Event Planners and Designers

224 BRUCE RUSSELL – The Winding Road to Becoming an Elite Planner/Designer

“An event is theatrical, and it’s more than just a wedding or an event; it brings people together.” This is what fuels the passion that Bruce Russell has for planning weddings and events. His goal with each event is to produce the most memorable experience possible. Listen as he shares how he started in the industry and his journey to success. 

Bruce is the owner and managing director of By Bruce Russell, based in London.  He is a planner, designer and coordinates wedding parties and other events around the globe. He was awarded Best Wedding Planner by Belle International Bridal Awards and has been featured in International Publications such as Brides, Mayfair Magazine, and Hello Fashion, to name a few. He is the co-star of RTE Ireland’s production of My Big Day: Home or Away, with Tara Fay, and has appeared on many other TV shows.

Bruce shares his journey of growing up in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia to 

New York after 9/11 to end up in London. He speaks about leaving his corporate job, starting his event business, and the creative way he got his first clients plus the recognition that he needed. Bruce also talks about his process with prospective new clients and making sure that they understand how he works.

Listen in as they discuss Bruce and Tara Fay’s TV show My Big Day: Home or Away, what it’s like to have a camera follow you around, and how the two co-stars get along on and off the show. They also talk about Bruce and Tara’s YouTube channel, and how they are helping people with questions they don’t know to ask. Bruce is one of those guys who doesn’t take anything for granted and is a joy to listen to so you don’t want to miss this episode.

223 BRIDELUX PANEL with  SYLVIA WEINSTOCK, CECI JOHNSON, and CHRISTIAN OTH

223 BRIDELUX PANEL with SYLVIA WEINSTOCK, CECI JOHNSON, and CHRISTIAN OTH

Andy recently attended the Bridelux Conference in New York City. He was asked to select a panel of professionals to discuss the importance of personal connection in the wedding and events industry. His panel consisted of Sylvia Weinstock, Ceci Johnson, and Christian Oth; three amazing innovators in their fields of culinary arts, invitation design, and photography. Listen in as they chat about client relationships, establishing trust, and how to break the ice in the first interview.

Sylvia, at 90 years young, is one of the great industry entrepreneurs and is best known for creating edible art. Ceci is the Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York and has been called an invitation design icon. Christian is the Founder and Creative Director of Christian Oth Studio. He is a world-renowned editorial photographer and has pioneered a distinctly evocative and authentically emotional editorial style. All three of these amazing professionals have been interviewed on The Wedding Biz. Andy highly respects each of them and was excited to include them on his panel.

Listen closely as they discuss “audacious transparency,” knowing when a prospective client isn’t the right fit for your business, and how hard an event planner’s job is. They talk about being open and honest with new clients, conflicts at weddings that don’t necessarily involve the bride and groom, and having a quality wedding on a budget.

With Andy Kushner at the helm, you have a group of individuals who have done it all and made it look easy. When you are lucky enough to be in a room with this kind of talent, you need to pay attention because what they have to say will resonate with anyone in any industry. You don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime episode! 

222 THE NEXT LEVEL: GREG FINCK discusses ALEJANDRA POUPEL – International Events With a Theatrical Flair

222 THE NEXT LEVEL: GREG FINCK discusses ALEJANDRA POUPEL – International Events With a Theatrical Flair

Greg Finck is Andy’s guest on this episode of The Next Level. Greg is a wonderful and brilliant photographer, based in Paris, and is here with Andy to discuss Alejandra Poupel. Alejandra is the owner of Alejandra Poupel Events and is based out of Paris as well, she plans and designs for a wide variety of events all over the world.

Greg and Alejandra both work all over the globe, and they believe that when you operate internationally, you must plan your events to work with different cultures. Hence, her events and his photographs tend to be tailor-made for those unique clients. He also agrees with her that to have a successful company the business side is just as important as the creative side.

Andy and Greg also dive into what Alejandra said about the importance of using Instagram to not only focus on the client but when possible, to help showcase yourselves and the other vendors at events. You must always put the client first, but helping the other vendors when you can, helps build a camaraderie that can land you more events and, with the destination wedding market so strong in Europe, the growth potential is limitless. 

Listen to Andy and Greg discuss this fantastic entrepreneur; her insight and talent are what sets her apart. Alejandra has the business acumen and creative expertise to be around the industry for many years to come. If you haven’t listened to her episode of The Wedding Biz, you should because you don’t want to miss the chance to hear how she became the businesswoman she is today.

