Weddings for Real

Hey friends! Today's episode is a short roundup of a few things I want to share with you, including my thoughts on my upcoming trip to Wedding MBA, my recent Planners Vault Workcation, tips for you on planning your own Workcation, and a quick hitting conversation with my friend Ashley Ebert of The Abundance Group on how to know if you've hired the right team member. Resources Mentioned: Ashley Ebert's Training: November 14th, 11:00 am CT - #1 Secret to Building High-Performing Teams Wedding MBA Bash Tuesday November 7th, 6PM-8PM, Renaissance Hotel Las Vegas ClarityCoworking.com - November 13th-15th 2023 - a high-value, pitch-free education and coworking experience crafted for dedicated wedding pros like you. Previous Episodes Mentioned 143. Do You Need a Workcation? Yes, You Do! 244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat (01:30) What's happening at Wedding MBA (I'll be up on stage 3 times in 24 hours!) (04:00) What happened at the recent Planner's Vault Workcation? (07:30) How do you build a team? And what happens when you hire the wrong person? (Interview with Ashley Ebert) --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Rate This Podcast Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Over the years, I've had countless conversations with wedding pros about the constant challenge of nailing down their business messaging and how they are perceived in their market. While the landscape of marketing as a whole has evolved, the core issues remain unchanged. So, what's on every wedding pro's mind? I hear questions like: Well today, we’re in some pretty good company, as public relations expert Natalie Denyse is on to share how she’s guiding her clients through these challenges. In Good Company PR | Instagram Resource Mentioned: What is Your Wedding Pro Superpower? (01:45) Introducing Natalie Denyse (02:45) The recession fears and wedding gap are a gift? (06:00) "Pretend every person has a sign around their neck that says, 'Make me feel important'" (07:00) What questions should we be asking in discovery calls or client kickoffs? (18:30) Why should you say "yes" to working with couples? (22:10) What is your wedding pro superpower? (27:30) How do you exhibit brand standards to your team? (30:45) Can you articulate your company vision? --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Are you struggling to balance too many commitments with a never ending to-do list? (Raising my hand with you) Maybe you're feeling that that stress is in an all time high. and you're paddling through the Sea of Overwhelm with a leaky boat. Well today, I've got 10 stress-reducing tips to help you through! Episodes Mentioned: 244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat 236. Life For Real Series: Miscommunications, Mental Load, and Meltdown Moments, with Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy D --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

It's time for some more hot takes, this time with the Tech Savvy Creative, and all about the latest tech and AI trends in our industry. We’ll be answering questions like: Tech Savvy Creative | instagram | Free AI Toolkit for Creatives Previous Hot Takes 224. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 1) 225. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 2) (01:40) Introducing Dawn Richardson, the Tech Savvy Creative (03:00) AI will never replace a wedding pro when it comes to (blank) (08:15) The most underrated AI application for reaching your ideal client as a wedding professional is (blank) (13:15) This common tech advice for wedding pros is complete garbage (16:50) The smartest money you can spend on tech for business growth is on (blank) (28:00) Stop using (blank) and start implementing (blank) tools when working with clients (29:30) What is your favorite must have time saving tech tool? (31:45) The easiest way to frustrate your peers in the industry with tech is (blank) (38:30) The biggest tech mistake that wedding pros are making is (blank) (43:15) Is there a good market research tool for the wedding industry? --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new. Today we feature Michelle Norwood, New Orleans based international event planner. Michelle has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, and BRIDES magazine, and she makes it look simple taking only 6 to 8 weddings a year. But as you'll hear, her journey has been anything but easy. For previous Unravelings: 156 157 with Adrianna McDermott 161 with Aleya Harris 177 with Sara Margulis 184 with Andrea Eppollito 188 with Ashlyn Carter 191 with Kristen Mullins aka "The Pie Lady" 193 with Rachel DeAlto 197 with Sandra Cassios 208 with Brian Green 218 with Nellie Butler 238 with Natalie Franke (00:00) What is an Unraveling? (02:20) Introducing Michelle Norwood (04:00) An unexpected tragedy...and then another (09:40) What is "Breaking the Plate"? (12:30) Can you tune out your own advisors? (18:00) Do I keep doing these weddings? Or is it time to stop? (24:30) Relationship advice - should I stay or should I go? (28:30) Advice to your formal self (35:30) "Growth isn't linear" (44:30) The real Michelle is @MichelleNorwoodLiving This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are 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. The 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. The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Recently one of small-group coaching students said to me, "Megan, when I think about you and other educators, it's like you're floating by on this deluxe yacht, living the life. You're all 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,' sipping champagne and getting fed grapes. And here I am, clinging to a capsizing dinghy with a single oar, just praying a tidal wave of new to dos doesn’t come out of nowhere." Fun imagery, but spoiler alert, there is no yacht. Sure, the boat might look bigger from a distance, but let me tell you—it's got its fair share of leaks, unruly crew members, and navigational snafus. So today, let's hop on my so-called "yacht" as we go behind the scenes of a recent coaches retreat. (02:40) What does this coaches' retreat look like? (11:00) Takeaways from the retreat (38:20) You can start a group like this. But how? (46:00) #YachtForReal --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

I’ve heard this question from a lot of you out there listening and engaging with us on social media, and from a lot of members of The Planner's Vault community: How can I generate money while I sleep? How can I get paid on more than just my time? Two weeks ago on episode 241, Kendra Swalls came on to share her ideas on generating affiliate income. Well today, we’re taking it a step further by diving into all things digital downloads - ways to monetize your knowledge while you dream about ways to spend your new income. And the person we’re talking to? With over $9M in digital download sales, Molly Keyser is pretty legit. Freedom Creator | YouTube | Instagram (02:30) Molly made how much yesterday?! (03:50) Digital download ideas for different wedding pro niches (08:20) How do you separate service offerings from digital downloads... (13:10) Without cannibalizing revenue? (18:15) Building a following (22:00) Starting a funnel. Do quizzes work? (27:00) There are a lot of products you could create, but which one should you create? (31:15) Pricing for digital downloads (45:45) What's the one takeaway? --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Have I ever told you about the required public speaking class I put off until my last semester of undergrad? I was shaky nervous, and the speech on how to make a latte? It didn't go so well. I've evolved since then, but I still get nervous every time I get on stage. Maybe you're in the same boat, or you want to know how to tiptoe into public speaking. So today, we're bringing on an expert, as we dive into public speaking and stepping into education within our industry. We'll tackle common fears, help you decide what might be your area of expertise when it comes to being an educator, and reveal how to make your message resonate. Laylee Emadi | So, Here's the Thing Podcast | The Creative Educator Conference (00:00) "The Art of Coffee Making" epic fail (03:35) "I feel like every time I get on a stage, I'm still scared." (06:00) Stepping into education or speaking (09:45) Fighting off imposter syndrome (14:40) Do you need a certain level of knowledge or success to speak / educate? (18:25) Dipping your toes into coaching (20:40) Common mistakes in educating and how to avoid them (25:25) What topics should be talked about more? (29:30) What is The Creative Educator Conference? --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

You're in a high-stress industry, your weekends are gold, and nobody's got time for filler content or fluff. That's why today's topic is super relevant - we're diving into affiliate income. Yep, we're talking about ways to diversify your income streams without doubling your workload. By the end of this episode, you'll have a toolbox filled with ideas to not only elevate your client's experience but also add a new revenue stream. And the best part is, you can do this without sacrificing another weekend. So if you've been trying to figure out how to increase the numbers in your bank account without increasing the number of 14-hour Saturdays, tune in! Kendra Swalls | Podcast | Instagram | Income Streams Free Guide --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

The Messy Middle - it's one of those business owner struggles that we all go through. And over the years, with the rise of more social media platforms and more places than ever before to show up, yet no more magical hours added to our days... creating a marketing strategy in the messy middle feels like a vague and far-reaching concept that can make you want to put your head in the sand and pretend it's not necessary. But of course, it is, and I've got you covered. In today's episode, my guest, Enji CEO Tayler Cusick Hollman and I are are going to nerd out on some actionable, real-world strategies that can help you get clear on how to market your business now. We'll explore how to ensure a steady stream of quality leads are still heading your way even when the pressure is on and the hustle feels never-ending. Because, let's face it, marketing can be a bit of a maze, and at times, we all feel like we're just stumbling around in the dark. So let's shine a light on your strategy. Enji | instagram | --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Have you ever wondered what makes a truly unforgettable experience stand out from the usual client interactions that often end up looking pretty much the same? It's not just the fancy website or the five-star venue or the fancy menu. The answer might surprise you, but it's all about intuitive service and brand standards. It's about understanding that clients aren't just looking for transactional interactions, but for a deeply personalized and memorable journey, and brands like the Ritz, the French Laundry, and The Four Seasons know this all too well. Brand Standards are not SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). They are the heart and soul of your business, the essence of what you represent, and the promise you make to every client. While SOPs are about the mechanics of running your operations, Brand Standards are about the values, principles, and unique qualities that define who you are as a brand. They guide your team in delivering an unparalleled, consistent experience that's impossible to copy, setting you apart from the crowd and elevating your brand to a whole new level…. not just in terms of services provided, but in terms of the emotions and memories you help create. But how do your set these brand standards? Emily Coyne Events | instagram | Tiktok --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new. Today we feature Natalie Franke, cofounder of The Rising Tide Society, Chief Evangelist at Honeybook, host of the Independent Business Podcast, and author of Gutsy: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage. For previous Unravelings: 156 157 with Adrianna McDermott 161 with Aleya Harris 177 with Sara Margulis 184 with Andrea Eppollito 188 with Ashlyn Carter 191 with Kristen Mullins aka "The Pie Lady" 193 with Rachel DeAlto 197 with Sandra Cassios 208 with Brian Green 218 with Nellie Butler This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are 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. The 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. The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Over the last five years, I've spent countless episodes diving into the behind the scenes of working in the wedding industry. But in this special Life for Real series, I decided to take a meaningful detour to explore and dive deep into some of the harder to navigate aspects of life itself. And let's just say it's been quite a rollercoaster ride - from battling burnout to fostering resilience, managing personal finance, and understanding the complexities of ADHD, Life for Real has been a transformative experience - not just for me, but for all of you, my amazing listeners. So today my husband Jason and I are taking a candid look back at this series, sharing the motivations behind why I decided to do it, the incredible highlights from our guests, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Life for Real Episodes: 232. Adding Resiliency to Your Emotional Toolbelt with Hannah Abad 233. Are you a Saver, Spender, Avoider, or Money Martyr? 234. ADHD and Entrepreneurship, with Carissa Kruse and Dr. Amy Teumer 235. ADHD and Entrepreneurship, with Dr. Amy Teumer (part 2) 236. Miscommunications, Mental Load, and Meltdown Moments, with Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy D --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Today's episode focuses on our life partners. That’s right, we went there, with psychologist and couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleigh, who’s letting me ask her all the questions on how stress in a relationship can affect how you show up professionally, the mental load that we share with our partners, meltdown moments (ok MY meltdown moments), and how to have the difficult conversations so they don’t lead to blowups. Let's get uncomfortable! I Didn’t Sign Up for This: A Couples Therapist Shares Real-Life Stories of Breaking Patterns and Finding Joy in Relationships . . . Including Her Own Dr. Tracy D on Instagram --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

