Planner Life Podcast | A Podcast For Wedding Planners

Heather Hoesch Olsen
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Planner Life Podcast | A Podcast For Wedding Planners

The Planner Life Podcast, your go-to destination for all things wedding planning and business mastery. Hosted by Heather Hoesch Olsen, a highly experienced wedding planner, industry educator, and your professional friend in the world of weddings. Join Heather every week as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over two decades in the wedding industry. With a passion for crafting unforgettable moments and a keen eye for detail, Heather's journey has taken her through every facet of wedding planning imaginable. From intimate gatherings to lavish affairs, from budget-conscious ceremonies to extravagant celebrations, Heather has seen it all. But her expertise extends far beyond just executing flawless events. Heather is on a mission to empower and inspire planners like you to reach new heights in your business. Through candid conversations, expert interviews, and actionable insights, the Planner Life Podcast is your compass for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the wedding industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, tune in each week to learn, grow, and be inspired. Heather's unique blend of creativity, wisdom, and practical advice will leave you feeling confident and equipped to tackle any challenge that comes your way. So, if you're ready to elevate your skills, build a thriving business, and join a supportive community of like-minded professionals, then the Planner Life Podcast is your must-listen resource. Welcome to the Planner Life! Questions, comments or want to connect with Heather: Email: hello@plannerlifeacademy.com IG: @plannerlifeacademy @plannerlifepodcast Website: plannerlifeacademy.com

  1. 067: Holly Gray, "No Is A complete Sentence"

    5 DAYS AGO

    067: Holly Gray, "No Is A complete Sentence"

    Hi planners! Meet my next guest, Holly Gray.  Founder and CEO of Anything But Gray Events, Holly Gray is a Los Angeles, California second generation wedding planner and community builder. As you'll learn, Holly is a former stage manager of theater, TV, improv, and she brings a fearlessly theatrical perspective and unique skill set to the event industry.  Holly is known for her use of color, creativity, and bold design aesthetics. Anything but great events weddings look and feel as unique and out of the box as the couples they are crafted for. Holly's work has been featured in Equally Wed, Green Wedding Shoes, Offbeat Bride, Black Bride Magazine, Love, Inc. Magazine, The Knot, California Wedding Day, Rock and Roll Bride, and more.  One of the many reasons I have admired Holly for a long time is her devotion to inclusivity, diversity, and she's vocal about planning weddings for ALL couples in love. We talk about that passion and how it fuels her voice for change in the wedding industry. Holly is the WIPA National Director of Membership Retention and is also a mentor of The Knot’s Fellowship of Change Program.  You will quickly learn in this episode how impressive and inspiring Holly's drive is to be herself. She shares how humor and improv have helped her find her voice and how after a few years into owning her own company, she realized by embracing who she is, what she loves would really allow her to create a brand and a company that is exactly where she should be.  Holly shares the importance of strategic networking and not being afraid to ask, how can I help you to venues and vendors that you align with. I hope in listening to this conversation, you're inspired to continue to tweak and pivot your company and your brand to be a more authentic representation of you.    Connect with Holly Gray Website | Instagram

    46 min
  2. 066: Jessica Upton, "Travel Advisor & Planner Relationship"

    JAN 29

    066: Jessica Upton, "Travel Advisor & Planner Relationship"

