In this week's podcast episode, our host Jonathan Aymin interviews Jamie Wright, owner of The Farm on Cotton in North Carolina, about her experience owning and operating a wedding venue. Jamie talks about how she got into the industry, her passion for rescue animals, and the process of building her venue. She also discusses the challenges of living on the property where the venue is located, her marketing strategies, and competition in the area. Jamie explains the operations and packaging of her venue and how she plans to scale up her team. Overall, Jamie's passion for her work and dedication to creating a magical experience for her clients shines through in this interview.

About Our Guest: 

Jamie Wright is a Disney-loving, farm animal enthusiast with a passion for weddings and events! Her admiration for Disney customer service is evident in the attention to detail and magical ambiance that she creates for each event at her property.  But that's not all she's passionate about; she also has a soft spot for farm animals and loves spending time around them, especially her pig, Charlotte. Her fondness for weddings stems from the joy and excitement that comes with celebrating love and commitment. Her unique combination of interests has allowed her to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience at her venue for couples looking for something truly special.

Venue Info: 

The Farm on Cotton 

2454 Cotton Rd, Sanford, North Carolina  27330

Tel: (919) 770-6268

Website: www.thefarmoncotton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefarmoncotton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefarmoncotton/

In this week's podcast episode, our host Jonathan Aymins, sits down with Veronica Silghigian, the founder of Pawfect For You, a pet care company that provides services for weddings. Veronica shares how she started the business and the challenges she faced, including marketing the business. She also discusses the growing trend of including pets in weddings and offers tips and tricks for businesses and venues to accommodate pets. Veronica emphasizes the importance of having a good process in place for phone consultations and final coordination calls. She also explains how her company takes liability off venues and businesses when it comes to pets at weddings.

About Our Guest: 

Veronica Silghigian grew up in Long Island, NY and went away to Penn State University in pursuit of a mechanical engineering degree. In 2014, she adopted her first pet: JakeBear. He is a bi-eyed German Shepherd / Corgi mix, who, unfortunately, had a rough beginning in life and that is where her love for pets began. As Veronica's friends and family started to plan their own weddings, she saw a niche for a special type of pet care that goes beyond just walking and pet sitting. With weddings and any type of event, there needs to be a certain level of planning and coordination that must occur in order for the day to go off without any issues, including an understanding of the pet’s needs and an itinerary for them. So with her attention to detail, organization skills, and process oriented mind, she created a service that she felt that the industry needed and checks off all the things she loves, including making fellow pet parents feel at ease during a stressful time! 

Find Her Here: 

Serving NY, NJ, CT, MA, ME, NH, PA, MD, VA, DC & surrounding areas

Email: [email protected] 

Tel: 917-300-1480

Website: http://pawfectforyou.com 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/pawfectforyou/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawfectforyou/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pawfectforyou/

In this episode of the Venue RX podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin interviews Adam and Kate Walton, co-owners of Hazelwood Weddings and Events, a modern wedding venue in Pennsylvania. They discuss their background, securing financing, and the importance of having a clear vision and financial plan. They also offer advice for those looking to start their own wedding venue, emphasizing the need for thorough research and adaptability. Adam and Kate discuss their inclusion of a professional wedding planner in their package and the importance of providing a positive experience for their clients. They also talk about the challenges of running a venue while living on the property and their plans for hiring their first employee.

About Our Guests: 

 Kate and Adam Walton, are the owners of Hazelwood Weddings. Their dream of building a wedding venue began when they were married at Adam’s parents’ property in September of 2010. But the true vision of what they  wanted to create was ignited after finding a beautiful slice of land they  lovingly call Hazelwood. It was then that they  built a cottage in the trees on the property— where they live with their  son, River, and two kitties— and got to work on building Hazelwood Weddings.

When searching for the perfect venue for their wedding ten years ago, they noticed that all of the venues we visited began to blend together without distinction. After many tours, they needed a spreadsheet to keep track of all of the extra fees and required add-ons, putting most venues out of their original  budget. With Hazelwood, they  immediately knew they were going to  do things differently. First, they decided to build a modern, sophisticated, timeless, and fully climate-controlled venue tucked away in nature. Next, the way they structured all inclusions and pricing had to be an up-front, all-in-one price with no hidden fees, ensuring there would be no guesswork! 

The Hazelwood venue is nestled on 18 acres of private land including a wall of trees, an open field, and meditation trails that create endless photo ops. The brand new, modern, and distinctive venue stands out from the rest.

Venue Info: 

Hazelwood Weddings 

195 Old Mill Road New Oxford PA 17350

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://hazelwoodweddingvenue.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelwoodweddings/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazelwoodweddings 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hazelwoodweddings/

In this week's episode of the Venue RX podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin  interviews Canva verified expert Brenda Cadman about the new features and updates on the Canva platform. Brenda shares her background as an entrepreneur and how she transitioned to teaching and spreading the word about Canva. They discuss the use of AI in Canva's features and how it has changed the design landscape. They also discuss the Canva Create event and its impact on the Canva community, particularly for wedding and event professionals. Brenda highlights the versatility and affordability of Canva's services and offers tips for using the platform effectively! 