221 ALEJANDRA POUPEL – International Events with a Theatrical Flair

221 ALEJANDRA POUPEL – International Events with a Theatrical Flair

Creating events for international clientele is Alejandra Poupel’s realm of expertise. Alejandra is the owner of Alejandra Poupel Events based out of Paris. She caterers to an international clientele, all of whom have different expectations based on their cultural perspective. Listen in as they chat about her early position at Christie’s, taking a pause to raise her daughters, and how she made the transition from art to event planning and design.

Event planning to Alejandra means providing each client with a tailor-made event crafted just for them. She is multicultural and can speak six languages, which helps her to understand different cultures when working internationally. As examples, Alejandra shares a story about some of her biggest middle-eastern weddings.

The fashion industry sets the trends when it comes to the decor at an event. Alejandra’s goal is to create an event that has a theatrical point of view, meaning a beginning, middle, and end. She chats about some of the over-the-top requests, she has received, and how she does everything in her power to accommodate her clients.

Alejandra often works at chateaus and monuments, each with their own unique set of complexities. She speaks about creating events for international corporations and how, even though she only has three full-time employees, she and her team are still able to handle significant events. 

Listen in as Alejandra explains the challenges she faces when planning weddings in exotic locations, where she believes the destination wedding industry will be in five years, and why your reputation is everything. 

220 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN discusses MICHELLE RAGO – Producing Events While Expecting The Unexpected

220 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN discusses MICHELLE RAGO – Producing Events While Expecting The Unexpected

Andy welcomes Jennifer Stein back to The Next Level. Jennifer is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, which can be found at newsstands in all fifty states and twelve countries. She also publishes a daily blog, consults, custom publishes, and is about to launch a new podcast.

Michelle is a destination planner, producer, and designer based out of New York City who works all over the world. She has a book called “Signature Weddings – Creating A Day Uniquely Your Own,” and she does many different types of events, she has even produced an event at the Vatican in Rome.

They talk about how Michelle brings in clients and builds relationships, using print to market your business and the power that Michelle brings from a chaotic childhood to her business mindset today. Jennifer also talks about taking a step back, thinking things through before responding, and how critical conversations need to happen in person or on the phone.

Did you know that fear can be a motivator? Listen in as Andy and Jennifer speak about letting fear motivate you but getting rid of the fear that doesn’t serve you. These two always have the best deep conversations, and this is one that should be on your must-hear list. Take a moment to listen and think about what they are saying.

219 MICHELLE RAGO PART 2 – Producing Events While Expecting the Unexpected

219 MICHELLE RAGO PART 2 – Producing Events While Expecting the Unexpected

Andy is happy to welcome Michelle Rago back for a second episode of The Wedding Biz. Michelle is a destination planner, producer, and designer based out of New York City who works all over the world. She has a book called “Signature Weddings – Creating A Day Uniquely Your Own,” and she does many different types of events and has even produced an event at the Vatican in Rome.

Michelle and Andy discuss an event she produced, in Rome, at the Vatican and a dinner for 400 that she did outside of the Vatican on the same day. She speaks about the challenges of planning events in foreign markets and how they are the same but different than planning them in the U.S. Michelle says having extreme patience is the only way she can do what she does all over the world.

Michelle speaks about some of her favorite events of the last few years, how she builds the teams she needs both internationally and locally, and the challenges she faces with the countries that have a more laid back sense of time than what she is used to. She tells us about times when she has had to overcome obstacles in foreign countries while trying to get what was needed for an event and how much the industry has changed since she first started.

Have you ever let fear stop you from doing something you wanted to do?  Listen in as Michelle talks about how fear is around all the time and the key is not letting it discourage you from pursuing what you want to do and rather using it to our advantage. She also gives us insight into how she sells herself and her experience to her clients. Connection and authenticity are still the most important qualities you can have.

Andy’s amazing guests always share things you won’t hear anywhere else, and this episode is no exception. Listening to Michelle will make your day and show you how to manage your fear of the unexpected. Don’t miss this episode!

207 THE NEXT LEVEL: SEAN LOW Discusses ROBERT SHERMAN/Washington Talent – Creating Happiness One Event at a Time and Forming A Partnership

207 THE NEXT LEVEL: SEAN LOW Discusses ROBERT SHERMAN/Washington Talent – Creating Happiness One Event at a Time and Forming A Partnership

The Next Level welcomes back Sean Low. Sean’s company, The Business of Being Creative, focuses on providing practical advice to those in the business of being creative. His client list includes the whos who of the wedding industry and design community.

