We recently connected with Sarah Burton and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?
Part of the original concept of Simply Love Studio was to offer a meeting space for it’s members (wedding vendors) to be able to use for client meetings, photo shoots, office space, etc because in 2010-2019 many vendors worked from a home office and would use a coffee shop type space for a meeting. We wanted to offer a more upscale, boutique, quiet environment for those meetings to allow the vendor to be able to connect to the client more.
Simply Love Studio was approximately 2 years old when I purchased it and I moved it to it’s then 3rd location, right beside a wedding rental company that had been in business since 1974. I would say the best investment I made, after purchasing the business was selecting this office location, as it connected me with new vendors, new clients and new opportunities with an established, well respected business.
Ironically, in 2022, the next best investment I made was closing a store front location and changing my business model a bit to accommodate a semi post-pandemic lifestyle. This change has allowed my overall budget to be spent much differently and afforded additional marketing opportunities for the business as a whole and the individual members.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I graduated with a Human Resources degree and worked in the corporate world for 6 months before leaving. It didn’t take me long to realize that being at work at 8am wasn’t for me. I then, at 22, realized, oh, I need a job. I’ll plan weddings and events. I had never planned a wedding or event at that point, but I was fearless and did it. I went to every networking event possible, learned everything I could and 15 years later I’ve worked with thousands of couples and won numerous awards.
Although the type of wedding planning I offer has changed over the years. Originally I started out providing full planning services and month-of coordinating, but now I consider myself a wedding concierge. Simply Love Studio is a wedding and event resource center, so it is funded by wedding vendors to help couples plan for free. I help couples find the venue and vendors that fit their style, budget and personality, along with timelines and to do lists. I just don’t actually go to the wedding the day of. On the vendor aspect side of Simply Love Studio we have networking events, content day shoots and more.
My goal has always been to put the most up to date content and resources available the hands of engaged couples, rather it be via social media, Bridal Bliss Magazine or my recently released podcast, The Wedding Whisperer.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think being accessible to couples and vendors. I learned quickly that networking in person, coffee and lunch meetings are very important. You want to get to know people one on one. Learn how you can help each other and everyone knows someone getting married, you want to be the person they think of when they learn someone is engaged!
Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?
When I originally started my wedding planning business it was a full service wedding planning and month-of coordinating business, as they traditionally are. I was a preferred vendor of Simply Love Studio, through that relationship and my experience I transitioned into the Studio Manager role working with the couples that scheduled their wedding consultations. As a result, I made the offer to purchased Simply Love Studio because I saw so much potential in it and the niche it really filled in our community. I could not have transitioned without the previous experience, so it worked out perfectly.
As far as the purchase of the business I worked with a fantastic attorney that did the hard work, we signed some papers and that it was it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplylovestudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplylovestudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplylovestudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_vnuoYLSJD89uiu-A70BkA
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wedding-whisperer-podcast/id1662033543
Image Credits
Kevin and Anna Photography Veronica Sparrow Photography Heart of Gold Photography