Design Your Business | Empowering Creative Women Business Owners

Hosted by Jen Taylor | Certified Director of Operations, Wedding Business Strategist, and Coach

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

142

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Are you a wedding professional who feels burnt out? Do you want your wedding business to work for you instead of the other way around? Does the stress and frustration of running your wedding planning, design, or creative business ever make you want to throw in the towel, give up on your dream, and start working on your resumé? Stop right there! Host Jen Taylor understands how you feel and has answers for you. When she started out over 20 years ago as a successful destination wedding planner in Washington and Maui, it wasn’t long before she recognized a need within the wedding industry for more organized systems and streamlined strategies. After all, smart workflows and processes are the key to a thriving wedding business and a happier life, both in terms of work and personal time. Since then, she has received her certification as Director of Operations and has made it her mission to help wedding professionals and creative entrepreneurs design scalable systems, grow their businesses with confidence, and spend their time on what they love most—their craft, their couples, and their lives. If you’re ready to stop reinventing the wheel and start building a wedding business that works for you, join Jen each week on the Design Your Wedding Business podcast, where she shares the resources, strategies, and support you need to succeed in today’s wedding industry. To find out more, visit jentaylorconsulting.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 14111 min

How to Get Your Team to Think Like You (Without Micromanaging)

The reason your team keeps coming back to you for every little decision may not be what you think.In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest misconceptions business owners have about delegation: believing that hiring help automatically creates freedom. I share why leadership is not about maintaining control, but about creating clarity through documented processes, clear expectations, and repeatable systems. If you've ever found yourself saying, "It's just easier if I do it myself," we'll explore what's really happening behind that mindset and how it may be keeping your business dependent on you.Topics covered in this episode include:Why one common phrase business owners say may be the biggest obstacle to growthThe difference between delegation that works and delegation that creates more frustrationWhat your team actually needs from you before they can operate independentlyIf you've been feeling stuck in the cycle of answering the same questions, double checking every detail, or believing no one can do it quite like you, this episode offers a fresh perspective. Building a team that reflects your standards doesn't happen through micromanagement. It happens through clarity, consistency, and trust.I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

June 1, 2026Episode 14010 min

From Solo to Supported: How to Know You're Ready to Hire

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest mindset and growth hurdles business owners face: hiring before you feel completely ready. I’m sharing the real signs that it’s time to outsource, what tasks you should stop doing first, and how hiring can actually become a profit decision instead of an expense. We talk through the fears that keep so many entrepreneurs stuck, from worrying no one will do it like you to wondering if you’ll consistently be able to pay someone.Topics covered in this episode include:The hidden sign that proves you may already be overdue for helpWhy “doing it yourself” could actually be costing you moneyThe surprising first hire that changed everything for meHow to know which tasks you should stop touching immediatelyI would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: www.jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/ Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

May 18, 2026Episode 13910 min

CEO Time: What You Really Should Be Doing Each Week

If you’ve been stuck in the endless cycle of doing all the things but never actually growing your business, this episode is your wake up call. In this conversation, I break down the real difference between working in your business and leading it as a CEO, and why so many of us default to technician mode without even realizing it. I walk you through what CEO time actually looks like, why it feels uncomfortable, and how avoiding it is quietly keeping you stuck in reactive mode instead of building something intentional and sustainable.Topics covered in this episode include:The subtle shift that separates overwhelmed business owners from intentional CEOsWhy “busy” might be the biggest red flag in your business right nowThe exact breakdown of a powerful one hour CEO routineTake action by scheduling your own CEO hour this week and start leading with intention. And if you’re ready for deeper clarity and support, connect with me, share your biggest takeaway, or take the next step toward building a business that truly works for you.I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Small Business Task Appendix: www.jentaylorconsulting.com/worksheets/small-business-task/Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

May 4, 2026Episode 13817 min

When to Raise Your Prices & How to Communicate It

If you’ve been growing your business but your prices haven’t budged, this episode might call you out in the best way. I’m diving into the real signs it’s time to raise your rates, from the obvious like being fully booked to the less talked about signals like resentment, burnout, and misalignment with your current level of expertise. I walk through both the practical and energetic indicators that your pricing is outdated, and why staying the same could actually be holding your business back more than you think.Topics covered in this episode include:The real reason overexplaining your prices weakens your positioningHow to decide between small increases or a bold pricing jumpThe mindset shift that makes raising prices feel inevitable instead of scaryI would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

April 20, 2026Episode 13718 min

Stop Undercharging - You Deserve to Get Paid

What if the real reason you feel burnt out in your business has nothing to do with your workload… and everything to do with what you're charging? In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that quietly affects so many wedding professionals and creative entrepreneurs: undercharging. I walk through the subtle signs that your pricing may be out of alignment—things like resentment toward clients, constant exhaustion, and that uncomfortable guilt when it’s time to send an invoice. If you’ve ever found yourself discounting before someone even asks or wondering if your work is “worth it,” this conversation will hit close to home.Topics covered in this episode include:The surprising place undercharging shows up first—and it’s not your bank accountWhy resentment toward clients can actually be a pricing problemThe hidden ways people-pleasing sabotages your incomeResources Mentioned:Get your free business audit: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/free-business-audit/ I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

April 6, 2026Episode 13619 min

Your Sales Process is a System - Here's How to Build It

What if the reason sales feel exhausting in your business isn’t because you’re bad at selling… but because you don’t actually have a sales system?In this episode, I’m breaking down how to turn your sales process into a clear, repeatable system that works every single time someone inquires. Instead of reinventing the wheel with every lead, second guessing your responses, or feeling emotional about whether someone books, I walk you through what it really means to build a sales system and why it changes everything. I also share how inconsistent sales often come down to inconsistent processes and how putting structure in place allows you to show up confidently and guide potential clients through the experience.Topics covered in this episode include:A subtle shift that changes how consultations feel for both you and the clientWhere most proposals quietly lose momentumThe part of the sales process that many people skip but where the real results often happenA small exercise that can instantly reveal the gaps in your current sales processYou don’t have to fix everything overnight. Systems are built in layers. Choose one piece of your process to document or improve this week and start there. I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

March 16, 2026Episode 13515 min

How to Sell Without Feeling Salesy

What if the reason selling your services feels so uncomfortable isn’t because you’re bad at sales… but because you’ve been thinking about it the wrong way all along?In this episode, I’m unpacking the truth about sales for creatives and wedding professionals who never started their businesses to become salespeople. I share why selling can feel awkward, pushy, or even manipulative, and why so many talented professionals struggle with it. More importantly, I walk through a powerful reframe that completely changes the sales conversation. Instead of convincing, performing, or pitching, what if sales were simply an act of service? I explore how trust, transparency, and alignment can transform the way you approach consultations and client conversations.Topics covered in this episode include:A mindset shift that can instantly change how you approach sellingThe role boundaries play in attracting better aligned clientsWhere trust is actually built long before a consultation ever happensOne simple way to audit your current sales process and uncover what is not workingI would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Book a Free Business Audit: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/free-business-audit/ Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

March 2, 2026Episode 13415 min

134: From Word of Mouth to Well-Known – Strategic Partnerships in the Wedding Industry

Are you relying on word of mouth to grow your wedding business and secretly wondering what happens if it dries up?In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between casual referrals and intentional strategic partnerships and why that shift can completely change your visibility, bookings, and reputation in the wedding industry. I share how relying solely on word of mouth can keep you invisible and unsearchable, and how building purposeful vendor relationships positions you as the go to planner that venues, photographers, caterers, and DJs actually want to work with. This is about moving from luck to leadership.Topics covered in this episode include:Why “I get all my business from word of mouth” can quietly cap your growthThe key difference between casual referrals and intentional partnership buildingHow to identify your top five vendors to nurture this quarterI would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Book a Free Business Audit: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/free-business-audit/ Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

February 16, 2026Episode 13314 min

Visibility Without Burnout: Finding What Actually Works for You

What if the reason visibility feels exhausting isn’t because you’re doing it wrong, but because you’re doing it the wrong way for you?In this episode, I’m unpacking why visibility is not one-size-fits-all and how copying someone else’s marketing strategy can quietly lead you straight into burnout. We talk about energetic alignment, introvert versus extrovert tendencies, and why consistency matters far more than perfection. I share personal stories from my own business journey, from networking seasons to intentional hibernation, and explain how visibility can be quiet, powerful, and deeply effective when it actually fits who you are.Topics covered in this episode include:Why copying someone else’s visibility plan rarely works long-termHow your energy type impacts how you should market your businessThe difference between loud visibility and quiet, powerful visibilityIf you’ve ever felt pressure to “show up more” in ways that drain you, this episode will help you rethink visibility on your own terms.I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Book a Free Business Audit: https://bit.ly/OperationalAudit Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/

February 2, 2026Episode 13215 min

Marketing Without Dancing on Instagram: Visibility That Actually Works for Wedding Pros

Do you really have to dance on Instagram to grow a successful wedding business?In this episode, I’m giving you full permission to step off the content hamster wheel and rethink what marketing actually means, especially if you’re a wedding pro who craves visibility without performing for the algorithm. I take you back to how I built my business before social media ruled everything and break down what actually moves the needle: being clear, consistent, memorable, and deeply connected. We talk about why virality isn’t the goal, how visibility can look quiet and strategic, and why you don’t need to show up everywhere to grow sustainably.Topics Covered in this Episode:Why visibility has nothing to do with going viralThe marketing mistake that quietly burns out most wedding prosHow to become findable and memorable without daily postingIf you’re tired of forcing yourself into marketing tactics that don’t fit, this episode will help you build a plan that feels aligned, effective, and sustainable.I would love to connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenTaylorConsulting/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jentaylorconsulting/!Resources Mentioned:Book a Free Business Audit: https://bit.ly/OperationalAudit Show notes available at: https://jentaylorconsulting.com/design-your-wedding-business-podcast/