Just Another Biz Podcast: Unfiltered Business Tips for Wedding Pros and Creatives

Kari Smith and Gabby Pinkerton
  • 4.9 (27)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Semiweekly

This is the wedding business podcast that skips the fluff and spills the tea. Gabby and Kari are experienced planners who’ve lived the late-night timelines, tricky client convos, and messy backend systems and they’re sharing it all. Expect honest advice, smart strategy, and the kind of behind-the-scenes content you wish more people talked about.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 90: Protect Your Business: Why Event Insurance Is a Must for Wedding Pros with Natalie and Myles from Event Helper

    Let's talk about something that might not be the most exciting and sexy part of running a wedding business, but it is so important and that is event insurance! This week, we're joined by Natalie and Myles from Event Helper to break down everything wedding planners and event pros need to know about event insurance. We're talking about why having the right insurance matters, how it can protect you and your business, and why it's something you should be thinking about long before something goes wrong. Whether you're a wedding planner, event designer, or another type of event professional, understanding event insurance is an important part of running a responsible, sustainable business. From protecting yourself against unexpected situations to understanding why insurance matters not only for your clients but for the events you're producing or working, this conversation is one every event pro should have.   Key Takeaways:  Why event insurance is an important part of running a wedding or event business. How event insurance can help protect you when the unexpected happens. Why wedding planners and event professionals shouldn't overlook insurance. What you should understand about having coverage for the events you work on and for your clients. How insurance plays a role in protecting both your business and your clients. Why being proactive about business protection is always better than waiting until you need it. Our guests from Event Helper are here to help explain everything!   Myles has worked as the Partner Relationship Manager at the Event Helper since 2001. He primarily works with individual venues to help facilitate the insurance purchase process for their guests, but works with many types of organizations involved in the insurance process. In his free time he has been working feverishly with his wife Jordyn to prepare for their first baby who is due in February, and in the rest of his free time he loves spending time at home with his wife listening to good music and hanging out with their dogs Norman and Beatrice.    Natalie Rainey is a Partner Relationship Specialist at Event Helper, where she has worked since December 2025. As a venue owner herself, she knows firsthand how much goes into hosting events and making sure everyone involved is properly covered. It’s her mission to spread the word to other venue owners about how best to protect themselves, their guests, and their businesses. Outside of work, Natalie loves spending time with her husband and two sons, building their own house along the Yuba River in Northern CA.   If you've been putting off learning about event insurance or you just don't really understand what it covers or how you should explain it to your clients, consider this your sign to tune in!   As a gift to you and your clients when you need a day of or your yearly business policy, you can get $5 off your purchase with the link below. Share with your wedding pro friends and your clients!  https://www.theeventhelper.com#6cleni   Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  2. Oct 29

    Ep. 89: How to Build a Sustainable Wedding Business That Supports Your Life with Sandra Henderson

    What if your business could support your life instead of taking it over? In this episode of Just Another Biz Podcast, we sit down with Sandra Henderson to talk about building a wedding business that works for you and your life, your health, and the capacity you actually have. Because being a wedding professional shouldn't mean constantly running on empty or feeling like your business will fall apart if you take a step back. We’re talking about the power of systems, automations, and mindset shifts that can make running your business feel more manageable and sustainable. From letting go of the pressure to do everything yourself to creating processes that support you behind the scenes, this conversation is a reminder that success doesn't have to come at the expense of your well-being. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating a busy wedding season, or simply ready to stop building your business around being available 24/7, this episode will help you rethink what sustainable success can look like.   IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: Building a wedding business that supports your life and well-being. Creating systems that make your day-to-day work more manageable. Using automations to reduce your mental load and free up time. Shifting your mindset around productivity, rest, and success. Letting go of the idea that everything has to depend on you. Creating a business that can support you through different seasons of life. You don't have to build a business that requires you to run yourself into the ground or put your health at risk. That's not why we started our businesses in the first place. With the right systems, support, and mindset, you can create a business that works for you, not just one that constantly needs more from you.   Work with Sandra Henderson  Website: https://simplysandrayvonne.ca/ Instagram: @simplysandrayvonne   Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  3. Oct 22

    Ep. 88: True Wedding Horror Stories That Will Give You Chills

    It’s spooky season, wedding pro edition! 👻🎃 We are trading the usual wedding business talk for something a little more terrifying: real-life scary wedding stories submitted by fellow wedding pros. From crazy moments to wedding-day chaos that sounds straight out of a horror movie, these stories prove that sometimes the scariest part of a wedding isn’t planning one… it’s what happens behind the scenes! Grab your favorite Halloween treat, settle in, and get ready to laugh, gasp, and maybe question a few things you’ve seen at weddings yourself. Because if you’ve worked in the wedding industry long enough, you know the stories are real. Hit play for some wedding-day frights, and remember: what happens at the wedding… might just haunt you forever.  --- Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  4. Oct 15

    Ep. 87: Wedding Planning & Weather Risks: Why Weather Matters with Andrew Leavitt of Ironic Reports

