The Right Fit

Welcome to The Right Fit!
In this episode, DJ Monopoli shares his journey from lifelong fan to in-game DJ for the New York Knicks and Rangers at Madison Square Garden. He opens up about the setbacks, persistence, and adaptability that shaped his path, along with how he went from resisting weddings to finding his passion for serving couples.

The conversation also explores the power of authenticity in content creation, the growth of Monopoli Music Group, the value of mentorship, and the importance of asking for help while balancing work and life.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to the Championship
• 08:34 Transitioning to Sports DJing
• 12:10 The Evolution of a DJ
• 25:51 Finding Your Tribe
• 30:10 Authenticity in Content Creation
• 34:50 The Transition to Monopoli Music Group
• 45:01 The Role of Mentorship
• 52:46 The Challenge of Asking for Help
• 57:07 Balancing Work and Personal Life
  
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Welcome to The Right Fit! In this episode, Peter Marshall, also known as Lil Baby Grand, shares his journey as a musician, producer, songwriter, and PhD student at NYU Stern. He talks about building a career in music, the power of personal branding, balancing creativity with academia, and the unforgettable moments that come from performing at weddings and events.

Chapters

• 00:00 Life as a Musician and PhD Student
• 08:30 Creating and Releasing Music
• 10:20 Journey into Music and Self-Taught Learning
• 11:09 Influence of Family and Musical Background
• 14:07 Collaboration with Tainy and Creative Process
• 15:06 Learning and Self-Teaching in Music Production
• 17:42 Impact of Social Media and Personal Branding
• 18:50 Entry into the Events and Wedding Industry
• 19:24 Emotional Experiences in the Events Industry
• 26:26 Customization and Collaboration in Music
• 35:11 Transition to Full-Time Music and PhD Pursuit
• 37:55 Balancing Music and Academia
• 38:31 The Role of Events in Business
• 39:41 Personal Growth and Career Evolution
• 40:25 Balancing Work and Family
  
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Welcome to The Right Fit! Today we're joined by Nicholas Yee, a professional photographer and videographer, as he shares how building genuine relationships with couples leads to authentic storytelling and unforgettable wedding moments.

We also dive into leadership, setting boundaries, continuous growth, and what it takes to create a stress-free wedding day while capturing every meaningful detail.

Chapters

• 00:00 Building Genuine Relationships
• 16:11 The Journey into Photography
• 21:21 Cinematic Style and Storytelling
• 40:39 Challenges of Leadership
• 47:57 The Importance of Details in Photography
• 56:20 The Journey of Personal and Professional Growth
• 01:06:21 The Impact of Emotional Connections on Unforgettable Moments

  
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Welcome to The Right Fit! In this episode, DJ Menes sits down with Vanessa Rose, founder of Pumpkin & Peony Papery, to discuss intentional celebrations, luxury stationery, and the importance of meaningful client relationships.

Vanessa shares her journey from a 19-year career in education to full-time entrepreneurship, why traditional invitations still matter in today's digital world, and how authenticity and trust have shaped both her business and the experiences she creates for her couples.

00:00 – Introduction & Meeting VanessaRose
15:55 – Beach Vibes vs. Ballroom Elegance
18:35 – Why Paper Invitations Still Matter
24:10 – Designing a Couple's Story
26:10 – From Teacher to Entrepreneur
31:00 – Building Lifelong Client Relationships
37:00 – Becoming the "Wedding Whisperer"
40:05 – Why Vendor Teamwork Matters
44:20 – Telling Couples "You Don't Need That"
48:15 – How COVID Changed Everything
58:05 – The Phone Call That Changed It All
1:00:10 – Pricing, Value & Knowing Your Worth
1:02:55 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs

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Welcome to The Right Fit! In this episode, we're joined by Joey Mac, Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of The Mobile Cigar Lounge.

From military service to building one of the most recognized cigar experiences in the wedding industry, Joey shares valuable insights on leadership, business growth, delegation, and creating unforgettable client experiences.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why communication is critical for success
• Delegation, SOPs, and scaling a team
• Creating memorable wedding and event experiences
• The importance of mentorship and lifelong learning
• Giving back through veterans and first responder initiatives
• Building a company culture that lasts

Plus, be sure to listen until the very end for a special surprise exclusively for The Right Fit audience!

