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Engage Your Brand®
Engage Your Brand®
Author: Emily Foster
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© 2026 Engage Your Brand®
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Engage Your Brand is the branding podcast for wedding, event and hospitality pros. This is for those who are ready to stop blending in and step into the high-end, well-known businesses they were meant to be. We'll explore the storytelling behind some of the most recognized wedding and event industry brands. And we’ll give you actionable tips for bringing your brand to life through your marketing and every element of your business. It’s time to engage your brand.
60 Episodes
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If your brand feels a little off lately… but you’re not sure if you need a full rebrand or just a refresh, this episode is going to give you clarity. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m breaking down rebrand vs refresh, what each one actually means, when each is appropriate, and how to know what your business truly needs (so you don’t waste time or money on the wrong decision). If you’ve been feeling stuck, disconnected from your brand, or unsure what the next step is, this episode wil...
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be focusing on organic marketing or finally investing in paid ads… this episode is for you. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Mark Chapman, the wedding industry’s go-to expert on paid advertising. We’re breaking down the real difference between organic vs paid marketing in the wedding industry, when each strategy makes sense, and how to actually make ads work (without wasting your money). If you’ve been feeling stuck trying to grow...
If wedding networking has ever felt forced, transactional, or just not worth the effort… this episode might change the way you see it entirely. In this conversation, I’m joined by wedding planner and community builder Brooke Simmons, and we’re unpacking why networking in the wedding industry only works when it’s rooted in genuine connection. From growing her business through referrals to building a community that prioritizes collaboration over competition, Brooke shares a refreshing, honest t...
Your bridal alterations experience can shape how confident you feel walking down the aisle… but bridal seamstresses are often one of the most overlooked vendors in the wedding industry. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Nadine Bozeman, owner of Sweet Francis Sewing Co. and founder of Secrets of a Bridal Seamstress. We talk about how she built a successful bridal alterations business, created a thriving community for seamstresses across the country, and what more wedding pro...
What does it really take to scale a wedding planning business without burning out? In this part two conversation, I'm back with Irene Tyndale to talk about systems, mindset, team building, and the behind-the-scenes structure that supports a profitable, sustainable wedding planning business. Key Takeaways: • The moment Irene realized she needed real systems to grow her wedding planning business • What to document first when building SOPs so you can scale with confidence • The...
What does it really take to build a lasting wedding planning brand in a saturated industry? In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I'm joined by Irene Tyndale, founder of Irene Tyndale Weddings and Events, to talk about wedding planner marketing, personal branding, networking, reputation, and why your systems matter just as much as your visuals. With nearly three decades in the industry, Irene shares how wedding pros can stand out without burning out, and why effective wedding planner marketi...
What does running eight McDonald’s locations have to do with building a thriving wedding venue? In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by my client Denise Peacock, owner of Montgomery Creek Ranch in Indiana. We’re diving into wedding venue marketing, rebranding, leadership, and what it really takes to grow a profitable venue in a saturated market. Key Takeaways: • How Denise transitioned from McDonald’s owner-operator to wedding venue owner • What it takes to turn a seasonal prop...
Think engagement season ends on Valentine’s Day? Not so fast. If inquiries felt slow this winter, or if you’re worried booking season has passed you by, this episode is your reset. I’m breaking down why engagement season doesn’t automatically equal booking season and why leads are still coming in long after February. Key Takeaways: • Why 53% of couples get engaged outside “traditional” engagement season • How Gen Z is changing booking timelines and research habits • Why couples are waiting...
Your brand isn’t just your logo, it’s how people experience you at every touchpoint. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by wedding industry educator, speaker, and coach Terrica to talk about wedding business branding and positioning, and what it really takes to build a brand that grows with you instead of holding you back. We dig into Terrica’s journey from wedding planner to nationally recognized educator, the hard lessons she learned about pricing, partnerships, and growth, a...
