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Weddings for Real

Megan Gillikin

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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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The best business advice for Wedding Professionals. Interviews with business experts including speakers from the annual Wedding MBA Conference. Marketing, Branding, Advertising, Social Media, Legal, Inspiration, Motivation, Humor and Leadership. Hosted by Clint Hufft.
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Anthony Lambatos. FootersCatering.com. The importance of balancing culture with financial stability in a business, emphasizing the key elements of their successful culture and the significant cost of employee turnover. [email protected]. @_The_MIBE. TheMibe.com. Purchase tickets for the conference using the discount code "CLINT" for $20 o…
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For years, the events and hospitality industry has glorified burnout—long hours, nonstop chaos, toxic management—and called it passion. But what if there's a better way? Anthony Lambatos, CEO of Footers Catering and founder of Make It Better Every Day, joins us today to prove that you can build a thriving business and a culture people actually want…
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Ian Ramirez. VenueHelpDesk.com. Insights on improving sales processes for wedding venues, emphasizing personalized approaches and clear follow-up strategies. @venuehelpdesk. Facebook group: Venue Insiders Network. Tickets for the Wedding MBA Conference 2025 (November 11-13) at weddingmba.com using the discount code CLINT for $20 off.…
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Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut — low on energy, scattered, or just... kinda over it all? You're not alone, and today's episode is for you. After hitting a few of those "blah" moments myself, I found three small (but powerful) habit shifts that helped me recharge my energy, refocus my mind, and rebuild my CEO mindset — without needing a 17-ste…
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Elizabeth Marberry preseason. ElizabethMarberry.com. Elizabeth, CEO of Wedding Dance Coach, shared her expertise on optimizing Instagram profiles, creating targeted content, and using the platform to build relationships with potential clients and vendors. The Strut It Podcast. DM "Refresh" for her Refresh Guide.…
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If 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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Nikita Thorne, head of strategy at Guides for Brides and Big Day Agency, discussed the shift towards social media search and the role of hashtags in reaching the desired clientele. The conversation also covered the importance of categorizing content on social media platforms and the significance of the bio in social media profiles. @guidesforbrides…
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Ever 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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Let'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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Pre-Season with Marc McIntosh, TeamWeddingMarketing.com. Marc emphasized the challenges of lead generation and the need for businesses to focus on improving their chances of engaging with potential clients, highlighting the significance of clear messaging, transparent pricing, and differentiating themselves from competitors.…
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Clint introduces the new season of the Wedding MBA podcast, featuring interviews with presenters and experts from the upcoming Wedding MBA Conference. He welcomes Terrica, a wedding planning and design firm owner, industry educator, speaker, and coach with 20 years of experience. Terrica emphasizes the importance of understanding one's pricing and …
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For 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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Today, 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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Emotional 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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💡 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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How 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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Alright, 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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What 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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Let’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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It'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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How 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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For 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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Have 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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As 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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Strategies To Win The Sale with Megan Gillikin, Owner, Weddings for Real / The Planner’s Vault. Clint and Megan discussed Megan's transition from wedding planning to creating an educational platform for wedding professionals, focusing on the importance of effective negotiation and value communication in the industry. They explored strategies for we…
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Last 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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TikTok and IG Reels Without Paid Ads Nayri, Wedding Fashion Expert, Lovella Bridal. Nayri, a bridal stylist and speaker, shared her insights on the wedding industry, her approach to attracting ideal clients, and her strategies for identifying potential business partners. She also discussed the importance of authenticity on social media, the need fo…
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Tech Hacks That Give You Back Your Time Nora Sheils and Elizabeth Sheils, Co-founders RockPaperCoin.com. Technology can enhance your business and give you the breathing space you deserve. • Tech to elevate the customer experience • Automation tools to reduce errors • Leverage technology in your everyday life. TimeLine Genius, Cloud HQ, Grammarly, M…
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Clients 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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Understand Gender Identity Don Mamone, Keynote speaker, Identity Coach, and Author. DonMamone.com. Learn how to create an inclusive space for all gender identities and expressions. • What gender identity is and what it’s not • Recognize, represent, and include gender identity in your business • Create a safer space for everyone…
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Should 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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In 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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Today 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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Last 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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Common Legal Myths Debunked Leah Weinberg, Co-Founder & Partner, Oduberg Law, LLP Legal terms and concepts can be confusing, and some myths may prevent you from taking the correct action in your business. • Elements to enter into a binding contract • Classify employees and independent contractors • General tips for your business…
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How 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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New York Times Submissions with Charanna K. Alexander, Weddings Editor Styles Department, The New York Times. New York Times Wedding Editor Charanna Alexander answers your questions on how wedding professionals can get the most out of media coverage. Successful pitches, clear and insightful quote tips backed by relevant data, and strategies to buil…
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If 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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Colleen 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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As 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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A.I. And The Content Apocalypse with Sara Margulis, Co-Founder and CEO Honeyfund.com. Convert videos to blogs, pamphlets to e-books, and social media snippets to emails with your new A.I. assistants. • Reduce creative burnout and save time • Use A.I. for efficient content strategies. charmiq.ai. starry.ai. Adobe Firefly…
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