    Meet my next guest, Jessica Upton. Jessica Upton is the owner of J. Upton Travel, a Austin, Texas based company that partners with wedding planners to manage all things travel for weddings and destination events.  With over a decade of experience as a wedding planner herself, Jessica knows firsthand the challenges planners face when it comes to group travel, room blocks, and hotel contracts. She works closely with planners to source the best hotels, negotiate favorable terms, and provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth travel experience for both clients and their guests. Jessica's goal is to take the stress out of the travel planning process so planners can really focus on creating the perfect event for their couples.  As you will hear, Jessica worked at a wedding venue as a hotel catering sales manager and then owned her own planning company for 12 years. It was during that time she realized she didn't want to be a planner forever. She started to dip into travel by supporting her couples in room block management, destination travel management, airport travel, airport transfers, and honeymoons. It was then she realized she would need to pick a lane and J. Upton travel was it.  I love hearing Jessica's story and insight as she educates us on the difference between a travel agent and a travel advisor. She shares more about how planners can and should have a few travel advisors to lean on for room blocks, honeymoon referrals.  But most of all, planners should have a trusted partner to help support your couple and their guests at destination weddings. Please enjoy my conversation with Jessica Upton.  In this episode, we discuss: Travel advisors and wedding planners can work together effectively. Jessica transitioned from wedding planning to travel due to personal experiences. The pandemic significantly impacted the wedding industry and planning. Modern travel advisors offer personalized services beyond just booking. Collaboration is key for successful destination weddings. Travel advisors can help alleviate stress for couples planning honeymoons. It's important to find a travel advisor that specializes in desired destinations. Building relationships with travel advisors can enhance service quality. Travel advisors can provide valuable insights into hotel logistics. The travel industry is evolving, and planners should adapt accordingly.   Connect with Jessica Website | Instagram   This episode is supported by Planner Life Academy. In case you didn't know, we created Planner Life Academy for planners to have the education, tools and resources we wish we had. For me, I love sharing all the tips, tools and insight into all the little ways you can provide an amazing experience for your couples, their family and friends. I think one of the best places to really make sure you are making a great first impression is at the rehearsal. For so many planners, the ceremony rehearsal is something that is stressful and annoying, but I love it! And I think with the right script you will enjoy it too. So I created a free rehearsal audio recording where I walk you through exactly how I run a ceremony rehearsal.  So you can have my tried and true process to create your own rehearsal script allowing you to start every wedding with confidence and making a great impression. Get the rehearsal recording today : FREE Rehearsal Recording Join me each week! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you will never miss an episode. Keep the conversation going and get more free content, info on upcoming workshops and more over on @plannerlifeacademy and @plannerlifepodcast on Instagram. I love to see your tags and reposts of the episodes you are enjoying! Ready to up level your wedding planning business? There are so many resources available for you at https://www.plannerlifeacademy.com/. Be well and happy planning! xo, Heather

    38 min
  3. 065: Ashley Thompson, The Power of Yes

    JAN 15

    065: Ashley Thompson, The Power of Yes

    Happy New Year! Meet my next guest, Ashley Thompson.  Ashley Thompson is a Las Vegas native who started Ashley Creative Events in 2017. As you'll hear in this episode, Ashley found her passion for events at a very young age when she was inspired by the events her mom would plan and host. Ashley knew weddings were the end game and she carefully created a resume to learn every bit of the event industry until she found her way to starting her own business.  Today, Ashley leads her company as the owner and creative director. She focuses on understanding her clients' priorities and carefully crafting the intentional touches and moments that reflect their vision. Ashley Creative Events has been featured in Martha Stewart, Brides, People, Style Me Pretty, Inside Weddings, The Knot, and more.  Ashley's never stop learning attitude included Planner Life Academy online course, which is when I was introduced to her and her brand. Watching her grow, evolve, and shine over the years has quickly turned me into an Ashley Creative fan. Ashley's passion for events and love for hospitality are so evident in the events she produces. In our conversation, she mentions what an absolute honor it is to be someone's planner. And she talks about how saying yes early on in her career and even still today have had such a positive impact.  We chat about bringing on a full-time right hand and the massive turning point that was for her business. We chat about percentage-based pricing and we talk about what planners should wear at the luxury, ultra luxury level.  Please enjoy my conversation with Ashley Thompson.    Connect with Ashley Creative Events Instagram | Website

