This past Wednesday I had the incredible opportunity to attend a workshop/networking event held by Insipre Smart Sucess. I was first introduced to this wonderful company when my summer styled wedding shoot with the Photography Stylistas was selected to be published in their magazine!! I was intrigued about ISS because it was geared to helping the wedding industry and vendors be successful! That’s when I found out that the ISS Experience was heading to Chicago in January! My first thought was “I gotta go!” and of course my second thought was “this baby better hold off!”. My decision to go was one of the best that I made.
The founder of ISS, Stacie Francombe, poured out so much knowledge on us…not just for our businesses but for the wedding industry and how to really network in a smart way! I realized that there is still so much I need to learn but felt so inspired knowing that I didn’t have to do it alone.
This was a small and intimate seminar with about 15 of us wedding vendors. We began with introductions where we shared the history of our businesses, our dreams and our struggles. We then had a wonderful networking lunch at the Michael Jordan Steak House….(did any of you Chicago people know he had another restaurant?!). We tried tweeting him to see if he would show up but I’m sure he’s a pretty busy guy…lol. The food was delicious but the conversations were invaluable!!
Lunch was followed by this magnificent dessert table arranged by Fancy Candies. Liz O’Brien, owner and founder of Fancy Candies, dazzled us with her adorable desserts. Guess what brides….she’s based right here in Illinois so make sure you contact her for your wedding!
The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about our business plans, mission statements, goals, finding accountability partners, budgeting, customer service, work life balance, marketing and so much more! I couldn’t believe how much we covered in what seemed like such a short amount of time! There were a few ISS alums there and I asked them if they learned something new at each event….and of course they said, every time was different and every time they got something new out of it.
The evening wrapped up with a networking party to celebrate both Inspire Smart Success and The Bridal Style which is Stacie’s new “baby”. Brides, this is the “Pinterest” geared towards just weddings!! You have to check it out!
If you are a photographer, florist, event planner…you name it, you must attend an ISSE event it will change your business! Now, I have to end my post because after this event I have a giant “to-do list” to get to! 🙂
Huge shout out to Desiree Dent of Dejane Events and Navjot Kaur of Silverleaf Events & Wedding Designs for their wonderful work in putting together many of the details you see above!
~K
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW