NASHVILLE – we are coming to YOU!

The Simple Plan
November 15-16, 2010
at
Wedding 101
Nashville, TN

Our lovely sponsors, Wedding 101, have been nothing short of amazing!  Thank you kindly!

Get your tickets here: EVENTBRITE (get in on those early bird rates!)
Find out more here: www.thesimpleplan.biz

SEE what past graduates have to say.

And… here’s a bonus… this is right near my birthday… so I’m excited to share my birthday with y’all!

If you have not yet filled out our 5-minute survey and you are interested in attending The Simple Plan, please help us out!  By filling out the survey, you will receive a $50 discount to attend the workshop in any city.

Thank you kindly for your time!

The Simple Plan – WHERE should we GO?

Southwest States SURVEY
Northwest & Mountain States SURVEY
Midwest States SURVEY
South and Southeast States SURVEY
Northeast States SURVEY

And… we haven’t forgotten about those many requests for us to take The Simple Plan to foreign locales… for now, we are keeping the workshop in the United States, so please let us know where you’d like to visit. However, if you are interested in sponsoring our travels, please let us know.

Dana joined us in May for The Simple Plan Los Angeles.  I want to share with you her take on The Simple Plan, our business planning workshop for wedding pros:

“I was petrified before walking into this workshop. I thought, “Oh god. I didn’t  prepare enough. I don’t know how to run a business and I certainly don’t know what my goals are!” Shortly after we began my fears dissolved as all the parts of running a business that had previously intimidated me were broken into easily digestible (and, dare I say, fun?) chunks… and for the first time, I was able to gain real clarity for my business and nail down exactly what it is we’re doing over here, and where we want to go!”

You can read the rest of Dana’s post here and see how she came up with her very fabulous Broke-Ass Mission Statement.

The Simple Plan Workshop from Mark & Trisha Von Lanken on Vimeo.

16 Graduates of The Simple Plan share their experiences…

Janice Carnevale
Bellwether Events – DC
www.bellwetherevents.com

The Simple Plan was an immersion into working on my business plan, which I had never done. What established industry folks probably don’t realize is that your plan is a working document, not a stagnant idea that sits in a drawer (or in an online file). Just as our ideas, values, and vehicles of doing business change, so must our plan to tackle those things. Michelle and Kelly, the sagest wedding pros I know, provided me with the skeleton, and it was up to me to fill in the meat. Not only did I need to know myself and my finances, I also needed to know my client and my competitors. Some parts were easy for me (my goals, my values). At other times it was hard and thought-provoking. Ultimately it was an incredibly rewarding, and a very valuable experience. Not only did I walk out with a business plan with some meat on the bones, but I made new friends from the DC area and across the country.

Jaimi Brooks
Fiore Beauty – LA
www.fiorebeauty.com

I’ve avoided writing a business plan for over 2 years because I didn’t really know what it consisted of and it seemed overwhelming. The Simple Plan was a wonderful opportunity where I got think about the bigger picture, do the numbers myself, and walk away with a different understanding about my business. It was especially important that the workshop is informed specifically by the event industry so it is that much more relevant and specific to us. It was worth every penny and every second, I’m a more responsible business owner for having gone and have a lot more clarity and information about my business from which to make decisions.

Catie Ronquillo
Catie Ronquillo Photography – Dallas
www.catieronquillo.com

The Simple Plan was the best investment I could have made for my business this year. Over the course of two days, we wrote the bulk of our business plans, set up goals with deadlines, and made a plan for getting there. Being new to the industry and new to the market, this was a great workshop to get all that “scary business stuff” done. Kelly and Michelle make it absolutely painless and even fun to write your business plan. Because without a map, your business will be lost.

Christopher Smith
Christopher Flowers – Seattle
www.christopherflowers.biz

The Simple Plan was one of the best things I’ve ever done for my business. I learned to think about how I want to grow and how to get there in a structured, concrete way — beyond just “I need more clients.” My favorite part of the workshop was learning the importance of having a Mission Statement and actually creating one that I can use and develop throughout the life of my business!

