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

Christine, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken to sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Marrying people is the best job in the world! In spite of an occasional ‘Bridezilla’, everyone is happy and excited. Stressed, yes, but it is part of my job to bring calm when I arrive half an hour before the ceremony. I will have been working with the Bride for weeks or months to get everything organized to help the day go smoothly so she can concentrate on getting ready. I have lots of little tips for her like “take deep breaths”, “hold the bouquet below your chest”, “take a tissue or hankie in case you cry” and “if you start to choke up when you are saying your vows – swallow. You can’t cry and swallow at the same time”. I am retired from several ‘regular jobs’. I had to get up before I wanted to and go to work for someone else most of my life. But for the past 12 years I happily go to my office in my beautiful Victorian church where I created my Wedding Chapel and help couples plan the most important day of their lives. I host Weddings in my Chapel and also travel within 50 miles of my home to officiate at parks, backyards and other venues.

Just last Friday I drove out through farm country with the September sun low in the blue sky to marry a lovely young couple who had set up their altar under four tulle strewn oak trees. The dinner was under a tent and the tables were decorated with antique books, vintage china and lots of candles. After the ceremony as we were walking to the gift table to sign the license, the Bride confided in me that knowing that I was going to be there today was what had brought her comfort over the past 8 hectic months. I have gotten many compliments over the years but that might have been the nicest. Yes, I have the best job in the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

In 2004 a friend asked me to Officiate her wedding and when I discovered that I could become legally Ordained online for free in about 20 minutes I gave it a try. In 2011 I opened Celebrations Wedding Chapel in a Victorian church in Horton MI and I also officiate weddings off-site. I have married over 500 couples and have more than 150 Five Star reviews on Wedding Wire (the premier Wedding planning site). I also have been inducted into Marquis’ Who’s Who for “prominence in my field.” What makes my service special is that I have put together a 54 page ‘Ceremony Builder’ with over 170 readings, poems, vows, etc. that each couple can create a personalized ceremony that perfectly expresses their beliefs and love. Also, I consider each ceremony a performance that I deliver slowly and with emotion. My focus is to help my couples have the wedding they dreamed of and make happy memories to last a lifetime.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have successfully “pivoted” a number of times in my life. I started out with a career as a Hairdresser, then became entranced (pun intended) with Hypnotherapy and had a practice as a Certified Hypnotherapist for a while. In my 40’s I opened the first of two Antiques Shops I owned and operated before becoming a Wedding Minister. I think it’s important to follow your heart and learn new things. There are so many fun and exciting opportunities out there. If you just put your mind to it and work hard you can experience several careers in your life, reinvent yourself and you will never be bored.

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

My first Antiques shop was in Manchester, MI – a quaint village that did not even have a traffic light – just a 4 way stop at the main intersection. And it was on one corner that I renovated and opened ‘Antiques Etcetera’ where I sold my own antiques and also rented booths to other dealers. It was a beautiful shop full of interesting things and I had many visitors. But not many buyers. I discovered that people love to look around, like going to a museum, but they rarely spent over $20, if that. We antiques dealers eventually realize that you don’t make much money selling antiques. Running a shop is a lot of fun but not very profitable, especially when you consider the overhead – rent, utilities, etc. So after 2 years I ‘sold’ the business to one of my dealers for basically nothing. Foolishly I did not consult a lawyer or anyone who understood the value of the work I had put into the business and the building. It was a painful lesson. My advice to anyone thinking about selling their business – get a lawyer and don’t undervalue your hard work and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationsWeddingChapel
• Other: My offsite Wedding Minister site is www.yourdayyourwaycelebrations.com