Wedding Pros who are ready to grow - with Becca Pountney

Today I'm chatting with Bridal Hair and Makeup artist Holly Carter of Carter Hair and Makeup. Today we talk about her business journey, how she instils confidence into her clients and the importance of outsourcing in your wedding business.

Find Holly on Instagram

Time stamps:

The journey into special effects makeup (00:01:57) Holly shares how she became interested in special effects makeup and her fascination with creating cuts and bruises.

Training in special effects makeup (00:03:24) Holly talks about her training in special effects makeup and her experience with learning the artistic side of creating cuts and bruises.

Transition to bridal hair and makeup (00:06:24) Holly discusses how she went from special effects makeup to working in weddings, including her early experiences and lack of knowledge in the bridal industry.

The journey to becoming a bridal hair and makeup artist (00:08:53) The speakers discuss how many people end up in the wedding industry by accident and share their own experiences of starting out in the industry without knowing what to charge or what they were doing.

Building confidence in hair and makeup skills (00:09:23) The speaker talks about how she decided to train in hair and gained confidence in doing bridal and special occasion hair up work. She also mentions assisting on fashion shoots and how that helped her build confidence in both hair and makeup.

Taking the leap to quit a part-time job (00:12:01) The speaker discusses the decision to quit her part-time job and focus on doing weddings full-time. She talks about the support from her husband and the motivation to prove herself. She also mentions having enough bookings to make the same amount of money as her part-time job.

The confidence boost (00:16:46) Becca discusses how she helps her brides feel confident and forget their worries on their wedding day.

Dealing with highs and lows in business (00:17:50) Holly and Becca talk about the emotional roller coaster of being a business owner and what keeps them motivated during the ups and downs.

The importance of investing in education and community (00:21:51) Holly and Becca discuss the value of learning from others and being part of a supportive community in the wedding industry.

The importance of self-comparison (00:24:55) The speakers discuss the value of comparing oneself to their past self rather than comparing to others in business.

Outsourcing and the benefits of delegation (00:26:10) They talk about the advantages of outsourcing tasks in business and the fear that comes with letting go of control.

Continuous learning and growth in the wedding industry (00:29:25) The importance of continuous learning and improvement in the wedding industry is emphasized, regardless of experience level.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wedding Pro members lounge

Find out more about the wedding pro members lounge:

In today's episode I am chatting with branding and web designer Katie Lake of Studio Lago design.

We talk about how to know when your wedding business needs a rebrand and the importance of having a website that reflects your work and speaks directly to your ideal customer.

Ask yourself during this episode - is it time for a wedding business rebrand?

Follow Studio Lago on Instagram.

The importance of reassessing your business (00:00:00) Katie discusses the need to reassess your business and realign your values and brand if necessary.

Introduction to Katie Lake and her business transition (00:01:03) Becca introduces Katie Lake, owner of Studio Largo Design, and discusses her transition from the wedding industry to offering branding and web design services.

Common mistakes in wedding business websites (00:06:26) Katie discusses common mistakes in wedding business websites, including lack of customization for ideal clients and lack of strategic planning for customer journeys.

Updating Your Website Strategy (00:09:47) Importance of having a website as the center of your business and strategies for updating it frequently.

Gaining an Outside Perspective (00:12:39) The importance of stepping out of your own perspective and seeking feedback from ideal clients and market research calls.

Knowing When to Rebrand (00:16:37) Considering the alignment of business goals, values, and vision before deciding if a rebrand is necessary, and focusing on the ideal client's perspective.

The visual rebrand process (00:19:30) Tips on aligning visual branding with ideal clients and creating mood boards.

Improving your website (00:21:14) Suggestions for updating and enhancing a website, including reflecting the brand visually and optimizing the home page.

Finding the right website designer (00:26:39) Considerations for selecting a website designer, including personal connection, experience, strategy, and budget.

The importance of running your business as a business (00:29:50) Katie emphasizes the need to see your business from an outsider perspective and run it with a clear business strategy.

Transitioning from winging it to running a proper business (00:31:12) Katie discusses the process of reframing everything and gaining clarity in order to run a business with confidence, rather than waiting for business to come.

Taking action to improve your website and brand (00:32:32) Becca encourages listeners to set goals, revisit their values, and evaluate if their website and brand are still aligned, and take action if necessary.

This year I flew out to Vegas for Wedding MBA 2023 and it was a blast! I caught up with my American educator friends, investigated new technology for all of you and met many new friends along the way. With 5800 delegates and SO much great education to choose from, Wedding MBA is one of the biggest wedding industry conferences in the world.

