The Venue Success Podcast

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee welcomes back Justin Sutton, founder of Nuptial Risk and Vowed, to discuss the importance of specialized insurance for wedding venues. The conversation covers various topics, including event management challenges, the significance of risk management, and actionable steps for venue owners to protect their businesses. Justin emphasizes the need for proper documentation, understanding insurance requirements, and the value of having a reliable insurance partner who understands the unique needs of the wedding industry.When it comes to wedding venues, Justin isn’t just the guy who knows how to “save the date”—he’s the guy who helps make sure it doesn’t need saving in the first place. As the fearless Chief Ever-After Officer of Nuptial, Justin has spent over a decade showing venue owners how to dodge disasters before they even appear on the radar.Forming Nuptial in 2022 was Justin’s way of making the world a safer place, one flower-laden aisle at a time. He and his team work with over 300 venues across 35 states, equipping owners with proactive strategies to manage risks effectively. His secret sauce? A philosophy that’s as simple as it is uncommon: "Products don't solve problems, but processes can help solve products." Translation? Insurance is great, but it’s the last line of defense—not the first.Justin believes that no one should have to rely solely on insurance to solve a problem, because, let’s be real, everyone enjoys writing premium checks about as much as a root canal. Instead, Nuptial helps venue owners put policies and procedures in place to help avoid chaos altogether. Whether it’s protecting a century-old barn from unruly groomsmen or keeping an elegant ballroom free of champagne-related mishaps, Nuptial’s got it covered.When he's not busy helping venue owners master the fine art of risk management, Justin can likely be found explaining to people that, no, Nuptial isn’t a wedding planning business—though his attention to detail might make them pretty OK at that too.@nuptialriskwww.nuptialrisk.com/vowed@venuesuccesspodcastwww.tirzahcaffee.comCHECK OUT OUR STICKER COLLECTION: https://www.redbubble.com/people/VenueSuccess/shop?asc=u

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee speaks with Shannon Underwood, Vice President of Wedding MBA. They discuss the challenges of wedding planning, the importance of networking and learning in the wedding industry, and the role of Wedding MBA in fostering connections among wedding professionals. Shannon shares insights on common mistakes made by wedding pros, the significance of customer service, and the process of selecting speakers for the event. The conversation also covers tips for attendees to maximize their experience at Wedding MBA, emphasizing the value of personal connections and continuous learning.@theweddingmbaweddingmba.com@venuesuccesspodcasttirzahcaffee.comCHECK OUT OUR STICKER COLLECTION: https://www.redbubble.com/people/VenueSuccess/shop?asc=u

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee welcomes venue coach Kristin Binford to share her experiences and insights from the venue industry. They discuss the challenges and unexpected situations that arise in venue management, Kristin's journey from corporate America to owning a wedding venue, and the importance of balancing business with parenting. The conversation also touches on the current state of the venue industry, the misconceptions new venue owners often have, and the value of coaching for venue owners looking to grow their businesses. Kristin emphasizes the need for heart in the venue business and the importance of being adaptable in a changing market.kristinbinford.com@weddingvenueownerwww.tirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcastCHECK OUT OUR STICKER COLLECTION: https://www.redbubble.com/people/VenueSuccess/shop?asc=u

