Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast

Kevin Dennis
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast provides actionable strategies and resources for business-minded wedding professionals who love love — but also care about their bottom line. Host and owner of the WeddingIQ blog, Kevin Dennis, welcomes industry experts to each episode to share their best advice, biggest mistakes, and proven strategies for business growth and client satisfaction. Kevin brings his own share of industry knowledge to the table. He is the founder of lighting and A/V company, Fantasy Sound Event Services, as well as a national speaker and regular contributor to B2B publications across the event industry. He has served on the board for the Foundation of NACE, NACE Silicon Valley, and WIPA. He is also the founder of the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals Networking Group. Tune in each week to learn about sales, marketing, client service, event technology, and more — all with the intention to help wedding professionals grow their businesses and achieve their goals. 

  1. 2d ago

    #85: Why Your Nervous System Is The Real Reason You Keep Attracting Difficult Clients with Hailey Fernelius

    Difficult clients are part of the wedding industry, but what if the way you respond to them has more to do with your nervous system than you think? In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin sits down with Wealth Capacity Strategist and Bookkeeper, Hailey Fernelius of Hailey Ann Co., to explore how stress responses can influence the clients you attract and the decisions you make. Hailey shares how the four survival patterns (fight, flight, fawn, and freeze) show up in business, why burnout often starts long before you notice it, and how simple shifts can help you build a healthier, more sustainable business. If you've ever struggled with people-pleasing, over-delivering, or setting boundaries, this episode offers practical insights to help you work with more confidence and clarity. Hailey Fernelius is a Wealth Capacity Strategist who combines nervous system science with bookkeeping to help entrepreneurs align their brain, body, and bank account. She helps business owners break free from limiting patterns and build businesses that support the life they truly want. Highlights: How fight, flight, fawn, and freeze show up in businessWhy boundaries lead to better client relationshipsThe connection between burnout and difficult clientsUsing financial data instead of fear to make decisionsPractical ways to regulate your nervous systemBuilding a business that aligns with your goals Connect with Hailey: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #85: Why Your Nervous System Is The Real Reason You Keep Attracting Difficult Clients with Hailey Fernelius

  2. Aug 6

    #84: LIVE From NACE Experience: Conversations Shaping the Future of Events

    Mind Your Wedding Business is back LIVE from NACE Experience 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the official podcast of NACE Experience! Kevin Dennis and Michelle Stansfield continue the conversation with speakers, sponsors, and industry leaders from this year's conference. They go deep into content creation and AI to generational leadership, industry trends, and what today's couples are looking for; this episode dives into the conversations shaping the future of the events industry. Plus, hear from NACE leadership as they reflect on another incredible conference and what's ahead for the association! Highlights: Using AI to enhance creativity without losing the human touchCreating content that builds trust and attracts clientsLeading and collaborating across multiple generationsWhat today's couples are looking for when choosing vendorsInsights from NACE leadership on the future of the events industry Thanks for joining us live from NACE Experience 2026 in New Orleans, and we'll see you at the next Mind Your Wedding Business live event (maybe in Omaha)! Connect with our Guests: Michelle Stansfield, CPCE, 2026 NACE National Immediate Past President, Senior Account Manager at Terramar, A DMC Network Company Chip Dizard, Lead Creative/Photographer at Chip Dizard Studios Jill Vidal-Raines, CPCE, 2026 NACE National President, Owner of EB Inc. Event Rentals Erin Dennis, Owner of Evergreen Hospitality Solutions Jennifer Jenkins, Director of Catering and Events at Sugar Creek Country Club Tom Chelednik, North America Executive Director of Vendor Engagement at The Knot & WeddingPro Anne Harper, CAE, Deputy Executive Director at NACE Lawrence Leonard, Executive Director at NACE Renee Dalo, CPCC, Visibility & Confidence Coach, Keynote Speaker Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #84: LIVE From NACE Experience: Conversations Shaping the Future of Events

  3. Aug 4

    #83: LIVE From NACE Experience: Big Ideas from Today's Event Industry Leaders

    Mind Your Wedding Business is LIVE at NACE Experience 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the official podcast of NACE Experience! Kevin Dennis and Michelle Stansfield are bringing you conversations with speakers and industry leaders from this year's conference. Your favorite past presidents are here to talk leadership, company culture, technology, hospitality, and the future of the events industry. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas shaping today's event professionals! Highlights: Leadership insights from event industry expertsThe future of AI, technology, and client experienceBuilding stronger teams and workplace cultureCreating more inclusive and memorable eventsBusiness growth, innovation, and industry trends And stay tuned... part two is coming soon! Connect with our Guests: Michelle Stansfield, CPCE, 2026 NACE National Immediate Past President, Senior Account Manager at Terramar, A DMC Network Company Vernetta Kosalka, Assistant Professor of Practice at University of Nebraska Lincoln, Owner of VK Events + Florals + Planning Micah Logan, CSO at The Logan Companies Dana Kadwell, CPCE, 2026 NACE National President-Elect, Owner/CEO of Hustle & Gather Lyn Gleasure, CPCE, CMP, 2026 NACE National Treasurer/Secretary, Director of Business Development at Rock Events John Chen, CEO of Engaging Meetings Margaux Fraise, Owner/Creative Director of Harmony Creative Studio, Founder/Host of Wedding Summit Series Ariana Adolph, Student Chapter President of Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Sara Kincaid, President & COO of Aisle Planner Pro David Porto, Partner/General Manager at Blue Plate Catering, Inc. Thao Moore, Executive Chef/Co-Proprietor at Green Mangos Catering Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #83: LIVE From NACE Experience: Big Ideas from Today's Event Industry Leaders

