Navigating Venue Ownership with Two Kids Under Two | The Venue Rx

On this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Caroline and her husband, Kyler, the owners of The Firehouse Event Venue in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Together, they share their story of building and operating The Firehouse while also growing Brooks & Reid Events, and what it has looked like to manage multiple businesses in the wedding and events industry. Caroline and Kyler open up about the challenges, unexpected costs, and wins they’ve experienced along the way, including the true costs and surprises couples face when booking a venue, how they balance planning, rentals, and venue ownership while raising a growing family, and the lessons they’ve learned from buying an established business versus building one from the ground up. They also discuss the importance of avoiding the comparison trap, staying focused on your own goals, and finding your unique lane in an increasingly competitive wedding and events market.About Our Guest: Caroline and Kyler Parker are wedding and event industry entrepreneurs based in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Caroline is an owner of Brooks & Reid Events and Rentals, a full-service event planning and rental company serving Eastern North Carolina and beyond, while together Caroline and Kyler are behind The Firehouse, a historic event venue in downtown Goldsboro.Their experience spans multiple sides of the events industry, from wedding planning and rentals to venue ownership and operations. Through Brooks & Reid, Caroline and her team provide event planning and an extensive collection of rentals, while The Firehouse offers a distinctive setting for weddings and celebrations with indoor and outdoor event spaces, a rooftop lounge and bar, and in-house access to Brooks & Reid’s planning and rental services.Find Them Here: Website: https://thefirehouse.co/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefirehouse.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefirehouse.co/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefirehouse_eventsPhone: 919-714-4599

On this week’s episode of The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Kelsey Correia, COO and Lead Planner at Floriana, an elegant historic estate wedding venue in New England. Kelsey shares the inside story of how Floriana transformed its brand and operations, including how a strategic rebrand and new website helped quadruple their lead flow.Kelsey dives into the business behind running a successful wedding venue, from financing and staffing to managing inherited bookings and transitioning existing events. She also discusses the decision to bring catering in-house, how greater control over the guest experience impacts operations, and the systems needed to manage a growing venue effectively. Kelsey also shares Floriana’s approach to increasing bookings, planning for capacity, and making thoughtful decisions about future growth while staying competitive in an evolving wedding market. About Our Guest: Kelsey Correia is the COO and Lead Planner at Floriana, a historic estate wedding venue in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Her career in events began with a work-study job in college, eventually leading her to professionally enter the events industry in 2018. Since then, Kelsey has planned and executed weddings throughout New England, led event teams for North Shore hospitality groups, worked directly with full-service planning clients, and launched her own planning company, Beach Rose Events.Today, Kelsey brings both a planner’s perspective and an operator’s mindset to Floriana, where she has played an integral role in transforming the historic property into a thriving wedding venue. Her work has included rebranding the business, rebuilding operational systems, bringing catering in-house, and creating a more intentional guest experience. Known for her creativity, practical problem-solving, and ability to anticipate the needs of both clients and teams, Kelsey brings a unique perspective to the intersection of hospitality, event planning, and venue operations.Find Them Here: Website: www.florianaipswich.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/florianaipswich/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556700051209Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/events2360/Email: [email protected]

On this week's episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Hannah Corbacio, the visionary behind The Rosalia Hotel, a beautifully restored boutique hotel and wedding venue in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Hannah shares how an unexpected start in real estate investing evolved into an ambitious hospitality project, offering an honest look at what it takes to breathe new life into a historic property while building a thriving wedding venue business.Hannah opens up about the realities of working alongside her spouse, raising capital for a large-scale renovation, and having the confidence to book weddings before the venue was even complete. She also shares how setting clear expectations with couples helped build trust during construction and why taking calculated risks has been essential to her success. She also breaks down how she's leveraged organic social media, especially TikTok to generate awareness, build excitement, and consistently attract new wedding bookings without relying on a massive advertising budget.About Our Guest: Hannah Corbacio is an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and the co-founder of The Rosalia Hotel, an ambitious boutique hotel and wedding venue project in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Alongside her husband, Hannah is leading the transformation of a historic bank building into a one-of-a-kind hospitality destination, blending luxury accommodations, weddings, and community revitalization.Before entering the world of hospitality and real estate, Hannah built a successful career in marketing, experience that has played a key role in launching and growing The Rosalia Hotel's brand. Through creative storytelling and organic social media particularly TikTok and Instagram she has generated excitement for the project and attracted couples long before the venue officially opened.Find Them Here: Website: https://therosaliahotel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therosaliahotel/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therosaliahotel

In this week's episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Mary Luz Rodriguez, co-founder of Living Sculpture Sanctuary, to hear the incredible story behind a venue unlike any other. Mary shares how a vision rooted in nature, wellness, and intentional design evolved into a destination where couples and families can celebrate life's most meaningful moments.Mary reflects on the unconventional journey of building Living Sculpture Sanctuary from the ground up while balancing a successful legal career. She opens up about the challenges, risks, and lessons that came with creating a venue from scratch, as well as the importance of staying true to her mission and values every step of the way.She also discusses how Living Sculpture Sanctuary has carved out its own niche by offering experiences that go far beyond the traditional wedding day. From wellness and mindfulness to immersive outdoor experiences, Mary explains how creating genuine connection has become the heart of the business. She also shares practical insights into marketing a one-of-a-kind venue, building strong relationships with vendors, maintaining high standards, and her vision for the future of the sanctuary.About Our Guest: Mary Luz Rodriguez Alvarez is the co-founder of Living Sculpture Sanctuary, one of South Florida's most distinctive wedding and wellness destinations. Alongside her husband, Robert J. McKee, she transformed a shared passion for nature, environmental stewardship, and meaningful human connection into a handcrafted sanctuary where thousands of couples have celebrated life's biggest milestones. The venue was built by hand with the vision of creating more than just a beautiful event space, it was designed to be a place of peace, healing, and transformation. An environmental trial attorney by profession, Mary Luz brings a unique perspective to venue ownership, blending her commitment to protecting the environment with a heart for creating intentional experiences. Originally from Mexico, her journey through law, personal development, and holistic wellness has shaped her philosophy that the most memorable celebrations are rooted in authenticity, purpose, and service. Find Them Here: Website: www.livingsculpturesanctuary.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingsculpturesanctuary/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingSculptureSanctuary/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3bsViVrsujsS_qWj00OdlATikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livingsculpturesanctuary?lang=en

In this episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, Jonathan Aymin sits down with Wes Sytsma, owner of Bowery Barn, to discuss what it was really like stepping into the venue industry without any previous experience. From navigating a complete leadership transition to rebuilding a team and creating a culture people genuinely want to be part of, Wes shares the lessons he learned along the way and how those experiences shaped the business today.Wes dives into what it takes to build trust with a team, why transparency and honest feedback are essential for growth, and how being proactive instead of reactive can completely change the trajectory of a business. He also shares how adapting through unexpected challenges, empowering employees to take ownership, and staying open to learning have become the foundation of Bowery Barn's culture.About Our Guest: Wes Sytsma is the co-owner of The Bowery Barn, an award-winning wedding venue in Wisconsin that he and his wife, Sarah, transformed into a one-of-a-kind destination for couples. Without coming from a wedding industry background, Wes stepped into venue ownership with a willingness to learn, adapt, and build a business centered on people, relationships, and exceptional guest experiences. Today, The Bowery Barn is known not only for its beautiful spaces but also for its intentional culture, strong team, and commitment to helping every couple tell their own story. On this episode, Wes shares what he's learned about leadership, navigating change, building a resilient team, and creating a company culture that thrives through growth and uncertainty.Find Them Here: Address: N2201 County Road P, Rubicon, WI 53078Website: https://thebowerybarn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebowerybarnInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebowerybarn/Email: [email protected]: (262) 443-2750