    44 min
  4. 064: That's A Wrap on 2024

    12/19/2024

    064: That's A Wrap on 2024

    Hello & Happy Holidays! It is with so much gratitude that I share the final podcast episode of 2024.  As we close out this incredible year together, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the wins, the lessons, and the moments that shaped this year. So when I look back at these last 12 months, they were definitely a journey. A journey filled with highs and lows. A journey where I, of course, had this idea and these goals of what my year would look like. And like most years, it wasn't even close. And in so many ways, this year was better than I could have imagined. And in many ways, there were more challenges and some heartbreak I didn't see coming. Please enjoy this brief episode looking back at my 2024.  My holiday wish is that you would leave a review, share the podcast with a friend, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on socials.  Always here cheering you on!  Happy Holidays, Happy New Year & Happy Planning!! XO, Heather   There are a few seats left for the first 2025 workshop,  sign up for the January 21st & 22nd, Workshop HERE. Let’s start the year together and make sure it’s your best season yet!!

    9 min
  5. 063: Natalie Good, A Good Affair

    11/06/2024

    063: Natalie Good, A Good Affair

    Hi planners! Before I introduce you to my next guest, I wanted to make sure that you heard that the new PlannerLifeAcademy.com is live! I am beyond excited for you to see it, and more importantly, the four new workshops for 2025, including the first one in January, which is Mastering Management, a Wedding Coordination and Wedding Day-focused 2-day in-person workshop. Be sure to check out the site for more info and to grab your seat before they're gone!  Now, my next guest is Natalie Good. Known for being a creative force behind A Good Affair, Natalie began her passion for design as a young girl. She was always exploring through art, painting, drawing, and design. Paired with her desire to find any reason to bring friends together for a party, it's no surprise that A Good Affair was born. For Natalie, being able to combine her two passions to become one of Orange County's most sought after event designers is a dream come true. Since starting A Good Affair, Natalie has grown to now only taking on full service design and production. Natalie has a way of creating a concept from nothing into a fully detailed celebration that wows at every turn. While creativity and vision are essential at any good affair event,the production and execution are what truly set it apart.  Natalie's an Orange County based planner as well. So we've known each other for a very long time. It's fun to get to have a conversation like this. As you will hear, we share a background in catering and love for animals.  Natalie shares how really getting an understanding of her strengths and weaknesses have helped her build a strong team.She talks about her love for florals and how much her business has grown and changed over the years. She shares so much advice and insight.  In this Episode:  Meet Natalie Good: A Journey in Event Planning Early Influences and Creative Beginnings Navigating Education and Career Choices Finding Passion in Event Management The Evolution of Event Planning From Florals to Full-Service Planning Building a Team and Brand Awareness The Journey to Ultra Luxury Events Embracing Fearlessness in Design   Connect with Natalie Good, A Good Affair Website | Instagram

    48 min
  6. 062: Thomas Bui

    10/23/2024

    062: Thomas Bui

    My next guest is Thomas Bui. Thomas is the founder and creative director of Thomas Bui Lifestyle, a San Diego based company. With 24 years of experience producing weddings and events, Thomas and his team have worked in Italy, France, England, Asia, and Mexico.  Thomas Bui Lifestyle has been featured in Martha Stewart weddings, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and Brides to name a few. Thomas also guests lectures at universities on the business of luxury weddings.  I've known Thomas for a long time and it was so fun to have this conversation today. We talk about how early childhood experiences inform his love for fashion and dressing to impress. How he formerly had another career that was more of a family business and that he pivoted to pursue event planning back when it was far less popular.  We talk about how important confidence is and how much he loves challenges of new destinations. We talk about the extreme expectations that luxury and ultra luxury clients have. And we talk about our love-hate relationship with perfection. At the end, he gives me probably one of the kindest compliments describing me in a way I would hope to be perceived by my peers. It's a good reminder of how impactful being a cheerleader in this industry can be.  Key takeaways from this episode:  There are seasons in life where balance is achieved. Community over competition is essential in the event planning industry. Knowledge is power; sharing ideas helps everyone grow. Attention to detail can make or break an event. Destination weddings offer unique challenges and rewards. Confidence is crucial for success in event planning. You must adapt to different seasons in your business. Building a strong team is challenging but necessary. Experience is key to gaining confidence in planning. You have to charge your worth to sustain your business.   Connect with Thomas Instagram | Website

