Funktastic Chats

Mike Zabrin
  • 5.0 (7)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Funktastic Chats is a podcast designed for creative entrepreneurs. I'm a musician in the wedding industry, but we're focusing on everything creativity. Topics include task management and outsourcing, because if other people in your business can't do what you do, you created a job for yourself and not a company, and maybe not such a good paying one either. Silencing your inner critic and reinventing yourself to business and workflow ideas. This is the business education that you may have always wanted.So why focus on creatives? Well, because there's not one clear path set out for you as a creative. The industry doesn't want you in it. This podcast is about combining your talent with business so that your industry cannot deny you and has no choice, but to open its doors for you. It starts with being in a mindset of understanding the value of investing in yourself, because if you don't invest in yourself, then who's going to invest in you. CEOs join me every week to help you monetize your passion, whatever that may be, into a full-time gig.

  1. 06/25/2024

    Kate Furst from Zola Chats How Their New Vendor Marketplace Connects Couples and Wedding Pros

    Send us a text 💬 Show Notes Welcome to another episode of Funktastic Chats Podcast! Today, we're chatting with Kate Furst from Zola, the fastest-growing women-led wedding planning platform. Kate shares her incredible journey in the events industry, celebrating nearly 11 years at Zola. She provides an inside look at how Zola has transformed from an e-commerce registry to a comprehensive wedding planning tool that serves both couples and vendors. Kate dives into Zola’s innovative features designed to support wedding professionals, including free listings, dedicated account managers, and flexible pricing plans. She explains how Zola’s unique credit system allows vendors to connect with couples without the burden of expensive subscriptions. Kate also highlights the importance of community in the wedding industry, emphasizing Zola’s tools for vendor collaboration and peer reviews. Whether you're a seasoned wedding pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leveraging Zola to grow your business. Learn how to create compelling listings, utilize Zola’s “Say Hello” feature, and navigate the platform’s robust matching algorithms to connect with the right couples. Don’t miss out on tips for personalizing your outreach, responding swiftly to inquiries, and maintaining authentic connections. Plus, discover how Zola’s new vendor dashboard and resource center can help you continuously improve your profile and attract more qualified leads. 🎙️ Create a FREE Zola Listing Create a Free Zola Vendor ListingConnect with the right couples and own your brand with a free listing tailored to your industry.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    42 min
  2. PARTYSLATE Co-Founder and CEO Julie Novack Chats Expanding Your Digital Footprint

    06/19/2024

    PARTYSLATE Co-Founder and CEO Julie Novack Chats Expanding Your Digital Footprint

    Send us a text Welcome to another episode of Funktastic Chats Podcast! Today, we're diving into how PartySlate can transform your event business with its innovative digital tools and strategies. Whether you're an event professional specializing in luxury corporate events, weddings, galas, etc., this episode is packed with insights just for you. We explore how PartySlate helps event professionals build a robust digital presence, save time, and manage their portfolios effectively. Julie emphasizes the importance of passion, grit, and a clear mission in overcoming obstacles and achieving entrepreneurial success. Founded in 2015, PartySlate has quickly become a leading platform for event inspiration and connections, raising up the level of local talent in the community that you're in. It is one of only five female-founded companies in Chicago to raise over $20 million in venture capital funding in the last decade. Don't miss out on Julie's valuable insights and advice for event professionals looking to make their mark in the industry.  She also discusses how PartySlate has tripled its audience over the last two years and continues to innovate with features like PartySlate Pro and AI-driven content management. Visit www.partyslate.com to create a free profile, showcasing your best work and enhancing your marketing strategy to stand out from the competition. Follow PartySlate on Instagram and Julie on Instagram for more inspiration and the latest industry scoop. Creating a free profile on PartySlate is an excellent way to grow your partner network and attract new clients. Use PartySlate to maintain an organized, always up-to-date portfolio, making it easier to share your best work and manage your social media content. Make sure to check out our previous episode from 2020 for more insights on growing your event business. The link is in the show notes. Remember, today we’re not just working in your business—we’re working on your business. Let’s elevate your event game with PartySlate! Links CREATE A FREE PARTYSLATE PROFILE Follow Partyslate on Instagram Follow Julie Novack on Instagram Listen to more Partyslate Episodes Create a PartySlate ProfilePartySlate offers a beautiful, customized way to build your brand and stand out from competitors.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    51 min
  3. I always say I went to the "School of Alan Berg"....

    06/13/2024

    I always say I went to the "School of Alan Berg"....