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Welcome to The Right Fit!

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Chelednik, Director of Vendor Engagement for WeddingPro, the company behind The Knot and WeddingWire. With decades of experience in sales, marketing, venue operations, and business development, Tom has helped thousands of wedding professionals navigate an ever-changing industry.

Whether you're a wedding planner, DJ, photographer, venue owner, florist, or any type of event professional, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you attract better clients, improve your sales process, and build a stronger business.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The impact of Gen Z on the wedding industry
• Why most wedding pros have a booking problem, not a lead problem
• The importance of speed-to-lead and follow-up systems
• How to build trust with couples before they ever book
• Using automation and AI without losing authenticity
• Scaling your business through delegation and systems
• Creating a long-term exit strategy for your company

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Connect with Tom: [email protected]
WeddingPro: Instagram | Website

Welcome to The Right Fit! In this episode, wedding coordinator Emily Sestanovich shares her journey into the wedding industry, the family influences that shaped her career, and her decision to go full-time.

She discusses communication, trust, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, retiring outdated wedding trends, and creating fun, stress-free wedding experiences for every couple.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Emily and Her Background
• 06:19 Venue Preferences and Event Styles
• 13:28 Client Engagement and Service Hours
• 19:55 Transition to Full-Time Wedding Planning
• 25:03 Getting to Know the Couple and Their Families
• 30:16 Handling Special Circumstances and Client Requests
• 35:59 Retiring Wedding Trends and Vibe Killers
• 44:14 Client Selection and Emphasis on Having Fun
  

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Welcome to The Right Fit! Today, we sit down with Shannon Tarrant, wedding industry expert and founder of Wedding Venue Map, to talk about the evolution of Central Florida’s wedding market and how her local wedding directory became a trusted resource for couples and vendors alike.

The conversation dives into the challenges of booking vendors, the importance of transparent pricing, and why speed-to-lead and automation are changing the wedding sales process. Shannon also shares valuable insights on networking, community, and building a strong village within the industry.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Shannon Tarrant
• 14:53 Motivation for Creating Wedding Venue Map
• 21:51 Wedding Coaching and Sales Strategy
• 26:57 Challenges in the Wedding Industry
• 32:20 Mistakes in the Wedding Planning Process
• 40:13 Speed to Lead and Automation
• 47:03 Networking and Building a Village

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Welcome to The Right Fit. Today, we’re talking with Leandro Da Silva about his journey as a photographer, his passion for storytelling through art, and the importance of community and collaboration within the creative industry.

Throughout the conversation, Leandro shares his perspective on mentorship, growth, and finding your own voice as an artist. We also dive into the evolving wedding industry, discussing the importance of adaptability, taking responsibility as a vendor, and embracing change in order to grow.

Most importantly, we explore the lasting value of photography — not just as images, but as timeless memories that preserve emotion, connection, and life’s most meaningful moments.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of a Photographer
• 08:35 Building a Photography Business
• 22:34 Mentoring and Community in Photography
• 33:46 Challenges and Adaptation in the Industry
• 39:52 Adaptability and Change
• 45:01 Client Understanding and Objections
• 51:20 Client Appreciation and Emotional Connection
• 01:00:13 Client Vibe and Tension

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Welcome to The Right Fit! Today we sit down with Ananis for an honest conversation about the mindset behind being a successful wedding planner, the anticipation that comes with every next step, and the confidence built through experience.

Ananis opens up about the importance of building a strong team, learning how to delegate, and releasing control as an entrepreneur in order to truly grow. She also shares her passion for giving back through Gather & Give, the nonprofit initiative she co-founded within the events community.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Mind of a Wedding Planner
• 18:43 Journey into Wedding Planning
• 27:16 Balancing Work and Family
• 33:27 Protecting Creative Vision
• 39:09 Building a Supportive Team
• 46:48 Gather and Give Organization
• 52:43 The Importance of Giving Back
• 59:12 Teaching the Value of Hard Work and Commitment

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