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Weddings for Real
Weddings for Real
Megan Gillikin

Real wedding vendors share their tips and tricks for surviving and thriving in this one of a kind industry. Hosted by The... more

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Episodes

298. Permission to Pivot: Why Changing Your Mind is a Power Move, with Jess Ekstrom

As business owners, we’ve all been there—those million ideas a minute, right? Some of them make it through the "friends... more

20 Nov 2024 · 41 minutes
Ask Me Anything, Live from Workcation: Empowering Teams, Navigating Growth, and More

Last week, we gathered with 14 incredible members of The Planner’s Vault at our latest Workation retreat, held in a... more

06 Nov 2024 · 24 minutes
296. What Creates Superfans? Lessons from Flaming Churros, Vet Visits, and a Dentist Meltdown

Clients don't just want great service. They value and prioritize experiences that stand out, that feel personalized, and that make... more

23 Oct 2024 · 36 minutes
295. Is Your Business Ready for Multi-Location Growth? Learn from Shannon Leahy’s Wedding Business Success Story

Should you expand your business to service new locations? It makes sense, right? If you have a business that's thriving... more

16 Oct 2024 · 35 minutes
294. How to Pause the Chaos in Your Life, with Resilience Coach Hannah Abad

In part one of our conversation, Hannah Abad talked through the signs of burnout and how our nervous system reacts... more

11 Oct 2024 · 14 minutes
293. Functional Freeze: The Silent Threat to Wedding Pros During Busy Season

Today we’re diving into a topic that affects so many of us in the wedding industry: resilience and burnout.This summer,... more

09 Oct 2024 · 48 minutes
292. BTS Team Workcation Reflections – Wins, Lessons, and Was It Worth It?

Last week, Gina and Megan gave their insider tips on how to plan a workcation.  With the planning done, they... more

02 Oct 2024 · 38 minutes
291. How to Plan a Workcation That Recharges Your Focus and Energy

How do you plan an effective workcation for your team? Today, Megan and Gina give us the inside scoop on... more

25 Sep 2024 · 27 minutes
290. 10 Life Hacks for Squirrel Brain Entrepreneurs

If you're anything like me, you've got all the ideas - to grow your business, to generate a viral social... more

18 Sep 2024 · 41 minutes
289. Rethinking Time Blocking: How to Make It Work for You and Find Your Flow (With Colleen Carswell, Pt. 2)

Colleen Carswell is ridiculously busy, but she has all the amazing tips on time management, which she actually calls energetic... more

12 Sep 2024 · 39 minutes
288. Rethinking Productivity: How Energetic Alignment Can Transform Your Day (With Colleen Carswell, Pt. 1)

As busy professionals, it can be a never ending journey to try to figure out how to structure your day,... more

11 Sep 2024 · 22 minutes
287. Should Wedding Vendors Require a Planner? (Encore)

Back in 2019, photographer Jillian Knight asked me to coffee to talk about an idea she had for her business... more

04 Sep 2024 · 52 minutes
286. Ask Me Anything: Exit Tips, What I'd Do Differently, and Balancing Work and Parenting

Actually, Ask US Anything, as Gina Johnston from The Planner's Vault joins the podcast today to tackle some big topics,... more

28 Aug 2024 · 45 minutes
285. 4 Marketing Mistakes Small Business Owners are Making, with Enji’s Tayler Cusick Hollman

Let me take a peek into your small business owner brain.  You feel the pressure to be active and showing... more

21 Aug 2024 · 52 minutes
284. Ask Me Anything: Team Pay, Burnout, Tricky Vendor. Situations & More!

You asked the questions, and here are the answers!It's time for another AMA -  a candid, no holds barred, ask... more

14 Aug 2024 · 30 minutes
(Encore) 9 Ways to be A Better Wedding Pro

Let's face it, this is one of the busiest seasons of your career.  It feels like you don't have time... more

