The rumours are true – running a wedding business can be hard work, and there shouldn’t be any shame in saying that. Running a successful wedding business requires juggling multiple responsibilities, from client management to marketing and social media. It’s essential to focus on your core strengths and delegate tasks that can be handled more efficiently by the experts. Outsourcing certain aspects of your wedding business not only frees up your time but also brings a huge range of benefits. I’ve whipped up a mini guide to the five areas where you can potentially outsource certain aspects of your wedding business…

It’s a pleasure to welcome Jo, Founder of By Joanne Weddings, to the blog today… Not only because she is a client of mine, but because it’s Jo’s birthday too! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jo to write her website, launch her brand and manage her online social media presence. During this time I’ve learnt all about Joanne’s passion, dedication and sheer love for what she does. I welcome you to read her story and be truly inspired…

‘For me, this is the most personal and rewarding pursuit of beauty and happiness, and the answer to questions I didn't even know I was asking. It means doing more of what I love, and it means using all my different skills towards a happy purpose. I look back and I know – this is who I choose to be.’

The Business Diaries series took a hiatus over the festive period but I’m back on the blog today and wow… what an interviewing I’m starting 2022 with! Valentina is the Founder of The Stars Inside, a bespoke planning and design studio, specialising in soulful elopements and intimate destination weddings all over the world.

She loves working closely with her couples, weaving their stories, and values into their celebrations. Her work is all about making time and space for creating deeper connections with loved ones through heartfelt, elevated, welcoming wedding experiences.

Valentina’s commitment to what she does is clear to see throughout our chat, and the interview is filled with honesty, integrity and passion. As well as everything between of course! After originally beginning her career as an Astrophysicist (I hope I’m not the only one who had to google this), Valentina founded The Stars Inside in 2017 and now, nearly five years later, plans and styles weddings across the globe. And most importantly, she loves doing it.

So, without further ado. I bring you the next instalment of The Business Diaries…

Happy Friday folks! Today’s guest is guaranteed to get you feeling a little festive… I’m over the moon to welcome Jade, Founder of The Nordic Nest to The Business Diaries today. Now I’ve followed Jade for a looooong time, initially through her home account (Our Somerset Nest) before coming across her new brand.

The Nordic Nest was established almost accidentally (I’ll let Jade tell the story), and now offers a gorgeous range of simple handmade items with a focus on personalised Christmas baubles. I personally have purchased a number of decorative items over the festive period and can say wholeheartedly, her customer service was brilliant and the products are truly special.

I jumped at the chance to be able to chat to Jade about The Nordic Nest and I hope you enjoy reading about her journey. The interview is packed with inspirational quotes, helpful advice and a little insight into running a small business behind the scenes. Enjoy!

The Sisterhood is a virtual book club/women's network aiming to educate, inspire and empower. Founded during the pandemic in 2020 and inspired by a handmade Christmas present for a friend, Joanna has now launched a successful Etsy shop. With positive affirmation postcards, an inspirational quote calendar for 2022 and the loveliest prints, The Sisterhood is bringing ALL the good vibes to the table. Without further ado, let’s welcome Joanna to The Business Diaries….

Today on The Business Diaries I’m chatting to Kate, the Founder of Maren & Wild. Hand poured by the sea in East Devon, Kate creates small batch candles and home fragrances that are inspired by seasons, memories and the places we love.

The team are big believers in making a difference where they can and living on the coast, supporting a charity focused on ocean conservation was a natural choice for Maren & Wild. Which is why they donate £1 from every candle/diffuser sold to Ocean Generation - a global movement focused on ocean conservation through science and education.

You’ll find Kate talking all about comparison, imposter syndrome and branding woes - as well as loving every second of running a business. What are you waiting for? Get scrolling folks!

“Identify the skills you have and the skills you need. If you can’t or don’t have the time to learn the skills you need, find someone you like who can do it better than you.”

Wise words about outsourcing from my latest guest on The Business Diaries! Rhiann is the CEO of Lucy Till French Weddings, as well as an American Wedding Planner in France. Rhiann’s story began in 2015, and she has since planned elegant weddings in Provence, the French Riviera, the French Alps, and Lake Como, building an established team of planners + designers along the way. Grab your morning coffee and find out what it takes to be a destination wedding planner in France…

Friday has finally landed on our doorsteps (as well as an aggressive drop in temperatures)… What better way to end the working week with another serving of The Business Diaries?! I’m chatting to Lauren, Founder of The Cross-Eyed Fox, a bespoke stationery design studio in the North West. A professional illustrator, hand lettering addict, laser cutting pro and paper extraordinaire, Lauren described being a business owner (in three words) as…’Living the Dream’.

These three words have actually appeared a number of times with various guests on The Business Diaries which I LOVE. And perhaps, particularly at this time of year, is the positivity we need! So, without further ado, here’s your next fix of small business inspiration…

“People have a dream. They work hard to make the dream a reality and really put their heart and soul into a business they truly believe in. We have a friendly face, a passionate soul, we don’t take things for granted, we work so incredibly hard to achieve something amazing for YOU…”

I’m chatting to Louise, Founder of LB Pain Release, on The Business Diaries today. After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia at just 22 years old, she vowed to find something that would enable her to live life and not merely exist in life. This is something that quickly became a motto for her business.

After spending well over 20 years of research, Louise eventually found a treatment that worked for her and decided to train in the method so that she could help others who were also suffering. And… LB Pain Release was born! Grab a quick coffee and keep scrolling to discover the rest of her story!

“One of the biggest challenges I have faced (and I think that all business owners face) is having to wear so many hats – I am the content creator, recipe developer, photographer, social media manager, website developer, accountant, email marketing manager, and much more for my business!”

Amy launched Buckets of Yum, a delicious baking that aims to inspire your inner-baker and get you in kitchen, back in February 2020. Now, nearly two years later, Amy is sharing her story with us, including the foodie blogger myths, the things she wishes she’d known when she first started and a few clues about what’s in store for Buckets of Yum. So, grab your morning coffee and get reading. There’s also a large serving of tasty treats so I do apologise in advance for filling your Monday morning with brownies etc…

When I spoke to James, who runs Woolas Barn in Yorkshire, I asked him to describe being a business owner in three words. His response? ‘Who, needs, sleep!’ You’ve got to love the honesty… And that’s exactly what this interview is about. It’s the stripped back, raw and inspiring honesty of being a business owner - the good, the bad and the ugly all included. Get scrolling and enjoy!

I’m welcoming Marshecka, a Luxury Wedding Planner in Southern California, to The Business Diaries. This wonderful lady also happens to be a client - in fact, Marshecka’s new website launched just a couple of weeks ago so it works hand in hand to share her new brand with you, as well as her business story. Having established herself within the industry as ‘Chique Weddings & Events’, Marshecka decided it was time to elevate her brand and effortlessly showcase her quality of service, her values and the characters of her brand.

This interview offers an insight into the journey Marshecka embarked on to get her where she is today, with slices of inspiration, anecdotes that you will be able to relate with and a whole dose of integrity. Keep scrolling and enjoy folks!

"I’m so proud of what I’ve created by myself, something that’s 100% mine, making my hobby a job..."

It’s a real pleasure to welcome Ali, the Founder of Loom & Light to The Business Diaries today. You’ll find her talking all about running a business during a pandemic, the myths about working in the wedding industry and the book that inspired her to begin her business (while sat lounging by the pool on a holiday in Malta). Enjoy folks…

“It’s s ok to go slow. For a long time, Instagram made me feel intimidated by so many talented and established cake designers. Imposter syndrome was a big thing for me. Feeling worthy in a sea of amazing designers made me question myself lots. I didn’t really consider the fact that they had been building their business, and style, for many years and that I was just starting out.”

I’m welcoming Anna Lewis Cakes to The Business Diaries this morning and I’ll warn you now… You’re about to be immersed in some serious edible inspiration that is going to make you wish you had a slice of cake in front of you. It was fab to chat with Anna today about her business journey over the years, so please do grab a coffee and have a read.

“Be careful who you share your dreams with. So many dreams are crushed because they’re shared with the wrong people, who have a fixed mindset. Typically – it’s people who love you the most that support you the least. But it’s not their dream, so why are you sharing it and expecting them to get it? There’s a whole world of other business owners out there who get it, so come find us! Build up a business owner network and it’ll change your life…”

Happy Friday folks! ⚡️It’s a pleasure to welcome Ashleigh, Founder of Pink Palm Events to The Business Diaries today. And if the above quote doesn’t make you want to keep scrolling to discover her story, I don’t know what will…

‘The Sunday Flower Girl was born out of a hobby I rediscovered during lockdown and flowers quickly had me hooked under their unique spell…”

Today’s guest on The Business Diaries is ALL about the florals. Lisa launched The Sunday Flower Girl during lockdown and has since seen it flourish - so it’s a real pleasure to have a catch-up with this lovely lady on the blog today. Grab your morning coffee and get scrolling, where you can find out a little more about the story behind TSFG…

“Be yourself. Try not to be something or someone that you’re not. A business idea doesn’t need to be the final article. It can change and adapt as time goes on. As an almost one-year-old business I am still learning constantly and can’t wait to see how things change as time goes on!”

It’s a pleasure to welcome Charlotte to The Business Diaries today! Having founded ‘Styling by Charlotte’ just last year, she has quickly established herself as one of the go-to Product Photographers + Stylists. I’m having a chat with this lovely lady all about her experiences as a business owner, the challenges she’s overcome and the lessons she’s learnt, so grab and quick cuppa and get scrolling…

Happy hump day! If you're about to pause for your mid-morning coffee, then swing by the blog as you get your caffeine fix, as my latest guest on The Business Diaries is someone you're going to want to know about.

Sapphire Bates is the Founder of The Coven Girl Gang (@thecovengirlgang), a worldwide online membership platform for female founders + freelancers.

Launched in June 2018, The Coven offers female founders an extensive range of services to make running a biz... Well, more fun really From the virtual community to the job board, 1-2-1 consultations and the podcast (aptly named, Brutally Honest Business FYI)... Sapphire is passionate about supporting, empowering and inspiring business-owners across the globe. Keep scrolling to find out more…

It’s a real pleasure to welcome Fiona Minett, Founder of Boss your PR to The Business Diaries today. A PR Coach and Expert with a tonne of experience, Fiona is on a mission to make brands visible. Her story talks about the highs and lows of running a business, the importance of being authentic, charging your worth and the invaluable lessons she’s learnt over the years. Keep scrolling, it’s time to be inspired…

It’s the end of the week and I’m preeeettttyyyy sure we could all do with a little pick-me-up. Well, luckily for you, my mini interview with Gemma Randall Photography will do just that. A super talented wedding & family photographer, Gemma reminded me (as I’m sure she will you too) exactly why we all became business owners. That may or may not surprise you to find out that it wasn’t because we wanted to book tonnes of clients and cash even more cheques… It’s because we were passionate about something and had the opportunity to make a living doing something we love.

And to me, that’s what running a business is all about. Gemma’s definition of ‘success’ really resonated with me, so I invite you to keep scrolling and to further enjoy our catch-up!