Andy’s guest today is the founder and C.E.O. of Miss Diamond Ring, Michelle Demaree! Miss Diamond Ring is a Los Angeles-based diamond concierge service that offers its clientele a personalized boutique service as special as their love story. After honing her craft for more than ten years in the diamond industry and representing state-of-the-art brands such as Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef, Michelle has created her own signature process offering the highest level of bespoke ring-making for global clients seeking the best that is out there! Michelle herself is also known as “Miss Diamond Ring” and has been featured in many publications such as Forbes, People Magazine, The New York Times, Today, and Modern Luxury Weddings.

Andy and Michelle discuss Michelle’s tagline on her website and how Michelle believes that what she does should be making sparkly works of art that tell her clients’ love stories. Michelle also reflects on her history and how she got into the diamond industry. She makes the point that sales are about connecting, not closing, likely a big part of the reason why, as she emphasizes, her job doesn’t feel like work to her but rather like a passion project. There have, of course, been a few bumps in the road, however, and Michelle, for example, touches upon a few of the obstacles that she faced at first especially being a woman in an industry dominated primarily by men.

Michelle also walks us through the typical process between her and her clients, emphasizing how important it is to her to learn the couple’s love story, and she enthusiastically shares information about her Diamonds with Soul collection. Andy really appreciates Michelle’s time on the show and how quickly she responded to him when he reached out to her! Be sure to also check out her website and her social media pages on Instagram and Pinterest, and don’t forget to enter the code WEDDINGBIZ5 to get 5% off any purchase from Michelle’s company!

As always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might really benefit from and enjoy this interview with Michelle, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already and to leave a top review wherever you listen! That really helps out the show and helps people find it!

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – Today’s sponsor is Zola.

[0:57] – Andy reveals today’s guest as Michelle Demaree of Miss Diamond Ring.

[2:21] – Andy and Michelle talk about Michelle’s tagline on her website.

[3:19] – Michelle reflects on her childhood and where her love for diamonds comes from.

[4:12] – Learn about Michelle’s first serious career job.

[6:38] – Andy shares a story involving his music company.

[7:58] – Michelle discusses her time with Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston.

[8:55] – Michelle argues what sales are truly about.

[10:04] – Discover how Michelle focused more attention on her daughter at one point.

[13:01] – Michelle talks about how it felt to make the leap to entrepreneurship.

[14:36] – Michelle explains what it was like being a female in a male-centric industry.

[16:08] – Learn about Michelle’s price ranges in her company.

[18:28] – Michelle walks us through her usual process with clients.

[20:39] – Michelle gives an example of a couple’s love story being important to what she offered.

[22:20] – Michelle reveals what is trending right now.

[24:42] – Michelle discusses her presence on Instagram.

[27:51] – Learn about Michelle’s Diamonds with Soul collection.

[32:18] – We are reminded of a special offer and are told how to connect with Michelle online.

RESOURCES

Gay Hendricks – The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity

Gay Hendricks – The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Find Michelle:

Miss Diamond Ring – Website

Michelle’s Instagram Page

Michelle’s Pinterest Page

Michelle’s YouTube Channel

Miss Diamond Ring | Let’s Talk Ovals!

Diamonds with Soul – Website

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Joining Andy this week is returning guest (and host of another podcast as part of The Wedding Biz Network) Preston Bailey! Preston is the premier international event designer for a client roster that includes celebrities, royalty, CEOs, and athletes! He has had a number of art installations with showcases in cities including but not limited to New York City, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and London! He is also a master educator and is the author of seven books, five of which have been bestsellers!

Andy and Preston discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected a lot of people’s work ethics and has also impacted supply, both problems that have made finding employees more difficult than before. Preston touches upon how and why he feels that he needs to work a little bit harder now than he used to, and he and Andy agree that creativity is like a muscle that needs to be consistently worked which is why they both have morning routines during which they do just that.

Preston, at nearly seventy-three years old, also discusses his age and whether or not he plans to slow down any time soon, arguing that if you find your passion, then there is no reason to quit it and that, for a lot of people, their souls start to wither if and when they do. He and Andy also touch upon the importance of having alone time and recharging and also discuss connection and how virtual Zoom meetings create a blockade when it comes to truly connecting with people.

Preston also talks about some of his goals and plans for the future, revealing that he plans to write a book in the future! He has been on the podcast a number of times, and his interviews are always so heartfelt. Andy, as always, appreciates his time and hopes that you enjoy this interview! Be sure to check out Preston’s website and his social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and, as always, if you can think of at least three good friends who might really benefit from and enjoy this conversation with Preston, be sure to share it with them! Andy would also be appreciative if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already and to leave a top review wherever you listen, especially since it really helps the show and helps people find it!

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – This episode is brought to you by Zola.

[1:00] – We learn that today’s guest is returning guest Preston Bailey.

[2:24] – Preston touches upon how things have changed since the pandemic has calmed a bit.

[4:35] – Andy argues that creativity is a muscle that has to be worked.

[6:53] – Andy explains what morning pages are and what their benefits are.

[8:44] – Andy describes his morning routine.

[10:19] – Preston talks about his morning routine.

[12:35] – Preston points out a podcast that he loves.

[14:31] – Preston discusses his age and whether or not he plans to stop any time soon.

[17:28] – Andy and Preston discuss alone time.

[20:30] – Preston argues that nature provides opportunities to center ourselves.

[21:14] – Discover why Preston hates virtual meetings.

[22:31] – Learn about Preston’s goals for the future.

[24:00] – Hear where to find Preston online.

RESOURCES

Preston’s Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz

Michael Singer – The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself

Gay Hendricks – The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday Podcast

Julia Cameron – The Artist’s Way Morning Pages Journal

Find Preston:

Preston’s Website

Preston’s Instagram Page

Preston’s Facebook Page

Preston’s Pinterest Page

Stop and Smell the Roses Podcast

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

There are many digital platforms that provide inspiration for designing and organizing events, however, PartySlate is an especially curated platform, using images, that offers such inspiration and connections to local professionals. Creating such a well-orchestrated and impactful company is no small feat, which is what makes building this creative source so impressive.

Julie Novack is not only the mastermind and CEO behind PartySlate, but also has 20 years of marketing experience working for top tier digital agencies. Join us in this episode of The Wedding Biz with Andy Kushner to learn more about raising venture capital, building a digital platform, and how to expand and continue to stay relevant.  And check out The Next Level episode, releasing Wednesday, in which Andy and guest co-host Sean Low, of The Business Of Being Creative, discuss Julie’s interview.

Show Highlights:

• How childhood passion carries over to current career
• Finding ways to get connected with local professionals and the best in the events industry
• How to turn your ideas into reality
• The importance of having mentors to hold you accountable
• The logistics of raising venture capital
• How Partyslate works
• How the company is monetized
• How to advertise for an online platform
• How to stay ahead of what’s next in technology
• What professionals need to make their work the most accessible
• Establishing strong relationships with your clients
• Taking advantage of the macro-shifts happening
• Managing a team and keeping your employees motivated
• Hiring people that are collaborative and invested
• Balancing your personal life and your business
• How to look into the future of a brand
• Striving for global expansion

Links:

Website: www.partyslate.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/partyslate

Facebook: www.facebook.com/partyslate

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7vBiL-EVCr_Xjbm5I-y9cg

Sponsors

Sponsor: OFD Consulting www.ofdconsulting.com  

Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment www.kushnerentertainment.com