We had a great time on our LIVE interview session with Stephanie LaFlora discussing MULTI-SIDED PLATFORM MANAGEMENT.

It took being rejected for service at five separate salons due to her 4C textured hair for Stephanie LaFlora to realize that something was terribly wrong with the beauty industry. Driven to solve the problems of her own customer experience and already a serial entrepreneur, storyteller, marketer, and creator, Stephanie founded Crownhunt to make life easier for people with curly hair while helping under-resourced entrepreneurs thrive.

Alongside her business partner and long-time friend, Ryan Holdeman, Stephanie has spent the last decade building multi-sided platforms and working with partners to develop new business models using her background in data-driven product development and strategy. To that end, Crownhunt is a digital marketplace for textured hair, built to help existing hair entrepreneurs reach the 65% of the population with textured hair and to get their products, services, and education to the right people, more effectively. While is a seriously driven entrepreneur, she’s also a troublemaker at heart and serious about having fun. When she’s not building her start-up, she’s often mentoring other aspiring women entrepreneurs by showing them that life is one big adventure worth betting on.

Stephanie shared a wealth of information about:

-What it's like to quit your job to start a business during a pandemic while pregnant;

-What advice would she would give to entrepreneurs considering the same leap;

-How an entrepreneur can build a business that honors diversity and culture;

-How an early-stage startup can get in front of investors and convince them to write a check;

-What the best ways are for a startup to succeed through crowdfunding;

-Why is hair such a big deal, particularly textured hair; and

-so much more!

Stephanie LaFlora

• Email: Stephanie@crownhuntapp.io

• Website: http://www.crownhunt.io/

• LI: /in/stephanielaflora/

• Instagram: @stephanielaflora

• Twitter: /mslaflora

Naif Productions

• Website: https://www.naifproductions.com/​

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naifproducti...

• LinkedIn:

We had a great time on our interview session with Annie McAllister talking about THE GUEST EXPERIENCE- MORE THAN JUST A PHOTO OP.

Annie brings a wealth of expertise with 14 years of dedicated experience in event production, positioning her as an invaluable asset to the 15|40 family. Her professional journey encompasses a diverse range of projects, from large-scale extravaganzas to intimate gatherings, making her a seasoned professional in the world of event management. Her comprehensive background spans the realms of broadcast, streaming, and music festivals, where she has demonstrated her prowess in overseeing projects at some of today's most coveted live events and premieres. Annie’s multifaceted skill set extends to various spaces, including conferences, award shows, fundraisers, experiential activations, brand launches, hospitality design, and large-scale live events.

In her role, Annie places a strong emphasis on overarching project management, design, and client relations, ensuring a seamless and exceptional experience for all stakeholders involved. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, she has cultivated enduring relationships in the industry. Her collaborative approach, strategic vision, and commitment to delivering unparalleled results have consistently elevated the experiences of both clients and attendees alike. Her dog, Benny and her cat, Pickle are both pretty neat too.

Annie shared a wealth of information about:

- how she would define a great Guest Experience;

- how to respond when a client asks for a ‘WOW’ moment;

- an example of a WOW experience;

- if there is a starting place of inspiration when building the concept of an event;

- which area of the Guest Experience is the most critical to get right; and

- so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif.

Connect with Annie McAllister:

Website: https://www.1540productions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/15l40/

Facebook:

We had a great time on our live interview session with John Dwyer talking about DIRECT RESPONSE MARKETING.

John Dwyer is the owner of the Institute Of Wow, a Direct Response Marketing Company that provides businesses with highly creative customer attraction concepts.

Known as “JD”, this guy is a marketing enigma, an ideas guru who thinks WAY outside the box. He’s also the guy who scored the massive marketing coup of convincing Jerry Seinfeld to promote a bank down-under!

JD will leave the audience spellbound with the “behind-the-scenes” story of how this deal was done & what it was like to work with Jerry Seinfeld for 3 years.

John shared a wealth of information about:

-what his business is & what services he provides to businesses;

-what “Direct-Response Marketing” is and what makes it different from general marketing strategies;

-what kind of businesses should consider “Direct-Response Marketing”;

-if there is a proven formula for “Direct-Response Marketing”;

-if there are specific industries that the “PROBLEM/SOLUTION” formula is more suitable for; and

-so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif.