In the last episode, I spoke with Carissa Kruse, and we shared our stories of being recently diagnosed with ADHD, and how it’s affected us both personally and professionally. Today, we extend that conversation in so many fascinating ways, with Dr. Amy Teumer, who you heard from some on yesterday’s episode. We get into how ADHD can be leveraged as a superpower, what we can do if our partners (in life or in business) have ADHD, and some tricks to work with our different (but awesome) brains. Dr. Amy Teumer (@amyteumer) is a mental health counselor who has been practicing for 17 years and now offers mindset and business coaching. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Earlier last year, my life changed when I was officially diagnosed with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I always felt that my brain functioned differently than others - I would forget things easily, I would try to complete 7 different tasks at the same time, I would leave a slime trail as my mom would say, and my brain could never shut down even when it was time rest or be “off the clock”. It turns out, I'm not alone. Less than 20% of adults with ADHD are even aware they have it, and only about a fourth of those who do know are getting treatment for it. So today, we're talking to an entrepreneur who was recently diagnosed with ADHD as well, and a licensed mental health counselor who can tell us not only medical information about ADHD, but also what we can do in our every day lives to work best with it. Carissa Kruse (@carissakruseweddings) provides photography, videography, DJ, and floral services to her couples, and coaching to fellow wedding pros. Dr. Amy Teumer (@amyteumer) is a mental health counselor who has been practicing for 17 years and now offers mindset and business coaching. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Today we're navigating a topic that can cause quite a few of us to squirm: our relationship with money. But I’ve got good news, this won’t be one of those discussions that stresses you out. Instead, you’ll laugh, learn, and leave feeling more empowered to take action based on what you learn about yourself. So are you a spender, saver, avoider, or do you find yourself playing the financial martyr? And are you different personally and professionally? Let's find out from fractional CFO Shanna Skidmore. Blog Posts: My Monthly Money Workflow // How I organize my business finances! The Five Numbers Every Business Needs to Know! Marriage & Money: How to become a team in your finances 3 Tips for Talking about Money with your Partner The 397 Challenge: this is a 3-day challenge that digs into personal finance for business owners and a preview of Shanna's personal finance course, Blueprint at Home. Consider the Wildflowers Podcast --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Today and for all of July, we’re going to do something a little different here. Instead of Weddings for Real, where the content is for wedding pros specifically, this series in July is about life in general. Life for Real. The things that happen, the way that we show up as entrepreneurs, all of the things that we're carrying and the mental load that comes along with it. We have some great guests lined up, including today's guest, mindset and growth strategy coach Hannah Abad, founder of Prime Collaborative. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

Three of my favorite episodes - and our most popular - are the ones where we had a chance to ask engaged couples exactly what they’re looking for in vetting their wedding vendors (episodes 48, 94, and 211). Well today, we’re talking to a brand strategist who also knows what couples want - because she just went through an engagement herself. She's Emily Foster, and she's sharing the yays and nays of how you may be portraying your business and attracting your ideal clients. Emily Foster Creative | instagram | Emily's Elevated Website Checklist --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.

We are all juggling a lot of things and wearing quite few hats in our day-to-day lives. If you feel like you’re drowning in your to do list or feeling pulled with how to divide the hours you have within a way- then this episode for you. We’ll dive into what it looks like to be a multi passionate entrepreneur, why a common myth in our industry is causing stress for many entrepreneurs and we’ll chat about some highly actionable productivity tips! Our guest is Katy Murray, who has a lot going on - full-time HR manager, photographer, wife, mom, host of the Ginger Biz Podcast, founder of a virtual assistant business, and paper products creator. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Hosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence.