible for business owners to do everything ourselves. Plus Darcy shares her best advice for wedding pros, and it's honestly a must-listen!
Key Takeaways:
Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) can be a great way to delegate administrative tasks and free up time for more important business activities.
A VA who is familiar with the wedding industry can provide specialized services and understand the unique needs and challenges of wedding professionals.
VA services can include administrative tasks, CRM management, social media management, blogging, and email marketing.
The pricing for VA services can vary depending on the level of experience and the specific services required. It is important to have a realistic conversation about budget and expectations.
When considering hiring a VA, it is important to assess the specific needs of the business and determine if the investment will provide value and help achieve business goals.
Hire a virtual assistant before you get to a place of desperation, so you have time to get set up and bring them on board.
Have some organizational structure in place, such as organized files and systems, before hiring a VA.
Recognize that you don't have to do it all and it's okay to hire someone.
Identify specific needs and pain points in your business to determine what tasks to delegate to a VA.
Set boundaries and improve email response times to run a successful business.
Here's where you can connect with Darcy:
Website: Being Darcy
@beingdarcy on Instagram
darcy@beingdarcy.com
Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider leaving a rating or review on your fave podcast platform to help others find the show! I always love connecting on Instagram so if you have any thoughts, I'd love to keep the conversation going. Shoot me a DM and let's connect! Thanks for listening friends and we'll be back Friday with another new episode.