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 feel called to reflect on it from a deeply personal place. I invite you to join me in looking back at the growth—both messy and beautiful—that this year has brought.---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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/eLXvc2XLInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs.erin.king/Website: https://erinking.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrserinking/------(00:02:47) Collapsing on a Zoom Meeting and Waking Up in the ER(00:06:11) Study: "When you think about a leader that you think is successful, what is it about them that makes them so successful?"(00:11:46) DUH Method to Maximize Energy(00:15:44) What Happens When You Feel Like You Don't Have Control of Your Life(00:19:33) The 5 Energy Types(00:24:08) Energy Preservation through Processing and Recharging(00:31:55) What We Can Learn from Big Energy Beings(00:42:35) Energy DNA Report for Relationship Compatibility---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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, energy, and resources into something you were sure would be a game changer, only to realize it wasn’t going to make the money you hoped—or maybe it didn’t quite fit the life you want to build. Yeah… same.But here’s the deal: it’s ok to stop. It’s ok to pivot. In fact, it’s necessary sometimes. And if you’re sitting there thinking, But pivoting feels like failure, trust me—you’re going to see things differently by the end of this episode.-----Connect with Jess Ekstrom:JessEkstrom.comMic Drop Workshop: https://micdropworkshop.com/Amplify with Jess Ekstrom Podcast: https://micdropworkshop.com/amplify-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_ekstrom/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author/Text HYPE to 704-228-9495------(00:03:10) NOT writing down ideas?(00:06:52) I used to be heavy into journaling...(00:09:40) What is your low stakes playground?(00:15:00) The $300K investment that Jess gave back(00:20:00) The partnership that Megan backed out of last minute(00:23:50) Making decisions for tomorrow(00:32:00) 5 year goals? 10 year goals? Nope. 100 year goals!---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 this special live-recorded episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look (and listen!) into the retreat as we answer questions straight from our members on everything from growing a team to tackling current challenges in the wedding industry, and even knowing when it might be time for a big pivot in your business.So, grab a glass and listen along as we dive into an AMA that’s full of practical insights, candid conversations, and a few background wine clinks.In this episode, we discuss:Key strategies for growing and supporting your teamHow to own and thrive in your unique “zone of genius”Identifying and addressing common challenges from wedding clientsKnowing when to make major shifts in your business-----(00:02:39) How can we be the best bosses ever so that our team loves being on our team forever?(00:07:07) What are you seeing are the biggest challenges from couples getting married right now, and how can we as planners best serve those concerns and their pain points?(00:09:14) At what point did you decide to sell your business and go into coaching full time? Was that something you always had as an eventual exit strategy or did something else happen that kind of prompted that for you?(00:13:05) What is the shift that needs to happen to take a business that has reached multiple six figures in revenue and has the team in place to scaling beyond that?(00:16:52) When you were running your business as a wedding planner, what was your weakness and how did you lean into it and eventually grow from it?(00:19:10) If you were to start your coaching business again, what is one thing you would do the same, and what is one thing that you would do differently?---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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, and they share their tips on how it all relates to wedding pros.----Links Mentioned:Time-Saving Client Questionnaire Bundle: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/time-saving-questionnaire-bundleThe Planner's Vault Client Experience Bundle: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/client-experience-bundleWhat to Gift Your Couples and Vendors: https://www.theplannersvault.com/blog/what-should-a-wedding-planner-gift-to-couplesThe Planner's Vault Discovery Call Guide: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/effortless-consultations-a-6-step-framework-for-booking-dream-clientsa'Verde Cocina + Tequila Library: https://www.averdecary.com/Midtown Pediatric Dentistry: https://www.midtownkidsdentist.com/Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573/Giftology: The Art and Science of Using Gifts to Cut Through the Noise, Increase Referrals, and Strengthen Retention: https://www.amazon.com/Giftology-Increase-Referrals-Strengthen-Retention/dp/1619614332-----(00:02:23) Elevating Client Experiences for Loyal Customers(00:05:21) First Impressions at the New Vet(00:13:55) Why Megan's daughter cried when she COULDN'T go to the Dentist!