Connect with John Dwyer:

Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/instituteofwow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinstituteofwow

Connect with Annette Naif:

Website:

We had a great time on our live interview session with Amanda Sherlip discussing PLANNING SUCCESSFUL NON-PROFIT AND SMALL BUSINESS EVENTS.

Amanda Sherlip is the Founder and Principal of Avant Grand Consulting and is the outgoing Executive Director with Hands Across the Sea. With two decades of experience spanning philanthropic leadership, entrepreneurship, and executive management, Amanda brings her multifaceted expertise to helping nonprofits, start-ups, and small businesses achieve transformative growth. She is known for her strategic acumen, creative problem-solving, and consistent ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Amanda shared a wealth of information about:

-what role board members play in helping to bring success to fundraising for events;

-how consultants work with board members to help them feel comfortable through the fundraising and network building process;

-what kind of goals to set for fundraisers;

-some ways events play into strategic planning and fundraising for a nonprofit;

-how events can make a difference in helping to achieve goals and increase revenue for a for-profit; and

-so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif.

Connect with Amanda Sherlip:

Website: www.avantgrandconsulting.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amandasherlip/

Connect with Annette Naif:

Website: https://www.naifproductions.com/​

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettenaif/

Event Planners Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eventplannerssociety

Cheers!

Annette

Join me Thursday, October 16 at 1:00 PM EDT where I will interview Wendy Kay about CULTIVATING A CURATED CREATIVE TEAM.

Thriving on creating something from nothing, Wendy welcomes the creative challenge and complex logistics required to (literally) build an event from the ground up. From design conception to collaborating with the creative team and directing the day-of execution, Wendy respects each stage of the wedding planning process, considering the journey just as important as the destination.

A former television producer, Wendy transferred her talents from directing live TV to weddings. Over a decade since creating Birds of a Feather events, she continues to lean on her problem-resolving skills while remaining quick on her feet on event days.

Named a Top Wedding Planner and Event Designer by Martha Stewart Weddings and Best Wedding Planner in America by BRIDES, Wendy really is an “Idea Machine.” Whether cozy interiors, artful window displays, or wizardly worlds, Wendy uses her love of set design as inspiration to translate the stories of her clients through unexpected details.

Wendy's clients connect to her calm demeanor, sharp wit, and surprising knowledge of pop culture. A diplomatic straight shooter, she guides her clients through potentially sticky situations with transparency, tact, and, most importantly--humor.

Today, after 15 years of owning her own planning and design business, much of Wendy’s time is focused on educating other vendors on best business practices to transform their own businesses through honesty and “tough love”.

In my interview with Wendy, we will learn:

🔸what it means to have a curated creative team;

🔸what the key qualities are to look for in a wedding planner’s dream team;

🔸how to balance artistic vision with logistical expertise when selecting team members;

🔸how to create an environment where your event team feels inspired and motivated;

🔸what role team chemistry plays in event success and how to cultivate it; and

🔸so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Connect with Wendy Kay:

Website: www.birdsofafeatherevents.com

Instagram: @birdsofafeatherevents

Connect with Annette Naif:

Website: https://www.naifproductions.com/​

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettenaif/

Event Planners Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eventplannerssociety

Cheers!

Annette

We had a great time on our interview with Maria Bayer about IRRESISTIBLE SELLING: MASTERING THE ART OF HIGH-VALUE BOOKINGS.

Maria Bayer is a leading sales and mindset strategist for wedding and event professionals who want to book next-level clients and scale their businesses to multi 6- and 7-figures. She teaches a modern sales approach that empowers clients to connect authentically, command top dollar, and achieve rapid results. Her clients often see a 2-10x sales increase within a year, transforming both their businesses and their belief in what’s possible.

As the creator of Irresistible Selling, Maria offers forward-thinking strategies for fast, sustainable growth without chasing or being salesy. With over $25 million in personal sales and a background negotiating with industry giants like Target and Best Buy, she equips her clients with advanced strategies that go beyond traditional wedding industry teachings, giving them a competitive edge.

