Weddings for Real is the go-to podcast for high-achievers in the hospitality industry who’ve checked all the boxes of success but are craving something more—more ease, more alignment, more realness. Hosted by Megan Gillikin, a former wedding planner turned educator and recovering people-pleaser, this podcast dives deep into the unlearning required to build a business (and a life) that actually feels good. From navigating burnout and boundaries to redefining success and shedding old narrative ...
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Step into She Creates Business, a Podcast for Wedding Pros, your go-to guide in the vibrant world of wedding entrepreneurship, created and hosted by Kinsey Roberts since 2016. She Creates Business is a pivotal tool in shaping and refining the art and science of thriving in the wedding industry. This podcast is a treasure trove of actionable insights, covering everything from marketing finesse to growth tactics, branding ideas, and the technical know-how of being a wedding pro. | You'll get b ...
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Welcome to GSD Diaries (formerly Business Unveiled), where we share stories of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose. Join us as we travel the world, sharing insights from other cultures, highlighting wellness, and what it means to navigate the ups and downs in life and business. We'll uncover the truths behind living a fulfilling and impactful life. In this podcast, we highlight impactful leaders who have navigated change, wellness resorts and companies that prioritize heal ...
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The Book More Brides Podcast - Wedding Business, Wedding Marketing, Book More Weddings, Wedding Business Mentor, Bridal Business Coaching
Kate Storey | Marketing Strategist, Brand Clarity Coach, Messaging Mentor
Do you wish you could make more money in your wedding business, but need someone who can provide simple wedding marketing strategies and just tell you what to do next? Do you know you can close the couples who come to you, but can’t always get them to book a call and talk to you? Do you want more of your perfect couples contacting you, and fewer budget brides and dead-end leads? Do you know you’re great at what you do, but worry you’re not looking professional enough to your couples and it’s ...
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313. Letting Go or Leaning In? The Leadership Gut Check You’ve Been Avoiding
36:22
36:22
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36:22If you’ve ever had that feeling about someone on your team—the subtle “something’s off” whisper in your gut—you’re not alone. In this episode, Megan is joined by her longtime COO and teammate of 14 years, Gina Johnston, to unpack one of the trickiest leadership challenges: knowing when to coach…and when to cut ties. Whether you’re leading a team of…
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312. Stuck or Scaling? How to Tell What Your Business Actually Needs
37:31
37:31
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37:31Ever feel like your business has taken on a life of its own—and you’re not sure if it still fits the version of success you’re chasing? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Megan Gillikin sits down with award-winning photographer, educator, and content creator Vanessa Joy, whose two-decade career has evolved from darkrooms to YouTube stardom and n…
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311. Breaking the Cycle of Fear, Perfectionism, and Procrastination
16:58
16:58
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16:58Let's talk about fear. I don't mean the kind of fear you might feel when you're being chased by a giant bear, or fear of all those dang bees that hang around your house. I mean the kind that shows up when you're about to raise your prices. Or finally launch that thing that you've been talking about for years. Or the fear that comes up when you say …
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310. The Career Gut Check: Have You Outgrown Your Current Role, with Kristi Coulter
42:39
42:39
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42:39For years, Kristi Coulter climbed the corporate ladder at Amazon, working long hours, hitting major career milestones, and earning great money—but at what cost? Eventually, she reached a breaking point, realizing she was living for her employer instead of herself. In her book, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career, Kristi shares…
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309. 3 Hard Truths Every Small Business Owner Needs to Hear
23:04
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23:04Today, I'm sharing three of the biggest, toughest, most game changing lessons I've learned in my 15 years of business. These are the things I want to share with you to help you realize and recognize them sooner than I did. --- Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join …
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308. Networking with EQ: How to Read the Room, Make an Impact, and Grow Your Business
45:17
45:17
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45:17Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is so much more than just being good with people. It's about truly understanding yourself, reading the room, and fostering real, meaningful connections - whether that's with your clients, vendor partners, or even at networking events. EQ is a topic that can completely transform the way you navigate relation…
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307. You’re Not Getting Ghosted... You’re Being Ignored (And How to Fix It)
35:19
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35:19💡 If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, hit pause and go back to Episode 306 with Ian Ramirez first! Once a potential client fills out your inquiry form, the real work begins. Follow-up is where so many wedding pros lose leads—whether it's waiting too long to respond, overwhelming them with information, or blending into the sea of generic “Just ch…
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306. Why Your Contact Form Needs a Makeover (And What to Do Instead), with Ian Ramirez
32:54
