Wedding Pros who are ready to grow - with Becca Pountney

In this special 100th episode, the tables are turning and I'm being interviewed by Hannah Rose about the highs and lows of the last decade.

I share my journey from television to wedding videography and then to marketing, highlighting the challenges and successes along the way. We discuss the inception of the podcast, memorable guests, and there's even some surprise messages too.

Thanks for being part of this journey - here's to the next 100 episodes!

Time Stamps:

Be Yourself (00:00:00) Becca emphasizes the importance of being authentic and confident in marketing.

The Journey (00:01:50) Becca shares her background and how she transitioned from television and radio to the wedding industry.

Networking and Marketing (00:05:59) Becca discusses her approach to networking and how she transitioned from videography to marketing in the wedding industry.

Starting the Podcast (00:08:33) Becca explains the reasons behind starting her podcast and the initial concerns she had.

Guest Insights (00:11:09) Becca reflects on the valuable advice and insights gained from her podcast guests.

Pinch Me Moments (00:12:21) Becca shares two memorable moments from her podcast journey, including meeting a well-known Instagram expert.

Staying Positive (00:14:01) Becca discusses her positive outlook, personality traits, and how she maintains positivity in her personal and professional life.

Personal and Professional Balance (00:16:59) Becca reflects on whether she is the same person at home and at work, emphasizing consistency in her personality.

Being True to Yourself (00:17:11) Becca discusses her consistent personality and how she encourages her children to pursue their dreams.

Motivation Beyond Money (00:18:16) Becca shares her spiritual beliefs and how they drive her to be generous and make a positive impact.

Finding Strength in Faith (00:20:26) Becca recounts a spiritual experience in Cyprus and the impact of faith during challenging times.

Dealing with Business Setbacks (00:21:37) Becca reflects on trusting others, facing business challenges, and learning from difficult experiences.

Navigating the Impact of COVID-19 (00:23:51) Becca shares the emotional toll of COVID-19 on the wedding industry and her efforts to support her community.

Maintaining Authenticity in Business (00:27:49) Becca discusses the challenges of staying true to herself in an industry driven by monetary success.

Balancing Chaos and Work (00:30:14) Becca reveals the chaotic nature of her daily life and the importance of time management.

Future Plans and Goals (00:32:06) Becca announces her plan to write a book and sets a hard deadline for its completion.

Top Tip for Business Success (00:33:41) Becca emphasizes the importance of authenticity in achieving success in business.

The importance of being yourself (00:33:52) Encouragement to embrace individuality and stop using it as an excuse for lack of success.

Visibility and self-promotion (00:34:53) Advice on the importance of showcasing one's achievements and skills in the wedding industry.

Comparing oneself to others (00:35:49) Discussion on the dangers of comparing oneself to others and the value of self-assessment and progress tracking.

Celebrating Becca's 100th episode (00:36:32) Messages from colleagues and friends congratulating Becca on her podcast's milestone and expressing gratitude for her mentorship.

Impact of Becca's work (00:39:24) Heartfelt messages from individuals expressing gratitude for Becca's guidance and influence on their careers.

Conclusion and gratitude (00:40:17) Becca's appreciation for the messages and her desire to continue helping others find success in the future.

Today I am chatting to Bridal Makeup artist and conflict resolution expert Jen Trotter. We talk though her story from solo makeup artist to building a team as Lip Service Makeup and she shares her expect tips on handling tricky wedding clients.

Jen advises on handling client frustrations, avoiding defensiveness, and using empathetic phrases. She also cautions against over-apologising and discounting services. It's a great episode with so many practical tips and pieces of advice.

Find out more about Jen Trotter

Time Stamps:

Building a Bridal Beauty Team (00:00:00) Starting a bridal beauty team and the importance of gradual growth and course correction.

Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:29) Becca Pountney introduces the podcast and its focus on actionable tips and strategies for wedding business owners.

