When it comes to growing your business there are many different paths. In this episode from my “Scaling” series I chat with a good friend, Eric Maas, whose family has taken Complete Weddings from a single DJ location to nationwide and beyond through franchising. Listen to this episode and hear another way that you might want to consider for growing your business. Complete Weddings + Events is the leading franchise provider of event and wedding photography , videography , lighting , DJ services a...
Jan 24, 2022•33 min
Many companies have cut back on the number of products and services. Menus have gotten more limited. Supply-chain issues have reduced inventories. Can you cut back on the products and services you sell, and still profit more. Your customers seek you out for the results you provide, not the specific products and services. Listen to this new 8-minute episode and find out how you may be able to profit more, with offering fewer products and services. If you have any questions about anything in this,...
Jan 19, 2022•9 min
We all know that we should follow up on leads and after meetings, but it often doesn’t get the priority that it deserves. I know how busy you can be and for some of you following up just doesn’t make it up your priority list. For others, it’s one and done – get a lead, reply and that’s it if you don’t hear back. If you want to profit more without more marketing and advertising, listen to this new 8-minute episode for some perspective on following up. If you have any questions about anything in t...
Jan 12, 2022•9 min
I love interviewing smart, nice people about how they’ve scaled their businesses up. In this episode, Keith Walters shares how Walters Wedding Estates went from 1 venue to over 40 and growing. Listen and gain some insight that can help you decide how to right-size your business. Walters Hospitality owns and operates a spectrum of specialties including Wedding and Event Venues, Lodging, and Restaurants. Their portfolio contains some of the most distinctive event sites in the markets they serve. W...
Jan 10, 2022•36 min
Have you attended any conferences or networking events this year? Which ones are on your must-attend list for next year? I hope you have many because the value is both monetary and intangible. Listen to this short, new 7-minute episode and hear why you want to block off time for learning. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podca...
Jan 05, 2022•7 min
It’s an understatement to say that we’ve have a crazy couple of years. So, what are you thankful for as this year comes to a close. I have lots to be thankful for and I’m sure, if you take a step back, you do as well. Listen to this short, new 6-minute episode and I’ll share some things we can all be thankful for. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com...
Dec 29, 2021•6 min
Sometimes you meet someone with a unique niche and wonder “How did you end up in that business?” When I first met Therese, she was dressed in a beautiful sari, a garment traditionally worn by women from South Asia. What struck me is that Therese is not from India or Pakistan, she’s Polish, and she’s been the go-to wedding planner for South Asian weddings for over 25 years. Want to hear how that happened and how you can learn to find your niche? Listen to this new episode About Therese Cole-Hubbs...
Dec 27, 2021•35 min
Every year I ask this question to my clients and audiences: “Are you ready for engagement season?” There are so many things that you can do… so are you doing them? From reevaluating your pricing to updating your website and advertising, what should you do? The short answer is to do something. If you don’t do anything, then you’ll see no benefits. Listen to this new 10-minute episode and get some inspiration. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a sugge...
Dec 22, 2021•11 min
Here’s another listener suggestion. Michelle McFarland and I were at a conference recently and she reminded me of a story I had told at another event that totally changed the way she handled negative situations with customers. Once the damage is done it’s often hard, or impossible to undo. If you are proactive, it might cost you less than what it would cost to try to undo the damage from negative reviews and bad press. Listen to this new 7-minute episode and find out. If you have any questions a...
Dec 15, 2021•7 min
In my series on The Niche I come across so many interesting people with even more interesting niches. I’ve known Matt Campbell for a few years but I never really understood what he did, or what his business model was. In this episode you’ll hear how Matt combined a knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to create a business that brings him income without having to deal directly with his customers… and it’s working while he sleeps. Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the owner of My Wedding Songs. ...
Dec 13, 2021•33 min
Wouldn’t it be nice to have something that no one else has… your own monopoly? Well, you actually do, it’s your voice. The key is to learn how to use it to show people that you’re actually different, before they get to hear your spoken voice. Want to hear how? Listen to this new 9-minute episode and find out. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or v...
