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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You probably use Canva almost every day, but if you're just using it to create social media graphics, you're barely... more

According to the WeddingWire Newlywed Report, the most common sentiments couples feel when planning their wedding right now are stress,... more

When you feel your phone buzzing, and you look down to see your client's name, what do you think? ... more

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

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

What makes an amazing wedding experience for our clients and their guests? Is it the design elements that make... more

Hi (First Name), Welcome to the (insert podcast here) Podcast! Are you wondering how to personalize some of your automated... more

In some exciting news, after 12 years of running A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning, Megan has passed the... more

Let’s think about the couples who fill out an inquiry form. They’re interested in the specifics of your services and... more

What are some ways to effectively work with an intern (and not just give them busy work)? Megan and... more

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

Emma and Molly Gillikin have taken over the podcast to wish all the moms (especially Megan) Happy Mother's Day!

When you’re running a business, it can feel pretty overwhelming - like you need to do all the things... more

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

Let’s talk about your brand. Does it reflect who you are as a person and as a company - and... more

It’s been 4 years since Weddings for Real came to be. Over the last 4 years we’ve evolved and grown... more

In this solo episode, Megan Gillikin answers 5 questions from the Weddings for Real Facebook Group, including how to hire... more

On last week’s episode, Ashley Ebert gave us the inside scoop on WHY we need to build a team, even... more

When you think about building a team around you, what comes to mind? Is it that your company will be... more

As a wedding planner, I’ve found that our jobs are 30% logistics, 30% vision and decor, and about 40% therapy.... more

One of the most frequent questions we get in The Planners Vault is, How can I get on the preferred... more

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

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

It's time to get serious about your business goals for this year and how you plan to achieve them. I'm... more

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

Megan is joined by her husband Jason Gillikin to discuss their word of the 2021, successes and failures (both personal... more

I'm not good enough. Everything I have is from luck, and when people find out, they'll know I'm a fraud.... more

Welcome to The Unraveling, where we share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds you back, and the... more

Do you ever find yourself working your butt off, just go go go, working weddings, fixing problems, moving the business... more

This episode is a special behind-the-scenes look at WeddingMBA from its first in person live event since 2019.  Megan spoke... more

When a couple is considering which vendors to go with, they look at a lot of different factors. Weddings you’ve... more

Think back to the last 5 weddings you worked. How did they find you?  Did you enjoy working with them?... more

Welcome to The Unraveling, where we share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds you back, and the... more

Once a month moving forward, we're bringing you a new series - The Unraveling.  These episodes shine a light on... more

One of the biggest challenges I hear every single week is that there’s not enough time to build content. Or... more

When I need something for my house or for my business, I order it on my phone and get it... more

Join Megan for an inside look at her one-on-one coaching session with Alisha Freeman, The Productionista. Alisha is a member... more

Join Megan for an inside look at her one-on-one coaching session with Carrie Gillard from Blue Poppy Events.  Carrie is... more

In this solo episode, Megan Gillikin answers 5 questions from the Weddings for Real Facebook Group, including how to hire... more

In this solo episode, Megan Gillikin gives her 5 tips on how to set boundaries, ease anxiety, and build trust... more

As a wedding pro, you are the expert in your field. Your clients hire you for your expertise. But you’re... more

When a couple finds your website or your social media presence, do they know right away why you’re unique?  Do... more