This week we’re going to take a break from our typical blog posts to share what we’ve been up to behind the scenes.
Back in October I blogged about the Engage! conference that I attended in Vegas. I left feeling super excited about making positive changes in our market and with our business. Then came the holiday season and naturally, everything got put on hold. In February, when I heard about The Simple Plan workshop that Sage Wedding Pros offers, I knew it was exactly what I needed to get jump started again. The workshop was in DC so it was definitely drivable, but I knew it’d be more fun with a friend! One phone call later, Aletha and I were registered and ready to go.
We left early on Sunday, March 28th and headed out for our first (of 3!) road trips. After 12 hours in the car and non-stop chatter, I was exhausted (but still so excited for the workshop to start the following morning)!
The Simple Plan is a 2-day workshop designed around writing (or finishing) your business plan, specific to wedding professionals. My business plan was one of those things that got started in the beginning stages of owning this business, then got quickly covered in dust in the back of my filing cabinet. I knew that as a business owner I should have a complete plan, but I also knew that I would never finish it unless I dedicated a few days to focus solely on finishing it.
Kate Parker, of Kate Park Weddings, and Wendy Robinson, of Aspire to Plan, were our guest speakers. The two of them, combined with Michelle and Kelly, from Sage Wedding Pros, gave me the tools I desperately needed to really scrutinize over the different components of my plan and challenged me in so many great ways. I also found it beneficial that Aletha was there with me to discuss the Michigan market (since many of the attendee were from the greater-DC area.)
Our resident photographer for the workshop, Alison Britton, captured a few great photos of the 2 day event (you can see more photos from the workshop on her blog).
If you are a wedding professional and haven’t finished your business plan, or even just want to update or refine it, I highly recommend attending one of these workshops. I learned a ton, met amazing wedding pros, and left feeling even more confident in my business model than I thought possible! (You can read a few more recaps of the workshop here and here)
Roma Sposa Atelier (which happens to be located right next door to our studio!) is having a sample sale July 29-31. What is a sample sale? Exactly what it sounds like… a sale where all the sample dresses are up for grabs! If you are still looking for a dress this is an event not to be missed… sample dresses are generally discounted and ready to be taken home the same day. I’d highly recommend calling the salon for specific details and to make an appointment.