Jen Trotter's Background (00:01:37) Jen Trotter's introduction and her experience as a bridal beauty expert in Dallas, Texas.

Skincare and Sun Allergy (00:01:58) Jen Trotter's skincare secret and her avoidance of the sun due to allergies.

Transition to Bridal Makeup (00:03:25) Jen Trotter's transition from modeling and TV presenting to becoming a professional makeup artist, particularly in the wedding industry.

Working with a Team (00:07:59) Jen Trotter's decision to build a team for her bridal beauty business and the process of transitioning from full-time work to focusing on her business.

Recruiting and Quality Control (00:11:58) Strategies for building and maintaining a reliable and high-quality team for a bridal beauty business.

Importance of Communication and Conflict Management (00:15:10) Jen Trotter's expertise in communication and conflict resolution, emphasizing the significance of managing communication and reducing conflict in a business.

Practical Ideas for Managing Conflict (00:20:12) Advice on identifying and addressing potential sources of conflict and chaos in a business, focusing on improving processes and customer experiences.

Fixing Issues in Contracts (00:20:58) Jen discusses the importance of addressing contract issues and the need for a toolbox to handle client issues effectively.

Dealing with Client Frustrations (00:22:07) Jen explains the importance of addressing client frustrations and providing reassurance and solutions.

Differentiating Real and Fake Problems (00:22:58) Jen discusses the need to differentiate between real and fake problems and how to handle them effectively.

Managing Emotions and Communication (00:25:55) Jen emphasizes the importance of managing emotions, using effective communication, and avoiding unnecessary apologies.

Utilizing Manipulation for Positive Outcomes (00:32:27) Jen shares phrases and strategies to manipulate conversations positively and influence client perceptions.

Avoiding Over-Apologizing and Using Effective Communication (00:36:09) Jen advises on avoiding over-apologizing and using alternative phrases to communicate effectively with clients.

Differentiating Us and Them Problems (00:40:45) Jen discusses the need to take responsibility for client relationships and differentiate between genuine client issues and toxic clients.

Jerk Clients and Communication Issues (00:42:39) Dealing with difficult clients and recognizing communication issues in business.

Learning from Business Mistakes (00:43:33) Reflecting on past business mistakes and learning from them.

Taking Control of Your Business (00:44:13) Importance of maintaining control over business decisions and contracts.

Building a Successful Brand (00:46:18) Protecting and growing a brand through strategic business decisions.

Achieving Excellence in Business (00:47:03) Recognizing the impact of business changes on achieving excellence.

Connecting with the Speaker (00:48:05) Information on how to connect with the speaker and share feedback.

Reflection on the Conversation (00:48:42) Reflecting on the conversation and the value of learning to deal with difficult situations.

Today I am sharing the insights that have come out of the latest UK Wedding Report from Bridebook and the Knots recent proposal report. I am looking at the date to answer the question what do wedding couples want in 2024?

Download the full UK Wedding Report

Download the Knot Proposal report

Want help getting in front of couples? Take my FREE visibility Bootcamp.

Time Stamps:

Introduction to industry reports (00:00:00) Explanation of the importance of industry reports and the intention to analyze two specific reports.

Caveats of reading industry reports (00:00:53) Guidance on how to interpret industry reports and the potential biases in the data.

Insights from UK Wedding Report 2024 (00:03:16) Highlights from the UK Wedding Report, including increased wedding spending, the influence of Gen Z, and the importance of Instagram for couples.

Importance of price transparency (00:06:04) Emphasis on the significance of price transparency for wedding business and the impact on couples' decision-making.

The role of personality in decision-making (00:08:58) Discussion on the importance of personality and comfort with suppliers, outweighing price considerations for couples.

Personalization trend (00:10:02) The increasing importance of personalization in weddings and the potential for wedding businesses to offer personalized services.

Shift in wedding day preferences (00:11:00) Insights into the declining popularity of Saturday weddings and the opportunities for wedding businesses in weekday weddings.