Dec 08, 2021•9 min
I love getting listener suggestions and this one came from Chuck Johnson. He’s raising his prices (yeah) and wanted to know if he should put the new prices on his website with a disclaimer that they’re going up on a certain date. Want to hear the answer and how you might approach this when you raise your prices (something I addressed on another podcast episode)? Listen to this new 7-minute episode and find out. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a su...
Dec 01, 2021•8 min
Like many wedding planners, the pandemic threw a wrench into Tina Dannel’s business model. Then along came a 1958 Milk Truck that changed things, for the better. Listen to this episode and hear how The Metro has been a positive pivot for Tina’s wedding business, and how it’s added new opportunities beyond its original intention – a mobile wedding chapel. About Tina and The Metro Tina Dannel is the owner and Lead Wedding Planner with Serendipity Events by Tina, a full-service Wedding Planning com...
Nov 29, 2021•17 min
Are there some things you’re not trying because you think they’re hard? Is it the fear of failure that holds you back, or something else. I think that the harder it is, the more rewarding it is when you succeed. So, what have you already done that you originally thought was hard? What’s on your to-do list that’s just not getting to-done? Listen to this new 9-minute episode and find out how you can get past the “hard” and on to the “done”! If you have any questions about anything in this, or any ...
Nov 24, 2021•8 min
I was talking to a speaker friend about all of the free services that exist today, from social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.) to business services like Canva, Animoto, Dropbox, Zoom and more. It’s very tempting to try and use those free services, after all, that’s why they offer a free version. But that can’t be the business model, there has to be a profit model for those services and sites as well. While I might try a new service with a free-trial, I try not to stick ...
Nov 17, 2021•7 min
When people think of scaling a wedding or event business, high volume and lower prices often comes to mind. Glenn Roush has scaled his entertainment company, LeForce Event Group, with higher prices, higher quality and targeting luxury weddings and events in and around Dallas, TX. Our conversation ranges from how he got started, with just him as a DJ, to scaling up to over 30 DJs and keeping both the quality and prices up at a high level. Listen to this new episode and get some ideas on how you c...
Nov 15, 2021•25 min
Like many of my topics, this came from a conversation I was having with one of my clients, a wedding/event pro, about how he should go about doing Facebook advertising. One option was to hire someone, but the price tag was scaring him. Another was to take courses and learn to do it himself. Yet another was to look for every free or cheap way to figure it out. In this episode I’ll take you through the thought process that I shared with him, so you too can see that it’s not just the cost that matt...
Nov 10, 2021•8 min
Like many of my topics, this came from a conversation I was having with one of my clients, a wedding/event pro, about what he should do for an upcoming Wedding Expo. He wanted to stand out, in a good way, and get the most ROI from the show. So, on this new episode, I’ll share with you some of the things I told him, on how you can stand out, catch the attention of an audience that’s literally moving as they are near you, and how you can profit more from Wedding Shows. Whether you’ve done Wedding ...
Nov 03, 2021•16 min
When I first thought about bringing my friend Kathryn Hamm onto the podcast, it was because of her pivot from LGBTQ issues to DEI – Diversity, Equality and Inclusion topics. Well, before we could get to that, she pivoted again! Listen to this episode and hear how she pivoted into the wedding industry from education, to pivoting to DEI and now to being Co-owner of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter (Kathryn’s wife). Is your head spinning from the pivots yet? Kathryn is always a pleasure to...
Nov 01, 2021•36 min
There was a TV show in the 2000’s called “The Weakest Link” where contestants tried to not get tossed off by the stern British host. When she told a contestant that they had to go, she said “You are the weakest link… Goodbye!” I was thinking about this the other day and how each of our businesses, or personal endeavors, is only as successful as the weakest link. What are the weak links that are preventing you from achieving more? To which ones should you be saying “Goodbye!”? Listen to this new ...
