Month: April 2023

Kristin Banta of Kristin Banta Events, Inc. returns to the podcast today to follow up and share some updates! Kristin Banta Events is headquartered out of Los Angeles and specializes in event design, planning, and production. She has been featured on several television stations such as Bravo, Style, Food Network, and Fox and in countless publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, Inside Weddings, Southern Living Brides, and the Los Angeles Times. She has even been the recipient of numerous awards including Best Social Event by BizBash and Best Wedding by Special Events.

It has been over five years since Kristin was last on the podcast in episode 26, and so much has happened since then, especially the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks today about what she has learned as a result of the pandemic and how her process has changed, what is different about doing a premiere afterparty as opposed to a wedding, how she navigates burnout, how she discusses prices with clients and what her pricing strategy is, and so much more!

Andy really appreciates being able to catch up with Kristin and really encourages listeners to go back and listen to episode 26 if you enjoyed this episode. He would also be really grateful if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen, as that really helps out the show and helps people find it!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

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] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:09] – Andy discusses the book that he has been reading recently.

[1:59] – Hear about today’s returning guest, Kristin Banta.

[3:24] – Kristin shares what she has learned about herself as a result of the pandemic.

[5:57] – Kristin agrees that in-person communication is different from virtual communication.

[7:38] – Has Kristin made any significant changes to her process since 2017?

[10:44] – Kristin reveals what’s interesting about doing a premiere afterparty.

[14:23] – Kristin talks on how she deals with burnout.

[16:38] – Does Kristin discuss money with clients or does she appoint someone else to do so?

[19:09] – Kristin explains her pricing strategy.

[19:49] – Why does Kristin no longer engage as much in publicity and media?

[21:40] – What about the near future excites Kristin?

[23:29] – Andy reveals where Kristin can be found online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

The Wedding Biz – Episode 26 Kristin Banta: Upending Wedding Traditions

Harry Lorayne – Ageless Memory: Simple Secrets for Keeping Your Brain Young – Foolproof Methods for People Over 50

Find Kristin:

Kristin’s Website
Kristin’s Instagram Page
Kristin’s Facebook Page
Kristin’s YouTube Page
Kristin’s Pinterest Page

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.

Andy welcomes Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events back to the podcast for a follow-up interview after initially having been on the show back in episode 96! Jennifer is the founder and CEO of JZ Events and has been named by Vogue and Brides in their listings of the best wedding planners of the world. Martha Stewart Weddings and Harpers Bazaar has also named her a top planner, and JZ Events is a full-service event planning firm that has done work all over the world.

She is here in this episode to discuss her production of Serena Williams’ wedding, the business that she began during the COVID-19 pandemic (Destination Hampton), what she does to feel and stay grounded, how she prevents burnout, what she looks for in a designer, what about the future excites her, and so much more!

Andy is so grateful to Jennifer for coming back on the show to follow up and really hopes that you enjoy the conversation as much as he did having it. If you did enjoy the conversation, be sure to go back and listen to episode 96 if you haven’t already, and Andy would also appreciate it if you would share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and would also be grateful if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

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] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:17] – Andy has signed up for a comedy class!

[2:09] – Today’s guest is returning guest Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events!

[3:22] – How did the COVID-19 pandemic change Jennifer and her business?

[6:24] – Has Jennifer’s style changed as a result of the pandemic?

[8:09] – Jennifer explains how she approaches assembling a team.

[11:10] – Jennifer loves learning from other cultures.

[13:43] – Learn what Jennifer looks for in a designer.

[16:38] – Jennifer describes her process of having done Serena Williams’ wedding.

[18:43] – Does Jennifer feel more stress when doing a high-profile wedding?

[20:46] – Jennifer talks about how she stays grounded and inspired.

[22:58] – Why does Jennifer exercise early in the morning?

[24:32] – Jennifer feels that she has balance.

[27:54] – Jennifer is really excited about working in new locations.

[29:16] – Andy shares where Jennifer can be found online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

The Wedding Biz – Episode 96 Jennifer Zabinski: High-Touch Planning

Find Jennifer:

JZ Events – Website
JZ Events – Instagram Page

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.

Andy is so happy to welcome Rishi Patel of HMR Designs back to the show today, who was first on the show back in 2019. Rishi is the CEO of HMR Designs which is a premier event design and production firm based out of Chicago. Rishi has even been named one of the top wedding and event designers in the world by Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings and has also been recognized as top 40 under 40. Listen as he joins Andy today to discuss the wonderful success he has had over the last year or so and the lessons that he has learned since COVID struck in 2020.

Rishi also updates us on how he has been rallying his team together, what has been grounding and inspiring him, what excites him about the future, and so much more! Andy is so grateful to have had Rishi and his passion and enthusiasm back on the podcast! If you enjoy this conversation, Andy would love it if you would share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and would also be grateful if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure to also leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

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] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:29] – Andy has been listening to The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.

[3:09] – Learn that today’s guest is returning guest Rishi Patel of HMR Designs.

[5:16] – How does Rishi handle not having much lead time?

[7:54] – Rishi is not doing planning but only design.

[11:05] – Rishi discusses his experience collaborating with Marcy Blum.

[12:42] – How does Rishi go about rallying his team together?

[17:01] – Rishi reveals how he stays grounded and inspired.

[20:00] – What is Rishi’s greatest struggle?

[24:37] – Rishi argues that a goal needs to be a challenge but also realistic.

[25:34] – Discover what Rishi feels makes him unique.

[27:42] – Rishi is really excited about some upcoming projects in Europe.

[29:44] – Andy reveals where Rishi can be reached online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

The Wedding Biz – Episode 422 REVISIT RISHI PATEL: CEO of HMR Designs

Find Rishi:

HMR Designs – Website
HMR Designs – Facebook Page
HMR Designs – Instagram Page
Rishi’s Instagram Page

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.

Pablo Oliveira’s work is so elegant and sophisticated, his portfolio images alone are a feast for the eyes. Nuage Designs, the name of Pablo’s company, is growing internationally. From royal weddings to inaugural balls, Nuage Designs has been dressing the tables of some of the most prestigious events globally including Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding.

Pablo grew up in Brazil, and with no history of design or events in his family, becoming who he is today appears to have been a total accident. Always having an artistic side, though also loving math, he ended up going to Switzerland to study Hospitality. Dealing with high end expectations comes from Pablo’s background in the Hospitality industry.  Pablo started his company working in the textile industry and is now considered a trend setter in the linen world. Starting with his first warehouse, Pablo has grown his business and continues to do so.

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

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.

“Always my passion was in the product itself and having beautiful things to offer to our customers, but also developed a passion for managing the business” – Pablo Oliveira

Show Highlights:

• Nuage Designs company name and how Pablo came up with it
• Pablo’s background and passions growing up
• How he ended up going to college for Hospitality in Switzerland and what got his attention to go there
• Did internships in Switzerland, Barcelona and lived in California, and now Miami
• Being let go from his last hospitality job began an opportunity with a friend in a Textile industry at 25 years old
• One role model in Pablo’s life was the owner of a hotel in Miami
• The biggest things Pablo learned from working for him was being humble, having a hands-on approach and caring deeply for his business and team
• Pablo had no background in design when he began working in the Textile industry so learned on the go
• Pablo started showing friends in event design fabrics and they mentioned they do not buy, they rent. Thus the idea of starting a rental company was born
• Pablo was conservative as he grew his business never taking on debt or investors
• Nuage Design company is starting to spread internationally and has around 50 employees
• Pablo’s newest passion is to learn every detail about his business
• The process of linen design planning
• Trends change quickly, so continue to introduce new products
• Collaborating with Preston Bailey for a linen collection
• Pablo gives tips  and advice in dealing with linens
• The next 5 years of Pablo’s career and where he thinks he will go
• Pablo tells a story about Chelsea Clinton’s wedding
• Balancing business with personal life

Resources:

Nuage Designs Website

Watch the making of Preston Bailey Linen Collection

Nuage Designs Instagram: @nuagedesignsinc

Pablo Oliveira Instagram: @pablocoliveira

Email: Pablo@nuagedesigns.com

Marketing Manager: Zaira@nuagedesigns.com

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Zola