Challenges for couples and simplifying the process (00:12:51) Identification of pricing and overwhelm as significant challenges for couples and the need to simplify the booking process.

Sources for finding suppliers (00:15:32) Insights into the main sources used by couples to find wedding suppliers, including Google, social media, and word of mouth.

Empowering Couples (00:16:18) Tips for empowering couples to share and recommend wedding businesses through gifts, networking, and word-of-mouth.

Sustainability in Weddings (00:17:12) The increasing importance of sustainability in weddings, including eco-conscious choices and the need for businesses to promote sustainability efforts.

Destination Weddings (00:18:33) The rising popularity of destination weddings, particularly in Italy, and the opportunities it presents for businesses in this market.

Proposal Trends (00:20:21) The growing trend of pre-engagement wedding planning and the increasing demand for elaborate proposals, creating potential opportunities for wedding suppliers.

Pricing and Social Media Presence (00:22:15) The importance of transparent pricing, addressing overwhelm, and maintaining a strong online presence to attract potential clients.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the FREE 'Get Visible and Book More Weddings' audio bootcamp now

Feeling stuck? This free training is designed to help you revaluate your wedding business and move forwards towards more bookings.

Audio bootcamp

Today I'm chatting with Ben Chernivsky, a wedding photographer and founder of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth company. Ben shares his journey from disinterest in weddings to becoming a successful wedding photographer and entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of work-life balance, his midlife awakening, and the importance of living authentically. Ben reflects on his work addiction, and his decision to prioritize family.

Today we go deep into many subjects that some of you may find difficult, so please take care whilst listening.

Find out more about Gifyyy

Follow Ben on Instagram

Visit Head Heart Man on Instagram

Want to meet other likeminded wedding pro's so that you can share ideas, network and help each other out? Then why not go ahead and join my free Wedding Pro community over on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingprosreadytogrow/

Find out more about how I can help you grow your wedding business over on my website or Instagram page:

www.beccapountney.com

www.instagram.com/beccapountney

Time Stamps:

The intro (00:00:00) Becca Pountney sets the stage for a deep and important conversation, addressing potential triggers and encouraging open dialogue about mental health.

Introduction of Ben (00:01:10) Becca introduces Ben, a wedding photographer and the founder of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth, and expresses excitement about their conversation.

Ben's journey into wedding photography (00:02:39) Ben shares his unexpected entry into the wedding photography industry and his initial disinterest in weddings, leading to his eventual passion for the craft.

Growth of Ben's wedding photography business (00:06:56) Ben discusses the expansion of his wedding photography business, including the number of weddings and photo booth rentals, and the balance with family life.

Building a team (00:07:59) Ben emphasizes the importance of teamwork and the need for a team to achieve success in the wedding industry, acknowledging the support he received from mentors and coaches.

The decision to take on a team (00:09:15) Becca and Ben discuss the pivotal moment when Ben realized he needed to expand his team due to overwhelming demand and the emotional toll of turning down opportunities.

Taking responsibility for business decisions (00:12:49) Ben emphasizes the importance of taking full responsibility for the decisions made in one's business, particularly when hiring and managing a team.

Creation of Gifyyy (00:15:21) Ben shares the conscious decision to commit to the wedding industry for ten years and the development of Gifyyy, a portable photo booth, as a specialized addition to his photography business.

The journey of Gifyyy (00:19:22) Ben discusses the portability and success of his Gifyyy photo booth business, its global reach, and his approach to managing it as a side hustle.

Personal and professional transitions (00:20:36) Ben reflects on his life plan, goals, and the significant changes and self-discovery he experienced around the age of 35-40, including examining his family background and addiction to work.

Reevaluating success and life balance (00:27:10) Ben shares his definition of success, emphasizing the importance of balancing career, financial stability, and personal fulfillment, and overcoming past struggles with the concept of family first.

Importance of financial planning (00:31:58) Ben discusses the lack of focus on future financial planning in the wedding industry, the need for financial education, and the complexities of personal relationships with money and success.

Challenging industry norms (00:35:56) Ben addresses the industry's focus on superficial success, the importance of substance and integrity in business, and the necessity of engaging in conversations about business and financial planning.

Normalizing future planning (00:39:03) Becca Pountney emphasizes the need to normalize conversations about future plans in the wedding industry, including long-term career goals and life transitions, to encourage new perspectives and ideas.

Mistakes and Growth (00:40:16) Discussion on the importance of making mistakes and the impact on personal growth and development.

Unexpected Paths (00:41:09) Exploration of how unexpected opportunities and decisions can lead to unforeseen success and personal evolution.

Evolution and Destiny (00:42:17) Reflection on personal and professional evolution, and the realization that destiny may unfold in unforeseen ways.

Connecting and Reaching Out (00:43:01) Information on how to connect with Ben and his various businesses, including Gifyyy and his personal projects.

Closing Remarks (00:44:37) Closing thoughts and encouragement for listeners to engage in deeper conversations and seek support when needed.

Today I'm chatting with Jessica Bishop, the founder of The Budget Savvy Bride, about the importance of price transparency in the wedding industry and why budget-savvy doesn't mean cheap. We dispel the myths associated with budget weddings and chat about the benefits of vendors being transparent with their pricing to avoid misunderstandings with potential clients. We talk about the value of sharing expertise, networking, and considering free marketing opportunities to reach the right audience.

Find out more about the Budget Savvy Bride

Listen to the Bouquet Toss Podcast

Want to meet other likeminded wedding pro's so that you can share ideas, network and help each other out? Then why not go ahead and join my free Wedding Pro community over on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingprosreadytogrow/

Find out more about how I can help you grow your wedding business over on my website or Instagram page:

www.beccapountney.com

www.instagram.com/beccapountney

Transparency and Pricing (00:00:00) Importance of transparency in pricing and dispelling misconceptions about budget weddings.

Introduction to Jessica Bishop (00:00:57) Becca introduces Jessica Bishop, founder of The Budget Savvy Bride, and her website's purpose.

Jessica's Wedding Planning Experience (00:02:06) Jessica shares her personal experience planning a budget-friendly wedding during the recession and creating The Budget Savvy Bride website.

Evolution of The Budget Savvy Bride (00:03:34) The evolution of The Budget Savvy Bride website and its resources for couples, including real wedding galleries and free printables.

Vendor Directory and Services (00:06:38) Introduction of the vendor directory, the Savvy Wedding Guide, and the aim to connect couples with vendors.

Dispelling Myths About Budget Weddings (00:07:18) Clarifying that being budget-savvy does not mean being cheap and the importance of making informed financial decisions.

Serving Budget-Conscious Couples (00:10:32) Discussing ways for vendors to serve budget-conscious couples without undervaluing their services.

Importance of Price Transparency (00:15:13) Emphasizing the importance of price transparency for vendors and the benefits it offers to both vendors and couples.

Displaying Prices for Couples (00:18:21) Suggestions for vendors to display starting prices or average investment to pre-qualify couples.

Transparency in Pricing (00:18:55) Importance of public pricing to avoid awkward situations and ghosting, and the potential embarrassment for couples.

Real Wedding Cost Breakdown (00:20:13) Detailed breakdown of wedding costs, the granular approach, and the value of transparency for vendors and couples.

Revolutionizing Styled Shoots (00:22:02) Advocating for price breakdowns in styled shoots to provide realistic cost expectations for couples.

Budget Savvy Marketing for Wedding Pros (00:26:24) Tips for budget-savvy marketing, including working with niche publications, free promotion strategies, and leveraging affiliate relationships.

Expanding Vendor Directory (00:30:30) Discussion on featuring weddings from around the world and the potential expansion of the vendor directory to other territories.

Comparison of Wedding Costs (00:31:49) Conversation about potential differences in wedding costs between the US and the UK, and the attractiveness of the UK market for destination weddings.

Value of Building a Good Team (00:33:58) The importance of delegating and building a good team in business to avoid burnout.

Connecting with The Budget Savvy Bride (00:34:36) Information about the primary website, social media platforms, and the podcast of The Budget Savvy Bride.

Today isn't about the shiny side of your wedding business, today I'm drawing back the curtain on some of the darker sides of the wedding industry.

I share my own learnings on all sorts of topics from rejection, negative reviews, betrayal, copycats and more. This is the stuff that doesn't get talked about enough but yet it's likely at some point you will experience some of it.

If something from this episode resonates with you? Reach out and let me know, you don't need to do business alone!

Want an amazing, inclusive wedding business community to be part of? Take a look at the Wedding pro members lounge - a place where you can be yourself.

Find out more about the members lounge.

Want to meet other likeminded wedding pro's so that you can share ideas, network and help each other out? Then why not go ahead and join my free Wedding Pro community over on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingprosreadytogrow/

Find out more about how I can help you grow your wedding business over on my website or Instagram page:

www.beccapountney.com

www.instagram.com/beccapountney

Crickets: Facing Slow Inquiries (00:01:03) Strategies for handling slow business inquiries and staying proactive.

Disappointment: Dealing with Rejection (00:02:55) Coping with disappointment when opportunities or clients do not go as expected.

Complaints: Managing Negative Feedback (00:09:05) Strategies for handling complaints from clients and dealing with negative reviews.

Copycats: Dealing with Imitation (00:14:23) Understanding and coping with situations where competitors imitate or copy ideas.

Dealing with Negative Experiences (00:18:42) Speaker shares personal experiences of feeling let down and discusses the importance of protecting oneself from negative situations.

Protecting Yourself in Business (00:19:31) Strategies for protecting oneself in business, including setting boundaries, trusting gut feelings, and building confidence.

Personal Situations Taking Over (00:24:06) Managing unexpected personal situations that impact business, including health issues, loss, and relationship problems.

Making Poor Financial Decisions (00:29:46) Discussing the reality of making poor financial decisions in business and offering advice on learning from mistakes and budgeting.

Exhaustion and Burnout (00:32:35) Addressing the issue of exhaustion and burnout in business, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and taking time off.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wedding Pro members lounge

Find out more about the wedding pro members lounge:

Today I'm chatting with Wedding Planning Coach Megan Gilliken about how to set healthy wedding client boundaries. A self proclaimed 'people pleaser' Megan has had her fair share of unhealthy working relationships, and now wants to share her story of how she made changes in her own wedding planning business. We explore strategies for boundary-setting in your wedding business and stress the importance of maintaining professionalism, even when dealing with difficult clients or negative reviews.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Boundary Setting Toolkit

Episode 62: How to Respond to Negative Online Reviews

Episode 226: Is it you or is it them? How to know when to fire “THAT” client

Find out more about Megan here

Follow Megan on Instagram

Time stamps:

Boundaries and Client Experience (00:00:00) Importance of setting boundaries to serve clients well and maintain longevity in the industry.

Introduction to Megan Gillikin (00:00:34) Background of Megan Gillikin, former wedding planner, and founder of The Planners Vault.

Megan's Journey into Wedding Planning (00:03:57) Unexpectedly purchasing a wedding planning business and the challenges faced in rebuilding the brand.

Overcoming Boundary Challenges (00:07:47) Mistakes made due to being a people pleaser and the impact on client relationships and work-life balance.

Strategies for Implementing Boundaries: Website (00:10:54) Using website messaging and an FAQ section to attract ideal clients and repel non-ideal clients.

Strategies for Implementing Boundaries: Contract (00:13:18) Incorporating professional vendor, communication, client abuse, and availability clauses into the contract.

Strategies for Implementing Boundaries: Onboarding (00:16:07) Utilizing welcome guides and videos to set expectations and communicate boundaries with new clients.

