Month: August 2023

Email: nora@rockpapercoin.com
Rock Paper Coin – Website
Rock Paper Coin – Our Story
Rock Paper Coin – Tips to Improve Workflow and Time Management for the Self Employed
Rock Paper Coin – Automate Your Business Instant Download
Rock Paper Coin – Instagram Page
Rock Paper Coin – Facebook Page
Rock Paper Coin – App (Use code THEWEDDINGBIZ for one free year!)

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.

472 NORA SHEILS: Automating Your Way to Success

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472 NORA SHEILS: Automating Your Way to Success

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Andy hopes that you will join him in this insightful conversation with Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin, a pioneer in wedding industry automation! Listen in as Nora talks about all things automation, explaining how it can save events and wedding pros considerable amounts of time and money while boosting efficiency and reducing mistakes. She recommends starting with calendar automation so clients can easily schedule appointments without email tag, recommending a number of platforms including her favorite, cloudHQ.

Nora goes on to discuss how workflow automation platforms can automate multi-step processes using triggers and conditions. She also advises that even though some luxuries may prefer less automation, platforms like Rock Paper Coin allow automating contracts, invoices, and client communications while boosting sales, and she encourages us that while she completely understands being weary of tech, this is very user-friendly and intuitive.

The implications of intuitive automation in business are ultimately enormous – saving up to a third of time spent on manual tasks while boosting professionalism and sales. Again, although it can absolutely be daunting at first, starting small and giving new tech a chance can yield big rewards. Andy himself even hopes to try out some of these suggestions and see how automation can help simplify and scale his own creative event business.

Andy found this conversation to be so helpful and really hopes that you do as well! If you do, then please share this episode with at least three good friends who would benefit from it. Andy would also appreciate it if you would subscribe to the podcast and leave it a top review wherever you listen because that really helps the show out.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:06] – This is a slow time of year, and Andy has done a lot of traveling.

[1:35] – Today’s guest is Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin!

[2:55] – Nora explains how automation can help those in the event and wedding industry.

[4:16] – Nora understands reluctance to automate but recommends starting simple.

[6:52] – Nora particularly likes cloudHQ and also recommends 1Password.

[10:11] – Nora argues that transitioning to a password manager app is simple and gradual.

[12:02] – Nora also recommends resources like Honeybook, 17Hats, and Dubsado.

[15:57] – Rock Paper Coin can automate contracts, invoices and client communications.

[18:08] – What are the broader implications of automation in business management?

[19:37] – Learn why Nora recommends automation tools like Zapier and IFTTT.

[22:21] – Many find tech intimidating, but they should take advantage of free trials and demos.

[24:23] – Andy gives out Nora’s contact information.

LINKS & RESOURCES

cloudHQ – Website

Find Nora:

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Confero – Website
Confero – Instagram Page
Christopher’s Instagram Page
Alabama Weddings – Website

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.

471 CHRISTOPHER CONFERO: Wedding Planning from the Inside Out

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471 CHRISTOPHER CONFERO: Wedding Planning from the Inside Out

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Andy welcomes you to another episode of The Wedding Biz in which he interviews Christopher Confero, a well known wedding planner and designer based out of Atlanta who manages to balance being not only the owner of his award-winning company Confero but also editor of the magazine Alabama Weddings. Christopher describes how his passions for music, performance, and theater shaped him creatively and continues to help him direct weddings and live events. Events, he reveals, allow him to be a creative storyteller and craft bespoke experiences for his clients.

Christopher also discusses his process of connecting with couples and designing weddings to reflect their personality. Although he has systems and processes, he says he tries to meet clients where they are and have natural conversations to make them comfortable, and he describes creativity as combining different elements in a cohesive way to bring life to his clients’ love stories using his “childlike ability to play.”

You can also expect to hear Christopher share specific examples of how he designed weddings using imagination and fresh perspectives, and he even reveals some of the challenges that he faces, especially the weather, and how he overcomes them through preparation and troubleshooting. Andy and Christopher agree on the benefits of having a business partner to manage the business side so that business owners can focus on the creative aspects if that is what they enjoy the most.