Trisha Dean
Trisha Dean Events – SF
www.trishadean.com

Sitting in a room with other wedding professionals was inspiring, insightful and fun! To be able to share my passion of running a wedding business with other attendees who feel the same and write a business plan in a group setting was more helpful than I ever imagined. The presentations and life experience that Michelle, Kelly and our guest speakers brought to my business plan was incredibly valuable. I walked away with a solid business plan, the knowledge of actually understanding how to continue to develop it, goals and amazing new friends to hold me accountable!

Debby Jewesson
Branching Out Events & Floral Design – Dallas
www.branchingoutevents.com

Attending the ‘Easy peasy….business plan’ workshop was the best use of my time in 10 yrs in the event industry! Michelle and Kelly armed me with the real and attainable tools to put my common sense business style into action. Every few months, I still flip through my workbook/business plan to hold myself accountable for the goals I made that day. Whether you’re new to the biz, or old hat like me, the workshop was motivating, inspirational and fun!

Kat Speyer
Persimmon Images – Seattle
Attended LA workshop
www.persimmonimages.com

I just got home to Seattle and I wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful experience of attending The Simple Plan. I couldn’t stop raving about the workshop to other photographers during the EscalateLIVE conference in Newport Beach. Just two days of learning really solidified so many things that had been floating about my head waiting to congeal. I felt very knowledgeable when speaking to others about my business– and honestly, people were very impressed by what I knew. (It was a bit surprising how little planning most photogs I talked to had done for their businesses… they kept asking me where I learned everything I knew.)

Kate Miller
Kate Miller Events – Sacramento
Attended SF workshop
www.katemillerevents.com

Before the Simple Plan, I was so incredibly, entirely, utterly, overwhelmed by my business plan writing process. Michelle and Kelly truly simplified the entire process without losing the meaning and utility in writing your plan. I am now confident that I could write a simple business plan that will allow me to make financially healthy decisions and take measured risks to allow my business to grow in all the right ways. Harmony helped me look at my current and potential brand in a new light, while Jack introduced me to time-saving processes that will help me run my business more efficiently. Lastly, I saw a renewed value in what I do – and a new motivation to streamline my business from top to bottom.

Joel Llacar
Joel Llacar Photography – LA
www.jllacarphotography.com

The Simple Plan is one of the best workshop I have ever invested! I learned so much about the business, and I felt so inspired and feeling good about my business again! Michelle and Kelly totally delivered and they are one of the friendliest and most genuine professionals I have met in this industry! The Simple Plan is truly worth the small investment and yet will pay huge in dividends for you in so many ways!

Lytle Photo

Cristina Perry
Cristina Perry Events – Atlanta
Attended Seattle workshop
www.cristinaperry.com

I attended The Simple Plan Seattle in 2009 shortly after officially starting Cristina Perry Events.  Not only was I brand new to the industry, but I traveled cross country by myself to a new city.  Michelle and Kelly were so welcoming and encouraged me every step of the way.  I cannot tell how important this program is for anyone starting out in this industry.  Not only do you go through the step by step business plan process, you also get the chance to hear from industry experts in an intimate environment.   The little tidbits of info gained throughout the 3 days are priceless.   The Simple Plan helped me to start off on the right foot and avoid mistakes that I would have made otherwise.

Brenda Swann
Swann Soiress – San Diego
Attended San Francisco workshop
www.swannsoirees.com

Attending The Simple Plan was a positively recharging experience. Taking the time to write down everything from my business goals to processes and protocol really helped re-focus the energy and efforts that go into the every day of running of Swann Soirées. Michelle & Kelly were not only very positive guides, but I felt they genuinely cared about the success of a fellow business owner.

Barbie Hull
Barbie Hull Photography – Seattle
www.barbiehull.com

I attended the first Simple Plan weekend in Seattle and had the most amazing time! I’ve been in business for 10 years now and it really brought me back to the basics, it reminded me to track where the money come from, where it goes and how I should spend it smarter. It’s so easy to just float along, but it feels SO much better to know what is going on. That weekend I made really great connections with local industry people I hadn’t met before and we’ve been able to send a lot of business back and forth since then. Since attending the Simple Plan Seattle, I feel like a better businesswoman & recommend it to everyone!!

Chris Thompson LivLifStudios

Event Design Group, LLC couldn’t be happier that we attended the The Simple Plan. The Simple Plan empowered us to take information that we’ve honestly had on paper for years and actually put it into a “real” business plan. The workbook and one-on-one assistance were greatly appreciated and gave us a new vision for our business. We were also able to meet and make connections with other vendors in the industry that we might not have made otherwise. A worthwhile investment that we would recommend to anyone thinking about or needing assistance with their business plan. We promise you won’t be disappointed!

Sharon Alexander
Sweet Sensations – Atlanta
www.sweetsensations.com

My company was getting ready for a re-branding, so I needed to do a new business plan, etc. It was sooo much easier this time around with The Simple Plan because of the feedback and input of the group. More heads make for quicker work!!

Here are photos to recap our workshops…

LOS ANGELES…

We held The Simple Plan LA at Maggiano’s at the Grove.  It was lovely, lovely.  Blair DeLaubenfels from Junebug Weddings and Holly Jakobs of Envelopments enlightened us with their knowledge of marketing and operations, respectively.  Wedding Pros walked away inspired, refreshed, and with a PLAN IN HAND!

A GIGANTIC thanks to Suthi Picotte, owner of Picotte Photography, for her amazing photography of our workshop…

Images Courtesy of Picotte Photography

SAN FRANCISCO…

San Francisco greeted us with a little rain and wind, all mixed with gorgeous sunshine overlooking the bay.  We held the workshop at Bistro Boudin, which was as delicious as it was picturesque.  Harmony Walton of Bridal Bar and Jack Huynh of Orange Photography joined us to share their know-how on marketing and operations, respectively.  Wedding Pros walked away with new friends, a myriad of resources, and a roadmap for their business.

A very HUGE thank you to Lilia Ahner, owner of Lilia Photography for the beautiful images she captured…

Images Courtesy of Lilia Photography

Wanna get in on the business planning ACTION?

Join us in Seattle and Portland this summer!

FOR FIRST PLACE… WINNER OF FULL ADMISSION TO THE SIMPLE PLAN SEATTLE…

Caroline Colóm Vásquez
Paloma’s Nest, LLC

And…

RUNNERS UP… WINNERS OF $100 OFF OF THE SIMPLE PLAN SEATTLE…

Katie L. Wright
Katie L. Wright Photography

Amy Kiel
Amy Kiel Photography

A note from Amy: My inspiration board is inspired by…my clients. I shoot weddings & portraits because I love the love two people can have for each. Plain & simple. I’m in it for the love of love. My board is a collection of images through the past year that have moved me the most and sparked the desire to shoot more, learn more, advertise more and just get better. Attending the Simple Plan will help me focus on the business aspect of a business; most of the stuff we artists don’t love so much…My clients have inspired me to come this far, so why not go all out? The Simple Plan will give me the resources and opportunity to be the business owner I truly want to me.

Thank you to all who submitted inspiration boards!  We’re excited to work with you this July!

Sooooo… here we have it…

We want to give away a couple tickets to The Simple Plan in Seattle and Portland.  And, we KNOW you wedding pros are all about the inspiration boards.  SO – we want to see an inspiration board that show us WHY you want to attend The Simple Plan.