On this week’s episode of the Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Meredith Schwartz, CEO of Here Comes the Guide, for a conversation packed with insight on venue marketing, leadership, and sustainable growth. Meredith shares the story behind building and scaling Here Comes the Guide into an all-women, values-driven company, while reflecting on the evolution from print to digital and the unique ways their team continues to serve venues across the industry.Meredith shares insight on managing remote teams, maintaining company culture, and why Here Comes the Guide has remained committed to a non-commissioned sales approach. She also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and strategy behind the popular “Marketing the Murder Barn” educational series and how storytelling can become a powerful marketing tool for venues. Meredith also discusses time management, setting boundaries as a business owner, and practical advice for venue owners navigating difficult decisions and seasons of growth.About Our Guest: Meredith Schwartz is the CEO of Here Comes the Guide, a leading wedding venue resource that helps couples discover venues and helps venue owners grow their businesses through marketing and education. Having joined the company in 1997 as one of its earliest employees, Meredith has played a major role in transforming the business from a print publication into a nationally recognized digital platform serving thousands of venues and engaged couples across the country.Known for her people-first leadership style, Meredith leads Here Comes the Guide as an employee-owned, all-women company focused on strong culture, flexible work policies, and sustainable growth. She is passionate about creating a workplace that supports both meaningful careers and balanced lives, while pioneering remote work strategies long before they became mainstream.In addition to leading Here Comes the Guide, Meredith is the creator behind educational resources like Venue Business Boot Camp and the “Marketing the Murder Barn” series, where she shares practical marketing strategies and business insights for venue owners. She is also the co-host of the popular Currently Reading podcast, where she combines her love of books, storytelling, and conversation.Find Her Here: Here Comes The Guide:Website: https://www.herecomestheguide.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herecomestheguide/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/8554093942/Venue Business Boot CampWebsite: https://venuebusinessbootcamp.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venuebusinessbootcamp/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Venue-Business-Boot-Camp-61579734955499/

On this week’s episode of the Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with AI and marketing expert Gal Borenstein to discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence on business, trust, and the wedding industry. Gal explains how AI is reshaping the way companies market, communicate, and generate leads, while also creating new challenges around credibility and consumer trust.Gal shares practical insights for businesses that are just getting started with AI tools, where AI is most effective in CRM systems and lead generation, and why emotional intelligence will become even more valuable in tech-driven industries. He also dives into the rapid pace of innovation and how major companies like Google and HubSpot are being challenged by the next wave of AI technology. Gal shares forward-thinking strategies and real-world applications for venue owners, entrepreneurs, and business leaders looking to stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.About Our Guest: Gal Borenstein is the Founder and CEO of The Borenstein Group, a strategic branding and communications firm specializing in technology, defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and professional services. With more than 30 years of experience, he has helped startups and established companies strengthen their market positioning, build brand credibility, and grow in highly competitive industries.He is a recognized expert in digital branding, AI-driven marketing, and reputation management, Borenstein advises executives on building trust, transparency, and resilience in the digital age. He is also the author of Don’t Believe the Hype, which explores trust erosion in the digital and AI age, along with Beating Goliath with AI, ACTIVATE!, and What Really Counts for CEOs. These works highlight trust as a strategic advantage amid technological disruption and information overload.Find Him Here: Website: https://www.borensteingroup.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borensteingroup/?_rdrX: https://x.com/BorensteinGroupLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galborensteinexecutiveprofile

