Gathered Here

Dana Kadwell
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The stories from the places where people gather.

  1. AITVA: Is Wedding Tipping Out of Control?

    4D AGO

    AITVA: Is Wedding Tipping Out of Control?

    Wedding tipping culture has officially entered the chat… and people have thoughts. In this very first edition of AITVA (Am I The Vendor A*****e?), Dana is joined by wedding planner and designer Irene of Irene & Co Events to unpack one very heated Reddit thread: a bride questioning whether she really needed to tip her wedding vendors 20%… including a $6,000 gratuity for catering staff. From tip jars at wedding bars to service fees, self-employed vendors, bad DJs, and the pressure couples feel to tip everyone — nothing is off limits in this conversation. Together, Dana and Irene dive into: Whether self-employed vendors should expect tipsThe difference between gratuity and service feesWhy transparency matters more than everHow venues and vendors should educate clientsWhy handwritten notes and reviews often mean more than cashAnd whether tipping culture has officially gone too farFunny, honest, slightly unhinged, and packed with real industry insight — this episode is for vendors, couples, planners, and anyone who has ever felt personally attacked by the iPad tip screen. So… is the client the a*****e here? Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Aisle PlannerWedding Pro Brite Biz Lead Lock Releventful Event Guard VenueX AIInterested in learning more about The Venue Masterclass? Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com Follow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

    34 min
  2. The Venue Masterclass: Not Every Venue Needs to be a Wedding Venue

    MAY 13

    The Venue Masterclass: Not Every Venue Needs to be a Wedding Venue

    This episode of Gathered Here: The Venue Masterclass Series challenges one of the biggest assumptions in the venue industry: that success only comes from weddings. Dana sits down with venue consultant and sales strategist Adrienne Gardner to talk about diversification, burnout, staffing realities, and the pressure venue owners feel to become the “top wedding venue” in their market. Together, they unpack why more weddings are not always the answer — and how corporate events, galas, proms, celebrations of life, and repeat community partnerships can create more stability, better staffing balance, and a healthier business overall. From honest conversations about ego and profitability to practical strategies for creating recurring revenue, this episode is a reminder that there is no single blueprint for success in the venue world. If you’ve ever questioned whether the traditional wedding-only model is sustainable, this conversation is for you. Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Aisle PlannerWedding Pro Brite Biz Lead Lock Releventful Event Guard VenueX AIInterested in learning more about The Venue Masterclass? Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com Follow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

    51 min
  3. Quick Chat: If You Look For The Good, You Will Find It

    MAY 6

    Quick Chat: If You Look For The Good, You Will Find It

    If You Look for the Good, You’ll Find It In this Quick Chat, I’m reflecting on one of the biggest leadership lessons that’s been sitting with me since my conversation with Anthony Lambatos—and honestly, it hit deeper than I expected. We talk a lot about team culture, hiring the right people, and building something meaningful. But what happens when someone who was the right person… isn’t anymore? In this episode, I’m unpacking: The shift from “dream employee” to someone who no longer believes in the visionThe leadership mistakes I didn’t see in real time (but see so clearly now)Why not everyone is meant to stay forever—and why that’s not always a failureAnd the mindset shift that’s changing everything for me right now: if you look for the good, you’ll find itThis one is honest. A little uncomfortable. And a reminder that even in the hard seasons—especially in the hard seasons—there’s something worth holding onto. Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Aisle PlannerWedding Pro Brite Biz Lead Lock Releventful Event Guard VenueX AIInterested in learning more about The Venue Masterclass? Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com Follow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

    18 min
  4. Quick Chat: Where I Got Culture Wrong — And What I’m Doing Differently Now

    APR 29

    Quick Chat: Where I Got Culture Wrong — And What I’m Doing Differently Now

    Where I Got Culture Wrong — And What I’m Doing Differently Now In this Quick Chat, I’m reflecting on my conversation with Anthony Lambatos—and more importantly, what it brought up for me as I step into building new teams and new venues. We talk a lot about company culture in this industry, but what happens when you realize… you didn’t get the core right? In this episode, I’m breaking down the three things that actually define culture: People doing work they’re good atUnderstanding the purpose behind the workAnd building relationships rooted in love, trust, and respectBut more than that, I’m sharing where I got it wrong. From misaligned roles and burnout… to losing the “why” behind the work… to unintentionally creating a culture that felt more transactional than meaningful. This is an honest look at what I’ve learned, what I would do differently, and how I’m approaching leadership as I build again. Because culture doesn’t just happen.It’s built—intentionally, daily, and often through failure first.

