Ever feel like you're stuck in a rut — low on energy, scattered, or just... kinda over it all?

You're not alone, and today's episode is for you.

After hitting a few of those "blah" moments myself, I found three small (but powerful) habit shifts that helped me recharge my energy, refocus my mind, and rebuild my CEO mindset — without needing a 17-step system, a new planner, or a $5K mastermind. 🙃

If you’ve ever had that feeling about someone on your team—the subtle “something’s off” whisper in your gut—you’re not alone.

In this episode, Megan is joined by her longtime COO and teammate of 14 years, Gina Johnston, to unpack one of the trickiest leadership challenges: knowing when to coach…and when to cut ties.

Whether you’re leading a team of 10 or just thinking about hiring your first assistant, this is the honest, behind-the-scenes conversation every business owner needs to hear.

Because sometimes, leadership isn’t about waving pom-poms. It’s about setting clear expectations, having hard conversations, and asking yourself the uncomfortable but necessary question.

Ever feel like your business has taken on a life of its own—and you’re not sure if it still fits the version of success you’re chasing?

You’re not alone.

In today’s episode, Megan Gillikin sits down with award-winning photographer, educator, and content creator Vanessa Joy, whose two-decade career has evolved from darkrooms to YouTube stardom and now… clean water wells in Kenya.

This one’s about growth. But not the “scale at all costs” kind. We're talking about soulful evolution—the kind that happens when you realize you’ve built something great… but it’s time for something different.

Vanessa shares how to know when you’re scaling or spiraling, the not-so-glamorous reality of launching a passion project, and how to reconnect with what you actually want. (Oh, and she also talks about buying a seven-foot-tall printer—so buckle up.)

Whether you're in burnout, busy mode, or just feeling the pull to pivot, this episode is your reminder: you're allowed to grow beyond the box you built.

For years, Kristi Coulter climbed the corporate ladder at Amazon, working long hours, hitting major career milestones, and earning great money—but at what cost? 

Eventually, she reached a breaking point, realizing she was living for her employer instead of herself. In her book, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career, Kristi shares the eye-opening realities of hustle culture, burnout, and redefining success on her own terms.

Have you felt the pressure to keep pushing, to say yes to every opportunity, and to measure success by constant achievement? 

For years, Kristi Coulter climbed the corporate ladder at Amazon, working long hours, hitting major career milestones, and earning great money—but at what cost? 

Eventually, she reached a breaking point, realizing she was living for her employer instead of herself. In her book, Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career, Kristi shares the eye-opening realities of hustle culture, burnout, and redefining success on her own terms.

Have you felt the pressure to keep pushing, to say yes to every opportunity, and to measure success by constant achievement? 

Today, I'm sharing three of the biggest, toughest, most game changing lessons I've learned in my 15 years of business. These are the things I want to share with you to help you realize and recognize them sooner than I did.

Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ, is so much more than just being good with people. It's about truly understanding yourself, reading the room, and fostering real, meaningful connections -  whether that's with your clients, vendor partners, or even at networking events.

EQ is a topic that can completely transform the way you navigate relationships in business and in life.

💡 If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, hit pause and go back to Episode 306 with Ian Ramirez first!

Once a potential client fills out your inquiry form, the real work begins. Follow-up is where so many wedding pros lose leads—whether it's waiting too long to respond, overwhelming them with information, or blending into the sea of generic “Just checking in” emails.

So how do you keep potential clients engaged without feeling like you're chasing them down? How can you use texting strategically in your inquiry process without feeling glued to your phone 24/7?

That’s exactly what Ian Ramirez—co-founder of Venue Help Desk and managing partner at Madera Estates—is here to share. Ian has tested all of these strategies firsthand, and today he’s breaking down what actually works for converting leads into bookings.