07 Aug 2024 · 18 minutes
282. Is Playing It Safe Holding You Back? With Abha Bowers

As the CEO of Walk West, a Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner, wife, and mom of 2,... more

31 Jul 2024 · 43 minutes
281. Unlocking Resilience: Navigating Adversity and Owning Your Story with Lauren Sisler

Grieving is unfortunately a universal part of the human experience. Whether it's hit us yet or not, grief will bring... more

24 Jul 2024 · 45 minutes
280. The Power of Slowing Down: Self-Care Strategies for High Achievers (Part 2 with Kinsey Roberts)

How can we navigate burnout by recognizing survival brain, dismantling decades-old beliefs, and prioritizing self-awareness?It's not easy, but today we... more

17 Jul 2024 · 33 minutes
279. What You Need to Know about Growth + Burnout as a High-Achiever (Part 1)

Recently, I’ve been sharing my personal journey with burnout in episodes 272, 274, and 275, and I've heard from so... more

10 Jul 2024 · 32 minutes
278. How to Quiet the ‘Shoulds’ and Build Your Business Your Way, with Steph Zakas

Back when I was starting my planning business in 2010, things were a lot different than today.  Community over competition... more

03 Jul 2024 · 57 minutes
277. 5 Easy Financial Wins for Entrepreneurs: Save Money, Unlock Perks, & Gain Control

Today we're sharing some easy financial wins for you to be able to save more money, unlock some amazing perks,... more

26 Jun 2024 · 29 minutes
276. 6 Ways to Reconnect, Recharge, and Prioritize Yourself

As entrepreneurs, we carry a heavy load. We're leading our teams, we're planning for more growth, we're handling setbacks, trying... more

19 Jun 2024 · 23 minutes
275. How to Audit Your Life + Business to Reclaim Your Joy

On last week's episode, Megan took you on a behind the scenes journey to the beginning of this year when... more

12 Jun 2024 · 30 minutes
274. Burnout Red Flags: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next

If you listened to episode 272, you heard about Megan's burnout and why she took a pause from recording new... more

05 Jun 2024 · 33 minutes
273. How to Navigate Out of Career and Personal Ruts, with KT Merry

One of the quickest routes to burnout (see episode 272) is doing the same thing over and over, staying on... more

29 May 2024 · 42 minutes
272. Burnout: My Old Habits Die Screaming Story

Megan here. I'm back, and I'm inviting you into a personal reflection and behind-the-scenes look at what burnout can look... more

15 May 2024 · 19 minutes
(Encore) Professional Etiquette Tips for Wedding Pros, with Lisa Lyons

Lisa Lyons has been in the wedding industry for 19 years, but she has been drawn to etiquette her entire... more

01 May 2024 · 35 minutes
270. Sell More With Storytelling, with Kelly Swanson

Motivational speaker and award-winning storyteller Kelly Swanson advises wedding professionals (and all business owners who want more sales), "Don't sell... more

24 Apr 2024 · 37 minutes
(Encore) Carving Out Your Own Niche, with Lindsay Lucas

Lindsay Lucas is THE wedding venue consultant.  She's a former wedding planner who now helps venue owners (and those aspiring... more

17 Apr 2024 · 51 minutes
Boosting Belonging at Work, with Smiley Poswolsky

When you hear the word "belonging", what do you think of?  Maybe you think of wedding pros, because we're welcoming,... more

10 Apr 2024 · 31 minutes
(Encore) How to get on a wedding venue's preferred list, with Shannon Tarrant

Fill out this survey and give us your feedback for a chance to win a $50 Amazon.com gift card and... more

03 Apr 2024 · 45 minutes
266. Perfect Your Pitch, with Quinn Conyers

When you're pitching your services to potential clients, are you using Luxury Language? Or are you using Discount Dialect? Today,... more

20 Mar 2024 · 30 minutes
(Encore) Money Mindset for Wedding Pros, with Denise Duffield-Thomas

Do you have money mindset blocks that are preventing your business from growing and preventing you from leading your best... more