Oct 27, 2021•13 min
Watching the ups and downs of the stock market can give you thrills or heartburn, depending upon whether you invest for short-term gains or long-term goals. Day-traders are people who get in and out of the market quickly, capitalizing on the ups and downs, but they don’t care about the fundamentals of the business. Investors want to know more about the companies they invest in. Warren Buffett, one of the world’s wealthiest people, is famous not only for his wealth, but the way he picks the compa...
Oct 20, 2021•9 min
Have you tuned into or participated in any Clubhouse room? Do you even know what Clubhouse is? (hint: it’s another social platform). I had been invited to be on Clubhouse as a presenter, including by Brandee Gaar, who also has a popular podcast: “She Who Dares”. Clubhouse seemed to come out of nowhere and take off last year in the wedding industry. So, when Brandee asked me to host a bi-weekly room on her Morning Show for Wedding Shows I said Yes. But then I wondered what would happen when weddi...
Oct 18, 2021•28 min
A client called one day and asked me how many calls I used to require my sales reps to make, when I was VP of Sales at The Knot. I told him that I didn’t give them a target of phone calls to make, because I didn’t want phone calls, I wanted sales. I told him that you get what you measure. What are you measuring? Are you paying attention to the right metrics, or getting distracted by things that don’t align with what you’re trying to achieve? Listen to this new 11-minute episode and get a clearer...
Oct 13, 2021•12 min
Every wedding or event sale involves a transaction, but doing transactions is not the same as building a business. What’s the difference? A lot depends upon whether you’re just focusing on today, or if you also have your eye on the future, and what you want that future to look like. Listen to this new 9-minute episode and get a clearer view of your business’ future. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach ou...
Oct 06, 2021•9 min
When I first met and started consulting and doing training for Wedgewood Weddings in 2012, they had about a dozen venues in Northern and Southern California. Nine years later they have over 40 venues in 6 states, and counting (I just saw a notification that they’ve picked up two more after our recording). They’ve carved out a great niche with their all-inclusive model for their venues. When they open or acquire new venues, they use the same, proven packages. Some businesses have different models...
Oct 04, 2021•21 min
If there’s one thing that gets wedding and event pros riled up it’s getting a less-than-positive review, especially your first one. I get frantic phone calls, emails and messages looking for help and guidance when that happens. Besides slowing down and taking a deep breath, there really is a better way to handle these situations. Take a deep breath and listen to this new episode and find out. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topi...
Sep 29, 2021•20 min
Are some people really luckier than others, or is there something you can do to improve your luck? Much of what you see that looks like luck from afar really isn’t. As the Roman philosopher Seneca said: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” So, what can you do to be luckier? Listen to this new 8-minute episode and find out. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Al...
Sep 22, 2021•8 min
We had such a spirited discussion that I invited my good friend Ron Ruth to join me again, to continue our talk about the customer experience. Through Ron’s speaking and training, and his lifelong addiction to all things Disney, Ron has some great perspective on how you can create a better experience for your couples and customers, right from the start. If you didn’t hear Part I, you can find it here. Enjoy! About Ron: With over 15 years experience in corporate management and 30 years as a small...
Sep 20, 2021•20 min
Every time I open Google Analytics, whether to see the reports on my website, or on one of yours, I see so many points of data that neither you nor I will ever need. It’s not that the data isn’t interesting, it’s that you can’t do anything with the information. Want to find out the only 3 points of data that I really pay attention to, and why you should too? Listen to this new 14-minute episode and find out. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a sugge...
Sep 15, 2021•15 min
I got a Facebook message from a wedding band owner, John LaPalomento, with a link to a Reddit post of someone complaining about how hard it is to get pricing for their wedding. The post, with over 270 comments, gives some very good insight into what couples think about how wedding and event pros talk about and display pricing on your websites. Listen to this 11-minute episode and hear some of the highlights, so you can tweak what you do. If you have any questions about anything in this, or any o...
Sep 08, 2021•11 min