A sought-after speaker, Maria has shared her expertise at top industry events and with organizations such as WIPA, ILEA, ABC, Be Sage, The Wedding Pro CEO Summit, Sarah Does SEO, Rock Paper Coin, Refine Collective, and many more, as well as corporate workshops and training sessions. Through her community, speaking engagements, and authorship, Maria is elevating the wedding industry by raising the bar on what business owners can charge and how much they can earn.

In my interview with Maria, we will learn:

• her philosophy and how she helps wedding pros step into the next-level market;
• the biggest myth wedding pros believe about selling that keeps them stuck at their current level, and how they can shift their mindset to break into the luxury market;
• how she teaches wedding pros to sell authentically while commanding premium prices;
• why the slow season is the ideal time to invest in sales skills to break into the luxury market;
• advice she gives people dealing with challenges at a higher price point; and
• so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at

https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Links-

Connect with Maria Bayer:

Website: https://lnkd.in/eYT2Epat

Instagram: https://lnkd.in/emsnyWN8

Facebook Group: https://lnkd.in/ef65c5f9

Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eHaPZFMA

Free offer: For a fast infusion of sales: Take the Book A Client in 5 Days Challenge https://lnkd.in/eNtghZaU

Connect with Annette Naif:

Website: https://lnkd.in/euzNM8n6​

Facebook: https://lnkd.in/dtME4UB

LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eBpq2DbY

Event Planners Society Facebook Group: https://lnkd.in/gK3-Msk

Cheers!

Annette

We had a great time with Joe Apfelbaum discussing HOW TO USE AI TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

Joe Apfelbaum is the CEO of Ajax Union, a B2B digital marketing agency. Joe is a business strategist, marketing expert, AI consultant, and certified Google trainer. Joe is the author of five books, and his latest release is called High Energy Marketing. When he is not Mojovating entrepreneurs at events and on LinkedIn, he enjoys his time with his 5 kids.

Joe shared a wealth of information about:

-what the best ways are to use AI to grow your business;

-where AI gets all of its information;

-what changed in 2022 that AI became so popular like ChatGPT;

-what GPT stands for and how people access the AI;

-if Google allows AI generated content to rank with SEO;

-how much it costs to use AI tools for marketing; and

-so much more!

Joe Apfelbaum

• Website: https://joeapfelbaum.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeapfelbaum/

• Website: https://www.evyrgreen.com/

Naif Productions

• Website: https://www.naifproductions.com/​

• Facebook:

We had a great time on our interview session with Lasada Pippen talking about THE CLIMB: MOVING BEYOND BARRIERS AND ELEVATING YOUR IMPACT.

Lasada Pippen is a former computer engineer turned motivational powerhouse. As a first-generation college graduate, first-generationcorporate professional, and bilingual STEM expert, Lasada's journey is a real-world story of resilience, grit, and reinvention.

Growing up in an underserved community, he navigated his way into the tech industry, spent over a decade in corporate leadership, and ultimately made a bold pivot into keynote speaking, business coaching, and empowerment training.

Today, he helps individuals and organizations transform obstacles into opportunities through a mix of personal storytelling, practical frameworks, and deeply relatable insights.

Lasada shared a wealth of information about:

✨how purpose, potential, and perseverance shaped his journey from engineer to empowerment leader;

✨what made him pivot into speaking and coaching;

✨what the biggest challenge was transitioning from tech into this new calling;

✨what The Climb framework means, and how event professionals can apply it to their own leadership and growth;

✨how to successfully transition into a new career path; and

✨so much more!

If you are not connected with me on my FB page, please connect at https://www.facebook.com/naifproductions or on LinkedIn @annettenaif. We look forward to seeing you Thursday!

Connect with Lasada Pippen:

Website: https://www.lasadapippen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lasadapippen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LasadaPippen

X: https://x.com/LasadaPippen

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lasada-pippen-keynote

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LasadaPippen

Connect with Annette Naif:

Website: https://www.naifproductions.com/​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettenaif/

Event Planners Society Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eventplannerssociety

Cheers!

Annette