Here are a few rules:

• Send ONE INSPIRATION BOARD – WITH 9 (NINE IMAGES) – to michelle-at-sageweddingpros-dot-com with:
  • Your Name
  • Your Business Name
  • Your Email Address
  • Which City You’d Like to Attend: Seattle or Portland
  • PLEASE write “CONTEST” in the subject header
• Images must be submitted no later than Tuesday, May 25th at noon PST.
• Show us, on your board: “Why do you want to attend The Simple Plan?”
• You MUST have license to use these images.  They must be your images, or you must have permission to use them.
• The images can be funny, informative, kooky, funky, serious, or plain-n-simple… whatever you want.
• Amateur or professional… we welcome all entries.
• Show us yourself, show us your work, show us symbols of what you do… you can show anything, provided it isn’t rated X.
• If you’ve already purchased your ticket, you can also enter.  We will consider all entries equally.
• We will select our three favorites from each city.  There will be two first prizes for each city: full admission to The Simple Plan.  The second and third prizes for each city will get $100 off of the workshop.  (We’d like this to go to people who plan on attending, so please submit a photo only if you havean intention of going to Seattle or Portland for The Simple Plan this July.)
• Winners will be announced Tuesday, May 25th at 3pm PST.
• You must have fun doing this.

Psssttt… need an “online collage maker”?  We like Picnik.

May the best wedding pro win!

Inspiration Board Courtesy of Sweet Pea Events ::: Row 1: Silk Taffeta Bow Monde Dress (Caspian Blue) from J Crew, White Hydrangea Bouquet by Floral Sunshine, Green Apple Place Settings from Wedding by Color. Row 2: White Hydrangea Centerpiece from Wedding by Color. Twisted Triple-Strand Pearl Bracelet from J Crew, Navy and Green Wedding Invitations from Parallel 39. Row 3: Wedding Cake by Pink Cake Box, Wedding Guest book from Etsy, Lakey Peep-Toed Sandal from ALDO. Row 4: Love is Brewing Organic Tea Tin Party Favors from Etsy, Lime Centerpieces with White Hydrangea Flowers from Wedding by Color, Monogrammed Bridesmaids Totes from Etsy.

The Simple Plan – Portland
July 19-20, 2010
Early Bird rates of $349 thru 6/18, visit Eventbrite for tickets
For more info, visit www.thesimpleplan.biz

Presenting the Financial Plan… Cherie Ronning, Founder of Wedding Network USA…

Cherie Ronning spent 28 years planning some of Portland, Oregon’s grandest weddings and special events. She estimates she has put on more than 800 shindigs.  Her appreciation of beautiful papers, embellishments and font styles created a new chapter for her business. Uncommon Invites was created to focus on creating invitations and other related wedding printing not available in the market place.  Cherie is very active in the industry. She is the past Oregon State Coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants.  In 2009 she has founded and is the Executive Director of Wedding Network USA, and 501-6-c non-profit association for wedding industry business owners. This association focuses on education and networking for both business owners and students coming into the field.

Presenting the Marketing Plan… Heather Matheny, Associate Publisher of Oregon Bride Magazine…

Heather Matheny is a graduate of University of Oregon, with a degree in psychology and media studies from the journalism school.  While studying there,  Heather worked for The Oregon Daily Emerald as an account executive.  She moved to Portland in the fall of 1996 and was hired on by The Bridal Connection as the Westside account executive.  Her responsibilities included: cultivating new business through cold calling, selling ad space to new and regular accounts, maintaining great client relationships, helping clients with the development of  their ads, and handling all client challenges.  In 1999, Heather became the sales manager over 5 sales representatives in both Oregon and Washington.   In 2005, The Bridal Connection was sold to  a company called Tiger Oak Publications and became Oregon Bride Magazine at that time.  Now as associate publisher, she is in charge of all the advertising for Oregon state.   In 15 years of selling advertising, Heather has learned how to chameleon her accounts and how to sell in all different types of economic climates.  Heather is a constant student of the industry; she believes that being educated in one’s field is key and that being a great listener and sharing stories of other clients’ successes is the golden ticket to selling anything.

