Joining Andy this week is Jess Levin Conroy, the founder and C.E.O. of Carats and Cake, a community within the events industry that connects industry pros with couples planning weddings. They also offer a software solution focused specifically on venues to drive their entire event revenue streams and focused on revenue optimization. Andy and Jess have a conversation that is full of a wide range of topics, including how she would describe what she does with Carats and Cake, what her college education was like and what she learned from it, how she went about implementing her brand, how she handles obstacles, how she overcomes her weakness of being too reactive, her thoughts on how the current economic environment is impacting her business and the wedding industry in general, how she finds a balance between her busy professional life and her personal life as a wife and mother, and so much more! Andy really enjoyed this conversation with Jess Levin Conroy, especially since it gave him the opportunity to get to know her better and hear her perspective on the wedding industry, and he hopes that you enjoy listening to it! If so and/or you found it helpful, then Andy would love if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and would also appreciate it if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure also to leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!   Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.   SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!   Time Stamps [0:31] – Andy reveals that today's guest is Jess Levin Conroy of Carats and Cake. [1:20] – How would Jess describe what she does? [2:27] – Jess touches upon whether or not her childhood influenced her career choice. [3:50] – Jess reflects on her college education. [5:49] – Learn how Jess got interested in weddings. [8:46] – Jess reveals why she went to business school. [10:55] – Jess discusses how she built and implemented her brand. [12:55] – Was Jess profitable in her first year of business? [15:46] – Jess addresses how she approaches challenges and obstacles. [17:25] – Jess struggles with being too reactive. [19:29] – Jess elaborates upon investing where your consumers are. [21:46] – Hear Jess reflect on having raised nearly 30 million in the last 18 months. [22:46] – How is the current economic crisis impacting the wedding industry? [25:06] – Prioritization is Jess's biggest struggle right now. [27:41] – Jess reveals how she manages a balance between her professional and personal life. [30:42] – Jess advises listeners as to where to go on her website for more information. [31:48] – Andy leaves us with Jess Levin Conroy's contact information.   RESOURCES Carats & Cake Demo - VideoCarats & Cake Pippin - VideoCarats & Cake Testimonial - Video Find Jess: Jess’s Instagram PageCarats and Cake - WebsiteJoin the Carats and Cake CommunityPartner with Carats and CakeCarats and Cake - PaymentsCarats and Cake - Instagram PageCarats and Cake - Facebook PageCarats and Cake - Twitter PageCarats and Cake - LinkedIn ProfileCarats and Cake - Pinterest Page Follow The Wedding Biz on Social: The Wedding Biz The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz The Wedding Biz Network The Music Makers   Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here. Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.