Épisodes

  • ADHD in Wedding Business: Taming the Chaos
    Sep 15 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Have you ever felt like your business would thrive if only your brain would cooperate? For wedding professionals with ADHD, running a successful business often means navigating a mind that feels like "sitting in Times Square trying to do Chinese algebra."

    In this illuminating episode, we welcome ADHD systems specialist Caitlin Blair who transforms what looks like chaos into strategic success for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. Drawing from her experience growing up in a household filled with ADHD family members and working with numerous wedding professionals, Caitlin shares insights that go beyond typical productivity advice.

    We dive deep into why traditional business systems often fail for those with ADHD, and how "organized chaos" can be harnessed rather than eliminated. Ben shares his personal journey with ADHD, offering a raw glimpse into how it affects decision-making, focus, and the emotional landscape of running a wedding business. From the anxiety that often accompanies neurodivergence to the transformative power of proper diagnosis, we explore the full spectrum of the ADHD entrepreneurial experience.

    You'll discover practical strategies tailored specifically for the ADHD mind: visual planning systems, how to approach tools like Trello without getting overwhelmed, time blocking techniques that prevent hyperfocus on single tasks, and methods for tackling those dreaded administrative duties every wedding professional faces. Caitlin also walks us through her process of creating custom systems that don't just organize your business, but actually work with your natural thinking patterns.

    Whether you have ADHD yourself or work with someone who does, this episode offers compassionate understanding alongside actionable strategies. The noise in your head doesn't have to be your business's downfall—it might just be your greatest creative asset when channeled properly.

    Subscribe to Wedding Empires to continue exploring the unique challenges and opportunities of running a wedding business, and find Caitlin at VirtuallyVitalCo to learn more about her specialized services for neurodivergent entrepreneurs.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    31 min
  • Networking and Nostalgia: Building a Legacy in the Wedding Industry
    Jul 28 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Have you ever wondered what happens to those gorgeous wedding bouquets after the big day ends? Meet Andrea Cole, the artistic entrepreneur behind DB Andrea, who has built an impressive business turning bridal bouquets into stunning keepsakes that last a lifetime.

    In this captivating conversation, Andrea reveals how she accidentally discovered flower preservation after finding a decades-old pressed flower in her husband's book. What began as a personal creative project blossomed into a thriving business when someone asked her to preserve their bridal bouquet. Through her unique preservation techniques using resin and pressing methods, Andrea creates beautiful pieces of art that allow couples to hold onto their wedding memories forever.

    Andrea shares the fascinating chemistry behind her preservation process, explaining how timing, temperature, and humidity all play crucial roles in creating the perfect keepsake. Her journey from experimental hobbyist to business owner offers valuable insights for anyone looking to transform their passion into profit. While social media initially helped launch her business, Andrea emphasizes that providing exceptional customer service and maintaining quality standards have been more important for sustainable growth than chasing viral trends.

    We also explore Andrea's role with the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA), where she serves as a board member for the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter. Her perspective on networking is refreshingly honest – it's about building genuine connections and serving others rather than direct self-promotion. This philosophy has helped her create meaningful relationships that naturally lead to business growth. As Andrea wisely advises her younger self: "Stop, stare, appreciate." In the constant pursuit of the next achievement, entrepreneurs often forget to celebrate how far they've come.

    Ready to preserve your wedding memories or connect with other wedding professionals? Visit dbandrea.com to see Andrea's beautiful work or reach out about joining WIPA's supportive community of wedding industry experts.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    19 min
  • Building Boundaries with Standard Operating Procedures with Becca Mai
    May 12 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Ever feel like your wedding business is running you instead of the other way around? You're not alone.

    Meet Becca Mai, the unapologetic "SOP Queen" who transformed her decade-long wedding planning career after an MS diagnosis forced her to create boundaries in her business. What emerged was a revelation that would benefit every creative entrepreneur: standard operating procedures aren't just for corporate teams—they're the secret weapon for wedding pros who want to scale without sacrificing their sanity.

    "Standard operating procedures are the black and white lines of your business, and hospitality lives in the gray," Becca explains. Without clear boundaries, you're navigating an undefined space that makes growth nearly impossible. The fear that systems will create robotic client experiences keeps many wedding professionals from implementing them, but Becca dispels this myth with practical wisdom: optimize, don't just automate.

    From separating your workflows into sales and operations categories to knowing which touchpoints require a personal approach versus which can be automated, this episode provides a roadmap for creating systems that serve both you and your clients. Discover why couples actually crave structure during their planning journey and how providing it elevates their confidence in your abilities.