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32:54How many inquiries are slipping through the cracks because your contact form is actually pushing potential clients away instead of drawing them in? 🤯 Today, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet wildly important parts of your sales process—your contact form! My guest, Ian Ramirez, is a total genius when it comes to helping wedding venues…
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305. WHAT ENGAGED COUPLES WANT: How couples are really planning their wedding
40:16
40:16
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40:16Alright, picture this—you’re newly engaged, stepping into a gorgeous venue, surrounded by wedding vendors, floral arrangements, cake samples, and a whole lot of decisions to make. Exciting? Absolutely. Overwhelming? Also yes. That was the scene at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh, where we attended a wedding vendor showcase to talk to r…
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304. Showing Up Imperfectly: How to Be a Better Ally and Embrace Authenticity This Year
48:42
48:42
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48:42What does it truly mean to embrace your authentic self, even when it feels scary or uncertain? In this heartfelt episode, we welcome Don Mamone—photographer, speaker, author, and educator—to share their deeply personal journey of stepping away from societal expectations and living courageously outside the binary. Don’s story is one of vulnerability…
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303. WTF Does Indemnity (and Other Contract Must-Knows) Actually Mean?!
38:50
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38:50Let’s talk contracts, wedding pros! Are you confident that the clauses in your contracts truly protect your small business? Maybe you’re working off a template you bought years ago or piecing together bits you’ve found online. Or perhaps the thought of reviewing your contract gives you a pit in your stomach, and you’re not quite sure what some of t…
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302. The Marketing Makeover: Turn Inquiries into "Heck Yes" Clilents, with Becca Pountney
33:51
33:51
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33:51It's that time of year where marketing is top of mind for small business owners! Except maybe you're frustrated because the marketing efforts you've been putting in aren't quite working, or maybe you're posting on socials hoping to stand out, but it feels like you're blending into that sea of sameness with wedding pros doing the exact same thing. O…
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301. AI for Busy Pros: Easy Ways to Save Time and Money This Year with Tanisha Lee
39:05
39:05
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39:05How are you currently using AI to lighten your daily load and your to do list? Have you felt overwhelmed by all the AI things and tech tools out there? Maybe you've bought in on a few, signed up for a few free trials here and there, but you don't have the time and capacity to dig in and explore what's really going to help you in your business. It's…
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300. 2024 Year In Review: Messy Growth, Hard Truths and Goals for 2025
22:28
22:28
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22:28For the past five years, I’ve closed out each year with a special episode where I invite my husband to join me. Together, we’ve reflected on the learning lessons, wins, and everything in between. But this year, I’m doing things differently. I’m recording this solo, and with that comes a new perspective. This year has been transformational, and I fe…
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299. Energy Hacks for Entrepreneurs: How to Energize Your Life and Business, with Erin King
53:09
53:09
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53:09Have you ever hit a wall? And I don't mean just a bad day, but a full on stop, like your body and your mind are just done if you've been there? Well today's episode is all about how you can tap into your energy while avoiding a complete stop burnout. ----- Connect with Erin King: Take the Energy Exam: https://info.theenergyexam.com/a/2147929576/eLX…
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298. Permission to Pivot: Why Changing Your Mind is a Power Move, with Jess Ekstrom
40:11
40:11
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40:11As business owners, we’ve all been there—those million ideas a minute, right? Some of them make it through the "friends and family board of directors," and then we decide, let’s go for it! But here’s the thing: have you ever had an idea that felt amazing at first, only to later ask yourself, What the heck am I doing? Maybe you’ve poured time, energ…
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Ask Me Anything, Live from Workcation: Empowering Teams, Navigating Growth, and More
24:17
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24:17Last week, we gathered with 14 incredible members of The Planner’s Vault at our latest Workation retreat, held in a stunning lakeside home near Charlotte, North Carolina. As always, I was joined by my COO, confidante, and “work wife,” Gina, to lead our community through three transformative days of business-building, personal growth, and focus. In …
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296. What Creates Superfans? Lessons from Flaming Churros, Vet Visits, and a Dentist Meltdown
34:59
34:59
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34:59Clients don't just want great service. They value and prioritize experiences that stand out, that feel personalized, and that make them superfans of a brand or business. So how can you create unforgettable experiences that your clients will rave about to their friends? Today, Megan and Gina share some memorable experiences from the consumer side, a…
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295. Is Your Business Ready for Multi-Location Growth? Learn from Shannon Leahy’s Wedding Business Success Story
34:13
34:13
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34:13Should you expand your business to service new locations? It makes sense, right? If you have a business that's thriving in one area and you've already got an established brand, website and systems in place, it could probably work in another market, too, and everyone involved can make some more money. Yet it's not quite that simple. You personally c…
