The Wedding Biz &#8211; Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

www.Kushnerentertainment.com

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

David Adler

Gather Geeks on ITunes

Gather Geeks on Soundcloud

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Sean Low, Founder and President of The Business of Being Creative, LLC

The Business of Being Creative, LLC

The Collective

Sean Low on Twitter

Sean Low on Linkedin

Sean's Episode on The Wedding Biz:

https://theweddingbiz.com/sean-low-business-creative/

178 DAVID ADLER - CEO, BizBash Media: A Guide To Collaboration Artists Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Andy is excited to welcome, David Adler, CEO and Founder of BizBash Media, a resource marketplace for event organizers of all types and the host of a podcast called Gather Geeks.

In this episode, David chats about how he got started in the media world, the magazine he started when he was 21, the idea behind BizBash and how technology is changing the way people look at events. David talks about his dad Warren Adler, author of "The War of the Roses", and the business model he used for BizBash.

Listen in as David describes events he has gone to and how he believes event planners are really collaboration artists that get everyone and everything together in one place. He has a unique take on technology, augmented reality, and radical humanism that you won't want to miss, as well as informing us as to what's coming in the near future for the event industry and how it will be transformed. So, tune in, sit back and enjoy.

Show Highlights:

[01:50] Welcome to the show David Adler!

[02:52] David tells us about his business and what he does.

[03:18] He believes that event organizers of any type are collaboration artists.

[03:58] David gives insight on how he got started in media.

[04:45] His father Warren Adler is the author of "The War of the Roses."

[06:18] Did you know at a young age what you wanted to do with your life?

[08:20] At 21, David started a magazine called Washington Dosier.

[10:28] What did David learn during his time at the magazine?

[12:25] Where did he learn about events?

[14:08] How did David get the idea for BizBash? What did you use for your business model?

[16:47] Andy and David discuss the meaning behind his quote and how iPhones enhanced the revolution of events.

[19:08] Events are the new town square where everyone meets.

[20:35] David tells us what ChatBots are and how they are used.

[22:39] How does augmented reality affect the event industry?

[24:03] What is radical humanism? How does that change what we do and think?

[27:24] How do you keep up with all of the changes in technology?

[30:25] To be an innovator, you can't let what people think stop you from what you want to do.

[32:21] Be yourself at events and if you do you will have more fun and your business will benefit.

[34:05] David talks about Gather Geeks, a podcast for the event industry.

[35:56] David's final thoughts about collaboration artists.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

www.Kushnerentertainment.com

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

David Adler

Gather Geeks on ITunes

Gather Geeks on Soundcloud

Mentioned during the interview:

177 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN Discusses SEAN DE FREITAS, Founder of Designs by Sean: From King of Carnival to King of Design Aug 14, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Jennifer Stein, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, discuss Sean De Freitas's interview on the Wedding Biz. Jennifer was recognized as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by the Arizona Republic and has over 19 years of experience in business and publishing. If you are planning a destination wedding and need ideas this magazine, and Jennifer's blog, is where you should start.

Listen as they talk about Sean's designs, events, and a wedding story you won't want to miss. They chat about losing focus on your business, feeling burned out and what you can do to get the spark back, how you can make it new again. If you listen closely you might hear a tidbit you can use next time you are feeling overwhelmed and ready to quit.

Show Highlights:

[00:59] Welcome back to the show Jennifer!
[01:55] Andy chats with Jennifer about Sean De Freitas.
[02:50] Learn Jennifer's thoughts on Sean and his designs.
[03:40] Andy and Jennifer share their feelings on a story Sean told about a wedding he did.
[08:13] Jennifer talks about how her business has evolved and continues to do so.
[10:58] Sometimes when working with a client, new ideas surface and the whole idea can change.
[12:35] Andy and Jennifer discuss what happens when you feel burned out in your career, what can you do to make it new again?
[17:10] You have to be uncomfortable in order to meet your real potential.

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

http://www.designsbysean.com/

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by PartySlate - the first website designed specifically for event professionals and venues!

Sean De Freitas

http://www.designsbysean.com/overview.html

https://www.facebook.com/public/Sean-De-Freitas

https://www.instagram.com/designsbysean/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/dbssean?lang=en

https://www.pinterest.com/designsbysean/

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Jennifer Stein of Destination I Do Magazine

Destination I Do Magazine

Destination I Do Blog

Destination I Do on Facebook

Destination I Do on Twitter

Destination I Do on Pinterest

Destination I Do on Instagram

Jennifer's Episode on The Wedding Biz:

https://theweddingbiz.com/jennifer-stein-editor-in-chief-destination-i-do-magazine/

176 SEAN DE FREITAS - From King of Carnival to King of Design Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Andy is excited to welcome, Sean De Freitas, Founder of Designs by Sean an International award-winning full service event decor company specializing in both corporate and social events. Sean's work has been recognized with over 35 industry awards and his designs are out of this world.

In this episode, Sean chats about how he got started in design, his influences along the way, how a logistic mind is crucial and how lighting can make or break an event. Listen in as he tells a moving story about how getting to know his client led to making a father-daughter dance a moment they and none of their guests will ever forget.

In this episode you will get it all from Sean, the ups, the downs and what he had to change to make this his best life. Go to his website to see his amazing designs then sit back, tune in and learn about the man behind the creations.