    Whether you're struggling with burnout, looking to scale, or simply want to reclaim the joy that brought you to this industry in the first place, Becca's approach to business systems offers a refreshing perspective. Ready to transform your wedding business from consuming your life to supporting it? This episode is your first step.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    26 min
  • Harnessing The Power of Short Form Video Content For Your Wedding Business with The Wedding Duo
    May 5 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    How does a husband-wife team build a wedding empire reaching over half a million people? Meet Dominic and Serena of The Wedding Duo, who've transformed their combined 30 years of experience into a thriving business that spans wedding planning, DJing, and viral content creation.

    Their story begins unexpectedly – Dominic leveraged his stand-up comedy background to excel as a wedding DJ, while Serena built her career in event planning. Neither imagined their casual San Antonio side business would explode into a six-figure enterprise allowing them to relocate while maintaining operations from afar. When the pandemic halted weddings temporarily, they turned to TikTok out of sheer boredom. That spontaneous decision changed everything.

    "Most brides are like 'Oh my god, I'm engaged, what the heck do I do now?'" Dominic explains. This simple insight drives their content philosophy – providing engaged couples with straightforward, judgment-free guidance through the wedding planning maze. Their viral videos featuring emotional ceremony entrance techniques have sparked industry trends, with couples specifically seeking them out for these signature touches. Their approach balances educational content with authentic personality, creating deep connections with followers who "feel like they already know them" before they even meet.

    The duo shares fascinating insights about content creation for wedding professionals: the importance of showing your face consistently, capturing educational moments at venues, and balancing perfectionism with consistency. Their upcoming book "The Wedding Duo Way" promises to reveal how they've built their business model that allows them to operate as true owners rather than being trapped working in their business.

    Want to transform your wedding business through authentic content creation? Listen now to discover how this remarkable team balances marriage, business partnership, and content creation while maintaining their genuine selves in a competitive industry.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    33 min
  • The Psychology Behind Luxury Wedding Clients: Insights from Elizabeth Solaru
    Apr 30 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Ever wondered what separates truly luxury weddings from those that simply cost a lot? Elizabeth Solaru, multi-award winning luxury business consultant and former cake artist to Queen Elizabeth, pulls back the curtain on the exclusive world of high-net-worth clientele.

    Elizabeth's remarkable journey from microbiologist to headhunter to luxury entrepreneur provides the perfect backdrop for her revolutionary insights. She reveals that luxury isn't defined by budget alone, but by understanding the psychology behind different types of wealthy clients. "You could have King Charles and Ozzy Osbourne with identical budgets," Elizabeth explains, "but their weddings would require completely different approaches because their psychological profiles as luxury clients differ dramatically."

    For wedding professionals looking to break into this exclusive market, Elizabeth offers tactical strategies that go beyond the obvious. Rather than focusing on luxury publications or social media, she suggests identifying gatekeepers like personal assistants who control access to wealthy individuals. Her approach to Instagram is equally surprising – look for private accounts under pseudonyms and notice who major luxury brands are responding to in comments.

    The mindset shift required for luxury positioning proves just as important as marketing tactics. Wedding professionals must recognize what type of luxury business founder they are (artisan, visionary, etc.) and build complementary partnerships accordingly. When showcasing work online, Elizabeth advocates quality over quantity: "Don't show 20 products when three incredible products will do the job." Your website should guide visitors like a Sherpa, creating curiosity through strategic organization and authentic storytelling.

    Website: www.elizabethsolaru.com

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    34 min
  • WNTT: The Anxiety No One Talks About: Wedding Pros in Crisis
    Apr 25 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Introducing our new segment, We Need To Talk (WNTT). Where Ben & Jac tackle the issues no-one talks about in the Wedding Industry.

    Ever sat in your car before a wedding, heart racing, convinced you can't possibly deliver what your clients expect—despite years of successful experience? You're not alone.

    This candid conversation pulls back the curtain on the wedding industry's silent epidemic: anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the crushing self-doubt that plagues even the most accomplished professionals. When Ben shared a raw video about his pre-wedding anxiety after 20+ years and 1000+ weddings, the response was overwhelming. Countless wedding pros admitted they face the same struggles but never felt safe discussing them openly.

    Timing couldn't be more relevant as the wedding industry faces a significant economic downturn in 2024. After the post-COVID boom years of 2021-2023, many businesses are experiencing dramatic drops in inquiries, smaller wedding budgets, and mounting financial pressure—all factors that intensify professional anxiety. We explore how these external stressors compound the internal battles many creatives already fight.

    Beyond simply naming the problem, we share practical strategies for managing these moments: education as confidence-building, specific breathing techniques, planning systems, and community support. We also discuss how underlying factors like ADHD, hormonal changes, and other biological realities shape our professional experiences in ways rarely acknowledged in business conversations.