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294. How to Pause the Chaos in Your Life, with Resilience Coach Hannah Abad
14:42
14:42
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14:42In part one of our conversation, Hannah Abad talked through the signs of burnout and how our nervous system reacts to stress. Today is a special mini-episode where she's giving you some actionable tips on what you can do when you're overwhelmed and sliding into panic mode. And I can tell you from experience that these strategies work. So let's take…
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293. Functional Freeze: The Silent Threat to Wedding Pros During Busy Season
47:22
47:22
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47:22Today we’re diving into a topic that affects so many of us in the wedding industry: resilience and burnout. This summer, we shared several episodes on burnout, where I openly discussed my own experience from last year and hitting a wall at the beginning of 2024. My train was moving 200 miles per hour, and I just couldn’t see a path to slowing down.…
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292. BTS Team Workcation Reflections – Wins, Lessons, and Was It Worth It?
37:08
37:08
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37:08Last week, Gina and Megan gave their insider tips on how to plan a workcation. With the planning done, they went to the beach with a lot on their plates. And today - recorded on the last night of their workcation - they share their reflections. What did they accomplish? Was it worth it? And was it amazing to wake up with much fewer responsibilities…
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291. How to Plan a Workcation That Recharges Your Focus and Energy
26:27
26:27
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26:27How do you plan an effective workcation for your team? Today, Megan and Gina give us the inside scoop on orchestrating the perfect balance of productivity and relaxation! They discuss the importance of curating workations that blend revenue-generating ideas with essential updates to team processes, plus goal setting and productivity tips. And of co…
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086 \\ Elevating your website design: Interview with Kelly Kumler
28:39
28:39
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28:39How do you make your wedding business website a place that not only looks beautiful, but attracts (and closes) the couples you love? You've heard me say so many times that you can't rely on pretty images alone to sell your wedding business - but we all know that visuals ARE super important to today's couples, especially when it comes to attracting …
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290. 10 Life Hacks for Squirrel Brain Entrepreneurs
40:54
40:54
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40:54If you're anything like me, you've got all the ideas - to grow your business, to generate a viral social media post, or to wow your clients. The problem is, we don't have time to stop whatever it is that we're doing and focus on the new shiny object every time. We've got tasks and payroll and the next appointment and a to-do list that keeps piling …
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289. Rethinking Time Blocking: How to Make It Work for You and Find Your Flow (With Colleen Carswell, Pt. 2)
38:49
38:49
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38:49Colleen Carswell is ridiculously busy, but she has all the amazing tips on time management, which she actually calls energetic alignment. On part 1, she gave us an introduction to the four pillars of alignment - physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental. And she talked about the importance of focusing on small changes to build momentum and avoid b…
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288. Rethinking Productivity: How Energetic Alignment Can Transform Your Day (With Colleen Carswell, Pt. 1)
21:10
21:10
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21:10As busy professionals, it can be a never ending journey to try to figure out how to structure your day, tackle your never ending to-do list, and shake that constant feeling that everything is piling up. Oh, and let's not forget about wanting to actually have a life outside of work. So if you can relate, you're in the right place, because on today's…
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287. Should Wedding Vendors Require a Planner? (Encore)
51:29
51:29
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51:29Back in 2019, photographer Jillian Knight asked me to coffee to talk about an idea she had for her business - requiring a planner at ALL of her events. What this meant was that if couples didn’t have a planner or want to hire a planner, she simply wouldn’t work with them. As a planner, I absolutely loved it of course. And for the photographer, I th…
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286. Ask Me Anything: Exit Tips, What I'd Do Differently, and Balancing Work and Parenting
44:44
44:44
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44:44Actually, Ask US Anything, as Gina Johnston from The Planner's Vault joins the podcast today to tackle some big topics, like navigating a cash flow crisis, planning your exit strategy, making smart investments in your business, and reflecting on what we might have done differently at each stage of the journey. And of course, how in the world do we …
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285. 4 Marketing Mistakes Small Business Owners are Making, with Enji’s Tayler Cusick Hollman
51:28
51:28
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51:28Let me take a peek into your small business owner brain. You feel the pressure to be active and showing up regularly on several (all?) of the social media platforms. And you know there's a need to consistently put content out there in the form of blog post or on Instagram or maybe a newsletter. And then you need to think about word-of-mouth marketi…
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284. Ask Me Anything: Team Pay, Burnout, Tricky Vendor. Situations & More!