    45 min
  7. 061: Erica Adams

    10/16/2024

    061: Erica Adams

    Hi planners, my next guest is Erica Adams. Erica is an event producer and the creative mind behind Erica Adams Design. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in crafting memorable weddings and a variety of other events from corporate gatherings to brand activations. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach, Erica brings a unique vision to every celebration she produces. Erica has been named top planner by Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings, and her work has been featured in People and Essence.  I have been a big fan of Erica's over the last few years and was so excited to chat with her! In this episode, we talk about how her work experience was building the foundation for this career without her even realizing. We talk about how her health played a pivotal role in her career path and how hard COVID was when she was trying to build a new planning business. She's candid about some of the privilege she had in that season that really allowed her to be strategic about her next moves. And we talk about how important relationships are and how they continue to be for her success. Erica shares how an unexpected referral turned out to be an NBA client and how she's now the go -to for many athletes and high profile couples. One of my favorite things about this conversation is how Erica shares advice on shadowing other vendors and having a never stop learning attitude. Please enjoy my conversation with Erica Adams. Connect with Erica Website | Instagram   This episode is supported by Planner Life Academy. In case you didn't know, we created Planner Life Academy for planners to have the education, tools and resources we wish we had. For me, I love sharing all the tips, tools and insight into all the little ways you can provide an amazing experience for your couples, their family and friends. I think one of the best places to really make sure you are making a great first impression is at the rehearsal. For so many planners, the ceremony rehearsal is something that is stressfull and annoying, but I love it! And I think with the right script you will enjoy it too. So I created a free rehearsal audio recording where I walk you through exactly how I run a ceremony rehearsal.  So you can have my tried and true process to create your own rehearsal script allowing you to start every wedding with confidence and making a great impression. Get the rehearsal recording today : FREE Rehearsal Recording

    51 min
  8. 060: Exciting Announcements

    10/16/2024

    060: Exciting Announcements

    Hi Planners, Heather here to share some exciting updates about Planner Life Academy, in this episode, I am reflecting on the past 12 years and announcing a new website that better represents my goals as an educator and mentor. I am excited to introduce four new focused workshops planned for 2025, aimed at helping wedding planners improve their skills and business practices. The new format allows for deeper exploration of essential topics, fostering community growth and support among planners. Give this qucik episode a listen and then check out the NEW plannerlifeacademy.com.

    7 min
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About

The Planner Life Podcast, your go-to destination for all things wedding planning and business mastery. Hosted by Heather Hoesch Olsen, a highly experienced wedding planner, industry educator, and your professional friend in the world of weddings. Join Heather every week as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over two decades in the wedding industry. With a passion for crafting unforgettable moments and a keen eye for detail, Heather's journey has taken her through every facet of wedding planning imaginable. From intimate gatherings to lavish affairs, from budget-conscious ceremonies to extravagant celebrations, Heather has seen it all. But her expertise extends far beyond just executing flawless events. Heather is on a mission to empower and inspire planners like you to reach new heights in your business. Through candid conversations, expert interviews, and actionable insights, the Planner Life Podcast is your compass for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the wedding industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, tune in each week to learn, grow, and be inspired. Heather's unique blend of creativity, wisdom, and practical advice will leave you feeling confident and equipped to tackle any challenge that comes your way. So, if you're ready to elevate your skills, build a thriving business, and join a supportive community of like-minded professionals, then the Planner Life Podcast is your must-listen resource. Welcome to the Planner Life! Questions, comments or want to connect with Heather: Email: hello@plannerlifeacademy.com IG: @plannerlifeacademy @plannerlifepodcast Website: plannerlifeacademy.com

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