Marketing felt harder in 2025 and if you’re wondering why your effort didn’t match your results, you’re not alone. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Taylor Cusick-Hulman, marketing consultant and founder of Enji, to break down her State of Small Business marketing report based on a survey of 245 small businesses across 40 states. We talk buyer hesitation, what’s actually changing in the market, and what wedding + creative service pros should prioritize in 2026 if they want ...
Burnout is common in the wedding industry, but it doesn’t have to be the norm. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by wedding business coach and bestselling author Heidi Thompson to talk about work life balance for wedding professionals and what it actually takes to run a sustainable wedding business without working 60+ hour weeks. We dive into why so many wedding pros feel constantly overwhelmed, how poor scheduling and endless meetings drain your energy, and the CEO-level shif...
Visibility matters more than ever in 2026, but burnout doesn’t have to come with it. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Renee Dalo, keynote speaker and visibility hype woman for creative entrepreneurs, to talk about how wedding and event pros can show up consistently without exhausting themselves or diluting their brand. We cover confidence, video visibility, luxury positioning, and practical ways to stay relevant in a shifting market, without turning content into another fu...
Your next inquiry might come from Google… or ChatGPT. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Julie Novack, CEO + co-founder of PartySlate, to talk about what’s changing in wedding marketing. From SEO and domain authority to how marketplaces are showing up in AI search. We also dig into why visuals matter so much in the sales process, how to use your portfolio to handle common client objections (“Have you done a wedding like this?”), and how PartySlate helps pros organize, search...
Sales don’t have to feel pushy to work. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by high-ticket sales and mindset strategist Maria Bayer to talk about why so many creatives invest in beautiful branding and websites, yet still struggle to convert higher-end clients. We cover the psychology behind how elevated clients buy, how to align your sales process with your brand experience, and the small shifts that help you communicate your value with confidence (without feeling “salesy”). Key...
You don’t need to hustle harder in the off-season, you need to use it strategically. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m breaking down 10 off-season tasks you can do to elevate your brand, strengthen your marketing foundation, and set yourself up for a stronger booking season ahead. These aren’t overnight fixes or quick wins. They’re foundational brand and marketing updates that help ensure your next season feels more aligned, visible, and profitable. Key takeaways The difference bet...
Prepping your books for tax season is only half the work. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by my own bookkeeper (and good friend), Hailey Ann, for a conversation that goes beyond QuickBooks and spreadsheets. Because yes, you need clean numbers and categorized expenses, but you also need a nervous system that feels safe looking at them. We’re talking bookkeeping for wedding and event pros, tax season prep that actually saves you money, and the deeper “money stories” that can k...
Happy New Year! If you’re easing back into work and feeling that “I need to catch up on everything” pressure, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, reset your workflow, and focus on what actually moves the needle. I’m sharing 2026 website design trends, but with a big caveat: I don’t believe in chasing trends for the sake of it. I cherry-picked the trends that actually make sense for wedding and event pros, and I’m framing everything through strategy first. We’ll talk about when ...
Before you sprint into the new year, let’s take a breath, literally. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m sharing a real behind-the-scenes look at what closing out the year has actually looked like for me. From a packed season of conference travel to the push-pull of productivity vs. rest in mid-December. Instead of the usual “new year, new hustle” energy, I’m leaning into a different approach: exhale over inhale. This episode is equal parts reflection and gentle direction, with a few b...
Your FAQ section might be the most underrated sales tool on your website. In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m diving into a website section I see business owners hesitate on all the time: your FAQs. If you’ve ever wondered, “Do people even read these?” or “Can’t they just ask on the call?”, this episode is for you. Because the truth is: FAQs don’t just answer questions… they build trust, reduce friction, and help your website sell your services before you ever hop on a call. I’m also s...
What does it look like to build a DJ brand that lasts 40+ years, and still feels fresh, human, and in demand? In this episode of Engage Your Brand®, I’m joined by Marz (Marcellus Lawhorn), owner of Charizma Entertainment, to talk about marketing that actually works in the event industry, especially when you’re building longevity, not just chasing the next trend. Marz shares how Charizma books 80% referral-based leads, why relationships + consistency are the real “secret sauce,” and what it me...