(00:23:45) Flaming Churros, Boomboxes, Orange Juice Spray, and SHOTS!(00:27:58) Personalized Wedding Thank-You - One Easy but Special Gift---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 can't be in more than one location at once. More markets also mean more team members, which means more logistical issues to navigate. So...should you do it anyway?Let's find out from someone who plans weddings throughout the world and has locations in San Francisco, Charleston, Los Angeles, and Miami - Shannon Leahy. -----Shannon Leahy Events@ShannonLeahyEventsWedded: The Wedding Planner Podcast------(00:01:30) Introducing Shannon Leahy(00:05:37) How can event planning be improved through client feedback?(00:07:30) Who's doing all the sales calls?(00:10:00) Shannon's greatest fear when building a team(00:14:00) Getting it out of her head to create SOPs(00:19:00) If you were starting today, what would you do differently?(00:24:00) How do you balance all the things including a personal life?---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 a moment to pause the chaos.-----Hannah Abad Coaching@hannahabadcoachingResilience Restoration Membership: ---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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. Fortunately, the person who helped me find the brakes joins us today, and she’s sharing her advice to help you restore balance in your life.-----Hannah Abad Coaching@hannahabadcoachingResilience Restoration Membership: ------(00:02:58) The Freeze Response in High-Achieving Leaders(00:14:14) Survival Response Impact on Mental Health(00:19:38) Survival State's Influence on Decision Making(00:23:44) Interconnected Systems: Establishing Safety for Healing(00:32:13) Transformative Shift Through Releasing Core Beliefs(00:34:33) Transitioning from Survival Mechanisms to Healthy Identity(00:43:09) Embracing Self-Value through Human Being Approach---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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?----Links Mentioned:291. How to Plan a Workcation That Recharges Your Focus and EnergyWorkcation Ideas & Tips for Wedding Creatives---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 course, they answer the question of how you find the right location!----Links Mentioned:Workcation Ideas & Tips for Wedding Creatives-----(00:00:33) "A workation is an amazing way to blend relaxation with productivity and be able to tackle some of those big picture growth items on your list."(00:06:30) "One of the reasons why we love our jobs is because it's not the same every single day. But..." (00:14:09) Finding the right team members for the workcation(00:18:41) Organizing the agenda(00:23:50) "The best ideas and the breakthroughs come from giving flexibility around what you'll get done and being open for the unexpected conversations that come." ---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 up!So how can we get to the execution of the big ideas, while taking care of the things that need to be done?Let's find out as we chat with The Planner's Vault COO Gina Johnston!----Links Mentioned:119: Preventing Squirrel Brain: Time Blocking and Productivity TipsThe Planner's Vault Template Shop-----(00:04:52) How to keep your goals top of mind(00:07:54) "Hello, my name is Megan, and I am a recovering people pleaser."(00:11:40) Endless time management options(00:16:08) Efficient team task management(00:16:58) "I will get that piece of candy if I can do it."(00:18:45) Paper or digital?(00:23:22) Can you really stay focused on one task?(00:30:10) Resting your brain(00:37:47) What's an "Adulting Hour"?---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 burnout. Today, we're digging into Colleen's philosophy on time blocking, time tracking, auditing your time (scary!), and recommended tools to use.---(00:02:13) Optimizing Time Management with White Space(00:04:28) Task Grouping for Improved Productivity(00:09:37) Optimizing Idea Generation for Business Efficiency(00:18:38) "Energy-Driven Time Management Strategies"(00:25:17) "Optimizing Productivity Through Time Tracking"(00:27:55) Optimizing Productivity with Personalized Energy Rhythms(00:34:18) "15-Minute Time Audit Transformation Challenge"---Resources MentionedTime Freedom ChallengeThe Planner's Vault ShopActive InboxFull Focus PlannerClockifyAsana---Colleen Carswell is the Founder and CEO of Structured to Scale. You can follow her on instagram @colleencarswell_---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