Andy had such a blast having this conversation with Christopher and really appreciates Christopher’s willingness to be open and vulnerable. If you enjoy the conversation, then Andy would love it if you were to share it with colleagues and leave a top review. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode, and we will catch you next week on The Wedding Biz!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:17] – We learn that this episode’s guest is event designer Christopher Confero!

[2:06] – Christopher confirms that his initial passions were in music and acting.

[2:35] – Christopher touches upon how his passion for music has helped him as a planner.

[4:16] – When did Christopher first feel a pull toward event design?

[5:57] – Christopher describes his personal signature.

[7:47] – Christopher walks us through his usual process with his clients.

[10:36] – Christopher explains his unique approach to wedding design.

[12:16] – We hear an example of how Christopher transforms spaces to reflect personalities.

[15:26] – Weather tends to be Christopher’s biggest obstacle.

[18:26] – Christopher runs his wedding business and magazine from Atlanta and Birmingham.

[19:20] – Balancing event design and magazine editing is harder for Christopher than expected.

[22:52] – Christopher has learned to outsource so that he can focus more on the creative side.

[26:35] – Andy touches upon how travel and nature are inspirations for him.

[28:55] – What do success and legacy mean to Christopher?

[30:10] – Andy provides Christopher’s contact information.

Find Christopher:

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

470 REVISIT ALEX FITZGIBBONS: Orchestrating The Life And Soul Of A Wedding

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470 REVISIT ALEX FITZGIBBONS: Orchestrating The Life And Soul Of A Wedding

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“Our interests are totally aligned with our clients, to make sure their wedding is the best it can possibly be.” Listen as Andy and his guest Alex Fitzgibbons discuss how Alex got involved in the event industry, his journey to Fait Accompli, why he feels his work there is about finding and expressing the life and soul of weddings he orchestrates, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Alex is the Managing Director of Fait Accompli out of London, which organizes plans and designs spectacular events worldwide for A-list clients and Royal weddings. He orchestrated one of Vogue’s top listed weddings of 2019 and was also responsible for the wedding celebration of Ellie Goulding and weddings for the Royal family, including Prince William and Katherine and Prince Harry and Megan.

Alex discusses his understanding of what a client wants and how he finds his inspiration when planning the event. Alex shares a story of one of his favorite weddings last year, his design philosophy, and the challenges of orchestrating a very large event. He also speaks about how he keeps high-profile weddings private by taking away the guests’ phones, which also allows them to engage with others more freely.

Listen as Alex talks about balancing the business side of his company and the artistic side, how he puts together a team for each event, and how he has kept his business successful over the years. Alex shares that one of his favorite things about the event industry is the degree to which you get to know your clients and how exciting that is for him.

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:53] – Today’s episode is a revisit of Andy’s interview with Alex Fitzgibbons of Fait Accompli.

[2:01] – Alex is also a helicopter pilot!

[2:40] – After taking flying lessons with money meant for university, Alex delivered pizzas.

[3:56] – Alex undertook a 2,000 kilometer challenge in 2020, raising over 1.5 million dollars for Child Bereavement UK.

[5:56] – After a severe injury, Alex learned that he is extremely stubborn.

[7:10] – Alex discloses how he got into the events industry after college.

[8:08] – How did Alex make the transition from Nintendo to having his own company?

[9:51] – Alex describes himself as an adventurer who enjoys an adrenaline rush.

[11:24] – Any large event can be successfully organized through excellent relationships with suppliers.

[13:08] – We are walked through Alex’s usual process with clients.

[16:31] – The diplomacy and politics involved in planning weddings has grown in the last twenty years.

[19:18] – Alex shares a detailed story of one of his favorite weddings.

[22:50] – Alex carefully guards guests’ privacy by asking guests to check in their phones.

[24:45] – Alex laments that many guests focus on taking photos and videos of star performers rather than being present in the moment.

[26:37] – What techniques does Alex use to ensure guest engagement?

[29:18] – Alex feels the same pressure for all of his clients’ events – whether they are high profile royal weddings or not.

[31:06] – How does Alex balance business and art?

[32:37] – Learn why Alex prioritizes hiring local suppliers and talent wherever an event is taking place.

[36:50] – Alex reveals how he has maintained success for so long.

[41:09] – Andy reveals where Alex and his company can be found online.

Find Alex:

Fait Accompli – Website

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