Andy is very excited to welcome Marcy Blum, an internationally sought after event planner and entertaining expert who has 30 years experience. She has been named one of the best in the world by Vogue, Martha Stuart Weddings, Harper’s Bazaar and the New York Times magazine. Marcy has appeared on many television shows and, with event planner Sarah Haywood, has developed EPIC, the Event Planners International Collaborative that offers an intensive and advanced wedding and event planning education.

In this episode, Andy and Marcy discuss how she got started in the industry, when she started her own business and how scary it was to strike out on her own. She tells us about wanting her event designs to be different from everyone else and looking for clients who wanted the same thing. She also gives us insight into what the business looked like when she got started in the 80’s and how it has evolved today.

Listen in as Marcy talks to us about some of the weddings she remembers, the way she structures the rates she charges for her services, her advice for people starting out in the industry today and about EPIC, the program she started with her friend Sarah Haywood. Marcy is a pioneer in the event industry and you won’t want to miss all of the knowledge she has to share about the industry.

Andy is excited to welcome King Dahl, former Executive Director of Events at MGM Resort Event Productions leading the design and sales teams and ultimately responsible for 1200 events a year. King began in the event industry with Cheryl Fish before starting his own company King Dahl event design, which he later sold. King is known for large dramatic productions and he became an inductee of the Event Solutions Magazine Hall of Fame.

King left it all behind to design his dream life, taking time with his family and traveling but also to allow the young guns in the event industry to spread their wings and see what they could do. He now works when he wants, on the events he wants to design and produce, and works around his life instead of living around his work.

Listen as King give us a glimpse into his world, his events, his mentors and why he is glad that his new lifestyle allows him to play jazz again. He didn’t let fear stand in his way as he planned and strategized to make this new lifestyle happen. Listen closely and you may be inspired to redesign your life to live on your own terms.

Andy is excited to welcome, Ali Barone of Ali Barone Events, a multidimensional event design company. Ali was also on TLC’S show “While You Were Out,” an emmy-nominated home improvement and design TV show.

In this episode, Ali chats about her childhood, moving to the city with help from her grandma and friends to work in television by designing sets for shows and working with Diana Gould Limited. She tells us how she found her calling when she started planning events and even tells us about an event that she was really proud of and why education is so important to her.

Listen as Ali tells us about what it takes to bring an event together and how she puts on workshops to educate people about how event works. Why Preston Bailey’s Protege Program is such a wonderful learning experience, which she speaks at, and why she believes that getting people together in her coworking loft makes a difference. This is a really wonderful episode that will make you want to sit back and take it all in. 

Andy is excited to welcome, Sean De Freitas, Founder of Designs by Sean an International award-winning full service event decor company specializing in both corporate and social events. Sean’s work has been recognized with over 35 industry awards and his designs are out of this world.

In this episode, Sean chats about how he got started in design, his influences along the way, how a logistic mind is crucial and how lighting can make or break an event. Listen in as he tells a moving story about how getting to know his client led to making a father-daughter dance a moment they and none of their guests will ever forget. 

In this episode you will get it all from Sean, the ups, the downs and what he had to change to make this his best life.  Go to his website to see his amazing designs then sit back, tune in and learn about the man behind the creations.

Calder Clark, owner and creative director at Calder Clark, has created a devoted following due to her flawless attention to detail for her immaculate destination fetes. Andy and Calder dive deep into her background, processes, and what truly drives her to plan and design the events she takes on. 

Learn how she set herself up for success early on, learned the ins and outs of the wedding biz from her hotel days, and why multiple revenue streams and investing are so important. She gives some amazing tips for those just starting out in the business and provides a truly transparent look at her business and philosophies. 

If you’ve been looking to hear how a successful wedding and events planner and designer has managed to find work/life balance and prosperity, then you won’t want to miss Andy’s conversation with Calder Clark.