  4. Jul 28

    #82: High Standards. Human Pace: A Founder's Reset with Nata Salvatori

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Nata Salvatori, business coach, fractional COO, and the founder of Accidental CEO, to discuss why so many business owners become the biggest bottleneck in their own companies and how to break free from it. Nata shares why lasting business growth requires more than better systems. From delegating ownership instead of just tasks to overcoming perfectionism and burnout, she explains what it really takes to transition from founder to CEO and build a business that can thrive without depending on you for every decision. If you've ever struggled to unplug, felt guilty taking time off, or wondered why your business still feels overwhelming despite your success, this episode is filled with practical strategies to help you create a more sustainable business and a healthier relationship with it. Nata Salvatori is a business coach, fractional COO, and the founder of Accidental CEO. Her work sits at the intersection of operations and identity, helping founders solve both the structural and leadership challenges that keep businesses stuck. With a doctorate, a background in psychology, and more than a decade in leadership, Nata now helps high-performing entrepreneurs create businesses that are sustainable, scalable, and no longer dependent on them for every decision. She also hosts the Accidental CEO podcast and speaks at conferences across the country. Highlights: Making the transition from founder to CEOWhy delegation means ownership, not just assigning tasksBuilding systems that reduce burnout and create freedomBreaking free from perfectionism and overworkCreating a business that can grow without depending on youWhy leadership and operations must evolve together Connect with Nata: The Identity Shift Guide CEO Delegation Method Course ($300 off!) Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #82: High Standards. Human Pace: A Founder's Reset with Nata Salvatori

  5. Jul 21

    #81: How Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce's Wedding Is Influencing the Wedding Industry with Meghan Ely

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with wedding PR expert Meghan Ely to unpack one of the biggest pop culture moments to impact the wedding industry in recent years: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. Drawing on her experience as a sought-after publicist and media expert, Meghan shares why this celebrity wedding generated worldwide attention, how the media approached the story, and what wedding professionals can learn from the way it was planned, protected, and publicized. Together, Kevin and Meghan discuss everything from guest experience and privacy to wedding trends, media opportunities, and why authenticity should always come before chasing headlines. Whether you're curious about how celebrity weddings influence client expectations or looking for practical ways to leverage timely industry moments in your own marketing and PR strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights for wedding professionals. Meghan Ely is an award-winning wedding industry speaker, PR expert, and founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency that helps wedding and event professionals grow their visibility through strategic media placements, thought leadership, and speaking opportunities. A frequent speaker at Wedding MBA, NACE Experience, and other leading industry conferences, Meghan is also the author of 20 Wedding PR Tips for 2026 and has helped clients earn features in publications including The New York Times, Brides, People, and Martha Stewart Weddings. Highlights: Why Taylor Swift's wedding became a global media phenomenonHow celebrity weddings shape wedding trends and client expectationsLessons wedding pros can learn about privacy, branding, and guest experienceUsing timely industry moments to generate PR and media opportunitiesWhy authenticity matters more than chasing viral contentWhat wedding professionals should be watching as celebrity wedding trends continue to evolve Connect with Meghan: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #81: How Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce's Wedding Is Influencing the Wedding Industry with Meghan Ely

  6. Jul 14

    #80: How I Stopped Working Weekends and Built a 6-Figure Salary as a True Owner with Ashley Ebert

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Ashley Ebert, founder of The Abundance Group, to discuss how wedding professionals can break free from the "hustle loop," build scalable businesses, and create more freedom without sacrificing success. Ashley shares her journey from starting a wedding-planning business at 23 to growing it into a seven-location company with 35 team members before selling it for over $1 million. She opens up about the lessons she learned through burnout, difficult clients, leadership, and the mindset shifts that helped her become a true business owner. The conversation covers the importance of boundaries, delegation, team building, confident pricing, and why building a business around your own strengths leads to greater profitability and a more sustainable career. If you've ever felt stuck working every weekend, struggled to delegate, or wondered how to grow without burning out, this episode is filled with practical advice to help you build a business that supports both your goals and your life. Ashley Ebert built a wedding planning business from the ground up, scaled it to 7 locations and 35 team members, and sold it for over a million dollars. Now, through The Abundance Group, a mastermind for ambitious wedding professionals, she helps them ditch the hustle loop and build businesses they actually love. Ashley is obsessed with pursuing passion, her community, and proving that wedding pros can have it all: the success, the freedom, and yes, have an absolute blast while building it! Highlights: Breaking free from the "hustle loop"Setting boundaries that strengthen client relationshipsBuilding a team you can trustWhy delegation creates freedom and growthPricing with confidence and increasing profitabilityCreating a business that supports your life, not just your workload Connect with Ashley: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #80: How I Stopped Working Weekends and Built a 6-Figure Salary as a True Owner with Ashley Ebert