28:59
28:59
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28:59You asked the questions, and here are the answers! It's time for another AMA - a candid, no holds barred, ask me anything episode where I'm going to be tackling your burning questions that were submitted inside our free Facebook group or through the call for questions over on our Instagram page. Whether you're managing challenging vendor relationsh…
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085 \\ Fix these 5 things TODAY to book more weddings with your website
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23:59
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23:59Is your website doing anything to book weddings for you? If not, it should be - or you could be losing dozens of weddings each year that should have been an easy close. Here are 5 things you need to fix on your website to not only book more weddings, but book more of the couples you love who are excited to work with you. Roll up your sleeves and le…
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(Encore) 9 Ways to be A Better Wedding Pro
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18:08Let's face it, this is one of the busiest seasons of your career. It feels like you don't have time for anything other than your clients, but in this solo episode, I'm giving 9 tips for you to become a better wedding pro. Pick a couple to focus on now, then come back once it slows down to implement the rest! Here’s the link to our 25+ Helpful Email…
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282. Is Playing It Safe Holding You Back? With Abha Bowers
42:19
42:19
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42:19As the CEO of Walk West, a Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner, wife, and mom of 2, Abha Bowers was seemingly on top of the world. Until she discovered a new passion that would completely transform her career and way of life. --- (00:03:21) Abha fell in love (00:04:30) "If I wanted to make moves, I had to learn." (00:13:18) "What are…
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Embracing Change: Because There Is No Other Choice!
40:34
40:34
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40:34If you're navigating a challenge such as cancer, take a walk and be inspired by Andrew's incredible journey and how he found resilience and joy amidst the turmoil. In this compelling episode of GSD Diaries, Andrew opens up about receiving a shocking truth about his cancer diagnosis and treatment. When he only thought a quick trip to the hospital th…
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281. Unlocking Resilience: Navigating Adversity and Owning Your Story with Lauren Sisler
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45:22Grieving is unfortunately a universal part of the human experience. Whether it's hit us yet or not, grief will bring us to our knees. So while we can't avoid it, how can we honor our grief without letting it define us? Today, ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler shares her story of losing her parents at 18. Initially, she ran as fast as she could f…
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280. The Power of Slowing Down: Self-Care Strategies for High Achievers (Part 2 with Kinsey Roberts)
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32:38How can we navigate burnout by recognizing survival brain, dismantling decades-old beliefs, and prioritizing self-awareness? It's not easy, but today we continue last week's conversation about burnout, and what it truly means to press the pause button. Recent burnout episodes: 272. Burnout: My Old Habits Die Screaming Story 274. Burnout Red Flags: …
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279. What You Need to Know about Growth + Burnout as a High-Achiever (Part 1)
31:21
31:21
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31:21Recently, I’ve been sharing my personal journey with burnout in episodes 272, 274, and 275, and I've heard from so many of you who resonated with these stories. We don't talk enough about the hardships of trying to do it all and be it all as entrepreneurs. There's a lot to navigate, and there's a lack of conversations around what to do about it and…
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Insights on Managing Chronic Illnesses {Entire Episode}
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53:26In this episode of GSD Diaries, Angela Proffitt sits down with Adam Loeffler to share their personal journeys of overcoming life's obstacles and pursuing their true purpose. They dive into the significance of leaning on the right people and building meaningful relationships for personal growth and resilience. Adam and Angela also discuss the critic…
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Going From Overwhelmed to Purposeful and Happy
1:03:04
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1:03:04Join Angela Proffitt and Deborah Vahle as they delve into the heart of balancing life and career in the demanding hospitality industry. This episode is filled with powerful insights on finding gratitude, shifting mindsets, and prioritizing relationships. Angela and Deborah share their personal stories of overcoming struggles, emphasizing the import…
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Welcome to GSD Diaries: Exploring Wellness, Resilience, and Purpose
6:48
6:48
