Covid has had such a detrimental impact on economies and small businesses around the world. Today, I wanted to talk about how we can change our thinking to help us adapt to the pandemic and ensure our businesses thrive. 

Melanie James is an amazing business owner with a background in event management across major sporting events, such as The Australian Open, and entertaining acts for the likes of Sia and Paul McCartney. Harnessing her knowledge and experience, Melanie created her own wedding planning company, Mellyrain Events, which offers planning, styling, and coordination. 

As you can imagine, Covid has had an enormous impact on the wedding industry, with lockdowns and restrictions causing countless postponements and cancellations. Melanie hasn’t let this stop her because, with her positive mindset and determination, she made sure she didn’t just survive these limitations, she has even managed to thrive! 

Melanie joined the Modern Marketing Collective when her business was younger. She shares the lessons she has learned through the course and how it has become a cheerleader to the amazing business she has built. 

We discuss how she has adapted her business and services to the Covid restrictions and lockdowns. When customer needs changed, Melanie found ways to support her customers through new services, products, and programs. She has even created a new wedding postponement kit that suppliers in the industry are recommending to all of their clients! 

I encourage you to listen to Melanie and find inspiration through her creative solutions and her determination to succeed.

Topics discussed and where to find them:

[2:50]: Melanie explains the services she offers in her Mellyrain Events business based in Melbourne, Victoria. 

[3:50]: Melanie shares how her business began and how she obtained her very first clients.

[7:31]: Melanie explains the different services and revenue streams she has in her business. 

[9:59]: When she joined the Modern Marketing Collective, she audited her services and tailored them down to 3 services. 

[11:49]: Keep the language very simple in her product packages to not overwhelm clients. 

[13:02]: Developing an understanding of what her business was offering and her brand. She learned that looking at other businesses in her field was not working or rang true to her own mission. 

[14:50]: The Modern Marketing Collective course has been Melanie’s cheerleader to create what she has built. 

[16:24]: She creates a personalised factor with clients through being open on Instagram to develop a sense of trust before they even meet. 

[17:50]: Melanie had no idea how to convert leads to sales (or even what a lead is). 

[20:10]: Covid has significantly impacted the wedding industry. Melanie could no longer meet with clients one on one or coordinate large weddings. She tried not to dwell on the negative, remain positive, and search for ways to adapt. Started looking at micro weddings and elopements and incorporated regional Victoria. 

[24:00]: Being really present is really important on social media. Melanie posted really important content that is very valid for the time and what is going on and was not afraid to show her personality. 

[26:49]: Melanie’s online program is about creating a wedding plan from scratch. Then as a response to the restrictions and lockdowns, she created a wedding postponement support kit for clients. 

[29:47]: Melanie shares her advice to herself in the beginning of her business – try not to overthink.

[31:00]: Where to find Melanie.

LINKS:

Instagram: @mellyrain_events

Facebook: @mellyrainevents

Website: Home | Wedding Planner & Stylist | Australia (mellyrainevents.com)