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee welcomes Ian Ramirez, co-owner of Madeira Estates and co-founder of the Venue Help Desk. They discuss the importance of lead qualification in the wedding industry, sharing personal stories and insights on how to effectively educate couples about wedding costs, the role of transparency in pricing, and strategies for identifying red flags in leads. Ian emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries with clients and utilizing price anchoring to enhance sales. The conversation highlights the need for venue owners to be proactive in their approach to lead management and customer service, ultimately aiming for higher conversion rates and successful bookings.Ian Ramirez is a wedding venue owner, sales specialist, and co-founder of Venue Help Desk. As the co-owner of Madera Estates—a top-rated Spanish-style wedding venue in Texas—he leads a team that hosts over 85 events annually and generates nearly $3 million in revenue each year.A proud recipient of Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Ian brings nearly a decade of hands-on venue expertise to his teaching. He’s passionate about helping fellow venue owners streamline their systems, improve follow-up, and turn more leads into booked tours.Ian is a sought-after wedding venue coach and nationally recognized speaker, with appearances at Wedding MBA, Catersource + The Special Event, and more. He also holds the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation—because he believes great service starts with great systems.Now, he’s here to help you build yours.www.venuehelpdesk.com www.maderaestates.com@venuehelpdesk@maderaestatesCHECK OUT OUR VENUE STICKER COLLECTION: https://www.redbubble.com/people/VenueSuccess/shop?asc=u www.tirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee discusses the importance of technology in the wedding industry with Nora Sheils, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin. They explore the impact of scams on the industry, the need for digital solutions, and how technology can streamline operations for venues. Nora shares various tools that can help improve efficiency in both business and personal life, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new technologies to meet client expectations.Use code VENUESUCCESS for a discount to Rock Paper Coin, or click this link. https://app.rockpapercoin.com/SignUp?promoCode=VENUESUCCESS Rock Paper Coin - A CRM platform specifically for the wedding and event industry.Cloud HQ - A free plugin for Chrome used for scheduling.Calendly - A scheduling tool to manage appointments.Loom - A video recording platform for creating personalized messages.Zoom AI Assistant - Provides meeting recaps.Grammarly - A plugin for checking grammar and tone in writing.Unroll.me - A tool to manage and unsubscribe from email subscriptions.One Password - A password manager for securely storing login information.Backblaze - A backup service for files and data.Sugar Wish - A platform for sending personalized gifts.A pioneer in event technology, Rock Paper Coin co-founder Nora Sheils translates two-plus decades of wedding industry experience into a thought leadership platform that educates and inspires event professionals at all stages of their careers. Since 2018, she and her co-founder/sister-in-law Elizabeth Sheils have been committed to bringing together event professionals and couples through a more effective, streamlined approach to the often-daunting contract and invoice process. In addition, Nora is a well-respected event industry speaker and media expert. Recognized as one of the Top 500 Event Professionals by BizBash and by Portland Business Journal in its 40 under 40 series, Nora has also been heralded as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry by Eventex and was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women Award.www.rockpapercoin.com @rockpapercointirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee and guest Jonathan Aymin from The Venue Rx Podcast discuss the evolution of Common Sense Events, the importance of customer service, and the key priorities for venue owners. They explore how to create a unique client experience, essential tools for venue management, and opportunities for additional revenue. The conversation emphasizes the need for a strategic mindset in the ever-changing event industry, highlighting the importance of being proactive and informed.Jonathan Aymin is a seasoned leader in the wedding and event venue industry, with over a decade of experience building, managing, and optimizing event spaces across the country. As the founder and CEO of Common Sense Events (CSE), Jonathan and his team specialize in full-service venue management, helping property owners transform their venues into thriving, guest-focused businesses through streamlined operations, strategic marketing, hospitality-driven staffing, and revenue-enhancing programs.With a background rooted deeply in hospitality and operations, Jonathan’s career has spanned from staffing high-end events to overseeing a portfolio of diverse properties — from rustic vineyards in California to modern farmhouses in the Southeast. His hands-on approach and passion for operational excellence have made him a sought-after voice for venue owners who want to maximize profitability while delivering unforgettable guest experiences.Beyond CSE, Jonathan is the creator and host of The Venue Rx, a media platform dedicated to educating and elevating wedding venue professionals through interviews, courses, and industry insights. He is also a founding member of WEVA (the Wedding and Event Venue Association), the first professional association specifically created to serve venue owners and operators nationwide.Jonathan’s expertise lies in helping venue owners simplify complexity, uncover hidden revenue streams, build high-performing teams, and design client journeys that drive word-of-mouth referrals. His belief is simple: great venues aren’t just beautiful — they’re operationally excellent behind the scenes.When he’s not helping venues scale their success, Jonathan lives in Alabama with his wife and six (soon to be seven) children. He brings not only strategic expertise but a deep passion for service, leadership, and empowering others to succeed in the evolving events industry.@csevenuescsevenues.com@venuesuccesspodcastTirzahcaffee.com

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee speaks with Kristen Leen, owner of Event Sales Pro, about the intricacies of managing a wedding venue and the current state of the wedding industry. They discuss the challenges venue owners face, the importance of adapting to new buyer behaviors, and the differences in sales funnels for full-service versus venue-only properties. Kristin shares insights on improving sales processes, understanding generational shifts in buying behavior, and the significance of building trust with clients. The conversation emphasizes the need for venue owners to invest in their sales strategies and adapt to the evolving market to ensure success.https://www.eventsalespro.com/ @eventsalesproww.tirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcastHave a "crazy story" to share? Email venuesuccesspodcast@gmail.com!

