The CEO Show is the podcast for wedding professionals who want to make more money and create more freedom, without sacrificing more of their weekends. Hosted by award-winning business coach, sales expert and wedding industry expert Laura Canham, this podcast is here to help you go from busy wedding pro to profitable wedding CEO. Expect honest conversations about the realities of running a business in the wedding industry, practical business strategy and simple tips to help you grow your income, price with confidence and create year-round revenue in your wedding business. Whether you are a wedding photographer, celebrant, planner, florist, stylist, venue owner, videographer, DJ, content creator or another creative wedding supplier, you'll love all the hot tips that are totally relevant to this wonderful, and often crazy industry! If you are ready to earn more, work smarter and become the CEO of your wedding business, you are in the right place. Find out more here: www.thelovebizacademy.com.au
68. This is why your price increase didn't work...
Have you ever raised your prices, watched your enquiries slow down and immediately thought, “See, I knew I was too expensive”? You’re not alone. So many wedding business owners increase their rates, get a few more no’s or suddenly hear crickets, then panic and put their prices straight back down. But what if the price was never actually the problem? In this episode, we’re talking about why changing the numbers on your website isn’t enough to make a price increase stick. Because when your pricing changes, the way you position, market and sell your wedding services needs to change too. I’m also sharing the story of a wedding celebrant who was convinced couples in her area wouldn’t pay more. She’d tried increasing her prices before, but it never worked. This time, she approached it differently, and what happened next completely changed the way she saw her pricing. We talk about: Why your previous price increase may not have worked The mistake wedding professionals make when updating their rates Why premium pricing needs stronger positioning What couples need to understand before they’ll pay more How to raise your prices without immediately losing confidence If you know you’re undercharging but you’re terrified that increasing your prices will lead to fewer enquiries, more ghosting or no bookings, this episode is for you. LINKS Enrolments for The CEO Club are now open. Click here to learn more
67. Being fully booked is a TRAP! Do this instead...
Being fully booked is often sold as the ultimate sign of success in the wedding industry. But what if a packed calendar, endless meetings and every weekend taken up with weddings is not actually the dream? In this episode, I’m breaking down why being fully booked can leave you exhausted, underpaid and with a business that relies entirely on you being available all the time. Because more weddings do not automatically mean more profit, more freedom or a better life. We talk about: Why being fully booked often means more admin, more pressure and less freedom, not more success Why chasing volume can quietly keep your prices low and your business unprofitable The real difference between revenue and profit, and why most people never look at it What one client changed after hitting 100 bookings in her first year and nearly burning out Why some of my clients now make more money from fewer, better fit bookings If you are busy all the time but your bank account is not reflecting the effort you are putting in, this episode is for you. Because the goal is not to be fully booked. The goal is to be fully profitable. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram
66. CEO Conversations - Walking away from her job and relationship turned into building her dream business with Brittany Mather
What if the thing holding your business back is not talent, but trying to sell everything at once? This week I'm joined by past client Britt, a Byron Bay marriage celebrant and founder of Happy Days Weddings. Before starting her business, Britt was juggling three jobs and stuck in a cycle where the money came in and went straight back out again. She knew she wanted more, but had never been taught how to actually run a business, and it took her over a year of sitting on the fence before she finally invested in support. Once Britt got ruthlessly clear on her one core offer, everything changed. She left her corporate job and built a business that now gives her both the income and the freedom she once thought she had to choose between. In this episode we discuss: Why being brilliant at your craft does not mean you know how to run a business Why pulling back to one core offer felt boring, but became the foundation for everything after How the right support gave Britt the courage to hand in her resignation with no safety net Why lead trackers and KPIs became her favourite part of running a business This is such a good listen if you have big ideas and are ready to build a business that actually works instead of spinning your wheels. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram If you’d like to register for one of Britt’s Breathwork sessions, click here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
