Last night I attended a networking event for startups.  A dozen new startup businesses stood by tiny tables with displays at the sides of the room, while other entrepreneurs walked by. One sign in particular caught my eye: “When was the last time you felt SEEN?” Woah. Powerful question! (And if you know me, you know that questions are my

I’m fascinated by a strong marketing message that says, “This is what I’m for. This is what I’m against. Like it or not.” I recently came across this postcard for Lagusta’s Luscious Chocolates located in New Paltz, NY. “Heartbreakingly delicious artisanal chocolates, ethically made.” When we talk about “for” and “against” in the world of chocolate, how much is there

“What business are you in?” The first answer that comes is never the most complete. Wedding photography. Entertainment. Wedding planning. Travel. Officiating. Venues. A million other wedding pros could give that exact answer. This dumps you into the same category as the competition.  You look the same as everyone else, and when couples can’t tell the difference between you and

Have you been settling for “good enough?” In your wedding business? In your life? *** I spent a few days with my friend having adventures around New York City. She has a good job, a good relationship, a good life. Except when she says, “good,” what she means is more like “not bad.”  “I don’t mind it. It’s okay.” Where

“The customer is always right.” It’s a saying designed as a reminder to do everything possible to make the customer happy. It’s a staple cliche of customer service. You know this isn’t true, don’t you? Sometimes the bride or groom misunderstands your instructions. Their opinion may be based on lack of information. Or you may just have a Bride or

The fox is clever and crafty. She has lots of tricks, productivity hacks and studies smart marketing. She owns all the bells and whistles and fancy tools. The hedgehog is simple. He has one strategy: curl up in a ball. A predator jumps out at you? Curl up in a ball. Get lost in the woods? Curl up in a

There’s an oft-quoted iconic scene with Yoda and Luke Skywalker from the movie, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back… Yoda urges Luke to use the Force to lift the submerged ship from the swamp so that they can escape. Luke complains that it’s impossible, but finally agrees to try. “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try,” Yoda

When I was a little girl, I was good at a lot of things. I got good grades in all my classes, pleased my teachers, and listened to my parents. I learned that I was smart, creative, kind. Good. I was good at everything I did. (I thought.) But then I started to get scared about all the things I

  I didn’t enjoy saying it, but she was paying me to tell the truth. Belle came to me with a problem. She’d been struggling to get her wedding business off the ground for three years. What could she do to make it work? We had a chat and I gathered the facts. The business didn’t have a sustainable profit

When was the last time you Googled yourself? It’s probably been a while. So… Go ahead and do it now. Open up Google, type in your name and hit search. I’ll wait. (If you have a maiden name or nom de plume, you’ll want to search for that, too.) What do you notice at the top of the page? You’ll