All Podcast Episodes

177 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN Discusses SEAN DE FREITAS, Founder of Designs by Sean: From King of Carnival to King of Design

177 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN Discusses SEAN DE FREITAS, Founder of Designs by Sean: From King of Carnival to King of Design

by | Aug 14, 2019 | ,

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Jennifer Stein, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, discuss Sean De Freitas’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Jennifer was recognized as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by the Arizona Republic and has over 19 years of experience in business and publishing. If you are planning a destination wedding and need ideas this magazine, and Jennifer’s blog, is where you should start.

Listen as they talk about Sean’s designs, events, and a wedding story you won’t want to miss. They chat about losing focus on your business, feeling burned out and what you can do to get the spark back, how you can make it new again. If you listen closely you might hear a tidbit you can use next time you are feeling overwhelmed and ready to quit. 

176 SEAN DE FREITAS – From King of Carnival to King of Design

176 SEAN DE FREITAS – From King of Carnival to King of Design

by | Aug 12, 2019 |

Andy is excited to welcome, Sean De Freitas, Founder of Designs by Sean an International award-winning full service event decor company specializing in both corporate and social events. Sean’s work has been recognized with over 35 industry awards and his designs are out of this world.

In this episode, Sean chats about how he got started in design, his influences along the way, how a logistic mind is crucial and how lighting can make or break an event. Listen in as he tells a moving story about how getting to know his client led to making a father-daughter dance a moment they and none of their guests will ever forget. 

In this episode you will get it all from Sean, the ups, the downs and what he had to change to make this his best life.  Go to his website to see his amazing designs then sit back, tune in and learn about the man behind the creations.

175 THE NEXT LEVEL: TAIT LARSON Discusses TIM CHI – CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry

175 THE NEXT LEVEL: TAIT LARSON Discusses TIM CHI – CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry

by | Aug 7, 2019 | ,

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Tait Larson, co-founder of Style Me Pretty, discuss Tim Chi’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Tait and his wife Abby founded Style Me Pretty, sold it to AOL, and then took it back after AOL announced they were shutting it down. Tait has some fantastic insights to share on Tim’s interview and the future of the industry.

Learn how Tait and Andy feel about Tim’s opinions on failure, courage, and entrepreneurship. They dig deep into their views on the role of failure, or obstacles, in building a business and a life. There were so many great tips and ideas shared on this episode. You won’t want to miss it!

174 TIM CHI – CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry

174 TIM CHI – CEO, The Knot Worldwide: Combining Technology and Trends to Innovate the Wedding Industry

by | Aug 5, 2019 |

Andy welcomes to the show Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, a technologist and entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to creating better, more efficient technologies for the education and wedding industries. Before co-founding WeddingWire, he co-founded Blackboard. Tim is driven to help others by creating resources through technology!

In this episode, Tim chats about his inspiration for WeddingWire, why he decided to merge with The Knot, now the world’s largest vertical marketplace servicing the wedding industry, and what keeps driving him to innovate and create trends. Learn how he became an entrepreneur and why he worried about telling his parents about his endeavors. Tim is open and honest about what he sees for the future of the wedding industry and how changes in buying habits and trends have affected the business.

Tim is an awesome guest and his insights into the changes of the industry and business, in general, are extremely informative. Listen in and learn how Tim has gotten to where he is and what he plans for the future of The Knot Worldwide.

173 THE NEXT LEVEL: VALERIE GERNHAUSER Discusses MERYL SNOW Part 2, Setting Yourself Apart in Life and Business

173 THE NEXT LEVEL: VALERIE GERNHAUSER Discusses MERYL SNOW Part 2, Setting Yourself Apart in Life and Business

by | Jul 31, 2019 | ,

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Valerie Gernhauser, CEO of Sapphire Events, discuss Meryl Snow’s second interview on the Wedding Biz. Valerie is a self-proclaimed, recovering attorney who has built a business out of design practices and principles as well as teaching others how to build their own business. She loves sharing the knowledge she has gained through trial and error in her years in the business.

Listen to learn how Valerie and Andy feel about Meryl’s philosophies about training, pricing, and sales. They dive deep into how they train their teams, the importance of cold calling, and why Meryl’s thoughts on pricing had them re-evaluating their own pricing structures. There are so many great tidbits of thought and reflection in this episode. Don’t miss out on a word!