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee and guest Jennifer Davidson of The Knot Whistleblowers discuss the challenges and concerns surrounding the wedding industry, particularly focusing on the practices of major marketing platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire. They delve into issues of transparency, the impact of mergers on pricing, false leads, and the experiences of vendors who feel misled by these platforms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of speaking up and advocating for accountability within the industry.Together, three former senior female employees of The Knot Worldwide bring a combined 60 years of experience at the company. They came forward publicly after witnessing persistent financial misconduct within The Knot Worldwide — misconduct that, in their view, has gone unchecked for years. The women refer to themselves as The Knot Whistleblowers. Their allegations have been independently investigated and reported by Forbes, The New York Post, Newsweek, The New Yorker, and the nonprofit Psst.org, where they also published a first-person essay detailing their efforts to expose what they describe as systemic wrongdoing — including financial fraud and a long-running scheme that has defrauded thousands of small businesses across the American wedding industry. Their internal whistleblowing efforts began in March 2015, shortly after TheKnot relaunched its website. At the time, they documented widespread issues, including paid vendor advertisements disappearing from the site for indefinite periods without resolution or compensation. Rather than receiving proper responses from leadership, they say they were gaslit, creating confusion and stalling efforts to correct the problems.By 2017, armed with documented evidence of misconduct, they chose to step away from the company and report their findings to federal authorities. Despite those efforts, The Knot Worldwide avoided accountability and was subsequently allowed to merge with its chief competitor, WeddingWire.Over the years since, the women have gathered and catalogued thousands of vendor complaints alleging deceptive practices — such as inflated advertising rates, alleged fake leads, misrepresentation of services, and restrictive contract terms that vendors struggled to escape. In 2023, they went public with their findings and brought their concerns to Senator Chuck Grassley, whose office formally requested a federal investigation into The Knot Worldwide in March 2025:Grassley Letter to FTC & SEC (PDF)The whistleblowers emphasize that they have never taken hush money, never signed NDAs, and are not affiliated with any class action litigation. Their goal has always been to amplify the voices of small business owners across the wedding industry who say they’ve been harmed by deceptive business practices. They remain committed to standing with the small businesses that form the heart of the American wedding industry.Vendors who believe they’ve been negatively impacted by The Knot or WeddingWire (dba WeddingPro) are encouraged to confidentially share their experience with Senator Grassley’s office via the official whistleblower form here or through the website www.theknotwhistleblowers.com:Senate Whistleblower FormPersonal Background - The Knot Whistleblowers : Jennifer Davidson – Former Global Fashion Director with nearly 21 years at The Knot across both local and national division sales teams. Jennifer has the privilege of serving as the spokesperson for The Knot Whistleblowers. Cindy Elley – Over 19 years as a top-performing Account Executive in the local division, departing in 2021 long-after new management took over post merger of The Knot and WeddingWire.Rachel LaFera – A highly-decorated performer, served 18 years in both local and national sales roles, rising to Director of Fine Jewelry. https://www.grassley.senate.gov/conta...https://theknotwhistleblowers.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/wedsk...