  7. Jul 7

    #79: Social Media as an Operational System, Not a Marketing Task with Nina Addeo

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Nina Addeo, founder of I Do Wedding Marketing, to discuss how wedding professionals can stop treating social media like a never-ending marketing task and start using it as a strategic business system that consistently generates inquiries and bookings. Nina shares how she got her start in wedding marketing and explains why so many wedding pros feel overwhelmed by social media. She breaks down practical strategies for building sustainable content systems, staying consistent without burning out, and creating content that attracts the right clients instead of simply chasing viral views. The conversation also explores content organization, SEO for Instagram, analytics, vendor collaboration, personal branding, batching content, and why social media should support every stage of the client journey—from discovery to referrals long after the wedding day. If you've ever struggled to stay consistent on social media, wondered how to turn your content into real business results, or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly create, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement right away. Nina Addeo is the founder of I Do Wedding Marketing, a social media and marketing company dedicated to helping wedding professionals turn their online presence into a consistent source of inquiries and bookings. With a background in digital marketing and a deep focus on the wedding industry, Nina is known for her practical, no-fluff approach to content that prioritizes clarity, strategy, and results. She is also the host of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, where she shares actionable insights to help wedding pros grow sustainable, profitable businesses. Highlights: • Why social media should function as a business system, not just a marketing task • Creating a sustainable content strategy without burning out • How consistency helps generate more inquiries and bookings • Using SEO, location tags, and vendor collaboration to expand your reach • Organizing your content for easier planning and scheduling • Why personality-driven content builds stronger client connections • Understanding the analytics that actually matter • Turning social media into a long-term referral and relationship-building tool Connect with Nina: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #79: Social Media as an Operational System, Not a Marketing Task with Nina Addeo

  8. Jun 30

    #78: The Follow-Up Formula: Build a System That Books More Clients with Kaitlyn Blair

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Kaitlyn Blair, founder of Virtually Vital and one of only 19 Certified HoneyBook Pros, to discuss one of the biggest missed opportunities for wedding professionals: following up with leads consistently and confidently. Kaitlyn shares why so many wedding pros hesitate to follow up, whether it's the fear of sounding too pushy, getting overwhelmed by manual processes, or simply forgetting altogether. She breaks down practical strategies for creating an effective follow-up system that keeps your business top of mind, improves the client experience, and ultimately converts more inquiries into bookings. The conversation also explores automation, CRM systems like HoneyBook and Dubsado, email templates, client communication, pricing transparency, and how simple workflows can help wedding professionals save time while growing their business. If you've ever struggled to stay on top of inquiries, worried about coming across as too salesy, or wanted to build a more organized and scalable client experience, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can start implementing today. Kaitlyn Blair is the founder of Virtually Vital and one of only 19 Certified HoneyBook Pros. She helps wedding professionals simplify and optimize their workflows through HoneyBook and Dubsado, creating systems that convert more leads, automate client communication, and deliver a seamless client experience. Kaitlyn has worked with hundreds of creative businesses and has been featured on multiple podcasts and industry summits, sharing her expertise on business systems and workflow optimization. Highlights: • Why consistent follow-up leads to more bookings • Overcoming the fear of sounding "too pushy" • Building an effective inquiry-to-booking workflow • How automation saves time without sacrificing personalization • The role of HoneyBook and Dubsado in streamlining client communication • Why every wedding pro needs a follow-up system • Creating email templates that convert more inquiries • Simple workflow improvements that elevate the client experience Connect with Kaitlyn: Website Instagram Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    #78: The Follow-Up Formula: Build a System That Books More Clients with Kaitlyn Blair
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About

The Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast provides actionable strategies and resources for business-minded wedding professionals who love love — but also care about their bottom line. Host and owner of the WeddingIQ blog, Kevin Dennis, welcomes industry experts to each episode to share their best advice, biggest mistakes, and proven strategies for business growth and client satisfaction. Kevin brings his own share of industry knowledge to the table. He is the founder of lighting and A/V company, Fantasy Sound Event Services, as well as a national speaker and regular contributor to B2B publications across the event industry. He has served on the board for the Foundation of NACE, NACE Silicon Valley, and WIPA. He is also the founder of the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals Networking Group. Tune in each week to learn about sales, marketing, client service, event technology, and more — all with the intention to help wedding professionals grow their businesses and achieve their goals. 

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