During this years event I caught up with the speakers, exhibitors and attendees to find out what they had been learning so I could share it with all of you!

Next years Wedding MBA is taking place from November 12th -14th 2024 - so who's coming with me to Vegas?

A huge thank you to all my contributors for this episode:

Infinity Events

Alan Berg

Andrea Shah

Boho Chic Dreams

I do decorating

The Wellbeing Farm

Gifyyy

Jazmyn and Co

Cake and Crumble

Jenny Mcalpine

Goldsboro events center

Oduberg Law

Morningside Inn

The Wedding Summit Series

Marry Me Tampa Bay

OFD Consulting

Renee Dalo

Sara does SEO

Terrica

The Flower Cart Carrollton

The Budget Savvy Bride

The Venue RX

Lion Hills Vineyard

Wedding MBA

Time Stamps:

The importance of attending networking events (00:02:52) Becca highlights the importance of attending networking events and conferences to make connections and gain inspiration.

Exploring software options in the wedding industry (00:04:37) Becca discusses the expo at the conference and the importance of staying up-to-date with software trends and finding tools to make business operations easier.

The impact of visibility and unexpected recognition (00:07:19) Becca shares a personal experience of being recognized at the conference, emphasizing the importance of visibility and reminding listeners that people are seeing and being inspired by their work.

The importance of online presence (00:08:15) Clients judge your business based on your online presence, even if they don't engage with your posts.

Continuing education and personal development (00:09:09) Investing in education and learning from conferences and podcasts is crucial for business growth.

Implementing what you learn (00:10:04) Taking action and implementing the knowledge gained from conferences and trainings is essential for creating real change in your business.

Hear from the Wedding MBA attendees (00:13:00) Becca finds out what this years attendees and speakers learnt at Wedding MBA.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get more Leads Bootcamp

Join in with my FREE 'Get more Leads' Wedding Bootcamp.

Do you ever look at the wedding pros who are at the top of their game and wonder how they got there? Wedding photographer Stuart Wood is well known for his fine art, high end fashion style wedding photography. Working at venues such as the Four Seasons and The Savoy and travelling the world shooting weddings - his career is thriving. In today's episode I ask the questions about HOW he got to this point, to debunk the 'overnight success' theory and to show you what's possible.

Find out more about Stuart

Follow Stuart 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:

Transitioning from Supermarket Manager to Photographer (00:02:07) Stuart discusses his journey from being a potential supermarket manager to pursuing his passion for photography.

Support and Taking the Leap (00:04:26) Stuart talks about the support he had from his family and the importance of embracing opportunities and taking risks.

Photographing Celebrities (00:07:26) Stuart shares his experience of reaching out to 250 celebrities and successfully photographing 25 of them, which changed his life and gave him valuable experience.

The transition to photography (00:09:42) Stuart discusses how he started in photography, his initial lack of creativity in weddings, and his journey to getting opportunities in the industry.

The big break with the BBC (00:10:41) Stuart shares his experience working on the set of Pride and Prejudice and how he got the main shot for the poster, leading to a significant breakthrough in his career.

Getting the Radio Times cover (00:11:38) Stuart talks about his goal of getting the Radio Times cover and finally achieving it in 2007 with a portrait of James Nesbitt in Jekyll's, highlighting the importance of persistence and hard work.

The transition to high-end weddings (00:19:57) Stuart discusses his decision to transition from regular wedding fairs to high-end venues like the Atelier, the Savoy, and the Four Seasons.

Opportunity at the Four Seasons (00:20:48) Stuart shares how he got the opportunity to photograph his team captain's wedding at the Four Seasons and how it led to becoming one of their recommended photographers.

Importance of relationships and representation (00:24:06) Stuart emphasizes the importance of building relationships, representing clients properly, and being professional in order to gain trust and recommendations from venues and clients.

The importance of branding and delivering quality (00:29:57) Stuart discusses the importance of having strong branding and delivering high-quality work to stand out in the luxury photography industry.

Challenging yourself and pushing boundaries (00:32:50) Stuart emphasizes the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks, and pushing yourself to deliver the best results for high-end clients.

Finding high-end clients through recommendations (00:36:46) Stuart explains that most of his high-end clients come through recommendations from wedding planners, venues, or previous clients, rather than through online searches.

The timestamp's title (time it starts) Stuart's Motivation (00:39:02) Stuart talks about how he realized that time was passing quickly and he is more motivated than ever to pursue his photography career.

