Today we’d like to introduce you to Yalonda Kay
Hi Yalonda. Can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Wedding planning & Bridal expos came about in 2017 after planning my wedding and seeing how planning a wedding and writing a business plan were similar. Having an MBA I’d written dozens of business plans and approached wedding planning in a similar fashion. Breaking down budget, location, team, etc.b When it came to finding vendors I hit a dead end. Wedding professionals who had the larger presence didn’t satisfy my requirements. On the other hand, the vendors that I found attractive had little to no presence in my community. Therein, I found an opportunity. So many hidden gems, such as dressmakers, caterers, entertainment venues, and officiants, went unnoticed. I wanted to shine the spotlight on St. Louis’ talent.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Whew! Not at all. Technology was a massive obstacle for the business. I developed and coded our app. We encountered an obstacle when the directory business listings were not being pulled from search engines, so I had to add each listing with details one by one manually. It stopped the company because we didn’t have enough listings to be competitive. That’s when I knew a team was needed. Building a team improved productivity, encouraged collaborations, and helped scale business.
I also found that there were businesses that would accept having a relationship with me as a consumer however when I approached them for business opportunities their tone change. This gave me drive and discernment.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Wedding Business Plan. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
The Wedding Business Plan offers an industry wedding vendor marketplace, which connects couples with local wedding professionals. Our marketplace and directory is central to our business. We want to empower couples to create unique celebrations for the moments most important to them. The difference in our directory and expos is the array of businesses we showcase. Example: You can find 19 year old designers and those that have 19 years of experience. We don’t have preferred vendors. We pride ourselves on connecting with diverse vendors to find the perfect ones for all couples. We also go beyond the big day with tools such as dating platforms for singles & a real estate search tool to find the perfect nest. We also offer our wedding expos which bring the directory to life! The expos allow couples to browse, compare and sample dozens of wedding professionals all at once. We want St. Louis’ vendors to use our platform to showcase their talents. We want St. Louis & surrounding area couples to see there are many creatives to choose from to assist with your special day. No matter how big or small, you can find something special on our site, from officiants to caterers and everything in between. You can use our tools, guides, and inspiration to make your journey effortless.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for years, before Covid and before it was trendy. Risk-taking comes with that territory. Uncertainty, potential loss, and the possibility of failure are there. But the possibility of winning outweighs all doubt. There is value in your creativity. Find your strategy. Remain consistent, confident and ethical. The reward is worth it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: The Wedding Business Plan
- Apple & Google App Store: The Wedding Business Plan