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 episode, we're diving into some productivity, energetic alignment, and time management tips just for you.---00:02:21 Navigating Business Growth while Maintaining Well-being00:04:10 Holistic Energy Optimization through Pillar Alignment00:09:06 Focus on Small Wins for Lasting Change00:12:30 Personalized Self-Care for Vitality and Fulfillment00:16:37 Personalized Productivity Approach for Self-Improvement---Resources MentionedTime Freedom ChallengeThe Planner's Vault ShopActive InboxFull Focus PlannerClockifyAsana---Colleen Carswell is the Founder and CEO of Structured to Scale. You can follow her on instagram @colleencarswell_---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Back in 2019, photographer Jillian Knight asked me to coffee to talk about an idea she had for her business - requiring a planner at ALL of her events. What this meant was that if couples didn’t have a planner or want to hire a planner, she simply wouldn’t work with them. As a planner, I absolutely loved it of course. And for the photographer, I thought it had a chance to be amazing for her and a way to stand out in our market…but there was also the reality that she’d literally be turning down business. So what’s happened since that meeting two and a half years ago?@JillianKnightPhotography #SaveYourMomHireaWeddingPlanner #AllWeddingsNeedPlanners---This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul.The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Actually, Ask US Anything, as Gina Johnston from The Planner's Vault joins the podcast today to tackle some big topics, like navigating a cash flow crisis, planning your exit strategy, making smart investments in your business, and reflecting on what we might have done differently at each stage of the journey. And of course, how in the world do we balance (LOL) the demands of motherhood and working full time. ----Links Mentioned:284. Ask Me Anything: Team Pay, Burnout, Tricky Vendor Situations & More!Honeybook-----(00:03:38) How do I figure my way out of a cash flow crisis and feel like I'm on top of my finances again?(00:12:57) What are the options for an exit strategy? And what does "exit" actually mean?(00:19:30) What were some of the best investments you made in your company beyond the standard answers of courses and business coaching?(00:25:30) What would you have done differently in each stage of your business? (00:33:55) What's your biggest piece of advice for juggling raising babies at home and growing your business at the same time?---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Let me take a peek into your small business owner brain. You feel the pressure to be active and showing up regularly on several (all?) of the social media platforms. And you know there's a need to consistently put content out there in the form of blog post or on Instagram or maybe a newsletter. And then you need to think about word-of-mouth marketing and your brand identity. And then what about running ads on search engines or social media? You could be doing all of these things, but you ask yourself, what truly moves the needle for you and is worth the money, energy, and your precious time? Well, today Enji's Tayler Cusick Hollman brings the data to help us with the four biggest challenges that small business owners are facing right now in their marketing. -----Check out Enji------(00:02:55) Are prospects even aware that I exist?(00:13:03) Content Creation: More than a time suck(00:21:39) How can you get leads?(00:35:07) The BS "No Time for Marketing" excuse---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
You asked the questions, and here are the answers!It's time for another AMA - a candid, no holds barred, ask me anything episode where I'm going to be tackling your burning questions that were submitted inside our free Facebook group or through the call for questions over on our Instagram page. Whether you're managing challenging vendor relationships or trying to avoid the burnout hamster wheel, or perhaps you resonate with the balance of paying your team while trying to keep your business profitable and pay yourself, this episode is for you!(00:02:55) The event manager is redoing all my work at the event. What should I do?(00:07:45) After a pause in my business, how can I ramp back up?(00:12:30) How can I pay my team well, yet still profit as a business?(00:17:10) The vendor I recommended messed up. Now what??