65. What's holding your business back from making $20k months?
If you want to make more money in your wedding business but consistent $20K months feel completely out of reach, this episode is for you. There are so many myths around what it takes to reach bigger income goals. You might think you need a huge audience, a luxury brand, a big team, more offers or a diary packed with even more weddings. But consistent $20K months are not about becoming a completely different business. They are about building a business model designed to create more revenue, more profit and more freedom from the work you are already doing. In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest myths that keep wedding pros playing small and capping their income potential. We talk about: Why you do not need a massive audience or thousands of followers to make more money Why $20K months are possible without positioning yourself in the luxury wedding market How solopreneurs and small teams can create consistent $15K to $30K months Why creating more packages and offers can actually make your business harder to grow The difference between being fully booked and being genuinely profitable How better pricing, positioning, sales and systems can help you earn more without sacrificing more weekends Why the right business model matters more than being internet famous, having a huge team or working harder If you have been telling yourself that bigger income months are only available to people with a completely different business, audience or lifestyle, this episode will help you challenge those beliefs and see what is actually possible for you. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
64. CEO Conversations - From creative hot mess to 250% increase in income with Zena Lythgo
What if the goal is not to make more money, but to create a wedding business that actually gives you more freedom? This week I’m joined by past client Zena Lythgo, a Melbourne marriage celebrant, funeral celebrant and co-founder of I Do Drive Thru Weddings. After 12 years in business, Zena had built an incredible reputation, but behind the scenes, the business had started to feel chaotic. She was working too many weekends, saying yes to meetings whenever couples needed them, and trying to keep everything moving while life was also life-ing hard. Her goal was not necessarily to make more money. She wanted more freedom, more structure, more space to enjoy her life and a business that felt sustainable again. Once Zena stopped winging it and started making a few intentional changes behind the scenes, she created more white space, stronger boundaries and 250% increase in revenue. In this episode we discuss: Why being brilliant at your craft does not automatically mean you are across the business side How Zena went from self-confessed creative hot mess to understanding her leads, cash flow and projections Why more structure can actually create more freedom in your wedding business The impact hiring a VA had on Zena’s workload and capacity How support, accountability and the right people around you can help you finally follow through on the changes you have been putting off This is such a good listen if you have built a business you love, but you are tired of feeling like you are constantly chasing your tail behind the scenes. LINKS: Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram
63. Before you spend another dollar on marketing, listen to this
If your calendar is looking a little too empty, your first thought is probably, “I need more enquiries.” But what if that is not actually the problem? In this episode, I’m breaking down the biggest mistake I see wedding business owners make when they want to grow, and how to work out whether you really have a marketing problem, a sales problem - or something else entirely holding your income back. We talk about: How to tell whether you genuinely need more wedding enquiries or whether your marketing is already doing its job Why getting ghosted can actually give you useful information about your business What to look at if you are booking weddings but still not making enough money The three key areas that could be creating a bottleneck in your wedding business Why tracking a few simple numbers can save you months of wasted time, money and effort If you have been creating more content, joining directories, considering ads, or trying every possible way to get more leads, this episode will help you figure out whether that is actually where your focus needs to go. LINKS: Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Register for the FREE Pathway to $20k Masterclass Connect with Laura on Instagram
62. Don't make this $10k mistake in your wedding business
What if the reason you are not hitting $20K months has nothing to do with your followers, your niche, or your team? In this episode, I'm busting the biggest myths I hear when wedding pros tell me consistent $20K months are not possible for them. Because when income feels capped, it is easy to assume you need a bigger following, a luxury rebrand, a bigger team, or more offers to sell. But most of my clients making $15K to $30K months are normal humans running normal businesses, and the real difference has nothing to do with any of that. We talk about: Why you do not need a massive following to hit $20K months Why you do not need to be in the luxury market to make this kind of money Why a bigger team is not what creates more revenue Why more offers usually creates more chaos, not more money Why booking more weddings is not the answer either If you have been telling yourself $20K months are only for other people, this episode will help you see what is actually possible for your wedding business. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE Wedding Business Growth Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram
61. Why the best wedding pros don't always make the most money
You can be incredibly talented at what you do and still struggle to make the money, book the right couples, or create the freedom you want from your wedding business. Being a brilliant wedding photographer, planner, florist, celebrant, DJ, stylist, content creator or cake maker is just one part of building a successful wedding business. In this episode, I’m talking about the shift from being a wedding professional who is focused on their craft, to becoming a Wedding CEO who understands how to grow a profitable, sustainable business behind the scenes. We talk about: Why calling yourself a wedding vendor or supplier can keep you thinking smaller than you need to The difference between being brilliant at your craft and being brilliant at business How Wedding CEOs approach pricing, marketing and sales differently Why relying solely on Instagram is not a sustainable marketing strategy The simple business skills that help wedding pros create more consistent income and stop working every weekend for less than they deserve If you know you are great at what you do but your income or freedom are not reflecting that yet, this episode will help you see the gap between where you are now and the Wedding CEO you are ready to become. LINKS Learn more about the CEO Mastermind Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Connect with Laura on Instagram