Strategies for Implementing Boundaries: Self and Mindset (00:18:35) Reflecting on personal boundaries, identifying challenges, and implementing a quarterly reboot to maintain boundaries.

Setting Boundaries with Clients (00:21:07) Strategies for setting boundaries with clients, including communication methods and managing client expectations.

Emotional Investment in Clients (00:22:22) Managing emotional investment in clients, maintaining professionalism, and setting boundaries to avoid becoming overly involved.

Firing a Client (00:26:51) Strategies for handling difficult clients, including the decision to fire a client, contractual considerations, and managing negative reviews.

Responding to Negative Reviews (00:32:01) Dealing with negative reviews, professional responses, and understanding the impact of negative feedback on the business.

Learning to Focus on Personal Growth (00:37:36) Advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and focusing on personal growth in the wedding business industry.

Resources for Setting Boundaries (00:38:45) Information about a boundary setting toolkit and other resources for wedding planners to effectively set and maintain boundaries.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wedding Pro agency

Need some help in your wedding business? Our new service allows my team to manage your social accounts, create you a new website or complete one off admin tasks for you. Get in touch to find out more at:

Today I'm chatting with Catherine Ramm, owner of Dorset Dried Flowers, as she discusses her personal experiences as a second-time bride. We delve into the importance of inclusivity and empathy within the industry, particularly for second-time brides and older couples.

Catherine shares anecdotes from her own wedding, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges she faced, and we discuss how these experiences can inform and help wedding pros offer a better solution.

Find out more about Catherine here:

https://www.dorsetdriedflowers.co.uk/

Follow Catherine on Instagram

Time stamps:

The celebration of second marriages (00:00:00)

Embracing second marriages, considering ideal clients, and celebrating love at any age.

Introduction to the podcast (00:00:32)

Becca Pountney introduces the "Wedding Pros Who Are Ready to Grow" podcast and its purpose.

Catherine's journey into the wedding industry (00:01:50)

Catherine Ramm shares her accidental entry into the wedding industry and the start of her dried flower business.

Finding the first wedding client (00:03:16)

Catherine's first wedding client found her on Etsy, leading to her first wedding styling experience.

Challenges and joys of serving clients nationwide (00:05:20)

Catherine discusses the mix of local and nationwide wedding styling, highlighting the challenges and joys.

Catherine's love story and recent marriage (00:06:45)

Catherine shares the heartwarming story of meeting her now-husband and their unique proposal and wedding experience.

Navigating the wedding industry as a second-time bride (00:09:58)

Catherine discusses the challenges and experiences of being a second-time bride in the wedding industry.

The wedding dress experience (00:12:08)

Catherine shares her positive experiences and the importance of being open-minded when choosing a wedding dress.

Negative experiences in wedding planning (00:15:05)

Catherine recounts a negative experience during the wedding registry appointment and the impact it had on her and her partner.

Learnings for wedding professionals (00:19:19)

Becca reflects on the shared experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating diverse couples in the wedding industry.

Understanding the Overwhelm (00:20:00)

The importance of understanding and empathizing with overwhelmed wedding couples.

Learning from the Client Experience (00:21:16)

Insights gained from being a bride and how it can improve one's own wedding business.

Sticking to Your Vision (00:23:14)

Encouraging brides to be assertive in making their wedding their own, learning from past regrets.

Communication and Expectations (00:25:09)

The need for clear communication and asking the right questions to understand the couple's vision.

Representation and Niche Market (00:26:09)

The importance of representing diverse demographics in the wedding industry and identifying niche markets.

Support for Second-Time Brides (00:29:24)

The value of providing support and resources for individuals getting married for the second time.

Today I'm chatting with one of my wedding pro members - Sam Gavins. Sam has been a wedding photographer for the last ten years, and today we dive deep into her story. We discuss Sam's journey from nursing to photography, her initial struggles with the business aspect of the industry, and how the Wedding Pro Members Club helped her overcome these challenges. Sam also shares her experiences in getting on recommended supplier lists and building relationships with wedding event coordinators. Listen to hear more about Sam and the lessons learnt from 10 years as a wedding photographer.