13 Mar 2024 · 52 minutes
264. How to Add Corporate Events to Your Revenue Stream and Portfolio

Rachel Sheerin, keynote speaker and Megan's first business coach, is guest-hosting this episode. She comes from a wedding background before... more

06 Mar 2024 · 29 minutes
(Encore) 5 Ways to Get More Referrals in Your Wedding Business

"Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, 'Make me feel... more

28 Feb 2024 · 19 minutes
262. What Engaged Couples Want (2024 Edition, Part 2)

On this episode (listen to part 1 here), we ask engaged couples the questions you can’t really ask when they... more

21 Feb 2024 · 44 minutes
261. What Engaged Couples Want (2024 Edition, Part 1)

On this episode, we ask engaged couples the questions you can’t really ask when they reach out to you. But... more

14 Feb 2024 · 34 minutes
260. Unraveling and Walking Away from Entrepreneurship, with Inez Ribustello

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

31 Jan 2024 · 45 minutes
259. 5 Tips So Taxes Don't Keep You Up at Night, with CPA Tatiana Podel

With finances, I still have blocks (listen to the intro) preventing me from fully feeling comfortable and empowered when it... more

24 Jan 2024 · 48 minutes
258. Top 3 Priorities for Booking Season Success (+ Bonus Training!)

Today we're tackling engagement and booking season, and I'm going to share three strategies and mindset shifts that will help... more

17 Jan 2024 · 11 minutes
257. Ask Me Anything

At the end of last year, I sent out a survey to my email list asking them to share what... more

03 Jan 2024 · 28 minutes
256. 2023 Year in Review: Wins, Misses, Highlights, and Goals for 2024

Megan and Jason Gillikin talk about their wins for 2023, their misses, most memorable moments, and goals for 2024.  Tune... more

20 Dec 2023 · 53 minutes
Your Guide to Balancing Entrepreneurship & Relationships: Insights from Megan & Jason on the Hustle & Gather Podcast

This week, we're taking a little adventure to explore the not-so-glamorous side of balancing entrepreneurship with personal life. I'm thrilled... more

13 Dec 2023 · 55 minutes
Book the Top Package, from the Own Your Business Podcast

Today we’re sharing an episode of the Own Your Business Podcast, which I was a guest on earlier this year.... more

05 Dec 2023 · 55 minutes
253. Feeling Burned Out? This Unraveling Is For You

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

29 Nov 2023 · 45 minutes
252. Worst Client Experience, Garbage Advice, and the Mistake I Keep Making: Hot Takes with Megan

It's Hot Takes Time. I'll be talking about some common business advice that I think is garbage, my best advice... more

22 Nov 2023 · 37 minutes
Building Relationships as Your Business Superpower (Brands that Book Share)

I’m getting lots of DMs and questions about building relationships and superfans and thought that sharing an episode I was... more

15 Nov 2023 · 49 minutes
250. Podcast Roundup: WeddingMBA, Workcations, and Getting Off The Hustle Hamster Wheel

Hey friends! Today's episode is a short roundup of a few things I want to share with you, including my... more

01 Nov 2023 · 30 minutes
249. 4 Referral-Boosting Relationship Strategies for Wedding Pros

After 12 years as a wedding planner, I can say this with deep conviction.  The number one way I built... more

25 Oct 2023 · 47 minutes
248. Messaging Matters: Exclusive Insights from Luxury Wedding PR Expert Natalie Denyse

Over the years, I've had countless conversations with wedding pros about the constant challenge of nailing down their business messaging... more

18 Oct 2023 · 38 minutes
247. 10 Strategies for Busy Season Stress and Everyday Life Overwhelm (Megan Solo)

Are you struggling to balance too many commitments with a never ending to-do list? (Raising my hand with you)Maybe you're... more