60. The real reason I almost QUIT my business...
I was ready to throw it all in the bin! Have you ever had a season in your business where you’ve wondered whether you’ve outgrown it, lost your spark, or just need to burn the whole thing down and start again? In this episode, I’m sharing why I disappeared from the podcast for 16 months, why I genuinely considered quitting my business and actually getting a job [eek!] and what I eventually realised was really going on. We talk about: Why feeling disconnected from your business does not always mean you need to quit The danger of creating new offers, projects and plans when you are already overwhelmed Why so many women are taught to push through instead of listening to what their body needs How to tell the difference between a genuine business problem and a season where you need more support, rest or care If you have been feeling flat, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or like you are one bad day away from throwing your business in the bin, this episode is for you my love. LINKS Download the FREE $20k Wedding Business Calculator Join the waitlist for the CEO Mastermind Connect with Laura on Instagram
59. Try this one thing to STOP getting ghosted by new leads
If people are enquiring to work with you, congrats! You’ve done the hard part. Whether they’re emailing, DMing, filling out your forms or downloading your price guides - this is where the magic happens. However, it’s also where things can fall apart FAST. Your first response to a new lead is single handedly one of the most important means of communication you’ll have in the entire customer journey [no pressure!] If your response is a flop, you’ll lose that sale. And honestly, too many people are missing out on $$$ because their responses are wishy washy AF. I’ve reviewed, edited, and revamped countless enquiry responses for my clients and in this episode, I’m sharing exactly what makes the difference between getting ghosted and getting booked. In this episode: Why you’re getting ghosted: The #1 mistake business owners make when responding to enquiries. The sweet spot for length: Why both too-short and too-long responses are killing your sales. How to structure a winning response: What to include, what to leave out, and how to keep it fun and engaging. Simple fixes that increase bookings: Easy tweaks that boost your response rate instantly. LINKS: Apply for Freedom Empire [1:1 Business Consulting & Mastermind] Join the Offer Lab and build your premium, sell out offer Get my free AI Bot to create your million dollar offer Connect with me on Instagram here Learn more about working with me here
58. F*ck the content pillars! Do this instead to make content creation easy peasy
Content creation always seems to be every business owners pet peeve. Not enough time, don’t know what to post, stressing over the algorithm, feeling overwhelmed with all the chatter of content pillars, themes, buckets and all the things… The reason you’re overthinking it is because you’re likely drowning in a sea of social media ‘expert’ advice that’s making you think you need a fancy schmancy strategy. And when we’re confused AF, we get paralysed and don’t do anything - which means you’re very likely not posting at all right now [and this is not a vibe!] In this episode I want to give you the confidence to tell the content pillars to f*ck off and just keep everything super simple so that you can stop stressing and start sharing! In this episode you’ll learn: Why content pillars and complicated strategies are holding you back from showing up online How to tap into your dream client’s desires, struggles, and cravings to create magnetic content How to choose content topics effortlessly, even if you’re in the middle of a launch How to forget the ‘right’ format and instead choose what feels fun and easy for YOU to share LINKS: Apply for Freedom Empire [1:1 Business Consulting & Mastermind] Join the Offer Lab and build your premium, sell out offer Get my free AI Bot to create your million dollar offer Connect with me on Instagram here Learn more about working with me here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
57. 2024 Reflections - The richest I've ever been
This year has gone by so fast, like holy crap! And while everyone is sharing their Spotify wrapped, huge 2024 wins and big juicy plans for 2025, it can be easy to get caught up in the income goals, milestones and comparisons. In this episode I want to share with you the process I undertake to reflect on my year, without my ‘success’ being entirely determined by my income. Because right now, at the end of 2024 I am the richest I’ve ever been [but it’s not because of what you might think!] In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why success isn’t just about financial milestones How to reflect meaningfully on your year without tying it to your worth The power of calling in abundance beyond money How creating time and space can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life LINKS: My 1:1 business consulting is now open for applications. Click here to apply to work with me in 2025. Ready to take a break? Join the Bali Business Retreat. Click here to learn more Wanna see how else to work with me? Head here Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