Find out more about Sam

Find Sam on Instagram

Join the Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Time stamps:

The start of the business side (00:00:21) Discussion about the challenges and hurdles of the business side of being a wedding photographer.

Getting into photography and early experiences (00:01:48) Sam's love for photography from a young age, her experience with photography in school, and receiving her first proper camera.

Transition from nurse to photographer (00:03:44) Sam's decision to pursue photography as a business after having children and encouragement from others, overcoming imposter syndrome.

The struggle of affording equipment (00:09:41) Sam discusses the challenge of not having enough money to buy her own camera equipment and having to borrow lenses from a friend's film business.

The importance of investing in education and community (00:10:56) Becca and Sam discuss the significance of continuously learning and stretching oneself in the wedding photography industry.

Building relationships with venues to get on recommended supply lists (00:13:38) Sam shares her strategy of offering help and building relationships with venues to get on their recommended supply lists.

The Future of Sam's Business (00:19:43) Sam discusses her plans and aspirations for the future of her photography business, including a desire to go to Las Vegas and continue doing what she loves.

The Challenges of Next Year (00:20:39) Becca encourages listeners not to lose hope for the upcoming year, despite the challenges many are facing. She advises against dropping prices and emphasizes the potential for big budget weddings in the future.

The Importance of Support and Asking for Help (00:21:26) Sam highlights the value of joining a business group for support and knowledge, as well as the importance of asking for help and not being afraid of rejection. Becca reinforces the idea of asking for opportunities and collaborating with others in the industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wedding Pro members lounge

Find out more about the wedding pro members lounge:

Today I'm chatting with Jenae Cartwright of Cake and Crumble about navigating your wedding business niche.

When Jenae's daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease she started on a mission to find delicious treats that were safe for her to eat. In 2016 she launched a gluten free only bakery 'Cake and Crumble'.

In this episode we talk about how to own your niche and hear how Jenae has done exactly that.

The Cost of Being an Entrepreneur (00:00:00) Discussion on the hidden costs of being an entrepreneur, including the impact on personal life and mental health.

Introduction and Background (00:01:03) Becca introduces Jenae as the founder of Cake and Crumble, a gluten-free bakery, and shares their meeting in Las Vegas.

Meeting in Las Vegas (00:02:08) Jenae and Becca discuss their unexpected meeting in Las Vegas and the excitement of recognizing each other..

The first coffee shop experience (00:11:39) Jenae talks about her first interaction with a coffee shop owner, convincing her to try her gluten-free baked goods.

Approaching cafes and growing wholesale business (00:12:30) Jenae shares her advice on how to approach cafes and grow the wholesale side of the business.

Becoming the go-to person for gluten-free baking (00:14:37) Becca and Jenae discuss the importance of finding a niche and becoming known as the expert, using Jenae's gluten-free baking as an example.

The importance of personal development (00:22:44) Jenae discusses how personal development has been crucial for her business growth and overcoming imposter syndrome.

Dealing with competitors and building a sense of community (00:24:05) Jenae shares her perspective on competition, celebrating other bakers' success, and the importance of community over competition.

Future plans and focusing on wedding cakes (00:29:06) Jenae talks about her plans for the future, including focusing on luxury wedding cakes, traveling with wedding cakes, and potentially teaching.

Next Steps (00:30:45) - Moving into the education realm Jenae discusses her desire to move into the education realm, specifically focusing on creating a series on how to approach people and sit at a restaurant when living with gluten intolerance.

(00:32:12) - Super cook idea Becca and Jenae brainstorm the idea of Jenae becoming a "super cook" who advises and helps people in the gluten-free world.

(00:35:35) - Balancing cost and self-worth as a business owner Jenae talks about the importance of balancing the cost of running a business with caring for one's self-worth as a business owner and artist.