Celebrating Success (00:39:56) Becca encourages Stuart to keep going and suggests celebrating his success by hosting a party at the Savoy or the Four Seasons.

Finding Stuart Wood (00:40:55) Becca discusses how to find Stuart Wood online by adding the word "photography" to the search and shares that she will include all of Stuart's links in the show notes.

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:

It's that funny time of year, enquiries are down, wedding season has slowed and the whole world is thinking about Christmas.

With 2 whole months until the end of the year, now is the time to get on top of the admin, build new business connections and get all the jobs done that you never have time for.

In this episode I am sharing 8 things you can do this winter to make a positive impact on your wedding business.

Join the Wedding Pro 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

Time stamps:

Take a Break (00:00:56) Importance of taking a break during the quieter season to enjoy family time and recharge.

Don't Panic (00:01:44) Advice to not panic when inquiries are quiet and to ground oneself with logic and look at the facts.

Brush Up on Learning (00:03:18) Using the quieter season to learn new skills, brush up on knowledge, and invest in personal development.

Work on connections (00:09:39) Meeting up with other wedding professionals This topic discusses the importance of organizing meetups with other wedding professionals, whether it's for networking events or simply grabbing a cup of coffee.

Collaborate with venues (00:10:26) Connecting with wedding venues This topic suggests reaching out to wedding venues during the quieter season to build relationships and explore potential collaborations, such as taking photos, recording Instagram reels, or providing services for their events.

Automate processes (00:13:24) Automating business processes This topic highlights the benefits of automating business processes, such as email sequences and lead generation, during the quieter season to save time and improve efficiency in the future. It also mentions the possibility of outsourcing certain tasks and organizing files and finances.

Do you struggle with being visible in your business? Whenever I speak on visibility - people always say they don't feel confident to put themselves forward and I want to help you change that feeling. Today I'm chatting to makeup artist and confidence coach Camilla J Collins about overcoming self sabotage in your wedding business.

We discuss everything from putting your face on social media to stopping comparisonitus.

Want to find out more about Camilla?

Watch her overcoming self sabotage masterclass

Read the book

Ready to be more visible in your wedding business? Take my free audio bootcamp and start taking action today!

Take the bootcamp

Time Stamps:

Gaining Experience and Building Confidence [00:00:00] The importance of gaining experience, building confidence, and finding what you enjoy in the wedding industry.

Camilla's Background in TV and Film [00:01:52] Camilla and Becca discuss their similar backgrounds in the television and film industry and how it led them to the wedding industry.

Transitioning from Assisting to Starting a Business [00:07:07] Camilla shares her journey from assisting other makeup artists to starting her own bridal business and getting clients.

Building Confidence and Gaining Experience [00:08:33] Importance of gaining experience, finding passion, and building confidence in the wedding industry.

The Importance of Doing the Work and Building Experience [00:09:18] The value of starting at the bottom, gaining experience, and learning from the ground up in the wedding industry.

The Highs and Lows of Being in the Wedding Industry [00:11:02] Discussion about the highs and lows, struggles, and learnings from working in the wedding industry.

The power within ourselves [00:17:14] Camilla discusses her motivation for writing a book about the beauty industry and the importance of building confidence from within.

Reasons behind self-criticism [00:18:37] Camilla explores the reasons why people often feel critical about their appearance, including lack of self-acceptance and societal pressures.

Comparison and the impact of social media [00:20:28] The conversation delves into the issue of comparison, particularly on social media, and how it affects self-confidence and self-image.

Building Confidence and Focusing on Yourself [00:26:25] The importance of focusing on your own strengths and not comparing yourself to others in the industry.

Importance of Showing Your Face [00:29:21] Why it is crucial to showcase your face and connect with people in the wedding industry.

Overcoming Self-Sabotage [00:32:43] Tips and resources for dealing with self-sabotaging behaviours and limiting beliefs that hold you back.

The importance of not listening to negativity [00:35:00] Discusses how negative comments can affect us and the importance of focusing on positive feedback instead.

The need for in-person networking [00:37:15] Talks about the importance of getting out of our comfort zones and connecting with people in person for business growth.

The importance of agility and not getting too attached [00:39:55] Discusses the need to embrace change and not become too attached to the way things are in order to progress smoothly.

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

Last week we ran our annual wedding business retreat. It was an amazing week, and importantly there were lots of learnings that I wanted to share with you. This weeks episode covers a wide variety of topics from customer service to listening to your business instincts.