In this week’s episode of The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Raina Moskowitz, CEO of The Knot Worldwide, for a data-driven conversation every venue owner should hear. Raina shares practical strategies backed by real insights to help wedding and event venues attract higher-quality leads and convert more inquiries into bookings. She discusses what’s working right now to improve response rates and how recent updates to WeddingPro like the “Close the Loop” tool are changing the way venues connect with couples. She explains why the quality of leads matters more than volume, and what venues can do to strengthen both, while also breaking down the impact of storefront optimization, from pricing transparency to reviews, on today’s booking decisions. She also explores how evolving consumer behavior especially across social media, AI, and emerging technologies like LLMs is reshaping the wedding industry and what venues need to do to stay competitive.About Our Guest: Raina Moskowitz has served as Chief Executive Officer of The Knot Worldwide since 2025. She brings extensive experience leading high-performing teams across operations, marketing, and strategy within global consumer and technology companies.Prior to joining The Knot Worldwide, Moskowitz was Chief Operating and Marketing Officer at Etsy, where she oversaw Strategy and Operations, Marketing, Member Services, Trust & Safety, International, and Impact. During her tenure, she played a key role in driving growth, strengthening customer engagement, and scaling the company’s global marketplace.Earlier in her career, Moskowitz led U.S. customer marketing at American Express, where she was responsible for customer growth, loyalty, and retention. She also held several leadership roles spanning product development and corporate strategy. Since 2020, Moskowitz has served on the board of directors of Sprout Social (Nasdaq: SPT). She is also a board member of Tech:NYC, where she supports initiatives that foster a thriving and inclusive technology ecosystem. Moskowitz is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.Find Her Here: Website: https://www.theknotww.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rainamoskowitz

On this week's episode of The Venue RX podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Mark Mallchok, Senior Event Strategist at Brella Productions, for a behind-the-scenes look at the corporate events world. With 34 years of experience, Mark shares how Brella approaches end-to-end event optimization and builds strong, lasting partnerships that drive successful events. Mark dives into what corporate planners are really looking for when selecting unique venues and offsite locations, and why flexibility and transparency can make or break your chances of securing corporate business. He provides actionable insights for venue owners and event professionals, including common pitfalls like inaccurate capacity charts, outdated floorplans, and hidden fees that can quickly turn clients away. He also explores the growing importance of hybrid events and what venues need to do to stay competitive in an evolving landscape.About Our Guest: Mark Mallchok is a Senior Event Strategist and Executive Producer specializing in event and video projects, with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He focuses on creating meaningful audience engagement through strategic storytelling and the development of impactful sales, marketing, and training materials. His work spans a diverse range of clients, including healthcare organizations, educational publishers, agencies, and in-house corporate communications teams, with deep expertise across verticals such as pharmaceutical and medical, green businesses, heavy industry, food, and education.Mark’s specialties include public speaking, live and virtual event production, visual and interactive creative direction, video and film direction, digital photography, and virtual meeting strategy. Known for his versatility and problem-solving mindset, he brings a comprehensive, creative, and results-driven approach to every project he leads.Find Him Here: Website: brella.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brellammFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrellaProductions/?fref=nfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brellaprod/

In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Shawn Trznade, Christopher Hart, and Ares Blessios, the founders of Seated with Love, a venue management platform built to support venue owners and streamline operations. Together, they discuss how Seated with Love is reshaping the wedding planning experience for both venues and couples by simplifying communication, organization, and overall workflow. They explain what the platform is and how it helps manage the planning process more efficiently, while also highlighting key features such as customizable wedding website templates, drag-and-drop seating charts, and seamless document sharing. They also dive into how the platform was developed to address common pain points based on real wedding planning experiences, and share insights into integrations, pricing, and revenue-sharing opportunities available to venues. They give us a practical look at how technology can enhance operations and improve the client experience in today’s wedding industry.About Our Guest: Seated With Love was founded by Shawn Trznade after experiencing firsthand how complicated and outdated the wedding planning process can be. What should have been a seamless experience was instead filled with scattered emails, spreadsheets, and manual tasks, making it difficult for venues and couples to stay organized. Recognizing this gap, Shawn set out to build a better solution designed specifically for wedding venues.Seated With Love brings structure and simplicity to the planning process by allowing venues to define their workflows once and apply them across every event, while giving couples a centralized portal to manage guest lists, seating charts, documents, and more. With a mission to modernize the wedding planning experience, the platform helps venues operate more efficiently while creating a smoother, more organized journey for couples from start to finish.Find Here: Website: https://seatedwithlove.com/Email: [email protected]