    What happens when the weather becomes the biggest wildcard in your wedding day timeline?  This week on Just Another Biz Podcast, Kari and Gabby are joined by Andrew Leavitt of Ironic Reports to talk about his business, the recent hurricanes, and why weather monitoring is such an important part of planning weddings and events. Because having a rain plan is one thing… knowing what’s actually happening with the weather is another and sometimes every app is telling us something different.  We’re getting into the business behind Ironic Reports and why keeping an eye on changing weather conditions matters for wedding planners, event pros, and everyone working behind the scenes to make an event happen. From outdoor ceremonies to storm risks, this is your reminder that weather awareness and preparedness isn’t just a day-of detail, it’s an important part of event preparation and keeping guests safe.  In this episode, we talk about: Andrew Leavitt and the business behind Ironic Reports The recent hurricanes and what they remind us about weather preparedness Why weather monitoring matters for weddings and events The difference between having a rain plan and actively monitoring conditions Why wedding planners and event pros need to take weather seriously when preparing for event day Enjoy today's episode Jabbers and keep an eye on the weather, no matter where you live!    A little bit more about Andrew:  Andrew Leavitt is the founder of Ironic Reports, a concierge meteorology company specifically for events. With the help of his team of meteorologists, Ironic has helped planners, designers, and venues behind high-end weddings, social celebrations, and corporate programs make calm, confident weather decisions. You can find and work with Andrew at: https://www.ironicreports.com/about And for the most real time updates and following along with the latest over at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironicreports     Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  5. Oct 8

    Ep. 86: How To Give Constructive Feedback To Other Vendors Without Burning Bridges

    Hey Jabbers! This week we're chatting all about how to give vendors feedback that is constructive even if it feels awkward. You want to be honest when something didn’t go well, but you also don’t want to burn a bridge, create unnecessary tension, or come across like you’re just complaining. In this episode we're getting into the nitty gritty of giving vendors constructive feedback. We’re talking about what to say when a vendor misses the mark, how to approach those conversations without making things weird, and why avoiding feedback altogether can sometimes make things worse. Because let’s be honest: we work with the same vendor teams over and over again. So how do you have the hard conversations and still build strong, respectful relationships? We’re breaking it all down with plenty of real talk along the way. We're not perfect in doing this ourselves but we're getting better and hoping we'll encourage you to feel empowered to do this when necessary! Enjoy!  ---  Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  6. Oct 1

    Ep. 85: How to Start and Grow a Wedding Planning Business in Today's Market

    Hey Jabbers! This week Gabby and Kari are talking about what starting and growing a wedding planning business looks like and how it's a bit different than it used to be. From finding clients and building vendor relationships to figuring out your pricing and personal brand, there's a lot more to it than just planning beautiful weddings. We talk about what it really takes to build a wedding planning business today. We're sharing our thoughts on networking, showing up as yourself, pricing strategically, and creating a community that supports your growth. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your existing business, this episode is full of real talk about navigating the wedding industry. Enjoy!  ---  Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  7. Sep 24

    Ep. 84: The Real Cost of Styled Shoots with Amanda Landon

    Styled shoots are gorgeous. We love a pretty tablescape, a dreamy venue, and a gallery that makes you want to completely rebrand your business overnight.  But… what is a styled shoot actually doing for your business? Are you doing it right and is it worth it? In today's episode, we’re chatting with Amanda Landon from Amanda Marie and Co. about the real cost of styled shoots and we’re not just talking about the dollars. We get into how styled shoots have evolved in the wedding industry, why you should have a strategy before you start gathering a dream vendor team, and how to make sure the shoot actually aligns with your brand and business goals. We’re also talking about the money, time, and relationships that go into creating a styled shoot, plus how to get the most out of the investment. From building vendor relationships to creating work that feels like you to increasing your chances of not only getting published but making money from it, Amanda shares what she’s learned about making styled shoots work harder for your business. Because a styled shoot can be way more than a pretty portfolio piece but only if you’re intentional about why you’re doing it in the first place. So, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Should I be doing styled shoots?” or “Is this actually worth what it’s costing me?”, grab your coffee (or buckle up for that venue drive) and join us for this conversation. Enjoy Jabbers!   How You Can Find and Work With Amanda:  Website: https://amandamarieco.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamarieandco/   A few links to Amanda's styled shoots that she spoke about in the episode:  https://amandamarieco.com/featured-gallery-the-sloane-nashville  https://amandamarieco.com/featured-gallery-michela-watsonbloomsbury-farm-brand-shoot  https://amandamarieco.com/featured-gallery-intimate-wedding-at-sunstone-villa-wedding  https://amandamarieco.com/featured-gallery-four-seasons   Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

  8. Sep 17

    Ep. 83: How to Take Care of Yourself During Peak Wedding Season

    Hey Jabbers! This week we are chatting about how wedding pros can manage stress and avoid burnout during busy season by simply taking care of yourself. That time of year is upon us for a lot of pros and we wanted to share some practical tips on setting boundaries, outsourcing, and maintaining mental health to stay sane and balanced. We all need a little reminder on how to stay our best selves and so that we don't feel like quitting after our last wedding of the year has finished.  A few key reminders for our wedding friends:  Set boundaries during busy season Self-care and movement is important Outsource or hire and temporary help if needed, don't do it alone. Figure out how to manage decision fatigue and get some emotional support from fellow vendor friends Make sure team roles are clear and communication is key with your team and your clients Tell us how you handle your busy seasons and what helps you the most! Enjoy!    --- Just Another Biz Podcast Info:  Website: https://justanotherbizpodcast.com/  Join Us on Substack for More Content: https://justanotherbizpodcast.substack.com/  Instagram for the Pod: https://www.instagram.com/justanotherbizpodcast  Instagram for Kari: https://www.instagram.com/featheredarrowstudio/  Instagram for Gabby : https://www.instagram.com/causewecanevents

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4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This is the wedding business podcast that skips the fluff and spills the tea. Gabby and Kari are experienced planners who’ve lived the late-night timelines, tricky client convos, and messy backend systems and they’re sharing it all. Expect honest advice, smart strategy, and the kind of behind-the-scenes content you wish more people talked about.

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