11 Oct 2023 · 24 minutes
246. Hot Takes on Tech and AI for Wedding Pros, with Dawn Richardson

It's time for some more hot takes, this time with the Tech Savvy Creative, and all about the latest tech... more

04 Oct 2023 · 51 minutes
245. Unraveling, with Michelle Norwood

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

27 Sep 2023 · 43 minutes
244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat #YachtForReal

Recently one of small-group coaching students said to me, "Megan, when I think about you and other educators, it's like... more

20 Sep 2023 · 47 minutes
243. How this photographer made $9M in digital downloads

I’ve heard this question from a lot of you out there listening and engaging with us on social media, and... more

13 Sep 2023 · 58 minutes
242. Stepping into Education in the Wedding Industry, with Laylee Emadi

Have I ever told you about the required public speaking class I put off until my last semester of undergrad?... more

06 Sep 2023 · 38 minutes
241. Double Your Revenue, Not Your Work: A Guide to Affiliate Income, with Kendra Swalls

You're in a high-stress industry, your weekends are gold, and nobody's got time for filler content or fluff. That's why... more

30 Aug 2023 · 52 minutes
240. Legit Strategies for Marketing in the Messy Middle, with Tayler Cusick-Hollman

The Messy Middle - it's one of those business owner struggles that we all go through. And over the years,... more

23 Aug 2023 · 54 minutes
239. Use This Strategy to Stand Out in a Crowded Wedding Industry: Insights with Emily Coyne

Have you ever wondered what makes a truly unforgettable experience stand out from the usual client interactions that often end... more

16 Aug 2023 · 59 minutes
238. Unraveling, with Natalie Franke

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

09 Aug 2023 · 51 minutes
237. The Life for Real Rollercoaster Ride with Megan and Jason

Over the last five years, I've spent countless episodes diving into the behind the scenes of working in the wedding... more

02 Aug 2023 · 46 minutes
236. Life for Real: Miscommunications, Mental Load, and Meltdown Moments, with Couples Therapist Dr. Tracy D

Today's episode focuses on our life partners. That’s right, we went there, with psychologist and couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleigh,... more

26 Jul 2023 · 58 minutes
235. Life for Real: ADHD and Entrepreneurship, with Dr. Amy Teumer (part 2)

In the last episode, I spoke with Carissa Kruse, and we shared our stories of being recently diagnosed with ADHD,... more

20 Jul 2023 · 38 minutes
234. Life for Real: ADHD and Entrepreneurship, with Carissa Kruse and Dr. Amy Teumer

Earlier last year, my life changed when I was officially diagnosed with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. I always felt... more

19 Jul 2023 · 47 minutes
233. Life for Real: Are you a Saver, Spender, Avoider, or Money Martyr?

Today we're navigating a topic that can cause quite a few of us to squirm: our relationship with money. But... more

12 Jul 2023 · 59 minutes
232. Life For Real Series: Adding Resiliency to Your Emotional Toolbelt with Hannah Abad

Today and for all of July, we’re going to do something a little different here. Instead of Weddings for Real,... more

05 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
231. The Yays and Nays of Building Your Brand, with Emily Foster

Three of my favorite episodes - and our most popular - are the ones where we had a chance to... more

28 Jun 2023 · 41 minutes
230. Navigating Dual Careers: A Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur on Balancing Day Jobs and Dreams

We are all juggling a lot of things and wearing quite a few hats in our day-to-day lives. If you... more

21 Jun 2023 · 46 minutes
229. Lynn Easton shares her secrets for ultra-luxury weddings

Our guest today is an absolute legend in the wedding industry, the one and only Lynn Easton. Her resume alone... more

14 Jun 2023 · 43 minutes
Encore: Navigating Education Overwhelm for Wedding Pros

I've heard you loud and clear - you're overwhelmed by all the wedding pro educators out there, and you're not... more

07 Jun 2023 · 21 minutes
227. Tackling Content Overwhelm Using AI, with Davey Jones

It's time to talk about content strategy, which I know can feel super overwhelming. You feel the pressure to create... more

