Gathered Here

Dana Kadwell

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. 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

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5
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2 Ratings

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The stories from the places where people gather.