Andy is so excited to welcome the mother-daughter dynamic duo that is Paulette and Jodi Wolf. Together, they run Paulette Wolf Events (PWE), with Paulette being the Chief Creative Officer and Founder and Jodi being the CEO. Based in Chicago, this acclaimed luxury wedding and event planning company has worked with prestigious events like the Super Bowl and Olympics, as well as working with iconic people such as Oprah and President Obama. Paulette and Jodi also authored the book Event Planning Made Easy! Listen as Paulette shares her unexpected journey into event planning, navigating a male-dominated business landscape. Her serendipitous entry started with organizing club parties, which propelled her into the vast world of event management, highlighting her drive, adaptability, and classic creative flair. Her daughter, Jodi, the brilliant CEO, describes growing up in this vibrant environment, influencing her eventual career path despite early aspirations of becoming a child psychiatrist.
Listeners will be treated to intriguing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and hear how this mother and daughter duo blends its unique skills to create unforgettable, personalized events. They dive into their creative process, highlighting personalized inspiration, be it from a client's favorite color or a significant photo, to imprint the couple's personality onto their special day. The episode explores how their approach has evolved, accommodating more direct involvement from the modern bride and groom.
In a particularly exciting segment, Andy captures the essence of what distinguishes Paulette Wolf Events: innovative approaches and personalized experiences that defy traditional wedding norms, such as transforming weddings into captivating cocktail-like vibes filled with dynamic installations and premium dining options, upending the conventional seated dinner format!
For those in event planning or simply seeking inspiration on crafting memorable experiences, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom, creativity, and real-world challenges faced by Paulette and Jodi as they continue to redefine luxury event planning. Andy had such a great time chatting with Paulette and Jodi and hopes that you enjoy listening to his conversation with them! If so, then he would love it if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it. He would also appreciate it if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure also to leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
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Time Stamps
[0:20] – Today's interview is with Paulette and Jodi Wolf of PWE.
[1:53] - Paulette's event planning career began serendipitously through country club parties and persistence.
[3:34] - Jodi transitioned from aspiring child psychiatrist to event planner, gaining diverse, hands-on experience.
[6:27] - Jodi emphasizes personalizing events by incorporating clients' unique preferences and involvement in planning.
[8:20] - Event planning involves tailoring creative designs to client priorities, venue constraints, and event scale.
[10:34] - Hear about how a nontraditional wedding featured cocktail hour-style flow, unique seating, and dramatic, guest-friendly designs.
[13:35] - Traditional weddings can feel stagnant, but creative planners can propose engaging, dynamic alternatives.
[15:39] - Jodi reveals how opening all food stations early ensures guests feel welcomed, satisfied, and free to enjoy festivities.
[17:59] - Staying calm and solution-oriented is essential for managing unexpected challenges.
[19:46] - Jodi narrates how a 600-guest Lyric Opera House wedding featured cultural fusion, surprises, and a performance by Sting!
[22:44] - Hear how the event began with an acoustic band, creating a sophisticated atmosphere before introducing dance music.
[25:18] - Starting with acoustic music and transitioning to dance creates a memorable emotional and musical journey.
[26:02] - Jodi manages the business operations while Paulette focuses on the creative side of their partnership.
[27:33] - Paulette states the partnership she has with Jodi succeeds because they divide responsibilities and avoid conflicts in their work.
[28:39] - Jodi explains that their pricing structure ensures transparency, fairness, and flexibility, accommodating various client budgets and preferences.
[30:33] - Event Planning Made Easy highlights key elements and complexities of successful event planning.
[33:52] - Paulette points out how their extensive experience as planners is invaluable and cannot be easily replicated or taught.
[34:54] - Andy reveals where Paulette and Jodi can be found online.
RESOURCES
Paulette Wolf, Jodi Wolf, & Donielle Levine - Event Planning Made Easy
Find Paulette and Jodi:
PWE - Website
PWE - Instagram Page
PWE - Facebook Page
PWE - Vimeo Page
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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.