56. Are you sabotaging your own success?
Let’s talk about actually enjoying your success. Because maybe you’re already owning your wins. Maybe you’re celebrating them, too. But then what? Are you actually kicking back and reaping the rewards of all your hard work? Or are you smashing the goal, ticking it off, and moving on to the next thing without pausing to soak it all in? This episode is for you if you’ve created success, but you’re struggling to slow down, enjoy the ease you’ve worked so hard to build, or let your business truly support you. In this episode, I cover: Why so many high-achieving women struggle to enjoy the ease they’ve created. Signs you might be subconsciously sabotaging yourself when things start feeling simple. How I struggled to slow down and actually enjoy my 4 month trip to Europe despite spending 3.5 years building a business I could take anywhere. Why it’s safe to let things feel easeful, calm, and simple - and how to lean into that. Fave Quote: "What’s the point of all that effort if you don’t actually stop to enjoy it?" If you’re looking for a place to grow your business with personalised support, my mastermind is open for applications. Click here to apply or DM me on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. LINKS Learn how to work with Laura here Join the Bali Business Retreat
55. CEO Conversations: The realities of creating a six-figure business as a single girly with Em Chapman
Welcome back to CEO Conversations! I am so excited for my chat this week with Em Chapman, a WA based event stylist and wedding planner who has taken her business from side-hustle to six-figures in the last 12 months. Since we started working together in 2023, Em has smashed every single thing on her to-do list, goal sheet and vision board in record timing. Hitting her first $100k+ year, buying her first home, getting her beautiful furbaby and dream car - all the things. In this episode we talk about how she made it happen and some of the big moments she attributes to her success. Including the challenges of creating structure and a new routine when you move from side-hustle or part time business to it becoming your all in thing. And we also dive into the complexities of trying to date when you’re an independent woman with your own business and how it’s often challenging to meet a guy who is actually on the same level, plus the pressure of being the sole income earner and how that impacts making decisions in the business. I can’t wait for you to hear from her! Let’s go… In this episode we discuss: Her journey of transitioning from a secure government job to becoming her own boss. The importance of work-life balance, flexibility, and the joy of small moments in how you determine ‘success’ The challenges of creating structure in a new routine Quote of the episode: ‘I get to do that now because of my business’ If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your own version of success over the next 6-12 months, the CEO Mastermind is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
54. How to start celebrating your wins
Here’s the thing: when you’re ambitious, focused, and crushing your goals left, right, and centre, it’s so easy to fall into a pattern of just ticking things off the list and moving on to the next thing. One milestone after another, with no time to stop and savor your progress. When was the last time you actually paused to celebrate your success? Because when you skip the celebration, you’re missing out on one of the best parts of the journey - not to mention a huge opportunity to supercharge your future success. In this episode I want to show you that celebrating your wins needs to become a regular part of your life and business, and some super simple ways to start doing it today. In this episode we cover: How skipping celebration can hold you back - even when you’re smashing goals. Simple ways to create new daily, weekly, and quarterly celebration practices to fuel your momentum. Why even "failures" deserve to be celebrated, and how to reframe them as wins. How to schedule time to pause, reflect, and honor your growth. Practical action steps to start celebrating right now , without overcomplicating it. If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your own version of success over the next 6-12 months, my mastermind is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. LINKS: Connect with Laura on Instagram here Ready to skyrocket your sales with the power of AI? Join The Offer Lab here
53. CEO Conversations: Creating a business to support you through the hard times with Sarah Joel