Show Highlights:

[03:10] Welcome to the show Sean De Freitas!

[04:53] Sean tells us how he knew what he wanted to do with his life after going to Carnival at 6 years old.

[09:38] He tells us how at 11 he was crowned Jr Carnivale King.

[10:12] The performance part of it changed his life and set him on the path to his career.

[11:31] Sean talks about his first job with mentor Neal Goldberg.

[12:58] He believes that you have to have a logistic mind to be successful.

[14:34] In what ways are we all influenced by art?

[16:20] Learn how Sean did something really special for a dad to make his daughter's wedding special.

[20:11] Sean describes the process he goes through with each client for their event.

[23:08] What method does he use to come up with ideas for his clients?

[25:30] How does Sean get his events to evolve?

[26:56] He gives us some examples of events he did that evolved beyond what they expected.

[32:59] Why is lighting for an event so important?

[36:13] Why does Sean think that reinventing your business leads to career longevity?

[41:57] Listen as he tells us what he is changing so that he has a better quality of life and career.

[53:01] Is taking on a partner or teaming up with someone good for your business?

[54:28] How does Sean define success in business or life in general?

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

http://www.designsbysean.com/

Title Sponsor: PartySlate – the first website designed specifically for event professionals and venues!

Sean De Freitas

http://www.designsbysean.com/overview.html

https://www.facebook.com/public/Sean-De-Freitas

https://www.instagram.com/designsbysean/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/dbssean?lang=en

https://www.pinterest.com/designsbysean/

Mentioned during the interview:

Neil Goldberg

Mona Meretsky

Michael Steighner

175 THE NEXT LEVEL: TAIT LARSON Discusses TIM CHI - CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Tait Larson, co-founder of Style Me Pretty, discuss Tim Chi's interview on the Wedding Biz. Tait and his wife Abby founded Style Me Pretty, sold it to AOL, and then took it back after AOL announced they were shutting it down. Tait has some fantastic insights to share on Tim's interview and the future of the industry.

Learn how Tait and Andy feel about Tim's opinions on failure, courage, and entrepreneurship. They dig deep into their views on the role of failure, or obstacles, in building a business and a life. There were so many great tips and ideas shared on this episode. You won't want to miss it!

Show Highlights:

[01:32] Welcome back to the show Tait!
[02:16] Tait introduced Andy and Tim for the interview that took place.
[03:19] Learn Tait's thoughts on Tim's views about company culture.
[05:43] How an authentic relationship with your employees changes the culture.
[08:07] Tait shares his feelings on entrepreneurship, courage, and the need to test.
[09:56] Why failure and goals are needed in entrepreneurship and life.
[14:50] Learn how Tait and Abby have taken a new look at Style Me Pretty now that it's theirs again.
[16:36] Tait chats about the rapidly evolving digital landscape and its effect on the wedding industry.
[18:49] How will AI, AR, and 5G change the wedding industry?

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Style Me Pretty on Instagram

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment www.kushnerentertainment.com.

Tim Chi

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Tait Larson of Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty on Facebook

Style Me Pretty on Pinterest

Tait's Episode on The Wedding Biz: https://theweddingbiz.com/abby-tait-larson-saving-style-me-pretty/

MENTIONED:

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson

174 TIM CHI - CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Andy welcomes to the show Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, a technologist and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to creating better, more efficient technologies for the education and wedding industries. Before co-founding WeddingWire, he co-founded Blackboard. Tim is driven to help others by creating resources through technology!

In this episode, Tim chats about his inspiration for WeddingWire, why he decided to merge with The Knot, now the world's largest vertical marketplace servicing the wedding industry, and what keeps driving him to innovate and create trends. Learn how he became an entrepreneur and why he worried about telling his parents about his endeavors. Tim is open and honest about what he sees for the future of the wedding industry and how changes in buying habits and trends have affected the business.

Tim is an awesome guest and his insights into the changes of the industry and business, in general, are extremely informative. Listen in and learn how Tim has gotten to where he is and what he plans for the future of The Knot Worldwide.

Show Highlights:

[03:19] Welcome to the show Tim Chi!

[04:05] Learn where Tim's got his drive for business.

[06:20] Tim shares how he started on the path to entrepreneurship.

[09:38] What was Tim's role at Blackboard and how did it prepare him to lead Wedding Wire?

[12:55] Tim chats about how he felt when he realized he wanted to create a wedding resource.

[15:22] How did Tim face the fear of starting a new venture?

[17:46] Why timing led to the creation of crowd-sourced reviews by city.

[20:33] Learn how Tim feels about the learning process and entrepreneurship.

[21:32] Hear about some of Tim's business failures.

[24:43] What are Tim's strengths in leadership?

[29:50] How was the merger of The Knot and WeddingWire devised?

[33:20] Learn how Tim feels about mentors and office morale.

[34:55] Why having good partners in business is important.

[37:33] Tim chats about how they stay on top of changes and trends in business technology.

[40:39] What's the next "big thing," coming down the pipeline?

[41:59] How are changing customer buying habits affecting the industry?

[43:01] Where is social media going?

[44:03] Tim shares his plan for The Knot Worldwide in the coming months.

[46:02] How does Tim balance his pace in business along with personal and family life?

[49:22] Tim chats about his definition of success.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: