In this episode of Event: Crushed, I’m joined by the talented Samantha Leenheer — creative director and principal planner of House of Joy, founder of Kinetic Experiences, and educator under House of Samantha.

We dive deep into two powerful themes that tie beautifully together:

• Storytelling in wedding design – how uncovering your clients’ stories, values, and quirks can spark your creativity and lead to designs that feel authentic and deeply personal.

• The power of listening – how asking better questions, staying curious, and practicing active listening can transform fleeting interactions into lasting partnerships with clients and fellow vendors.

Samantha shares her approach to weaving personal stories into design, setting creative boundaries, and building vendor relationships rooted in collaboration and trust. We also talk about why vulnerability is essential for genuine connection in our industry.

Whether you’re a new planner or a seasoned pro, this conversation will challenge you to go deeper in your process and relationships, helping you build more meaningful connections and more impactful events.

Where to find Samantha:

• Planning & Design: House of Joy

• Personal Brand & Education: House of Samantha

• Networking & Events: Kinetic Experiences

• Instagram: @houseofjoy.co | @house.ofsamantha

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