172 MERYL SNOW: Part 2 Setting Yourself Apart In Life And Business.

172 MERYL SNOW: Part 2 Setting Yourself Apart In Life And Business.

by | Jul 29, 2019 |

Andy welcomes back to the show Meryl Snow, an icon in the events and catering industry. In Meryl’s first interview, she and Andy discussed her multiple businesses and how she started in the space. The conversation was amazing and there were so many more details to unpack. 

On this episode, Meryl shares everything from why she admires the millennial work philosophy and how to prepare, create, and grow a successful business. Listen in to learn some really juicy tidbits from a true business genius.

Been struggling with creating proposals, creating your brand story, or setting your pricing strategy? Meryl digs in and provides her tips and beliefs on why we shouldn’t be working ourselves to the bone any longer. She also provides amazing insights on how creating a brand story and storytelling set you apart with your potential clients.

This was an amazing conversation and Meryl is truly an open book. Listen in and learn how she’s gotten to where she is now and the philosophies that have kept her and her business relevant over more than two decades in the industry. Don’t miss the chance to learn from an expert.

171 THE NEXT LEVEL: JULIE NOVACK Discusses CALDER CLARK, Planning and Design for Chic Classic Southern Events

171 THE NEXT LEVEL: JULIE NOVACK Discusses CALDER CLARK, Planning and Design for Chic Classic Southern Events

by | Jul 24, 2019 | ,

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Julie Novack, founder of PartySlate, chat about Calder Clark’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Julie is a marketing expert who has been in the business for more than 20 years and is working to make PartySlate the best resource in the world for connecting wedding vendors and their clients.

Julie and Andy discuss everything from Clader’s initial market research through peer shopping to her beliefs on having multiple streams of revenue. Learn why processes are the foundation of growth and why they should never be static. Listen as Julie shares her insights on all of the wonderful things Calder has done to market and grow her business.

170 CALDER CLARK: Planning and Design for Chic Classic Southern Events

170 CALDER CLARK: Planning and Design for Chic Classic Southern Events

by | Jul 22, 2019 |

Calder Clark, owner and creative director at Calder Clark, has created a devoted following due to her flawless attention to detail for her immaculate destination fetes. Andy and Calder dive deep into her background, processes, and what truly drives her to plan and design the events she takes on. 

Learn how she set herself up for success early on, learned the ins and outs of the wedding biz from her hotel days, and why multiple revenue streams and investing are so important. She gives some amazing tips for those just starting out in the business and provides a truly transparent look at her business and philosophies. 

If you’ve been looking to hear how a successful wedding and events planner and designer has managed to find work/life balance and prosperity, then you won’t want to miss Andy’s conversation with Calder Clark.

169 THE NEXT LEVEL: JES GORDON Discusses DARREN OLARSCH, Creating the Ultimate Music and Entertainment for Events!

169 THE NEXT LEVEL: JES GORDON Discusses DARREN OLARSCH, Creating the Ultimate Music and Entertainment for Events!

by | Jul 17, 2019 | ,

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy and Jes Gordon, the rockstar event producer, chat about Darren Olarsch’s interview on The Wedding Biz. Jes has been involved in planning and visualizing top tier events for huge companies and has a lot to say about the space. Listen in to hear her input on the live music scene for occasions and how passion is the driver of business.

Andy and Jess dive deep into the need for, and the push towards, live music and how a hybrid model of a particular type of live music and DJ entertainment is a key to capturing our short attention spans. Many event planners and organizers enter the space as a way of life and that passion is what makes them great. Learn more on this episode!

168 DARREN OLARSCH: Creating the Ultimate Music and Entertainment for Events!

168 DARREN OLARSCH: Creating the Ultimate Music and Entertainment for Events!

by | Jul 15, 2019 |

Darren Olarsch, Founder of On The Move Entertainment, has built a business out of creating the ultimate music-scapes for every event he puts on.  He is sought after for his focus on live bands and orchestras and creating the most amazing dramatic music scenes for his events. 

Learn how music is the keystone of each event and how Darren layers his musical themes to create a magical dream-scape for all of his events. Also, learn how Darren manages his business and vision for every event. You won’t want to miss this amazing inside look at how Darren blends business and creativity in creating the ultimate experience!

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