The Venue Podcast

In today's episode of The Venue Podcast, Kinsey and Lindsay share the WHY and the HOW of keeping your wedding venue business lean and scrappy! We dive into our personal (and very recent!) experiences with downsizing our businesses and the results we've seen from doing this! Here's a sneak peek of what we discuss in this episode:

• How Lindsay cut her team prior to summer and has taken over multiple duties previously outsourced/delegated.

• How she's enjoying being back in touch with those areas of her business

• How she's rethinking hiring for new positions that she's never had before but have always wanted

• Kinsey's key takeaways from also downsizing her team at the venue

• Tips for getting scrappy - what should you do before cutting your team

• Take over client files and be brought up to date with each file

• Remove access to accounts

• Make sure you let a team member go legally - review your rights

• Termination agreement - if necessary

We're celebrating 50 Episodes of The Venue Podcast TODAY!

In honor of this cute little milestone, we're doing something fun on the podcast and sharing FIFTY ideas for events you could host at your venue that are NOT weddings! We hope this episode gives you a ton of ideas and helps you think creatively about your space <3

Thank you for tuning in every week and supporting the show. We're here because of YOU, and we can't thank you enough! GET YOUR LIST OF 50 EVENTS TO HOST AT YOUR VENUE HERE

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: EMAIL US AT: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

Get ready to elevate your wedding venue game with ChatGPT! In today's episode you'll discover 5 easy-to-implement ways to create captivating content for your wedding venue without the blogging burnout! We're sharing how to develop never-ending blog ideas, venue descriptions that dazzle, engaging social captions, authentic testimonials, and even educational courses for your couples! Tune in to today's episode to learn how AI-powered magic can transform your venue into a content machine!

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

If in-house day-of coordinators aren't your thing, Kinsey and Lindsay are discussing another option in today's episode. Lindsay gives her perspective and lessons learned from when she owned her wedding planning firm and was a contractor for local venues outsourcing their coordination.

Here are a few things being covered in this episode:

• How Lindsay landed a third party partnership with a venue as a planning company

• Math is key. Don't make the same mistake Kinsey did and overpay your DOCs while not charging enough for the venue rental.

  • Don't operate at a loss, especially with a cancellation

• Partnerships is an expense, you don't have to train planners, less staff to manage

Stay tuned for the next episode where Kinsey shares her experience and perspective as a venue owner outsourcing day-of coordination for her couples.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

In this episode Kinsey and Lindsay are providing listeners with insight on the pros and cons of having in-house coordinators at your venue as well as digging into the details of having these employees. Lindsay also shares her experience as an in-house coordinator.

• Training in house employees, taxes, W2s, etc. - If you're interested in a training program for in-house wedding planners Kinsey highly recommends The Planner's Vault. You can find information about that program here: https://shecreatesbiz.krtra.com/t/uVgzmZx5AkZa (aff link)

• Training documents we recommend having your employees sign

• The importance of an NDA

• What is a Hold Harmless document and why is it important

• Employee Training Overview:

  • Company culture

  • Upholding policies and procedures

  • Huge commitment to implement training

  • Trainings are a living document, constantly updating, adjustments and pivots

  • Employees should never be surprised if they're not doing well

  • Employees need to know and feel confident that you have their back

• Qualities to hire for

  • Pivot quickly and gracefully

  • Service industry experience - waitress etc

  • Self-led/self starter

• Planners vault link

• Linds experience of being an in-house coordinator

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

In today's episode Kinsey and Lindsay are discussing the pros and cons of including a Day Of Coordinator at your venue in an effort to help you discern whether or not this is a good addition for your venue.

Questions we encourage you to ask yourself:

• Do you actually need this?

• Are you currently attracting your ideal client? If not, to do this first.

• What does your market need/want?

• What are your clients saying?

• Example: Kinsey's clients LOVE it because the vast majority of venues are requiring a DOC nowadays. It's nice to have one included and not have to worry about it.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

In today's episode of The Venue Podcast Lindsay and Kinsey quickly answer the top questions they've received from venue owners interested in adding on-site lodging. Tune in to hear our answers to:

Should my lodging be available to wedding clients only or should I put them on short-term rental websites like Airbnb?

Should I have my own direct booking option?

Sales Tax 101 for your lodging options.

Is it a good idea to charge cabin deposits and charging cleaning or damage fees if left in bad condition? What happens if a guest leaves my lodging a mess at checkout?

Insurance 101 for lodging.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

In today's episode of The Venue Podcast, Kinsey and Lindsay share eight accommodation types you can consider as a venue owner if you're ready to add overnight stays to your wedding packages. Then, we'll reveal the #1 MISTAKE VENUE OWNERS MAKE when adding onsite accommodations to their property. Types of Accommodations We Discuss Today: CabinsGlamping TentsYurts Exisiting House (remodel)New Build specifically for this purpose Treehouses Glass Houses Clear Top Tents/Yurts/Etc GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VENUE PODCAST: Email Lindsay: [email protected] Email Kinsey: [email protected]

DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevenuepodcast/

We've chatted with many wedding venue owners who are interested in adding onsite accommodations to their venue property as an additional stream of revenue. If this is something you've also been considering, today's episode is for you! DISCLAIMER: This episode is not legal or financial advice. We're just sharing our stories and tips! Please consult your own legal and financial professionals before pursuing any loan. One of the first questions we often receive is: "I need an amount of upfront capital, can you give me an example of loan options you've seen?" In this episode Lindsay shares: Three loan types to consider when adding onsite accommodations to your wedding venue property.

1. Standard Commerical Loan

2. DSCR - Debt service coverage ratio Quick Tip: Based on the property's income potential vs the purchaser's credentials/credit - if approved lenders don't require money down. Perfect for venue acquisition or/on-site accommodations.

3. Portfolio loan - lender keeps the loan in-house - doesn't sell to another company. The benefit of small, local banks - may be more flexibility within the terms.

4. BRRR (Buy Rehab Refinance Repeat)

Today's episode of The Venue Podcast is a quick Listener Q & A from our friends at RedTreeHollow. The Question: Ok so this is my dilemma. I am trying to keep this venue at 3000 sq ft total. I have to have 15 sq ft per person in my ballroom according to the county. I don't know what makes more sense, to have a 1800sq ft ballroom that can hold 120 people or a 1500 sq ft ballroom that can hold 100 people. We need 300 sq ft for the bathrooms. I would like to have a 500 sq ft bridal suite, 300 sq ft groom suite, and 400 sq ft warming kitchen. Something is going to have to give what makes the most sense to cut or reduce in size. Hit play on today's episode to hear our suggestions and tips when it comes to determining the correct square footage of your wedding venue! Want us to answer your question? DM us on Instagram HERE!