We recently connected with Brenna Harris and have shared our conversation below.
Brenna, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
Most people look at wedding planner pricing and assume the vendors offering the services profit 100% of sales. However, there are a lot of hidden costs associated with offering services to clients and competing to be the best in your industry. Everything from training and certification, to maintaining your business license, to paying for advertisement and travel are all costs that quickly add up and take a toll on a business’ profits, especially small single-owner businesses. There’s a delicate balance you have to find to create pricing that is friendly and affordable for your clients while also being able to provide for your family.
Brenna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Slate and Stone Events is a small wedding planning business based out of Salem, Virginia. The idea for Slate and Stone Events was planted in 2021 when I married my husband, David, and planned the wedding of my dreams. My husband encouraged me to create a vision and a website and helped bring my dream of owning my own business to life. Alongside my business partner, Gracie Powell, I officially opened for business in August of 2022. Since then, I have helped many brides create beautiful weddings full of valuable memories with friends, family, and the loves of their life. My books are full for 2023 and are quickly filling up for 2024 and 2025. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for my business and my family.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source for new clients has been a website called WeddingPro. WeddingPro hosts the Knot and WeddingWire and allows vendors to set up online storefronts through their website for potential clients to view and reach out. They ask that you sign a year-long contract but it has been worth every dime I’ve paid for it. I would highly encourage other small businesses that service the wedding industry specifically to get set up with WeddingPro. It is phenomenal and I wouldn’t be where I am without it.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
One of the biggest influences for my entrepreneurial thinking and motivation is a podcast on Spotify called Goal Digger. Goal Digger has an episode that talks about business value and personal value in regards to starting your entrepreneurial journey and pricing your goods or services . The premise of the episode is if you don’t value your business and see the importance of what you do, no one else will. I struggled in the beginning to price what I really felt my services were worth because I failed to see the importance of what I do and the value for the skill set I bring to my clients. I listened to that particular episode and it changed my mindset of how I approached both my personal value and my business value to my clients. I stopped feeling guilty about my pricing and instead placed value on the skill set I bring my clients and the relationships I build with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slateandstoneevent.wixsite.com/slate-and-stone-even
- Instagram: @slateandstoneeventsllc
- Other: slateandstoneeventsllc@gmail.com
Image Credits
Michelle Govin Photography Amative Creative