Category: Event Planners and Designers

182 KING DAHL, Former Executive Director of Events, MGM Resorts: Designing Your Dream Life As An Events Professional

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.

181 THE NEXT LEVEL: JULIE NOVACK Discusses ALI BARONE of Ali Barone Events

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Julie Novack, CEO and Co-Founder of Party Slate, chat about Ali Barone’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Party Slate is a photo rich website where leading event professionals share their work, build their brand and drive leads.

Listen in as they talk about why Ali started her own company, how she built her business with her ideal clients, and how she has her clients pin on their pinterest board with reckless abandon. Julie speaks about getting involved with the community when building your team, and how there are no bad ideas when brainstorming. Andy and Julie are professionals in this industry and never disappoint so sit back, unplug and listen to this entertaining discussion.

180 ALI BARONE: Creating The Events Career Of Your Dreams

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.

177 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN Discusses SEAN DE FREITAS, Founder of Designs by Sean: From King of Carnival to King of Design

In this episode of The Next Level, Andy Kushner and Jennifer Stein, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, discuss Sean De Freitas’s interview on the Wedding Biz. Jennifer was recognized as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 by the Arizona Republic and has over 19 years of experience in business and publishing. If you are planning a destination wedding and need ideas this magazine, and Jennifer’s blog, is where you should start.

Listen as they talk about Sean’s designs, events, and a wedding story you won’t want to miss. They chat about losing focus on your business, feeling burned out and what you can do to get the spark back, how you can make it new again. If you listen closely you might hear a tidbit you can use next time you are feeling overwhelmed and ready to quit.

176 SEAN DE FREITAS – From King of Carnival to King of Design

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.

So much valuable information!
by Santija L. from Denmark
Andy does an amazing job with hosting the podcast, every episode is well-thought-out and packed with tips and strategies. Highly recommend for any entrepreneur involved in the wedding industry.
The Next Level!!
by Suzanne Delawar from United States
Andy is an amazing interviewer. The variety of conversations keeps you engaged every week. Being able to hear from some of the top influencers in our industry, leaves you feeling inspired and motivated to take your business to the next level.
The industry’s finest!
by TheWedding_AC from United States
It’s amazing to have the opportunity to listen to some of the industry’s finest talk about their work, life and craft. I think in this industry, it’s easy to keep our heads down and just stay busy but it’s SO good to come up for air sometimes and hear from other people in the community and to “get to know them” a bit. In short, this podcast is an incredible resource and I’m so thankful for it!
An Industry Standard
by morganmoana from United States
This podcast is a must-listen for wedding professionals. It is engaging and informative, giving you insight into the behind the scenes of the wedding industry in real time. Andy has conversations that make you feel like you are in the same room with the pros he interviews and it is so incredibly valuable!
Encouraging
by SpacePirateTomatoBride from United States
I am sincerely thankful for this podcast. I stumbled upon it last winter and listening to the interviews gave me huge portion of courage to launch my own bridal design business this year. It was a beautiful resource and the show is nicely paced and enjoyable to listen to. I will continue to listen and recommend this show to anyone and everyone who’s interested in business.