    The most powerful takeaway? You deserve to be in that room. The couple chose you specifically, above all others. Your anxiety doesn't define your abilities—and understanding that everyone from newcomers to industry veterans experiences these same feelings can be the first step toward healthier relationships with ourselves and our work.

    Join our community as we continue these essential conversations about the realities of creative entrepreneurship. You're never as alone as your anxiety wants you to believe.

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    26 min
  • Blogging for Wedding Bookings: Turn One Post into $15,000 with Adrienna McDermott
    Apr 23 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Ever published a blog post that disappeared into the internet void, never to be seen again? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation with Adriana Mott, founder of wedding marketing agency Ava and the Bee, we uncover how one strategic blog post helped a client book a $15,000 wedding—and how you can do it too.

    Adriana brings a unique perspective as someone who's walked in your shoes. Before founding her agency, she ran a successful wedding planning, floral design, and bridal boutique business. She learned blogging strategy through necessity, not theory, watching her website outrank established competitors who had been in business for decades.

    The shocking truth? Most wedding pros completely misunderstand what makes blogs effective. It's not just about beautiful images (though they help). We dive deep into what Google actually wants, why you should limit your photo count, and the strategic keyword research that helps couples find you. Adriana breaks down her step-by-step formula for creating blogs that convert browsers into buyers—including exactly what questions to ask clients to generate compelling content.

    But perhaps the most valuable insight is learning how to repurpose one well-crafted blog into weeks of content across multiple platforms. Stop creating content that dies after one post! Adriana shows how to transform a single wedding feature into Instagram captions, sales materials, and nurturing emails that potential clients actually want to receive.

    Whether you've tried blogging without success or avoided it entirely, this episode provides the practical framework you need to turn this underutilized marketing channel into a client-booking powerhouse. Ready to make your blog work harder for your wedding business? This is the strategy you've been missing.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    38 min
  • Turning Your Wedding Passion into a Profitable Business with Tammy Johnston
    Apr 14 2025

    Ask Jac & Ben A Question!

    Tired of being a "glorified hobbyist" in the wedding industry? In this eye-opening conversation with business coach Tammy Johnston, we uncover the crucial mindset shifts and practical strategies needed to transform your wedding business from struggling side-hustle to profitable enterprise.

    Tammy pulls no punches as she dissects the common pitfalls trapping so many talented wedding professionals. The harsh truth? Being excellent at photography, planning, or floristry isn't enough – true success requires mastering the eight fundamental pillars of business that apply across all industries. Most wedding pros are spending 85-90% of their time perfecting their craft when successful business owners allocate just 10-15% to service delivery.

    We dive deep into pricing strategies that account for your true costs (hint: you're probably drastically undercharging), marketing approaches that don't rely solely on social media, and system development that frees you from being a "professional plate spinner." Tammy's practical advice on maintaining client relationships long after the wedding day reveals untapped revenue potential through referrals that most pros completely miss.

    Perhaps most valuable is her guidance on team building – focusing not on when to hire but who to hire to complement your weaknesses rather than duplicate your strengths. Her three actionable steps provide an immediate roadmap for wedding professionals ready to elevate their business acumen and profitability.

    Whether you're just starting your wedding business journey or looking to break through a growth plateau, this episode delivers the straight talk and strategic insight needed to stop being a "volunteer in the wrong line" and start building the profitable business you deserve. Connect with Tammy at KSABusiness.ca and take the first step toward transforming your passion into sustainable profit.

    Support the show

    🚀 THE ONLY PLACE TO WATCH OUR VIDEO INTERVIEWS BEFORE THEY DROP!

    🎥 Want behind-the-scenes access to our guest interviews before they go live on the podcast? Want to actually be there for some of the live recordings? Then you NEED to be inside our Facebook group—the VIP lounge for 7,000+ wedding pros just like you.

    💬 Rub shoulders with Jac & Ben
    ❓ Ask YOUR questions before we hit record
    🎉 Network, learn, and grow alongside industry leaders
    📢 Join discussions that don’t make it to air

    👉 Join the community now: facebook.com/groups/weddingempirespodcast
    👰‍♀️ This is where the real conversation happens. Don’t just listen—experience it.

    📲 LET’S STAY CONNECTED

    🌐 Website & Courses: www.weddingacademyglobal.com
    📸 Instagram: @weddingacademylive
    🎶 TikTok: @weddingacademylive
    📺 YouTube: Wedding Academy TV
    👍 Facebook: Wedding Academy Global

    🎓 READY TO BUILD YOUR WEDDING EMPIRE?
    Join thousands of ambitious creatives leveling up inside WeddingAcademyGlobal.com. Whether you'...

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    39 min