Robert is the owner of Washington Talent, the iconic entertainment company out of the Washington, DC area. Robert is passionate about what he does and is in it to bring joy not only to his clients but also to his industry partners.

Andy and Sean discuss how Robert expanded his company by adding services designed to make Washington Talent a place where you get everything you need for an event. They talk about his ability to be flexible and professional with the planners, which makes the events less stressful for them. 

Did you hear that Robert and Andy are partnering up on Kushner Entertainment? Listen as Sean talks about all the positive things that are in store for these powerhouses of the music and events industry as they combine their forces and form a mega team. Robert is bringing his business acumen to add structure to Kushner Entertainment, and that will leave Andy to focus on what he loves, which is being creative.

This is one of those conversations that will keep you spellbound. Every time you think you’ve heard all they have to say, they say something better. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn some news about the event industry that not a lot of people know yet, don’t you want to be able to say “have you heard?”

206 ROBERT SHERMAN/Washington Talent: Delivering Happiness One Event at a Time and Forming A Partnership

206 ROBERT SHERMAN/Washington Talent: Delivering Happiness One Event at a Time and Forming A Partnership

In this episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy is speaking with Robert Sherman. Robert is the owner of Washington Talent, the iconic entertainment company out of the Washington, DC area. He and his partner purchased the company over twenty years ago and have transformed it, taking it to a whole other level. Robert is passionate about what he does and is in it to bring joy not only to his clients but also to his industry partners.

Robert graduated from college with an accounting degree but later decided he wanted to go to law school, during that time he also played drums with his band Onyx. The group was doing well so they hired Washington Talent to book gigs for them. He later worked with them as their in-house counsel. At a time when DJs were all the rage, their band was creating moments for clients and interacting with both kids and adults at events. Robert began building new bands in the ’90s and, over the years, became good friends with the owners.  When they decided to sell, he bought the company and now they are more prominent than they have ever been.

Making people happy, one event at a time is their motto, and Robert wholeheartedly believes it. He says that’s what it’s all about, it’s all about the why. You have to make everyone happy to be successful in the event industry, internally and externally. Understanding event planners and knowing that your job is just one small part of their large production is why he has the reputation of being so easy to work with.

Listen in as Robert and Andy also talk about forming partnerships and how it took them over a year to commit to becoming partners with Andy’s iconic music and entertainment company, Kushner Entertainment. Trust and synergy are essential when you are thinking about taking on a business partner, and the influx of new ideas can get you re-energized. You must reinvent or die in the event industry, and that is what they have both done. 

You won’t want to miss this exciting conversation about bands, partnership, and happiness. When you listen to Robert talk, you can feel how much he loves what he does and how dedicated he is to his music. Custom-designing music for every event is paramount for him and his company, and he gives us a little insight into how he makes it all come together. 

202 RACHEL BIRTHISTLE: The Lake Como Wedding Planner and Creating a Wedding with Contrasting Events

202 RACHEL BIRTHISTLE: The Lake Como Wedding Planner and Creating a Wedding with Contrasting Events

Andy welcomes Rachel Birthistle to The Wedding Biz. Rachel is the Owner and CEO of The Lake Como Wedding Planner based in Como, Italy. In addition to her own events, she has worked with people like Lisa Vorce on Chrissy Tegan and John Legends wedding and many others. She says she is predominately a wedding planner in a destination rather than a destination wedding planner.

Rachel’s father was in the fashion industry, and from a young age, she worked in his factory doing tasks like snipping thread and packing items. She found the place fascinating and knew that being in the fashion industry was where she wanted to be. She started making her own clothes in school even though her friends thought her fashion style was a little out there!

Rachel discusses going to design college, finding a job with a large retailer in London, traveling all over the world, and her decision to stay home. She speaks about going back to college for sports therapy and starting a clinic in her home. Her life took twists and turns but eventually led her to a position with a wedding planner and, ultimately, her decision to start her own extremely successful business.

Rachel strives to make each client’s wedding an event starting when they get off the plane for their first meeting with her. With an itinerary of possible venues in hand, she begins to analyze the client’s style, how they interact with each other, and begins the design process in her head. Creating a sequence of contrasting events for her clients is what she loves most.

What is your dream? If it’s to start your own business, what are you waiting for? You will never know if you can do it until you take a leap of faith and try. Rachel is someone who did just that; she found areas that were lacking in the wedding planning industry in Lake Como, Italy, and set out to change it. This is a learning experience for anyone with a dream, so sit back and listen to this very insightful episode.

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