Just Another Biz Podcast: Unfiltered Business Tips for Wedding Pros and Creatives

Hey Jabbers! 

We're back with another episode and this week we're chatting with Renée Lemaire , an award-winning wedding photographer known for her timeless, editorial style and her gift for capturing the quiet, meaningful moments that define a wedding day. With nearly two decades in the industry, she has built a reputation for creating an experience that feels calm, connected, and deeply personal for every couple she serves. Beyond her work behind the camera, Renée is a passionate community builder in the wedding space. She founded the WIPA Cleveland chapter to bring vendors together, champion collaboration, and create a more supportive, values-driven industry. She is also the founder of Artfully Aligned, a coaching and education platform for creative entrepreneurs focused on intentional growth, sustainable success, and building businesses that truly support the lives behind them. Through her leadership and her artistry, Renée is dedicated to elevating both the wedding experience and the creative community she loves.

Renée breaks down how to network the "right way" and to avoid all the pressure when at an event. We touch on: 

This episode will give you the confidence to go out and network and actually be excited about doing it. Renée also share's her new business venture, Artfully Aligned, and you can find all the information below on how you can work with her. 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode and we'll see you next Thursday. Thanks for being here Jabbers! 

You can find Renée's stunning work on her website and follow her on Instagram at the link below. 

Renée's Website: https://reneelemairephoto.com/

Renée's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneelemairephotography

Artfully Aligned Website: https://artfullyaligned.com/

Artfully Aligned Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfully.aligned/

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Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and instead of talking about love stories… we’re talking about the real relationships that shape your wedding business, your vendors and clients.

In this episode of Just Another Biz Podcast, we’re sharing our favorite green flags: the subtle (and not-so-subtle) behaviors that instantly make us feel at ease on a wedding day or during the booking process. From vendors who actually read the timeline to clients who trust your expertise, these are the things that make us think, “Okay. This is going to be good.” And maybe even give you those butterflies. 

If you’ve ever felt the difference between a smooth, collaborative experience and one that drains your energy… this one’s for you. Think of it as a Valentine’s love letter to professionalism, boundaries, and mutual respect in the wedding industry.

If this episode made you nod along, laugh, or rethink how you show up in your vendor relationships, make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode.

And if this resonated, share it with a fellow planner or vendor you love working with. DM us about some of your favorite vendor or client green flags! We'd love to hear! 

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Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

Hey Jabbers! We're back with another episode and this is a good one! 

Look, getting the “we decided to go in a different direction” email from a potential client can hit harder than we want to admit. In this episode, we’re talking about how to bounce back when a potential client chooses a competitor without spiraling, slashing your prices, or questioning your entire business.

We talk about how to take a step back and evaluate what’s actually happening: your marketing, your messaging, and yes, sometimes your pricing while also reminding you that every "no" creates space for another "yes!". Not every inquiry is meant to convert, and rejection isn’t always a reflection of your talent or value.

This conversation is about resilience, clarity, and using those moments as data instead of discouragement especially if you’re noticing a pattern of misaligned inquiries.

In this episode, we cover:

Why client “no’s” aren’t always about you

How to evaluate your marketing and messaging without panic

When (and when not) to revisit your pricing

How to tell the difference between misalignment and a real issue

Why leaving space for the right yes matters

If you’ve been feeling discouraged after a few passes, this episode is your reminder to breathe, zoom out, and keep going. You've got this! 

In this episode we also mention Maria Bayer's sales course for wedding pros which Gabby and Kari are both alumni of and we highly recommend if you want to up your sales game and start booking big clients! You can click the link below to apply to join! 

Maria Bayer's Irresistible Selling: https://justanotherbizpodcast--mariabayer.thrivecart.com/2025-is/ 

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Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

Hey Jabbers! We're back with a fun episode with Jordan Dukehart of Duke Concierge. 

What if building your wedding business could also make the entire vendor community stronger? In this episode we’re sitting down with Jordan, founder of Duke Concierge, where she helps other wedding planners run their business and their wedding days. She's basically a right hand lady to many wedding pros. She talks about about what it really looks like to build a wedding business rooted in collaboration, not competition and how to help serve others so they can be successful as well. 

Jordan shares how she’s intentionally created systems, partnerships, and boundaries that support other wedding pros while still protecting her time, energy, and profitability. We dig into the mindset shift from “everyone’s my competition” to “how can we all win,” plus the behind-the-scenes decisions that help foster trust, referrals, and long-term relationships in the wedding industry.

If you’re a wedding planner who’s tired of doing everything yourself from timelines and checklists to being in ten places at once on a wedding day, Jordan’s approach will hit home. We talk about how Duke Concierge supports planners behind the scenes with day-of assistance and backend systems, so you can elevate your client experience and reclaim your time. Because being a great planner doesn’t mean you have to be exhausted to prove it.

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You can reach out to Jordan to work with her via her Instagram and she is located in Nashville Tennesse. 

https://www.instagram.com/dukeconcierge

Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

Kari and Gabby were finally in the same room to record this episode so it's a bit spicier and maybe a bit more chaotic than normal. However, we dive into why we think wedding pros are choosing in person workshops/conferences over digital courses. People are burnt out from constantly sitting in front of a screen or having to find the time to go through a 12 module course and then implement it. Wedding pros want real in person connection and to feel inspired and motivated through conversations with other wedding pros. 