    Send us a text Today's guest is none other than Alan Berg! He’s the author of seven books, and in our last episode in 2021, we talked extensively about his wisdom in the business of weddings. Some of his popular books include "Shut Up and Sell More Weddings and Events," "Why Are They Ghosting Me?" and his latest, "Stop Selling and Help Them Buy Weddings and Events." Alan speaks to thousands of entrepreneurs like myself and business professionals every year through webinars, live presentations, and onsite sales training. We're going to dive deep into actionable steps from his books and podcasts that have resonated with many of us in the wedding industry. Alan is all about small, incremental steps that lead to big results. Now, what’s one thing that every wedding professional needs after a long, successful weekend of weddings? A glass of bourbon, of course! If you’re a bourbon aficionado, you’re going to love this episode too. Alan has a detailed process of experimenting with different types of woods and aging his bourbons, creating various blends that are just so cool. It's something Alan and I share a passion for, so you’ll enjoy the bonus dialogue at the beginning of the episode. With more than 25 years in sales, marketing, and sales management, Alan Berg is uniquely qualified to help wedding and event businesses succeed. He was included in the "Top 100 Speakers to Watch in 2024" by Motivator Music on LinkedIn, alongside Tony Robbins, Gary Vee, and Dave Ramsey. He’s the wedding and event industry’s first Certified Speaking Professional and one of only 40 Global Speaking Fellows worldwide. Since we first chatted with Alan on our podcast in 2021, he has started his own podcast, "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast," which has over 200,000 downloads. Alan has extensive experience in sales, sales management, and marketing, ranging from publishing wedding magazines to serving as Vice President of Sales at The Knot. He’s an education expert for WeddingPro and consults for major industry websites in Ireland, Dubai, India, Australia, and the UK, as well as countless venues, hotels, bridal shops, planners, entertainers, and more. Alan has presented in over 14 countries, five of them in Spanish and recently in French, both of which he taught himself. Tune in and get ready for an episode filled with actionable insights and a touch of bourbon magic! Alan Berg's Website www.alanberg.com Wedding Business Solutions Podcast https://podcast.alanberg.com

    50 min
  4. Why You Should Treat Paid Ads Differently: Handling Cold Leads vs. Warm Leads from Referrals, with Wedding Advertising Expert, Mark Chapman

    06/04/2024

    Why You Should Treat Paid Ads Differently: Handling Cold Leads vs. Warm Leads from Referrals, with Wedding Advertising Expert, Mark Chapman

    Send us a text Why are couples taking longer to book you? Is your website ready to convert a cold audience? Is it relates to gen Z couples, promotion oriented advertising is a thing of the past. This year couples are more attuned to what makes your brand totally different and unique with personality. We're talking about the power of retargeting leveraging Tik-Tok, Instagram, Meta, and Google to show your ads multiple times and in multiple places. Mark Chapman is the founder of The I Do Society. Compared to a typical advertising agency, The I Do Society wants to be your partner, not only in creating and managing your ad campaigns, but delivering to you the right strategies to convert a cold audience. Mark and The I Do Society makes sure that if you're going to be spending money, that every other bit and piece the couple is going to explore about your business is ready to go! The I Do Society Website

    32 min
  5. Wedding Biz Therapy with Terrica: From Local Planner to Global Mother Hustler

    05/22/2024

    Wedding Biz Therapy with Terrica: From Local Planner to Global Mother Hustler

    Send us a text One of my favorite things that makes Terrica different is that she speaks very plainly, so much so you'll think it's a therapy session or your favorite biz bestie. She embraces this role to help over 4000+ wedding pros scale their businesses. Terrica has spent the past eighteen years crafting exquisite weddings and events that captivate and inspire. Her exceptional talent has earned recognition in esteemed publications such as The Knot, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty, and more. Beyond her creative endeavors, Terrica's passion for sharing knowledge takes her around the globe, where she imparts wisdom at workshops, retreats, and conferences. Known affectionately as the Mother Hustler, through her educational platform, HustleQuarters, she has empowered over 4000 wedding professionals to confidently elevate their pricing strategies and refine their sales processes. A respected educator for industry giants like The Knot and WeddingWire, Terrica's expertise recently graced the cover of the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Event Therapy magazine, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the wedding world. Today's topics include: Celebrating Success: Event Therapy Magazine FeatureBuilding a Business: Challenges and Triumphs in the Wedding IndustryEmpowering Wedding Pros: Education, Community, and GrowthThe Power of Boundaries and Systems in Business The Art of Follow-Up and Adding ValueLeveraging Social MediaNavigating Competition and Budget Conversation Building a Strong Brand and Client Experience...and more!! Connect with Terrica Follow Terrica on IG Terrace's Website HustleQuarters Event Therapy Magazine

