Happy New Year, Y’all!! I am so excited to be back on the blog, sharing with you all kinds of goodness to inspire your big business goals for 2017! I revamped my Show Me Your Brave series to get even more in depth with fabulous Entrepreneurs in an effort to share with you the raw behind the scenes of being a wildly successful Entrepreneur. We all know that life is hard, owning your own business is hard, so why on earth do so many people make it seem easy? Well, my guests I have lined up for the next few months are willing to dish in a business-bare-all kinda way!
My first guest for 2017 is Kristin Kaplan, some of you may know her as my business bestie and partner for our joint business Wedding Business Bosses & The Wedding Business Academy. But before we found each other, she was already a very successful wedding planner who was well on her way to a big shift in her biz to begin mentoring others in 2016. Kristin is the Owner of Stunning Events, a wedding planning company based in Nashville and she is also the creator of The Pricing Workbook, which is on sale now! Be sure to check it out if you are wanting to get your pricing strategy right for the new year. She is also a wife and a Mom to THREE littles – whew, I don’t know how she does it. Let’s go ahead and dive in with Kristin!
Tell me about a moment when you were brave, and stepped out into your business?
This past year I made the decision to scale back my wedding planning business to focus on The Wedding Business Bosses and The Pricing Workbook and I have to admit, it’s still scary! I chose to let go of something that has been my job for 9 years and brought in a consistent income to go in a very different direction educating and creating resources for wedding industry professionals and other creatives. Any time you shift in your business there will inevitably be struggles and doubts but I’m really excited for what 2017 will bring and that I have much more streamlined and focused goals.
Why do you do what you do?
I love seeing that lightbulb go off in someone’s head when they discover something new, or I teach them something that will save them time, or how to look at something from a new perspective. I love inspiring people to go after those big dreams with the right tools, knowledge, and planning!
What is your business super power?
I’m really good at taking a seemingly overwhelming project or task and breaking it down into manageable pieces. Whether it’s creating a business, planning a wedding, running a marathon, if you can dream it, then I can create a plan to make it happen.
What in your life has allowed you to give away what you give in your business?
My husband has been the most amazing support to me and my various businesses. He always encourages me every time I want to start a new business or try something new and he’ll even give his own time to help with website building and all things tech-related (every creative biz owner should marry someone who can build websites!). He’s also supportive with our family as well and understands how important it is to me to not only raise babies but also contribute my gifts to the wedding and business world. I couldn’t be the business owner or mom that I am without him!
What is the hardest thing you have ever went through in your life?
I chose to go to college 3,000 miles away from my cozy bubble of a hometown and as a wide-eyed 18 year old, I had NO idea how tough that would be. I was in a completely new state and culture (moving from the northeast to LA is quite a change!), I had NO family nearby, and for the first year or two I felt very isolated and alone. It took me awhile “find my footing” in California and I had to really dig deep to figure out who I was. But thankfully I got through it, despite wanting to quit and pick a new school closer to home. And I’m sure glad I did because if I hadn’t stayed, I wouldn’t have gotten my first job in entertainment, wouldn’t have met my husband through a friend I worked with at said-job, wouldn’t have moved to Nashville when my husband got a new job, wouldn’t have started an event planning business in Nashville, and therefore wouldn’t be where I am today!
What do you wish you could tell the world more than anything else?
Sometimes you just gotta have a little faith! I am an eternal optimist (with a good dose of realism too) and I believe that having a positive attitude is life-changing. Now I don’t believe in “The Secret” or any of that “if you think it you can will it into existence” stuff but I do feel strongly that if you approach the world and other people from a positive perspective, you will go far.
What was the woman like that started her business, and who are you now?
The woman that started Stunning Events 9 years ago was young and hungry and ready to hustle ALL the time. Which was great for an early-twenty year old that didn’t have any kids! Haha. But now I feel I’m much more protective of my time and have very different priorities. I want my business to fit into my life, not the other way around.
What was your biggest struggle for 2016 and how did you overcome it?
My focus was ALL over the place in 2016. I had a huge list of goals I wanted to accomplish (which was super unrealistic) and I spent many months jumping from project to project without making much progress on any of them. I also had a lot of big life events happen (we bought a new house, moved, and had another baby!) so I got very overwhelmed. I finished the year strong however by finally creating a solid launch plan for The Pricing Workbook and sticking with it, even when the holiday season got a little busier than anticipated.
Can you share the one big thing you are working on right now?
Well I technically have two BIG things in the pipeline right now. The Pricing Workbook launches on January 4th with limited early bird pricing! I’m so excited to finally be releasing this informative workbook that will help creative business owners map out what to charge, understand the value behind what they do, and create a profit plan for their business. Then soon after, we’re opening enrollment for the 2017 class of The Wedding Business Academy!
What is your word for the year and why?
While I haven’t finished my PowerSheets just yet and officially chosen it, I’m leaning towards either FOCUS or ESSENTIAL, and both have very similar meanings to me. I want to always be looking forward in 2017 and only focus on what is essential in my business and life. I want to say YES to the things that truly matter and not be afraid to say NO when it doesn’t fit my goals or my life.
Share your secret to success!
Make a plan! I truly believe you can accomplish all of your big dreams if you write it down, break it into manageable pieces, and then just start with step 1!
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Thank you so much for sharing so much of your story with us Kristin! I know that your journey has & will continue to inspire so many in the creative industry. You can find out more about Kristin by connecting with her websites and social media:
www.ThePricingWorkbook.com – on sale now!
www.TheWeddingBusinessAcademy.com – enrollment opens in Feb 2017
And if you’re someone who is looking for a little inspiration on how you can step out and do big things in your business in 2017, I’m giving you five tips on exactly how to do it! Grab yours here.
Get Your Tips Now!
Here are 5 simple, actionable ways that you can start being braver in your business in 2017!
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