This week I’m chatting with another one of my amazing clients, Sarah Joel. When we started working together, Sarah was making $2k per month and within 6 months was making consistent $13k months. Since then she has maintained these high income months whilst also creating a new routine where she spends her weeks with her kids. In this episode Sarah talks through how she’s maintained her business growth despite facing a huge health scare earlier this year. In this episode we discuss: The importance of setting micro-goals and taking baby step towards your bigger goal. How her definition of success has evolved throughout different stages of her life and business. How she went from earning 2K a month to consistently making 13K a month in just six months. Why automation is so important to ensure a steady income and support during difficult times. Quote of the episode: ‘What the fuck? Like why is this happening?’ If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your own version of success over the next 6-12 months, my mastermind is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @thelovebizacademy to chat more. Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
52. Babe! Stop being so freaking humble!
It’s time for you to step up and freaking own all the cool shit you’ve done babe! Over the years I’ve supported hundreds of female entrepreneurs, watched them smash through their to do list and do some really cool shit - but when it comes to sharing that with the world, they freak out. If you’re guilty of downplaying your wins, brushing off compliments, hiding your achievements or worrying you’ll be seen as a show-off if you so much as mention the epic things you’ve achieved - this episode is for you! I share a bit about my own journey from hiding away to finally sharing my wins publicly and some of the reactions I received, plus: Why so many female founders feel hesitant to own their success How downplaying your achievements can actually hold you back from reaching your fullest potential The power of celebrating your wins and how it impacts your subconscious mind and energy Real-life examples of how sharing your success can empower others to aim higher Actionable tips for creating a habit of celebrating your achievements without fear of judgement Favorite quote from this episode: "When we stay small, we help no one" LINKS: Connect with Laura on Instagram here Register for The Offer Lab
51. CEO Conversations: Navigating divorce while growing your empire with Lauren Bridge
Welcome to the second instalment of CEO Conversations! Here I'll be talking to some of my amazing clients about their business journey - the amazing wins and all the crazy shit has gone on behind the scenes that they’ve never spoken about before. My first guest is one of my longest term clients, powerhouse entrepreneur and founder of the Wedding Collective, Lauren Bridge. Now where do I start with this lady? After we started working together in late 2021 she has knocked my socks off with her ability to take action and slay her goals. In less than 12 months she hit her first $100k and then decided to start a second business which has skyrocketed to success. She has since doubled her income every single year, become the Director of her own company and continues to blow me away with her no nonsense attitude of go big or go home. From the outside you’ll only ever see the beautiful badass boss babe Lauren, but let me tell you - her journey hasn’t always been plain sailing. She’s overcome some big mindset hurdles and personal challenges over the last few years and that’s what we’ll be diving into in todays episode. From nearly burning out after launching her new brand, her mission to becoming a millionaire, the lessons learned from taking quick and dirty action and how she’s had to navigate solo parenting two toddlers and divorcing her husband whilst also growing her company. This is a juicy one! Let’s dive in. In this episode we discuss: The importance of trial and error if you want to hit your goals quickly How she’s managed the transition from solopreneur to running her own company How she’s navigated hiring team members and delegating her workload How she’s nailed her long term vision and some of the trade-offs she’s willing to make in the meantime The challenges she’s faced whilst separating from her husband, solo parenting her two toddlers continuing to grow the business. Quote of the episode: ‘I love money. I like making money. I like spending money. I like sleeping on money’ If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your own version of success over the next 6-12 months, my wedding business program is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @t helovebizacademy to chat more. LINKS: Connect with Laura on Instagram here Register for the Hot Offer Masterclass Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
