THE Podcast for Wedding and Events Industry Professionals
All Episodes
All Episodes
160 KIANA UNDERWOOD/TULIPINA: Setting Fear Aside to Embrace Ambition and Find That Spark of Creative Genius
Floral artist Kiana Underwood is the celebrated owner of Tulipina an internationally renowned floral design studio that creates bespoke experiences for luxury weddings throughout the world. She has been named one of the top wedding floral designers in the US and is the most followed floral designer on Instagram. She is the author of Color Me Floral and the host of sold-out international workshops. She has also been featured in many magazines, and her work is always in demand.
Kiana and I talk about the importance of bravery and pushing past fear to create what you desire. Her life and her work is an example of how she has pushed passed this fear to create the art and life that she wants. She shares her story of moving to the US and how freeing her new school experience was. We get to learn how flowers were always part of her life and culture, but it took bravery, tenacity, and out-of-the box thinking to make floral art her business and life’s work.
159 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN Discusses MEGHAN ELY, Using PR and Marketing Techniques to Brand Yourself and Create the World’s Finest Weddings
In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Jennifer Stein, discuss key topics from last week’s interview with Meghan Ely. Jennifer is the Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine.
Welcome to another episode of The Next Level, in which I have a guest co-host, and the two of us talk about my recent interview of the week. This week we discuss how Meghan Ely was able to combine her love of marketing, PR, and wedding planning to carve a unique niche in the lux wedding industry. Another important topic that Meghan has a great handle on is the evolution of the industry. Jennifer and I discuss how important it is to stay relevant and not be dependent on other outlets for PR, marketing, or other revenue-generating activities. We also talk about outside the box thinking, pitching, and so much more.
158 MEGHAN ELY: Using PR and Marketing Techniques to Brand Yourself and Create the World’s Finest Weddings
PR is actually a big part of lux weddings. Getting the word out in a positive light can build an exciting event that everyone wants to attend or at least hear about. Meghan Ely is a creative with marketing, PR, and wedding planning education and experience under her belt. In this podcast, she shares how she had an epiphany to niche down her business and combine the things she loved an knew.
She learned early on how to hone in on the right questions to find out what a client really wants their wedding to be like. She also makes extensive work of technology and writing to make sure the best-planned event is also one of the best-known events. Meghan shares her origin story and answers question all about PR, wedding planning, and how she was able to pull it all off. Along with tips for others trying to up their marketing, PR, or speaking game.
157 THE NEXT LEVEL with ZACHARY OXMAN Discussing RAY THOMPSON, Lighting Design, and the Choreography of Emotion
In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Zachary Oxman, discuss key topics from last week’s interview with Ray Thompson. Zack is a true artist and creative who has quite a story as a sculptor and how his work ties in to what Ray does.
Welcome to another episode of The Next Level, in which I have a guest co-host, and the two of us talk about my recent interview of the week. This week we discuss lighting pioneer, Ray Thompson who is an icon in the event and lux wedding industry.
As an artist and creative, Ray has a lot to add to how powerful of an impact lighting can make. This is a fun episode to talk about because Ray is the founder of Images by Lighting and a true innovator in the field of lighting design. His award-winning team create emotional environments for events including lux weddings, major film events, and lighting designs for superstar musical artists.
156 RAY THOMPSON: Lighting Design & The Choreography Of Emotion
Lighting designer and owner of Images by Lighting Ray Thompson is here today to talk about storytelling with lighting for events and designing lighting for lux weddings. He has over 30 years of experience and an amazing passion for creative design.
He also pioneered the modern event lighting industry. His company has created the lighting for events at major corporations like Adobe, Taco Bell, Gillette, NFL Super Bowl and many more. He has also been involved in premieres and events for major movies and entertainers like HBO, DreamWorks Pictures, Disney/Buena Vista, Elton John and more.
In this episode, Ray shares how he got started and was able to transition his passion into a career and an award-winning company. He also talks about the evolution of lighting, changes in technology, tools smaller designers can use to create amazing lighting, how he finds inspiration and more.
155 THE NEXT LEVEL with BILL BOWEN Discussing ANDREA EPPOLITO and Celebrating the Greatest Luxury of All
In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Bill Bowen, discuss key topics from last week’s interview with Andrea Eppolito.
154 ANDREA EPPOLITO: Celebrating the Greatest Luxury of All
Andrea Eppolito, founder of Andrea Eppolito Events, shares her journey of becoming an event planner, how she establishes relationships with her clients and the magic of creating a unique and personal experience for couples.
153 THE NEXT LEVEL with JULIE SABATINO Discussing CARL RAY, Celebrity Makeup Artist
Carl Ray, celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert, has mastered the art of highlighting the inner beauty of each individual client. And, in the service industry,...
152 CARL RAY: Celebrity Makeup Artist
In this episode, Carl Ray shares his experience and tips he’s learned throughout his career that you can apply to your own daily routine.
151 THE NEXT LEVEL with SEAN LOW Discussing DEBBIE GELLER, Creating Legacy Clients, Pricing & More
There are many ways to establish long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, which Debbie Geller of Geller Events shares in this week’s episode.
150 Debbie Geller: Part 2, Creating Legacy Clients, Pricing & More
Today’s guest, Debbie Geller of Geller Events, is an experienced event planner who designs stunning and intricate events for high net worth families and more
149 THE NEXT LEVEL with SHANNON LEAHY Discussing LIESE GARDNER, Brand Therapy, and Marketing with Heart
On today’s episode of The Next Level, Guest Co-Host Shannon Leahy, of Shannon Leahy Events, joins Andy Kushner in reflecting on last week’s interview with Liese Gardner
148 Liese Gardner: Brand Therapy & Marketing With Heart
In this episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy Kushner interviews communications specialist, Liese Gardner, and unravels some of the industry secrets to mastering your marketing and expressing your brand.
147 REVISIT: Edwin McCain: His Hit Wedding Songs
REVISIT: This week, Andy talks with the artist behind three enormously-popular wedding songs—Edwin McCain.
146 THE NEXT LEVEL with HARMONY WALTON Discussing JENNIFER STEIN, Editor In Chief Destination I Do Magazine
Today Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Harmony Walton, discuss Andy’s interview with Jennifer Stein. Jennifer is the founder of Destination I Do Magazine.
145 Jennifer Stein: Editor-In-Chief, Destination I Do Magazine
Today Jennifer Stein, Editor-In-Chief, Co-Founder, and publisher of Destination I Do Magazine, shares where she got her inspiration to begin her journey as a destination wedding specialist.
144 THE NEXT LEVEL with JENNIFER STEIN Discussing RISHI PATEL, CEO of HMR Designs
Join Andy Kushner and guest co-host, Jennifer Stein, Editor-In-Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, in today’s episode of The Next Level! Today Andy and Jennifer discuss key topics from last week’s interview of event planner and designer, Rishi Patel, CEO of HMR Designs.
143 Rishi Patel: CEO of HMR Designs
Today, CEO of HMR Designs, Rishi Patel, talks about how service and luxury work cohesively to create astonishing events and a mutually fulfilling experience for the client and their designers.