    57 min
  6. How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market with Heidi Thompson

    05/14/2024

    How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market with Heidi Thompson

    Send us a text Stand out from your competition as the top choice for your ideal clients, no matter how much you charge and join Heidi's FREE LIVE CHALLENGE MAY 20TH! The Stand Out and Get Booked Challenge Today, we're here with Heidi Thompson. She's the bestselling author of "Clone Your Best Clients" and the founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business, where she specializes in business and marketing strategy for wedding professionals. Heidi helps wedding professionals grow their businesses and reach their goals without going crazy in the process. Her business and marketing expertise have been featured on several wedding and business outlets, including the Huffington Post, social media, Examiner, Wedding Business Magazine, HoneyBook, WeddingWire World, and she serves on the advisory board for the UK Academy of Wedding and Event Planning. My favorite topics that we covered in this episode include: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market: The importance of standing out in the wedding industry, where differentiation is key to attracting clients and avoiding price shopping.How to Understand who your Ideal Clients are and tailoring your marketing efforts to resonate with them. This involves identifying the specific problems your clients face and presenting your business as the solution.How to Create Compelling Service Packages: By crafting service packages that effectively communicate value and address clients' needs, wedding professionals can attract more clients and command higher prices. The challenge lies in articulating the unique value proposition clearly on service pages.How to Build Trust with Transparencyin Pricing: How transparent pricing builds trust with potential clients and reduces friction in the booking process. More About Heidi Thompson: Evolve Your Wedding Business: https://evolveyourweddingbusiness.com Follow Heidi on IG: https://www.instagram.com/evolveyourweddingbusiness/ Get Heidi's book, "Clone Your Best Clients" https://www.amazon.com/Clone-Your-Best-Clients-Guesswork/dp/0692878238

    34 min

  7. 02/24/2023

    Should You Offer A Photo Booth Add-On?

    Send us a text Hey, event pros! We're talking about the next generation of Open-Air Photobooths  by a company called Photobooth Supply Company, otherwise known as PBSC. Should you buy a photobooth to offer as an add-on? How does this photobooth company give owners and entry to the photobooth business that they may not have gotten otherwise? How much should you invest? If you own a Salsa Booth, you most likely know my guest today, Simeon Weinraub,  co-owner of Jovial events and rentals, and The Pasadena Photo Booth Company. An event company located in Pasadena California, serving the greater Los Angeles area with party decor, balloons, photo booth services, and other party rentals. Before working in events, Simeon spent nearly three decades working in film and television production. And then spent some time teaching video, photography, and audio production. He sees the Photo Booth business and its challenges as an opportunity to share his technical knowledge and apply it to help his clients and other operators in the industry to create memorable experiences. Mentions: Photo Booth Supply Company Jovial Events (website) Jovial Events IG

    40 min

  8. 02/18/2023

    Releventful in 6 minutes...3 months later

    Send us a text Hey, remember this episode?! How Releventful CRM Filled The Gap in The Event Industry. If you haven't had a chance to listen, or maybe you're currently using something like Dubsado, 17hats, Honeybook, or Active Campaign, you should seriously give that episode a listen! We recorded that episode 3 months ago now, and so I wanted to share my thoughts on Releventful 3 months later. One might say  I'm a SUPER USER, as we run our entire event entertainment business from it all day every day!  It's an all-in-one tool kit that keeps event industry professionals organized & connected. Whether you're a caterer, DJ, venue, or wedding planner, Releventful can help you grow your business with specialized tools and features unique to each industry. Get started today with a 14-day free tiral! Mentions: Use my Releventful referral link to save 10% off your first three months!

    6 min
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Trailer

5
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About

Funktastic Chats is a podcast designed for creative entrepreneurs. I'm a musician in the wedding industry, but we're focusing on everything creativity. Topics include task management and outsourcing, because if other people in your business can't do what you do, you created a job for yourself and not a company, and maybe not such a good paying one either. Silencing your inner critic and reinventing yourself to business and workflow ideas. This is the business education that you may have always wanted.So why focus on creatives? Well, because there's not one clear path set out for you as a creative. The industry doesn't want you in it. This podcast is about combining your talent with business so that your industry cannot deny you and has no choice, but to open its doors for you. It starts with being in a mindset of understanding the value of investing in yourself, because if you don't invest in yourself, then who's going to invest in you. CEOs join me every week to help you monetize your passion, whatever that may be, into a full-time gig.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Zabrin
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Funktastic Chats
  • Show Website
    Funktastic Chats