Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Luka Maier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
It’s such a blessing to be able to say that I’m truly pleased, content, and beyond thankful with not only my professional but also my personal life, and for me that is the true definition of success. Of course, to be successful in any endeavor requires hard work and dedication, which are the building blocks in everything I do! Being a small business owner has created so many opportunities that I never even dreamed of, and those opportunities have paved the way for exciting new challenges and goals. Setting new goals encourages learning and growth, which further fuels my entrepreneurial passion and my desire to make each bride’s wedding the memory of a lifetime.
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.
When I was in college to obtain a bachelor’s in business administration, one of my assignments was to create a business plan. Having such little interest in the assignment and the typical, “I have no idea what I want to do with my life,” I serendipitously chose wedding planning. To my surprise, I found such joy in writing the paper that I poured my heart into it. In the end, my professor gave me a glowing review. He encouraged me to keep an open mind and potentially knock on some doors to gain additional knowledge.
I’ve been in the industry now for seven years. I started off as a personal assistant, landed a full-time job running a planning company, and then one day the opportunity to have my own business literally just fell into my lap. Over the years, I had created so many incredible vendor relationships and the amount of encouragement I received from the vendors to open my own business was inspiring. When I became the proud owner of Wedding Connections it was by far the most unnerving and heartening decision I had ever made in my professional career; I was terrified, but I knew failing wasn’t an option.
During my career as a wedding planner, I’ve probably executed several hundred weddings, and the canvas is never the same. For Wedding Connections, it’s about capturing my clients’ love stories and bringing each one to life in a unique way. The wedding industry is always evolving with new trends and formalities and staying on top of it is key. The number one reminder I always tell my couples is: “This is your wedding and there are no rules.” That’s what I think sets me apart from other planners; to be incredibly creative while testing the boundaries! For example, I tell my brides, they are not required to walk down the aisle with a bridal bouquet. I’m certainly not suggesting forgoing having one, I’m just simply stating there are other options such as family heirlooms, a Bible, or a new puppy!
What I am most proud of are the relationships that have culminated through my work. When I receive a glowing Google review from my clients, it instills a sense of great satisfaction because I know the amount of time, energy, and attention to detail that is put into each event. Aside from my client relationships, my vendor relationships mean the world to me because they are my true support system! It’s such an honor to have their trust and to work alongside various venue management teams which are held in the highest regard, and it is an honor to be a preferred wedding planner in the Asheville and Charleston areas.
Any advice for managing a team?
When it comes to managing my team, we take care of each other. My assistants, to whom I fondly refer to as “my ladies”, have stuck by me since day one and I couldn’t be prouder. With the full understanding that life sometimes takes us through twists and turns and new beginnings, I always want to continue to support their individual journey no matter the highs, lows, or whatever alternative career path they may choose.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I’m truly blessed to be able to say that I simply love what I do. The wedding industry doesn’t have a long shelf life due to the amount of stress that’s involved. However, after all this time, I feel so rejuvenated! I can only hope that the website and Instagram for Wedding Connections portrays not only my couples’ stories but also my love for the industry. I look forward to seeing what new opportunities and heights await in the future for myself and Wedding Connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://northstarweddingplanner.com/
- Instagram: @wedconnections
Image Credits
Katy Cook Photography
Rosina DiBello Photography
Mozingo Photography