Know Your Tribe

I’ve had a few little sayings that have followed me on this journey of owning my own business – I’ve told you all about “Baby bird, you’ve gotta fly” – and that’s still probably the mantra of my life from this point forward.  My second favorite? Know your tribe.  You’ve heard me say it before, and I’ll continue to say it now – from a business stand point?  Know who your customer is and how to reach them.  Know the businesses that you can lean on for support or network with to better each other and create a sense of community.  From a personal standpoint? Love on those around you and find the ones who love you back.

Photo by Nikki Santerre

I think there’s a misconception about the wedding industry amongst the wedding industry.  I’ve had a lot of thoughts about it lately, and I’ve been trying to put it into words, and I think I finally was able to figure it out.  There is SUCH a worry about competition, when it’s really just about community.  Knowing who your people are and sticking with them.  Being unafraid when it comes to meeting new people, going to a new group that you don’t normally hang with, or meeting someone new in your field.  Encouraging one another to be bigger and better than you were today and yesterday.

Photo by EyeCaptures Photography

There is an unspoken truth whenever you talk about there being a big group: cliques.  They’ll exist.  We’re all part of one, and if we’re not, we wish that we were in one.  So long as your “clique” doesn’t exclude anyone, that’s okay.  You should have people that are your people.  I know who I go to in this industry when I need encouragement.  I know who I go to in this industry when I need to laugh.  I know who I go to when I want to bounce my creative ideas off of someone.  I know who to call when I’ve had the worst day and just need a little ray of sunshine in my life.

Photo by Leigh Skaggs Photography

Photo by Michael & Carina

Photo by EyeCaptures Photography

There’s this term that a lot of us use – we call each other “friendors” – which, in theory, means friends, but also vendors.  While I can respect that some people love that term, sometimes it’s just about being friends.  I also know that those people that I go to when I need something aren’t “friendors” – they’re just friends, that also happen to be wedding vendors.  I think we’ve all got a few of those, and that’s why we all love working in this industry so much.

Photo by Dragon Studio from the International Live Events Association Gala 2016

I believe in building things organically.  I believe in reaching your social platform in a way that people respond to.  Engagement is crucial for marketing, but it’s also important in life.  Don’t make surface friendships and relationships and expect those to build your business.  Know that there are people who genuinely want to know you without a hidden agenda.  Find your tribe.  Find your ideal client.  Work to be better for those around you and for your industry.

*PS* My tribe is much bigger than the group you see above.  I’m super lucky to have a big network of people from all the different groups in the industry to love on – I just may not have photos of us together <3 Plus, this post would get intensely photo-heavy if I did!

So who is your tribe?  Who is that person that will text you at 1am to chat because they’re up working?  Who’s the person you can go to for advice? Are you adding people to that circle, and including others in the fun things that you’re doing?  Go to so many things.  Join an organization. Get to know the people in the events world.  You won’t regret it.  You may even find some of the best friends ever.