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6:48Join Angela Proffitt as she introduces our exciting new podcast series focused on personal wellness, transformation, and resilience, especially within the hospitality industry. In this episode, Angela shares the journey behind the podcast's evolution from Business Unveiled to GSD Diaries, the impact of wellness on success, and the importance of pri…
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278. How to Quiet the ‘Shoulds’ and Build Your Business Your Way, with Steph Zakas
56:27
56:27
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56:27Back when I was starting my planning business in 2010, things were a lot different than today. Community over competition wasn’t a thing. Instagram wasn’t a thing yet. TikTok obviously wasn’t around. Podcasts weren’t around. And you know what else hadn’t taken off yet? The coaching boom. Back then, we didn’t have wedding pros telling us what they h…
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277. 5 Easy Financial Wins for Entrepreneurs: Save Money, Unlock Perks, & Gain Control
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28:58
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28:58Today we're sharing some easy financial wins for you to be able to save more money, unlock some amazing perks, and gain greater control over your finances and your time. AMEX My Favorite Things Honeybook Weddings For Real Episode 259 - 5 Tips So Taxes Don't Keep You Up at Night, with CPA Tatiana Podel Weddings For Real Episode 241 - Double Your Rev…
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276. 6 Ways to Reconnect, Recharge, and Prioritize Yourself
22:52
22:52
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22:52As entrepreneurs, we carry a heavy load. We're leading our teams, we're planning for more growth, we're handling setbacks, trying to build profitability, we're making sure we're serving our clients, we want to market to reach a wider audience. It's exhausting. And then, as women, I feel like the load is even greater. We strive to create opportuniti…
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275. How to Audit Your Life + Business to Reclaim Your Joy
29:16
29:16
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29:16On last week's episode, Megan took you on a behind the scenes journey to the beginning of this year when she was on a two day workation retreat with her friend and business coach, Rachel Sheerin. She brought a whirlwind of ideas, enough for a 30-day retreat, but along with the excitement and the ideas, she also brought lots of overwhelm, exhaustion…
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274. Burnout Red Flags: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next
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33:16
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33:16If you listened to episode 272, you heard about Megan's burnout and why she took a pause from recording new episodes of the podcast. But that's not quite the whole story. Back in January, Megan went on a weekend retreat with her coach, friend, and business partner Rachel Sheerin. It was there that Rachel realized this wouldn't be a normal workcatio…
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273. How to Navigate Out of Career and Personal Ruts, with KT Merry
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42:39
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42:39One of the quickest routes to burnout (see episode 272) is doing the same thing over and over, staying on that hamster wheel until you're running so fast, you’re exhausted, and realize you’re not even sure you like this hamster wheel anymore. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the routine that we forget to pause and reassess if it’s still working fo…
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272. Burnout: My Old Habits Die Screaming Story
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19:26Megan here. I'm back, and I'm inviting you into a personal reflection and behind-the-scenes look at what burnout can look like—not just as a business owner, but as a human - a human who needs to stop fighting and pushing through burnout but instead heal the root cause. I’ve talked about burnout before on the podcast: 194: Ask Me Anything (About Bur…
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(Encore) Professional Etiquette Tips for Wedding Pros, with Lisa Lyons
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34:53Lisa Lyons has been in the wedding industry for 19 years, but she has been drawn to etiquette her entire life. And in 2020 she got the certification to help wedding pros take their etiquette to the next level. But in this modern era of traditions changing, what does wedding etiquette even mean? Lisa Lyons Events and Etiquette --- This episode is br…
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270. Sell More With Storytelling, with Kelly Swanson
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37:31Motivational speaker and award-winning storyteller Kelly Swanson advises wedding professionals (and all business owners who want more sales), "Don't sell the service. Sell the story." But how do we do that when we're not sure what story to tell. Is it the story of me? Is it the brand story? Is it the couple's story? The thing is, if we can merge th…
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