About Our Guest: 

Brenda Cadman teaches course creators and service providers how to use Canva more effectively and efficiently for their business, saving time, energy, and frustration. Brenda  owned and operated a web development company for 22 years before she started using Canva to create branded marketing materials for her business. And as much as she liked the designing part, she loved organizing everything and carefully naming things so that she could make better use of her Canva time. That is where her idea of courses came! Brenda launched her first Canva course in 2019, sharing her expertise with other business owners around the world, so they could fast track their Canva skills using her learned techniques.

Find Her Here: 

Website: https://brendacadman.com/

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaCadmanEducator

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendacadman/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendaCadman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/bonaccordcreative/

Free Resources: https://brendacadman.com/free/

In this week's episode, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Sarah Maurer, owner of the 1812 Farm in Maine, to discuss her journey in the hospitality industry. Sarah shares her experience of owning a restaurant and eventually opening a wedding venue. They discuss the importance of instilling a corporate mindset in the hospitality industry, where every team member is considered the most important person at some point during the day or project. They also talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the wedding industry and how Sarah's business has adapted to the changes. Sarah emphasizes the importance of teamwork, trust, and adaptability in order to succeed in a constantly changing industry.

About Our Guest: 

After departing their corporate jobs following the 9/11 attack, Sarah Maurer and her husband ventured into the hospitality industry. Their initial foray involved procuring a restaurant and overseeing both its operation and catering services. As time passed, they felt the urge to widen their presence within the local community and harbored a long-standing desire to possess an event space. In 2007, they acquired their desired venue, where they now provide a range of services.

Nestled in Bristol, Maine, the 1812 Farm stands as an exquisite wedding location. Originally an 18th-century barn, it has been refurbished and presents an exquisite blend of rustic and sophistication. The venue's interior and exterior showcase a picturesque pond, perfect for hosting weddings. Steeped in history, this location was once the abode of Governor Bradford's great-grandson. Its historic setting offers guests a chance to soak in its breathtaking scenery without detracting from the wedding's splendor.

Venue Info: 

The 1812 Farm and Stone Cove Catering

1297 Bristol Road | Bristol, ME 04539

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 207.563.6007

Website: www.the1812farm.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1812farm/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1812farm?ref=br_t 

Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/the-1812-farm-bristol/26f83bf40b42cd33.html 

In this week's episode of the Venue RX podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin and guest Amanda Shuman, a brand strategist and designer, discuss the importance of branding for wedding professionals, with a focus on venues. They cover the components of a brand, the best practices for building a brand, and the common branding errors that wedding professionals make. Amanda emphasizes the importance of having a cohesive and personalized brand that reflects the values and personality of the business. She also shares her personal journey into branding and design and the process she uses for brand strategy and design. The episode provides valuable insights and tips for wedding professionals looking to build and elevate their brand.

About Our Guest: 

Amanda is an award-winning website designer and brand strategist. She founded Carrylove Designs in 2017 after leaving corporate America. At Carrylove Designs, Amanda’s approach to design is more of a science than an art. She and her team know that beauty alone doesn't sell. That's why they believe pairing a beautiful brand aesthetic with an intentional website strategy is the cornerstone for success and booking clients effortlessly.

Over the years, she has crafted a Signature Experience, which is her proven 4-phase process to help clients see results within their business and income. Her mission has always been to help business owners increase their income and build an online presence by pairing a beautiful brand design with an intentional website strategy.

Find Her Here: 

Carry Love Designs 

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://carrylovedesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrylovedesigns/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrylovedesigns 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAYIs2ugwrfdBi5_wDa4eJA 

Free Resources: https://carrylovedesigns.com/resources 

In this week's episode of the Venue RX podcast, our host Jonathan interviews Teira Bruner, the owner of Firebrand Cocolalla wedding venue. Teira shares her personal journey and the life cycle of her venue, including how she and her husband purchased 20 acres of land in Cocolalla, Idaho in 2019 and opened for business in November 2021. They discuss the challenges of running a wedding venue, including insurance and bar requirements, pricing strategies, and marketing techniques. Teira shares her passion for providing a unique and affordable experience for her clients, and her dedication to learning from her mistakes and pivoting when necessary. 

About Our Guest: 

After spending 8 years in teaching and education, Teira Bruner started a hospitality and tourism program at her local high school teaching junior and seniors about the event industry. This period of time is what sparked the interest for her to really pursue something outside of teaching. After her house burned down in 2018, she and her husband decided it was time to pivot and for her to change careers and start a wedding venue. Teira brings so many professional skills to the venue industry that she gained over the years running school events and her experience as a teacher and event planner has informed her approach to running a wedding venue! 