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee and guest Jennifer Davidson of The Knot Whistleblowers discuss the challenges and concerns surrounding the wedding industry, particularly focusing on the practices of major marketing platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire. They delve into issues of transparency, the impact of mergers on pricing, false leads, and the experiences of vendors who feel misled by these platforms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of speaking up and advocating for accountability within the industry.Together, three former senior female employees of The Knot Worldwide bring a combined 60 years of experience at the company. They came forward publicly after witnessing persistent financial misconduct within The Knot Worldwide — misconduct that, in their view, has gone unchecked for years. The women refer to themselves as The Knot Whistleblowers. Their allegations have been independently investigated and reported by Forbes, The New York Post, Newsweek, The New Yorker, and the nonprofit Psst.org, where they also published a first-person essay detailing their efforts to expose what they describe as systemic wrongdoing — including financial fraud and a long-running scheme that has defrauded thousands of small businesses across the American wedding industry. Their internal whistleblowing efforts began in March 2015, shortly after TheKnot relaunched its website. At the time, they documented widespread issues, including paid vendor advertisements disappearing from the site for indefinite periods without resolution or compensation. Rather than receiving proper responses from leadership, they say they were gaslit, creating confusion and stalling efforts to correct the problems.By 2017, armed with documented evidence of misconduct, they chose to step away from the company and report their findings to federal authorities. Despite those efforts, The Knot Worldwide avoided accountability and was subsequently allowed to merge with its chief competitor, WeddingWire.Over the years since, the women have gathered and catalogued thousands of vendor complaints alleging deceptive practices — such as inflated advertising rates, alleged fake leads, misrepresentation of services, and restrictive contract terms that vendors struggled to escape. In 2023, they went public with their findings and brought their concerns to Senator Chuck Grassley, whose office formally requested a federal investigation into The Knot Worldwide in March 2025:Grassley Letter to FTC & SEC (PDF)The whistleblowers emphasize that they have never taken hush money, never signed NDAs, and are not affiliated with any class action litigation. Their goal has always been to amplify the voices of small business owners across the wedding industry who say they’ve been harmed by deceptive business practices. They remain committed to standing with the small businesses that form the heart of the American wedding industry.Vendors who believe they’ve been negatively impacted by The Knot or WeddingWire (dba WeddingPro) are encouraged to confidentially share their experience with Senator Grassley’s office via the official whistleblower form here or through the website www.theknotwhistleblowers.com:Senate https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact/whistleblowershttps://theknotwhistleblowers.com/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/wedskeptic/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=cYWTfQ1pRr86ehlL&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fg%2F15TqczChBg%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee and attorney Leah Weinberg discuss the critical importance of contracts in the wedding industry. They share personal stories and lessons learned from contract mistakes, emphasizing the need for clear communication and setting expectations with clients. Leah outlines common pitfalls in venue contracts, the handling of cancellations and refunds, and the significance of non-disparagement clauses. The conversation also covers the role of indemnity in protecting venues and the necessity of legal services for venue owners.Leah Weinberg – founder of Weinberg Legal – is an attorney, a recovering wedding planner, and the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster.After nearly a decade in the wedding industry as the owner of Color Pop Events, a New York City-based wedding planning company, Leah is returning to her roots as an attorney to assist her former colleagues in the events industry, along with other entrepreneurs and business owners. A WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020, Leah travels throughout the country and internationally sharing insight with her peers at conferences and organizations such as DWP Congress, Be Sage Conference, Coterie Retreat, RSVP Club, WIPA, Wedding MBA, Alt Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.Leah is honored to serve on the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals (NSBWEP) while also mentoring through NSBWEP's Mentor Program and WeddingPro's Fellowship for Change program.weinberglegal.com@theleahweinberg@weinberglegaltirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcastEMAIL US QUESTIONS FOR FUTURE Q&A WITH LEAHvenuesuccesspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee speaks with Heidi Thompson, founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business. They discuss the challenges and dynamics of the wedding industry, including family influences on weddings, the evolution of wedding trends towards authenticity, and the importance of marketing and standing out in a saturated market. Heidi shares insights from her journey in the wedding industry, the current state of the market, and the upcoming Book More Weddings Summit, which aims to help wedding professionals improve their marketing and sales strategies.Heidi Thompson is the best-selling author of Clone Your Best Clients and the wedding business coach & marketing strategist behind Evolve Your Wedding Business where she helps wedding professionals book more ideal clients and craft a business that gives them the income, life, and freedom they want. Her business & marketing expertise has been featured on several wedding and business outlets and events including Wedding Business