Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Berg
Hi Alan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was in a job where I was making really good money, company car, fully paid benefits… and hating going to work every day. My friend bought a wedding magazine and wanted me to come sell for him. It was a new industry, doing outside sales (which I had never done), cold calling (which I had never done), and he was offering no salary, base or draw, just commission-only (on a 1099). Oh, and my wife was pregnant with our second son, our first son was turning 3, and my wife wasn’t working. I felt that had to be better than going to a job I hated every day. I actually said the words “It’s not the money” when I gave notice that I was leaving… and I really meant it. Five years later we bought the two wedding magazine franchises I had been selling for.
After successfully publishing the magazines for 5 years the franchisor (WeddingPages) wanted me to come and work for them, managing their sales team from Boston to Washington DC. Four months later, a then startup called The Knot bought WeddingPages. I was with The Knot for 11 years, most as Vice President of Sales, Local Sales Operations and The Knot Market Intelligence. Besides running the local sales team (and then other roles), I did most of the sales training and almost all of the speaking at conferences.
The Knot, then a public company, had a big downsizing in 2011, and that’s when I started doing speaking, sales training and consulting on my own. I’ve since spoken in 14 countries, written 10 books (working on #11 now), gained my Certified Speaking Professional designation (the first in the wedding and event industry), and I’m now one of only 44 Global Speaking Fellows in the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When we were publishing our wedding magazines we got over our heads in debt, at times living hand to mouth and borrowing from family to stay afloat. I’ve also incurred serious cardiac issues along the way (bad family history). As a good friend once said “When you’re healthy, you have 100 problems. When you’re not, you have only 1”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wedding Business Solutions?
I help wedding and event businesses sell more, profit more and have more fun doing it. I do that through private and group sales training, consulting, my 10 books, the Wedding Business Solutions podcast and speaking at local and national conferences.
What am I known for?
1. Engaging and Approachable Speaker: Alan has the ability to connect with the audience, making complex topics accessible and engaging.
2. Actionable Insights and Practical Advice: Alan’s presentations and consultations provide specific, actionable recommendations that attendees can immediately implement to improve their businesses.
3. Expertise in Sales and Marketing: Alan is recognized as a leading expert in sales strategies, particularly in the wedding and events industry, helping businesses increase their bookings and profits.
4. Positive Impact and Inspiration: Attendees often leave Alan’s sessions feeling inspired and motivated, with many noting significant improvements in their business practices and outcomes after applying your advice.
What makes you happy?
My family first. Music next. Hearing from my clients and audiences how their businesses and lives are better off because of something they learned from me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AlanBerg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanberg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alanberg1/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/alanberg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYSDvIjdcms6YT_HK32-UMQ
- Other: Http://podcast.alanberg.com