Of course, this is what we're seeing and all our opinions but we'd love to hear from you guys on what you're seeing or what you're choosing for yourself? Are pros choosing to do in person conferences/workshops or more digital courses? 

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Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

What does manifestation actually look like when you run a real wedding planning business, not just a Pinterest vision board? In this episode we sit down with Khloe Jackson, founder of W Events, to talk about manifesting goals and backing them up with aligned action.

We get into how manifestation plays out in real life as a business owner from setting intentional goals, to trusting yourself enough to outsource, to letting go of control so your business can actually grow. Khloe shares how shifting her mindset (and her to-do list) helped her create more ease, space, and sustainability in her business without losing the magic and the spark that made her start in the first place.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between “I’m trying to manifest my dream business” and “I’m drowning in tasks and timelines,” this one’s for you. We hope you manifest your dream life and dream business Jabbers! 

You can work with Khloe and find her work on her website and follow her on Instagram!

https://www.weventsco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/weventsco/ 

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Just Another Biz Podcast Info: 

Welcome back Jabbers to Season 3 in 2026! 

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the 2025–26 Wedding Pro Survey with data from 500+ wedding professionals (planners, photographers, venues, florists, DJs, officiants basically the whole vendor crew) sharing what’s actually happening across the industry right now and what to expect heading into 2026. 

We break down the key trends, numbers, and honest responses we’re seeing from pros everywhere and from lead sources and booking behavior to burnout, pricing pressure, and shifting client habits. If you’ve ever wondered whether your experience is “normal,” this episode is for you. Spoiler: you’re not alone.

We also talk about how pros are feeling emotionally, where many say they’re focusing their energy this year, and what’s predicted for 2026  including both challenges and opportunities. 

Whether you’re booked out or struggling for inquiries, this episode gives you insights you can actually use in your business planning, pricing conversations, and marketing choices in 2026. A HUGE Thank you to Sara Does SEO and The Abundance Group for gathering this data and sharing it with us all. We encourage you to dive into their findings and take the data into your own business to help you shift and to grow! 

Survey Link: https://saradoesseo.com/wedding-marketing/wedding-pro-survey-2025/

Sara Does SEO: https://saradoesseo.com/

The Abundance Group: https://theabundance.group/ 

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We're wrapping up 2025 with a big, honest business convo and we feel like this is a perfect episode for all our jabbers to end the year!

In our final episode of the year, we’re sitting down with Loni Peterson of LP Creative Events to talk about multiple revenue streams and why it's good for business. She talks about what actually works, what sounds good on Instagram but flops in real life, and why research + testing matters way more than rushing to launch the next shiny idea.

Loni breaks down how she’s approached adding income streams to her business strategically, without burning out or throwing money at ideas that weren’t ready. We talk through common mistakes wedding planners make when diversifying, how to validate an idea before investing time or cash, and how to think long-term instead of chasing quick wins.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should add another income stream… but I don’t know where to start,” this episode is your permission slip to slow down, get curious, and build smarter.

Key Takeaways:

Why not every revenue stream is right for every season of business

How to research and test ideas before fully launching them

Common traps planners fall into when diversifying income

What sustainable growth actually looks like behind the scenes

How to make decisions based on data, not panic or comparison

Whether you’re planning for 2026, feeling the slow-season spiral, or just craving a smarter way to grow, this one’s for you. Plus Loni is a professor at CU Boulder and has a lot of wisdom and insights to share. So listen up class! 

Listen to the latest and final 2025 episode of Just Another Biz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and thank you for being part of our 2025. It's been a great year! 

Stay tuned for 2026 as we bring you weekly episodes full of great content! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Jabbers! 

You can find Loni online via her website or follow her on Instagram below. 

LP Creative Events: https://www.lpcreativeevents.com/ 

LP Creative Events Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lpcreativeevents/ 

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Hey Jabbers! This week Gabby and Kari are chatting about slow seasons in our business. Look, slow season gets a bad rap, but it’s actually one of the most valuable chapters in your wedding planning business every year.

In this episode, we unpack the mindset shifts that help you move from panic to intentionality when inquiries slow down. Instead of assuming something is “wrong,” we talk through the backend tasks that finally get breathing room, systems, workflows, templates, boundaries, and all the unsexy-but-essential things that make busy season easier.

We also get real about rest: why it is productive, why hobbies make you a better planner, and why outsourcing isn’t a weakness, it’s a strategic choice. Slow season is also a chance to check in with yourself and pivot toward what actually feels aligned in your business, whether that’s changing your packages, refining your niche, or letting go of offerings that no longer fit. Kari dives into how she's figuring out a business pivot even without having full clarity. 

If you’ve ever spiraled during quiet months, this episode will help you feel grounded, supported, and clear on what really matters and hopefully make you feel less alone in these tough seasons. 

Enjoy! 

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Hey Jabbers! We're back with another hot topics episode! From brunch weddings to steaming linens (lots of opinions on this one) and side gigs for the slow seasons. 

We're diving into some topics that have been on our minds: 

Whether you’re a planner, florist, photographer, or creative entrepreneur, this one’s packed with relatable moments, laughs, and our unfiltered thoughts. So tune in for the unfiltered truth, mild chaos, and your weekly dose of Just Another Biz Podcast real talk.

In this episode we also mention a past episode about owning a wedding venue and if you want to hear from wedding venue owners on what it's really like, go listen to episode 27.

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