Magazine, Wedding Industry Insider, The Wedding Empires Podcast, WeddingMBA, Aisle Planner, Honeybook, and WeddingWire World. She is the creator and host of Book More Weddings Summit & Wedding Business CEO Summit. Over the past 12+ years, Heidi has helped thousands of wedding pros of all kinds across 6 continents grow their businesses without working 60+ hour weeks.www.evolveyourweddingbusiness.com@evolveyourweddingbusinesstirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee interviews Kerry Krull, the founder of the revolutionary wedding app designed to enhance communication and guest experience during weddings. They discuss the challenges faced by couples and planners in the wedding industry, share crazy stories from their experiences, and explore how The Wedding App can streamline wedding planning and improve guest interactions. The conversation highlights the app's features, benefits for venues, and the importance of adapting to modern technology in the wedding space.Kerry is revolutionizing the wedding industry by providing planners and venues with a luxury, interactive platform that enhances real-time communication with couples and their guests. The Wedding App transforms the traditional wedding website into a dynamic tool, offering instant updates, push notifications, and seamless coordination—perfect for managing last-minute changes, shuttle services, and guest communications. By ensuring no detail goes unnoticed, Kerry empowers planners and venues to deliver a flawless, stress-free experience, elevating their services and exceeding client expectations.https://thewedding-app.com@theweddingappusatirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee welcomes SEO specialist Sara Dunn to discuss the importance of search engine optimization for wedding venues. The conversation includes into a detailed exploration of SEO, including its definition, significance, and practical strategies for venue owners. Sara emphasizes the importance of using the right keywords, building authority through backlinks, and maintaining a user-friendly website. They also discuss common mistakes venue owners make in their SEO efforts and the best platforms for building websites. The episode concludes with information on how to work with Sara and her team for SEO services, as well as her free monthly "lunch and learn" sessions.saradoesseo.com@saradoesseotirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee speaks with Nina Addeo, owner of I Do Wedding Marketing, about the importance of social media in the wedding industry. They discuss strategies for finding ideal couples, crafting effective Instagram captions, maximizing engagement with visual content, and leveraging platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Google My Business for visibility. Nina shares her insights on how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media marketing and offers valuable tips for wedding venues to enhance their online presence and connect with potential clients.Nina Addeo is the owner of I Do Wedding Marketing, a social media marketing agency specific to the wedding industry. The agency specializes in taking broad marketing tactics and applying them to the niche and hyper-local needs of wedding professionals.Nina's in-house experience with venues fueled her passion and her knowledge of the event industry, allowing her to market to the specific pain points, processes, and performance metrics that are exclusive to wedding professionals. Nina Addeo is the host of the I Do Wedding Marketing podcast, which has over 100-episodes of marketing value for wedding industry professionals. Addeo is excited to be celebrating over 11 years of social media marketing experience specifically for wedding professionals. (Not bad when you consider Instagram is 14-years-old!)LISTEN FOR A FREE GIFT FROM NINA!www.idoweddingmarketing.com@idoweddingmarketingwww.tirzahcaffee.com@venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee speaks with Justin Sutton from Nuptial Risk Insurance about the importance of risk management in the wedding industry. They discuss various aspects of protecting wedding venues, including the significance of asking the right questions, understanding unique risks, and implementing effective policies. Justin shares crazy stories from the industry, highlights the need for proper insurance coverage, and emphasizes the value of having a venue representative present during events. The conversation also touches on managing risks associated with children at venues and the safety concerns surrounding sparklers and fire. Overall, the episode serves as a comprehensive guide for venue owners to navigate the complexities of risk management and ensure a safe environment for their clients. When it comes to wedding venues, Justin isn’t just the guy who knows how to “save the date”—he’s the guy who helps make sure it doesn’t need saving in the first place. As the fearless Chief Ever-After Officer of Nuptial, Justin has spent over a decade showing venue owners how to dodge disasters before they even appear on the radar. Forming Nuptial in 2022 was Justin’s way of making the world a safer place, one flower-laden aisle at a time. He and his team work with over 300 venues across 35 states, equipping owners with proactive strategies to manage risks effectively. His secret sauce? A philosophy that’s as simple as it is uncommon: "Products don't solve problems, but processes can help solve products." Translation? Insurance is great, but it’s the last line of defense—not the first. Justin believes that no one should have to rely solely on insurance to solve a problem, because, let’s be real, everyone enjoys writing premium checks about as much as a root canal. Instead, Nuptial helps venue owners put policies and procedures in place to help avoid chaos altogether. Whether it’s protecting a century-old barn from unruly groomsmen or keeping an elegant ballroom free of champagne-related mishaps, Nuptial’s got it covered. When he's not busy helping venue owners master the fine art of risk management, Justin can likely be found explaining to people that, no, Nuptial isn’t a wedding planning business—though his attention to detail might make them pretty OK at that too. www.nuptialrisk.com @nuptialrisk tirzahcaffee.com @venuesuccesspodcast