Imagine your wedding in an enchanted forest, stars and lights twinkling through cedar tree boughs. Firebrand is a wedding and event venue set on 20 wooded acres in Cocolalla, Idaho (25 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene and 1 hour East of Spokane, WA). They have been in business since November of 2021 and are serving more and more couples each year.  Secluded in the forest, Firebrand Cocolalla is an outdoor only event space that borders the Kaniksu National Forest. The venue is nestled in the trees, with lights strung overhead for enchanting evenings under the stars. The forest spaces offer guests serenity and peace from the hustle and bustle. 

Venue Info: 

Firebrand Cocolalla 

257 Roop Road Cocolalla, ID 83813

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (208) 755-1857

Website: www.firebrandcocolalla.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firebrandcocolalla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firebrandcocolalla

In this week's podcast episode, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Sam Jacobson, owner of Ideaction, a business coaching and website copywriting company, to discuss the importance of having a plan and learning from others' mistakes, the challenges faced by wedding venues in the current economic climate, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the wedding industry. Sam emphasizes the importance of human connection and creativity in tasks such as copywriting and sales, and suggests simplifying the sales process to improve the chances of converting leads into bookings. He also highlights the importance of dynamic pricing and ethical pricing to maximize revenue.

About Our Guest: 

Sam started Ideaction Consulting in 2016 to help small business owners grow their businesses. Over the past couple of years, his team has carved out a little niche helping solopreneurs and small sales teams set up extraordinary buying experiences and learn the art of science-backed sales approaches.They offers consulting and coaching to companies of all sizes – big and solo – and now provides online courses, workshops, and copywriting that helps convert website visitors into wedding inquiries.

Sam Jacobson gets results for solopreneurs, small-business owners and emerging nonprofits with Ideaction Consulting. He focuses on directly applying best-practice models to getting things done for his clients! Before striking out on his own,  Sam’s spent more than a decade obsessing about how to grow event companies. Sam led Todd Events as the Director of Operations for two years in the luxury markets of Dallas and Houston, Texas. Prior to that role, he directed lodging and event operations for Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island in Washington for nearly a decade.

Find Him Here: 

Website: https://www.ideactionconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideactionconsulting/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ideactionconsulting/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideaction-consulting-sales-and-marketing/about/

On this week's episode our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Inga Anderson, owner of Epic Event Gallery in Ohio, who shares her experience as a venue owner and how she got into the event industry. Inga talks about the challenges she faced in finding a landlord and hiring contractors for her venue, as well as her marketing and pricing strategies. She also shares tips on how to research and choose the right contractor for an event venue. The interview provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the event industry or venue ownership.

About The Venue: 

Epic Event Galley used to be a well known recording studio with a lot of history, before Inga renovated it to become a wedding gallery and event space. The venue is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati on a very popular street for visitors and events. 

Inga started her career as a traveling training manager opening stores and working in hospitality and that led her to Cincinnati where she settled down and got married and started her own entrepreneurial endeavors. She started a network and community of women called Girlfriendz Networking Group where she would host events for women, mothers and women looking to get connected. As part of her business, she needed to find venues to host events for her community and there came her idea to have her own venue! 

Epic Event Galley is a brand new event space opening this year! Inga has been working diligently to get things ready for their grand opening!

Venue Info: 

​​Epic Event Gallery 

811 Race Street, Suite #1 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Tel: 513-224-0662

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.epiceventgallery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epiceventgallery/

Girlfriendz Networking Group

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlfriendznetgroup/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlfriendznetworkinggroup/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Y_T5aZ7n38N7Lcjxx4HsQ

In this episode of the Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan speaks with Sarah Kincaid from Aisle Planner, a software company for the wedding and events industry. They discuss the need for resources and best practices for venue owners, and Sarah explains the features of Aisle Planner, including lead management, contracting and proposal capabilities, and project management. She emphasizes the importance of having a process management system in place for venues and highlights the various tools and features of Aisle Planner that make it a valuable tool for the industry. They also discuss the benefits of using Aisle Planner for new venue owners and those just starting out in the industry.

About Our Guest: 

Aisle Planner is a simple, powerful, and complete software solution for the modern event professional. Designed by event pros for event pros, Aisle Planner is an all-in-one platform where you can market your business, connect with and close new clients, collaborate with  partners, and design and deliver spectacular events down to the very last detail. 

Whether you're leading a global team to deliver a 1,000+ person gala, curating a catered event for 50, or scheduling an intimate family photo shoot, Aisle Planner's powerful platform helps you craft your customized marketing, sales, and project management journey to fit the unique needs of your venue business and exceed your clients' expectations.

Originally from Maryland, Sara Kincaid has been a resident of California for the last 16 years and a part of the events industry for the past 12. She joined the Aisle Planner team as the Sales & Business Development Director. When not helping her fellow Industry Professionals set their businesses up for success, she is an avid hiker and backpacker, and lover of travel. When home, her free time is best spent outdoors in sunny San Diego with her friends and her rescue dog Arlo.

Find Her Here: 

Website: https://aisleplanner.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aisleplanner/?hl=en 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AislePlanner 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aisle-planner-inc-/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AislePlanner/