50. Success Series: What even is 'success' anyway?
Welcome to the Success Series! Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll be diving ladyballs deep into the topic of success. I want this series to inspire you to really think about what success actually means to you, so you can start doing business [and life!] your way. I wanted to go a layer deeper than just the shiny highlights you see on social media - so this series is more about the messy, behind the scenes stuff that make’s everyone’s journey unique. I'm beyond excited to welcome my first guests onto the podcast throughout this series - some of my incredible clients who are sharing their real, raw stories of building their businesses. These conversations will give you a front-row seat to what worked, what didn’t, and some of the wild moments they faced on their way to success. In today’s episode, I kick things off by tackling a big question: What is success, really? For years, I struggled with this myself. In the corporate world, I thought you had to have a unique idea, be a total powerhouse, or hit millionaire status to be successful. And honestly? That belief held me back from taking the leap into entrepreneurship. I see this all the time - women doubting themselves because they’re comparing their journey to someone else's. In this episode, I’m sharing how I redefined success for myself - what it looked like when I was building my wedding business versus what it looks like now, as a mum and a coach. I'll show you how I use my vision board to stay focused on my goals and not get distracted by shiny objects or what everyone else is doing. I'll also be talking about how success isn’t static - it changes as we move through different seasons of life. What success looked like for me five years ago is completely different from what it looks like today. And that’s okay. It's about staying true to what you desire, in this moment. So, if you’ve been chasing a version of success that doesn’t actually align with who you are or what you want, this episode is your permission slip to stop. It’s time to reset, reflect, and build your own version of success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode : Why success has no single definition and how to define it for yourself How external influences can distort your goals and lead you off track My personal stories of chasing someone else’s version of success [and how it backfired!] The importance of regularly checking in with yourself to make sure your goals still align with your current desires Why having a mentor or taking a break can help you gain clarity and refocus How to stay connected to your own vision of success using tools like vision boards, journaling, and more My favourite quote from this episode: When you keep working towards an outdated version of success, you’ll always feel unfulfilled. If you’re looking for a place to get personalised support to grow your business and achieve your version of success over the next 6-12 months, my mastermind Freedom Empire is now open for applications. Click here to apply or send me a DM on Instagram @lauracanham_ to chat more. LINKS: Connect with Laura on Instagram here Register for the Hot Offer Masterclass
49. Ask me anything! Celebrating one year of The CEO Show by answering all your juicy questions
Holy shit balls, the poddy is officially ONE year old! Where did that year go?? In that time we’ve hit 49 episodes and 5700+ downloads, which is epic! A huge THANK YOU for tuning in each week. I am truly so grateful to each and every one of you for your support. To celebrate, we are doing something a little bit different for this episode and I have my very first guest joining me… my husband! Lol. [well to be honest, I’m actually the guest because he’s the one interviewing me!] To make this episode extra fun, I asked you guys to send in a bunch of questions either about my own business or your business for me to answer live on the poddy. Some of you recorded your questions, and you’ll hear your voice in this episode! And for those who submitted an anonymous question, Sean reads it on your behalf. We had so much fun pulling this episode together [plus I also learned just how bossy I am. Lol] Tune in now to hear us chat about: My biggest disasters in business Some of the tools I use to keep my mind and motivation in check How I’ve dealt with copycats Knowing when it’s time to pivot and more! To celebrate ONE year of The CEO Show, I am giving away a VIP Day of 1:1 coaching with me! To enter, simply leave a written review on Apple Podcasts and send it through to me so I know it’s yours. The winner will be drawn at random on 31 October. In this episode, I referred to 2 previous episodes which you might find useful. Here they are: 41. What it *actually* means to be consistent and why this is the most overlooked strategy to grow your business 44. How to make money even when life goes to shit LINKS: Register for the Hot Offer Masterclass Apply for my mastermind Freedom Empire Join my VIP mailing list for exclusive access to BTS goodies Work with Laura Learn more about the Wedding CEO Program