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee and guest Elizabeth Nelson of Snowmad Digital discuss the intricacies of digital marketing specifically tailored for wedding venues. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on the wedding industry, the evolving search behaviors of couples, and the importance of cohesive marketing strategies. Elizabeth shares insights on SEO, Google Ads, and common mistakes to avoid, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to connect with the right couples. The conversation highlights the significance of adapting to changes in the digital landscape and the value of investing in effective marketing strategies. @snowmaddigital snowmaddigital.com @venuesuccesspodcast tirzahcaffee.com

In this episode of the Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee introduces Jarek Rozyskie from Hitched Marketing, discussing the importance of effective marketing strategies for wedding venues. They discuss the necessity of systems in managing venue operations. The conversation transitions into the power of digital marketing, particularly Facebook and Instagram ads, and how to balance organic content with paid advertising. Jarek provides practical tips for running effective ads, emphasizes the value of transparency in pricing, and discusses the importance of follow-up and nurturing leads to convert them into bookings. The episode concludes with resources for venue owners looking to improve their marketing efforts. www.tirzahcaffee.com @venuesuccesspodcast @hitched_marketing Jarek's Free Guide: https://www.hitchedvenuemarketing.com/e-book-funnel-page-6161

In this episode, Tirzah Caffee introduces Season Two of the Venue Success Podcast, sharing her excitement and plans for the upcoming season. She recounts a humorous and chaotic wedding story, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of events in the wedding industry. Tirzah discusses the importance of community support for venue owners and introduces the theme of the season, which focuses on providing valuable resources and connections to help venue owners succeed. She highlights the necessity of investing in professional services to enhance business success and expresses her commitment to authenticity throughout the podcast. @tirzah_thevenuecoach @venuesuccesspodcast Apply: venuesuccesspodcast@gmail.com

In this final episode of Season One of the Venue Success Podcast, the hosts, Tirzah and her husband (and co-owner), Bradley, reflect on their experiences managing a venue, focusing on the importance of staff culture, hiring practices, and creating a positive work environment. They share a personal story about addressing inappropriate behavior from a wedding guest towards an employee, emphasizing the need for managers to stand up for their staff. The conversation then shifts to effective hiring strategies, scheduling practices, and the significance of accountability and training in maintaining a cohesive team. The episode concludes with insights on fostering a supportive workplace culture and the importance of trust among team members. (This episode includes discussions of racism) www.tirzahcaffee.com @venuesuccesspodcast @bradleycaffeeauthor

In this episode of The Venue Success Podcast, host Tirzah Caffee talks with Jeff and Sheila Caddell from Mountain View Farm Weddings to explore the all-inclusive wedding model. They share personal stories about the challenges of managing weddings, particularly the unpredictability of children at events, and discuss how their journey led them to adopt an all-inclusive approach. The conversation highlights the benefits of this model, including stress reduction for couples and improved vendor management, while also addressing misconceptions about what all-inclusive truly means. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the intricacies of running an all-inclusive wedding venue, focusing on pricing strategies, vendor relationships, and the importance of customization in the wedding planning process. They explore the challenges and benefits of transitioning to an all-inclusive model, emphasizing the need for differentiation in a saturated market. The discussion also touches on the changing trends in weddings and the realities of managing a venue business. @mountainviewfarmsweddings www.mountainviewfarmsofashville.com www.tirzahcaffee.com @venuesuccesspodcast To be on the podcast, email venuesuccesspodcast@gmail.com