31 May 2023 · 46 minutes
226. Is it you or is it them? How to know when to fire “THAT” client

If you’ve been in the wedding industry for really any length of time, you’ve probably had a nightmare client or... more

24 May 2023 · 50 minutes
225. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 2)

It's Terrica. It's wedding industry hot takes part 2. No need to say more.Part 1Terrica's $9/mo Wedding Pro Workshop---Today's episode... more

17 May 2023 · 39 minutes
224. Wedding Industry Hot Takes with Terrica (Part 1)

It's Terrica. It's wedding industry hot takes. No need to say more.---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's... more

10 May 2023 · 33 minutes
223. Lessons Learned from Marriage and Entrepreneurship

Today we bring back Jason Gillikin, my partner of 13 years and fellow entrepreneur. Life gets pretty hectic when you're... more

03 May 2023 · 41 minutes
222. From Clicks to Customers: Writing Copy that Converts, with Lucy Bedewi

How can we guide our potential clients to take that next step?  Maybe they see our Instagram post or TikTok... more

26 Apr 2023 · 36 minutes
221. The Right Time to Add to Your Sales Team, with Kelly Ann Peck

One of the most challenging questions I get asked in my coaching conversations is, “When do I know when it’s... more

19 Apr 2023 · 31 minutes
220. 4 Steps for Having a Brand that Books, with Amanda Shuman

If I was on stage at Wedding MBA in front of hundreds of your peers, and I chose your website... more

12 Apr 2023 · 44 minutes
219. 5 Truths Every Business Owner Needs to Hear

Today we're celebrating five years of the podcast (!), so it's time for a fun and reflective episode on five... more

05 Apr 2023 · 40 minutes
218. Unraveling, with Neillie Butler

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

29 Mar 2023 · 45 minutes
217. Leaning into Community to Grow Your Business: Megan on The Women's Social Club Podcast

The Planner's Vault doors are open! Come join us!----Recently I was a guest on The Women’s Social Club Podcast, a... more

22 Mar 2023 · 38 minutes
216. How to Showcase Your Genius Without Bragging: Copy Tips from Nadine Nethery

When analyzing your own website, you want to ask yourself:Does it pass the caveman test where the user knows in... more

08 Mar 2023 · 34 minutes
215. How Wedding Pros Can Get More Reviews, with Desiree Dent

On episode 211, we interviewed couples to find out what they REALLY are looking for in the vendor vetting process.... more

01 Mar 2023 · 48 minutes
214. 4 Relationship-Sabotaging Strategies to Avoid as A Wedding Pro (Megan Gillikin Solo)

I say this with love...--------Episodes Referenced:168: How to get on a wedding venue's preferred list, with Shannon Tarrant175: 9 tips... more

22 Feb 2023 · 10 minutes
213. BTS Planning the Engage Summit, with Tara Fay

Today we’re talking about Engage, the luxury wedding business summit that happens twice a year in breathtaking locations around the... more

15 Feb 2023 · 35 minutes
212. 4 Sales Mistakes Wedding Pros Make, with Sam Jacobson

What happens when couples inquire (we get the inquiries!), but we’re not booking as many weddings as we want?  Or... more

08 Feb 2023 · 38 minutes
211. Live Interviews: Inside the (Buying) Mind of Engaged Couples

A couple weeks ago, we went to The Merrimon Wynne Winter Wedding Showcase. The Merrimon Wynne is a historic home... more

01 Feb 2023 · 44 minutes
210. Money While You Sleep (even in the events industry), with Kawania Wooten

As much as we all love the events industry, one major challenge is that we’re service based. We need to... more

25 Jan 2023 · 45 minutes
209. TikTok Ads - An Intimidating but Untapped Market for Wedding Pros, with Mark Chapman

TikTok is a platform I have not invested my time in outside creating my profile because it’s yet another app... more