    26 min
  5. Origins: When Culture Is the Strategy- Building a Catering Company and Venue

    APR 22

    Origins: When Culture Is the Strategy- Building a Catering Company and Venue

    What if culture isn’t something you add to your business… but the thing that drives it? In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Lambatos to talk about what it actually looks like to build a people-first business—and why so many leaders get it wrong. Anthony shares how he transformed his family’s catering company by focusing on one simple goal: create a great place to work. What followed? Increased revenue, stronger retention, and a team that shows up when it matters most. We get into: Why culture isn’t perks, ping pong tables, or beer cartsThe difference between generosity and just spending moneyHow to identify (and handle) “red dot” employees before they derail your teamWhy burnout has less to do with hours—and more to do with the work itselfAnd how to build a team that protects your culture even when you’re not in the roomIf you’ve ever felt the tension between being a good leader and running a profitable business… this episode will challenge the way you think about both. Show Notes: To Follow Anthony and all his hustles: @footerscatering, @social_capitol_events This Episode's Sponsors: Information on Brite BizInformation on Lead Lock In Previous Episodes:Event Guard ReleventfulWedding ProVenue X AIAisle Planner Are you the Vendor A*****e: Submit your story here Want to be a Judge or a Podcast Guest? Fill out this form here Want more information on The Venue Masterclass? Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here

    52 min
  6. The Venue Masterclass: You aren't stuck - You're Just Building Without a Plan

    APR 15

    The Venue Masterclass: You aren't stuck - You're Just Building Without a Plan

    In this Venue Masterclass segment, Dana sits down with Sara Kincaid from Aisle Planner to unpack one of the biggest mistakes business owners make: building a business around not failing instead of intentionally designing it for success. With over 17 years in the events industry, Sarah has seen it all—from catering and venue management to leading a global software platform. And her message is clear: growth doesn’t happen by accident. This conversation dives deep into: Why “taking every client” can actually hurt your brandThe difference between working in your business vs. on itHow to think about ROI beyond just dollars (hint: your time matters more than you think)Why tech, systems, and processes aren’t optional—they’re the foundationAnd the hard truth about what’s really keeping most venue owners stuckIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overworked, or unsure where your next level of growth comes from—this episode will challenge the way you think about your business. Because success isn’t about doing more.It’s about doing the right things, on purpose. Show Notes:Follow Aisle Planner on Instagram: @aisleplannerpoSchedule a demo: https://www.aisleplanner.com/ Our Advertisers: Info on Event Guard: https://eventguard.ai/Info on Venuex AI: https://venuexai.com/ Info on The Venue Masterclass Can be found: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com

    39 min
  7. Origins: The Story of The Bradford

    APR 8

    Origins: The Story of The Bradford

    Origins: The Bradford — Building, Breaking & Letting Go For years, I told other people’s stories.This time, I’m telling my own. This is the story of The Bradford—the dream that started on a napkin, the risk that changed everything, and the journey that shaped who I am today. From building a venue with no money… to living on-site with our families… to navigating the pressure, the partnership, and the moments no one talks about—this is the full story. Not the gossip. Not the headlines.But the truth of what it takes to build something from nothing—and what it costs along the way. This episode is about more than a venue.It’s about identity, growth, letting go, and realizing that the thing you thought was the end… was never the end at all. Show Notes: Information on Aisle Planner: https://www.aisleplanner.com/Information on Wedding Pro: https://pros.weddingpro.com/ Follow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

    1h 6m
  8. Quick Chat with Dana: The Cost of a Yes: What We Trade to Chase the Dream

    10/14/2025

    Quick Chat with Dana: The Cost of a Yes: What We Trade to Chase the Dream

    What does it really cost to say yes to your dreams? In this heartfelt quick chat, Dana dives into the quiet sacrifices that come with ambition — the missed moments, the guilt that lingers, and the constant tug between what we want to build and who we want to be there for. Drawing inspiration from Brittany’s story of saying yes to her calling and no to everything that didn’t align, Dana shares her own journey of learning that every yes carries a no. From coaching her daughter’s basketball team to redefining what balance looks like, this conversation is an honest look at how we can honor our dreams and our boundaries. Because the goal isn’t to do it all — it’s to say yes to what truly matters. For More Info on Brittany and The Colonial at Sunset:Website:https://thecolonialatsunset.com/Instagram: @colonialatsunset For More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The stories from the places where people gather.

Information

  • Creator
    Dana Kadwell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dana Kadwell