(00:20:30) How can I break through my growth plateau?Links Mentioned:Waitlist: https://learn.theplannersvault.com/pvwaitlistTemplate Shop: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop/p/boundary-setting-toolkitRecent burnout episodes:272. Burnout: My Old Habits Die Screaming Story274. Burnout Red Flags: How to Spot Them and What to Do Next275. How to Audit Your Life + Business to Reclaim Your Joy279. What You Need to Know About Growth + Burnout as a High-Achiever---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Let's face it, this is one of the busiest seasons of your career. It feels like you don't have time for anything other than your clients, but in this solo episode, I'm giving 9 tips for you to become a better wedding pro. Pick a couple to focus on now, then come back once it slows down to implement the rest!Here’s the link to our 25+ Helpful Email Template Bundle I mentioned in the episode from our shop!This episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault, my online membership site for wedding planners who are hungry to grow, ready to hustle, and actively seeking community and education. In the vault, there are guest experts on many topics relevant to growing and cultivating a successful event planning business with new content added consistently, plus all of my templates that I have built out over the years, like How to Get on Preferred Vendor Lists, The Client Experience, and more. The mission with the vault is to elevate the industry (along with some amazing experts and fellow entrepreneurs) and I want it to be affordable so it's possible to stay invested in the community and yourself for the long haul.The doors are currently closed for The Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
As the CEO of Walk West, a Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner, wife, and mom of 2, Abha Bowers was seemingly on top of the world. Until she discovered a new passion that would completely transform her career and way of life.---(00:03:21) Abha fell in love(00:04:30) "If I wanted to make moves, I had to learn."(00:13:18) "What are you afraid of? Failing."(00:15:44) The power of mentorship and a support system(00:17:49) What is eco-mapping?(00:21:01) "There's no better advocate for yourself than yourself."(00:23:55) "The timing of this transition was bananas."(00:28:17) How to recharge(00:29:38) Strategies for daily task management---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Grieving is unfortunately a universal part of the human experience. Whether it's hit us yet or not, grief will bring us to our knees. So while we can't avoid it, how can we honor our grief without letting it define us?Today, ESPN sideline reporter Lauren Sisler shares her story of losing her parents at 18. Initially, she ran as fast as she could from the pain and shame associated with her parents' deaths, eventually finding the courage to confront and share her story. By owning her past and using it as a source of strength, Lauren has navigated the different stages of life with a newfound sense of purpose and intentionality.And she's here to help us through our own adversity.(00:03:00) Journey of Overcoming Parents' Prescription Overdoses(00:06:36) Owning Your Story(00:10:01) The Tough Love Approach?(00:13:38) Transforming Challenges into Sources of Strength(00:15:40) "Be where your feet are. Soak up this moment. Time is non refundable."(00:20:34) The Case for Therapy(00:31:43) Embracing Personal Narratives for Resilience and Connection---Lauren Sisler (@laurensisler) is a keynote speaker and author of the book Shatterproof: How I Overcame the Shame of Losing My Parents to Opioid Addiction (and Found My Sideline Shimmy).---Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault. The doors are currently closed for The Planner's Vault, but join the wait list now so you can be the first to know when the doors re-open.Weddings for Real on Social Media:Instagram: @weddingsforrealFacebook: @weddingsforrealtwitter: @weddingsforrealHosted by Megan Gillikin, Weddings for Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Earfluence. Your Free Gift Now Through December 27th: https://www.theplannersvault.com/shop
Terra Carlson
This podcast is one of my favorites in regards to the wedding industry. Megan is relatable, asks thoughtful questions, is engaging, and interviews a wide range of professionals who provide diversity in thought and opinion. She is also one of THE MOST consistent podcasters, which is a huge plus for me. She is timely in her topics, and I believe that she really cares about those who work in the industry. I would recommend this podcast again and again who is new to the industry or who is a seasoned pro.
Carrie Shuping
As a wedding vendor, I have found the Weddings For Real to be equally informative and entertaining!