18 Jan 2023 · 32 minutes
208: Unraveling, with Brian Green

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

11 Jan 2023 · 51 minutes
207: Stepping into CEO Mode in 2023, with Tara Melvin

Many of you are running your own business, and that’s something you should be extremely proud of. It takes a... more

04 Jan 2023 · 36 minutes
206: 2022 Wins, Failures, and Goal-Setting: Megan and Jason's End-of-Year Reflection

Megan and Jason Gillikin talk about their wins for 2022, their failures, word-of-the-year, and goals for 2023. Tune in... more

28 Dec 2022 · 54 minutes
BONUS: Wedding Industry Insider - Stick Your Foot in the Door Before it Shuts, with Megan Gillikin

Today we're sharing an episode that Megan guested on - Wedding Industry Insider, hosted by Eddie Babbage, CEO of Timeline... more

14 Dec 2022 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
BONUS: Megan's Unraveling on the Women on Work Podcast

As we get further in our careers and lives, we all encounter a space where transformation is necessary to find... more

07 Dec 2022 · 36 minutes
202: Navigating Education Overwhelm for Wedding Pros

I've heard you loud and clear - you're overwhelmed by all the wedding pro educators out there, and you're not... more

30 Nov 2022 · 20 minutes
201: The Secret Language of Brand Archetypes to Attract Your Ideal Clients, with Kaye Putnam

Let me ask you a couple tough questions - What is your innate brand advantage over your competition? Are... more

23 Nov 2022 · 31 minutes
200: Wedding MBA Recap + Craziest Wedding Stories on Episode 200!

Last week, we were at Wedding MBA in Las Vegas, and it was memorable to say the least - and... more

16 Nov 2022 · 35 minutes
199: Fear, Fundraising, and Finding a Niche: The Merri Story, with CEO Randi Bushell

Starting a small business is not for the faint of heart. There’s fear that you’re not the right person to... more

02 Nov 2022 · 41 minutes
198: Unpopular wedding industry opinions, with Shean Strong

We all have some opinions about the wedding industry that might be considered unpopular. But as I say in the... more

26 Oct 2022 · 49 minutes
197: Unraveling, with Sandra Cassios

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

19 Oct 2022 · 36 minutes
196: Stop settling for less and get to the life you want, with Tony Chatman

Ever since I got into podcasts (and believe it or not, it actually took me a while), I’ve been focused... more

12 Oct 2022 · 40 minutes
195: Business Therapy and Mindset Transformations for Wedding CEOs, with Kelly Ruta

One of the reasons we started the Weddings For Real podcast and then formed The Planner’s Vault is because we... more

05 Oct 2022 · 58 minutes
194: Ask Me Anything (About Burnout, Selling My Business, New Market, and More)

A couple weeks ago, I asked you the listeners for any questions you've been wanting to ask, and I received... more

28 Sep 2022 · 26 minutes
193: Unraveling, with Rachel DeAlto

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

21 Sep 2022 · 40 minutes
192: Entrepreneurship- Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned, and Mindset Shifts with Eddie Babbage of Timeline Genius

You may have heard of Timeline Genius, the platform that creates beautiful, detailed wedding day timelines, saving you hours in... more

14 Sep 2022 · 56 minutes
191: Is Luxury Stealing Your Joy? with Laura Ritchie of Grit & Grace

As we gain experience and raise our prices, we start to get into the luxury market. It’s something many of... more

07 Sep 2022 · 47 minutes
190: Unraveling, with Slice Pie's Kristen Mullins

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

31 Aug 2022 · 44 minutes
189: Rainmakers, Dream Teams, and How They Make You More Money, with Veronica Romney

If you’re looking to grow your business, a hard realization is that you can only go so far if you... more

24 Aug 2022 · 35 minutes
188: Unraveling, with Ashlyn Carter

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back,... more

10 Aug 2022 · 42 minutes
Weddings for Real
188: Unraveling, with Ashlyn Carter
Weddings for Real
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Description

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the... more