Heather’s former publisher had a wonderful saying that went like this: “Treat your advertisers like their heart is breaking, because you never know it just might be.”  This is something that Heather lives by every day.

Presenting The Company and The Operational Plan… Kelly Simants and Michelle Loretta, Owners of Sage Wedding Pros…

Kelly Simants is the owner of Sweet Pea Events, a wedding and event planning business with offices in Seattle and Dallas. Before launching her business, Kelly worked for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) and Starbucks in Human Resources. In 2008, Kelly co-founded the wedding industry not-for-profit Get Hitched Give Hope. Kelly is excited to bring her background and passion for training and development, as well as her 8 years experience in the wedding industry, into the The Simple Plan.

Michelle Loretta is the owner of mmm… paper, a custom wedding invitation studio based in Seattle. She founded the business in 2004 after working as an accountant for Deloitte, a sales manager for DDLA, and a merchandiser for Coach, Inc. In 2008, Michelle co-founded the wedding industry not-for-profit Get Hitched Give Hope. You can say she is a “mixed bag”. Michelle loves talking all things business with people in the wedding industry and founded Sage Wedding Pros because of this passion.

We are also excited to come back with The Simple Plan!  Seattle is where we first launched our business planning workshop for wedding pros, and this city has a VERY solid wedding industry.  We loved the smarts and collaboration of our group last year… and are looking forward to more of that this year.

The Simple Plan – Seattle
July 12-13, 2010
Early Bird rates of $349 thru 6/18, visit Eventbrite for tickets
For more info, visit www.thesimpleplan.biz

We LOVE these ladies, co-presenting with us…  Blair is an expert in branding and marketing and Cherie is a numbers guru.  They both value business education as much as we do.

Presenting the Financial Plan… Blair deLaubenfels, Co-owner of Junebug Weddings…

Blair is a co-founder of JunebugWeddings.com, the fun, fashionable and informative wedding planning website that features a trusted hot-list of the most talented wedding professionals available in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. As the leader of sales and marketing for the Junebug team, she has developed and maintains relationships with hundreds of leaders in the wedding industry. Blair’s dedication to providing value to Junebug’s member advertisers while ensuring the quality of Junebug’s recommendations has made Junebug Weddings one of the most sought after advertising options on the Internet.

Presenting the Marketing Plan… Cherie Ronning, Founder of Wedding Network USA…

Cherie Ronning spent 28 years planning some of Portland, Oregon’s grandest weddings and special events. She estimates she has put on more than 800 shindigs.  Her appreciation of beautiful papers, embellishments and font styles created a new chapter for her business. Uncommon Invites was created to focus on creating invitations and other related wedding printing not available in the market place.  Cherie is very active in the industry. She is the past Oregon State Coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants.  In 2009 she has founded and is the Executive Director of Wedding Network USA, and 501-6-c non-profit association for wedding industry business owners. This association focuses on education and networking for both business owners and students coming into the field.

Presenting The Company and The Operational Plan… Kelly Simants and Michelle Loretta, Owners of Sage Wedding Pros…

Kelly Simants is the owner of Sweet Pea Events, a wedding and event planning business with offices in Seattle and Dallas. Before launching her business, Kelly worked for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) and Starbucks in Human Resources. In 2008, Kelly co-founded the wedding industry not-for-profit Get Hitched Give Hope. Kelly is excited to bring her background and passion for training and development, as well as her 8 years experience in the wedding industry, into the The Simple Plan.

Michelle Loretta is the owner of mmm… paper, a custom wedding invitation studio based in Seattle. She founded the business in 2004 after working as an accountant for Deloitte, a sales manager for DDLA, and a merchandiser for Coach, Inc. In 2008, Michelle co-founded the wedding industry not-for-profit Get Hitched Give Hope. You can say she is a “mixed bag”. Michelle loves talking all things business with people in the wedding industry and founded Sage Wedding Pros because of this passion.