Join me as I share with you all of the lessons learnt from this years wedding business retreat.

Want to be part of an amazing wedding business community to support your business as it grows? Take a look at my Wedding Pro 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

Time Stamps:

The impact of good customer service [00:04:00] Becca highlights the exceptional customer service experience at Beamish Hall and emphasizes its importance in creating a positive guest experience.

Recognizing the stage of your business and relevant training [00:07:11] Understanding that different stages of business require different levels of help and training, and the importance of focusing on what is relevant to your current stage.

The importance of convenience [00:11:02] People are willing to pay more for convenience, as shown by Becca's experience of ordering Starbucks coffee to the hotel.

Educating your audience [00:13:52] Offering simple tips and education in your content helps you stand out as an expert in your field.

Trusting your instincts [00:15:40] Don't doubt yourself or seek approval from others. Trust your gut instincts when making decisions for your business.

The importance of a supportive community [00:18:44] Becca emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and encouraging individuals in the wedding industry.

Benefits of finding your people [00:19:53] Becca encourages listeners to seek out like-minded individuals in the wedding industry to inspire and celebrate each other's successes.

Final thoughts and invitation to join a community [00:21:00] Becca concludes by urging listeners to find their people, be authentic, and not take business too seriously.

Today I'm chatting with Maegan Culkin about all things Tik Tok! Why should you be paying attention to it and should your wedding be on TikTok in the first place?

We talk about what couples are looking for and how you can master the platform without ever having to dance.

Here's a link to all the resources mentioned in the episode

Get more training from Meagan

Find out more about the Wedding Pro Members Lounge.

Time stamps:

The Power of TikTok [00:00:00] Meagan discusses the benefits of using TikTok for wedding businesses, including building relationships with couples and showcasing personality.

Introduction to Meagan Culkin [00:00:56] Becca introduces Meagan Culkin, owner of Magnolia Collective, a wedding planning and design company, and discusses her experience in the wedding industry.

Meagan's Journey in the Wedding Industry [00:02:14] Meagan shares her background in the wedding industry, coming from a family with a history of wedding-related businesses, and her transition from other hospitality roles to starting her own business.

The Rise of TikTok for Wedding Planning [00:10:10] Discusses how brides turned to TikTok during the pandemic for advice and support from other couples.

Using TikTok to Educate and Connect [00:11:14] Explains how Meagan inserted herself into TikTok conversations to educate brides about wedding planning during COVID-19 and showcase examples of safe gatherings.

The Personalization and Benefits of TikTok for Wedding Businesses [00:18:56] Addresses the misconception that TikTok is only for dancing and highlights how wedding vendors can use the platform to capture and share behind-the-scenes content, educate couples, and build relationships.

The importance of detail images in wedding planning [00:21:16] Meagan discusses the significance of including detail images, such as shoes, in wedding design suites and the missed opportunity for exposure for photographers.

Tips for creating TikTok videos [00:22:32] Becca asks Meagan about the process of creating TikTok videos, including how polished they need to be and the apps she uses for editing.

Using TikTok and Instagram for marketing and conversion [00:29:30] Meagan shares her experience of booking clients through TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the return on investment and the potential for increased revenue through targeted ads.

The personality shines on TikTok [00:33:06] Discussion on how TikTok allows Meagan's personality to shine through and the potential of the app for wedding businesses.

Not everyone is your competition [00:33:30] Realizing that other wedding businesses are not competition and that there is enough work to go around.

Community over competition [00:34:50] Emphasizing the importance of supporting and collaborating with the wedding business community rather than viewing them as competition.

Mentioned in this episode:

Wedding Pro members lounge

Find out more about the wedding pro members lounge:

Today I chat to Enji founder Tayler Cusick Hollman about how to implement authentic marketing in your wedding business. We talk all things marketing and discuss how the big brands like Barbie and Prime Energy Drinks are using marketing in their business.

What is authentic marketing? How can you improve your marketing and how can you make marketing your wedding business less overwhelming?

Try out Enji with my special affiliate link

Find Enji on Instagram

The Power of Experience [00:00:00] Tayler discusses how Barbie's marketing strategy was experiential and created a sense of participation.

Introduction to Authentic Marketing [00:01:04] Becca introduces the concept of authentic marketing and its importance in building a successful business.

Being Authentic in Marketing [00:04:14] Tayler shares her thoughts on being authentic in marketing and the importance of staying true to your own brand and vision.

The importance of writing an imperfect first draft [00:09:32] Tayler discusses the importance of allowing yourself to write an imperfect first draft and how even professional copywriters don't write the final draft straight away.

Finding your authentic mission and why [00:10:53] Tayler talks about the importance of asking "why" multiple times to uncover the deeper reasons behind your mission. They also discuss the misconception that being authentic means sharing everything online.

The danger of comparing yourself to others on social media [00:14:08] Becca shares a personal story about how her mom formed a false opinion of her based on what she posted on social media. They discuss the dangers of comparing oneself to others on social media and the need to remember that what is shared is not necessarily 100% reality.

The struggle of starting a business without a portfolio [00:19:43] Discussion on the challenges of digital marketing without a portfolio and the questionable practice of reposting images from other professionals.

Being authentic and moral in marketing [00:21:01] Encouragement to be a good person with a moral compass and avoid doing things that feel wrong or "icky" in marketing.

Determining where to start with marketing [00:22:20] Advice on identifying the marketing channels that align with your capacity and authentic marketing strategy, and the importance of focusing on 1 to 3 channels to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

The birth of a software [00:29:27] Tayler discusses how they were busy during COVID and took the opportunity to work on their business. They realized the consistent reason people came to them was to get advice on what to do, which led to the idea of creating a software that provides marketing strategies.

How the software works [00:32:14] Tayler explains that the software starts with a questionnaire to create a marketing strategy. It then generates a one-page visual marketing plan that helps users understand how different marketing pieces fit together. It is meant to provide a clear path for users to focus on and execute their marketing.

Marketing strategies and the power of mass marketing [00:36:59] Tayler discusses the marketing strategies used by Prime Energy Drinks, which heavily targets children. They explain the concept of mass marketing and the repeated exposure needed for someone to be ready to buy. They highlight the effectiveness of mass marketing while also acknowledging the ethical concerns of marketing to children.

The Barbie movie marketing [00:40:56] Discussion about the huge marketing campaign for the Barbie movie, including the impact it had and the experiential elements.

Marketing as an experiment [00:45:08] Emphasis on the importance of experimenting in marketing and the need to constantly adapt to changing trends and consumer behavior.

Nothing comes easy in business [00:47:16] The realization that building a successful business takes time, effort, and perseverance, and the need to not get discouraged by challenges and setbacks.

The goal of a six-figure business [00:49:23] Discussion on the idea that a six-figure business is not for everyone and how one's lifestyle and goals should determine their business objectives.

Invitation to check out the website [00:50:23] Information about the website "engcom" and an invitation to explore the tools and resources available, including a 14-day free trial.

Excitement about the conversation and tool [00:51:09] Expressing enthusiasm for the conversation and the usefulness of the "Enji" tool, encouraging listeners to try it out and provide feedback.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get more Leads Bootcamp

Join in with my FREE 'Get more Leads' Wedding Bootcamp.

Today I'm talking all about why word of mouth marketing is THE most cost effective and successful way to promote your business.

I'm sharing why it matters, what you should be paying attention to and 5 actionable tips that you can implement into your wedding business today.

Word of Mouth marketing is the number 1 way to sell more weddings - so don't neglect it!

Join the Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Come to the Wedding Pro Party (Wed 4th October)

Join me at Balmer Lawn (Wed 18th October)

Time stamps:

The power of word-of-mouth marketing [00:00:00] Explanation of the effectiveness of word-of-mouth marketing and its impact on consumer trust.

Exemplary customer service [00:03:05] Importance of providing exceptional customer service to generate positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

The role of reviews and testimonials [00:07:46] Discussion on the significance of online reviews and testimonials in building trust and attracting potential customers.

Building Trust with Testimonials [00:09:57] Using testimonials in various ways to enhance marketing and build trust with potential clients.

The Power of In-Person Networking [00:13:02] The importance of attending in-person events and networking nights to build relationships and connections within the wedding industry.

Building Meaningful Relationships [00:16:31] How to build meaningful relationships with wedding professionals and venues in order to be recommended and receive referrals.

Building Meaningful Relationships [00:19:15] Tips on how to build meaningful relationships in the wedding industry, including giving more than taking and keeping in touch.

Tracking Results [00:21:04] The importance of tracking where inquiries are coming from and how to use that information to improve word-of-mouth marketing strategies.

The Power of Word-of-Mouth Advertising [00:22:52] Understanding the impact of word-of-mouth advertising, expressing gratitude to those who recommend your services, and the long-term benefits of building meaningful relationships.

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: