Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Suzanne Klimek. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Suzanne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

One belief I’ve seen over and over again — especially in creative and service-based industries — is the idea that being “nice” will get you more business. But I’ve found the opposite to be true. You don’t need to be nice — you need to be honest, professional, and positioned as the expert in your field. That’s what builds trust and gives clients the confidence to book you.

My approach is rooted in truth with care. I’m the kind of person who will celebrate your vision and tell you exactly what’s holding your brand back — because that’s how you grow. I learned this during my early career in Beverly Hills working with celebrity clients and major brands like MGM and Universal Music Group. In those rooms, being vague or overly agreeable wasn’t helpful — being clear, direct, and strategic was how things got done.

That mindset followed me into entrepreneurship. Not every client is the right fit, and that’s a good thing. When you learn to say no to the wrong opportunities and align with the ones that match your brand, you not only do better work — you actually enjoy doing it. That energy shows. That’s what makes people refer you, trust you, and come back.

At Blue Aisle Productions, I’ve built a reputation for giving my clients clarity, strategy, and real feedback — not just fluff and hype. And I’ve seen firsthand how being the expert, not the people-pleaser, is what moves businesses forward.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the founder of Blue Aisle Productions, where I help small business owners, content creators, and couples build brands and experiences that feel authentic, intentional, and consistent — because when your brand is clear, success follows. I offer everything from mood board creation for weddings and events, to custom brand guides, marketing toolkits, social media planners, and content strategies. I also speak publicly on branding, branding, event management, and effective communication,

One of my favorite parts of what I do is producing styled shoots for wedding professionals. These shoots aren’t just pretty — they’re strategic. I design elevated, luxury-inspired concepts that help vendors build a strong visual brand, and give photographers the chance to expand their portfolios with intentional, high-end work that actually attracts their dream clients. It’s about more than inspiration — it’s branding in action.

Before launching Blue Aisle, I began my career in artist marketing at a talent agency in Beverly Hills, where I helped pair celebrity clients with brand endorsements, secured product placements on shows like Project Runway, and worked with major names like MGM and Universal Music Group. I’ve seen the landscape shift — from traditional celebrity endorsements to reality stars, and now to influencers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. But one thing has never changed: word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising. And word of mouth only works if what you’re saying — and who’s saying it — is authentic. That’s why having a clear, cohesive brand and aligning with the right people is essential. When you get that right, success doesn’t just happen — it multiplies.

My core philosophy? Details matter. Whether I’m designing a luxury shoot, helping a couple define the tone of their wedding, or walking a content creator through a rebrand, I believe it’s the small, intentional choices that build trust, spark connection, and create results. Branding shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel like clarity.

And here’s what people should know about working with me: I’m not here to hype you up and send you on your way. I’m that best friend you’ve known forever — the one who will absolutely give you the honest, direct feedback you need to move forward. No fluff. No ego. Just smart strategy, real talk, and creative execution that makes your brand stronger.

I’m honored to have been named to Marquis Who’s Who for my work in branding and to have my event and shoot designs featured on Wedding Chicks and Wed Society of Oklahoma. But what I’m most proud of is helping clients gain clarity, confidence, and traction — watching their brand or event finally “click” once they have the right foundation in place.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: help you show up in a way that’s true to you, backed by strategy, and built to last.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think one of the hardest things for non-creatives to understand is that the journey doesn’t follow a straight line — and it’s not supposed to. As a creative, you often have to try a lot of things that don’t quite fit to figure out what does. There’s no perfect formula. It’s more like trial, error, curiosity, inspiration, burnout, rediscovery — and then suddenly, clarity.

People sometimes assume that if you’re talented, you just “know” your path from the start. But in my experience, I’ve had to test a dozen ideas, take detours, and walk away from some things entirely before I found the direction that felt right. And even then, it’s still evolving.

Another thing I’ve realized about myself is that I literally can’t fake it. If a project or idea doesn’t excite my brain, I can’t force it — the energy won’t be there. But when it does click? I can work for hours in a creative flow. The catch is, that inspiration can strike at the weirdest, most inconvenient times — in the carpool line, at midnight, or mid-shower — and you have to make space for it when it shows up.

Being a creative means learning to trust that process, even when it looks messy to the outside world. And I think there’s real power in that. It’s not about having it all figured out — it’s about having the courage to keep exploring until something lights you up.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn is that it doesn’t have to be perfect to start. I used to think I needed to see the whole path, have all the pieces in place, and have every step mapped out before I could begin. I’d get caught in paralysis by analysis, convincing myself I couldn’t move forward until it was flawless — whether it was launching a new offer, showing up online, or saying yes to an opportunity.

That mindset came from being an overachiever most of my life. I was the kind of kid who thrived on structure and expectations — National Youth Council for my church, dance captain of the show choir, good grades, all the boxes checked. I was rewarded for having it all “together.” So naturally, that perfectionism followed me into entrepreneurship.

But business doesn’t work like school. The truth is, most of the progress I’ve made came from starting messy and figuring it out as I went. Once I gave myself permission to take things step by step — without needing the whole picture in advance — everything changed. I stopped waiting for perfect and started taking aligned, imperfect action. That’s where the real momentum came from.

Now, I remind myself (and my clients): Done is better than perfect. Start now, refine later. You don’t need a flawless plan to make meaningful progress — you just need to begin.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @blueaisleproductions
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Blue-Aisle-Productions-100090715967534/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanneklimek/

Image Credits

Rosie Cheeks Photography, Lydia Royce