What Nobody Tells You About Starting a Venue

Connect, Learn, Implement, Grow: Inside Venue Nest

What if venue owners had one place to connect, learn, streamline their operations, and grow their business? In this episode, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith introduce Venue Nest and share the vision behind a platform designed specifically for venue owners and operators. Connect is the free Venue Nest community, created exclusively for venue owners and operators. Ashley and Kelsey explain how the platform helps owners connect with peers, ask questions, share wins, find collaboration opportunities, and access support from people who truly understand the challenges of running a venue. Unlike traditional social media groups, the community was intentionally built for venue owners and includes features designed to encourage meaningful connections and industry-specific conversations. Learn is Venue Nest University, the educational tier designed to help venue owners improve and grow their businesses. The platform includes lessons covering topics such as operations, sales, leadership, hiring, automations, and other practical aspects of venue management. Ashley and Kelsey discuss how the courses are built from real-world venue ownership experience and are designed to provide actionable steps owners can implement immediately. Implement is Venue Nest's venue-specific software platform. Built exclusively for venues, it combines tools for communication, automations, contracts, payments, layouts, and client management into one system. Ashley and Kelsey share how the software was designed to simplify operations, reduce overwhelm, and give venue owners greater clarity and confidence in running their businesses. Grow is the final tier, focused on done-for-you marketing. Designed for venue owners who are ready to scale, this service provides venue-specific advertising support to help attract more couples, generate leads, and continue growing their business without adding more work to their plate. Whether you're exploring venue ownership, opening your first venue, or looking for the next step in growing an established business, this episode offers a complete overview of how Venue Nest helps venue owners connect, learn, implement, and grow. 00:00 Introduction to Venue Nest 03:19 The Venue Nest Community 07:35 The Structure of Venue Nest 09:37 Venue Nest University 13:02 The Venue Nest Software 18:34 Meeting You Where You Are Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup Follow Us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest Website https://www.venuenest.com/

Trust the Process: Navigating the Rollercoaster of Opening a Wedding Venue

Building a venue is exciting, but what does it actually take to turn an idea into a thriving business? Before the first booking, there are business plans to write, funding to secure, city approvals to navigate, and countless decisions that can make aspiring venue owners question whether they're on the right path. In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith share essential advice for new and aspiring venue owners. They discuss creating a solid business plan, conducting market research, securing capital, navigating commercial lending and city ordinances, and building a team rooted in strong core values. Ashley and Kelsey also explore practical hiring strategies, marketing a venue that doesn't yet exist, and using storytelling, social media, and community trust to attract future clients. Whether you're building, buying, renovating, or simply dreaming about owning a venue, their message is simple: stay persistent, trust the process, and keep moving forward. Through Venue Nest, they aim to create a supportive community where venue owners can connect, learn, and feel less alone in the challenges of building and growing a venue business. 00:00 Advice for New Entrepreneurs 01:54 The Business Plan and Market Research 04:09 Presenting to Investors 07:09 Defining Company Values 10:09 Effective Hiring Practices 12:28 The Challenges of Building a Venue 17:18 Selling a Venue That Doesn't Exist Yet 20:40 Building Trust and Community Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup Follow Us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest Website https://www.venuenest.com/

Why So Many Venue Owners Feel Alone

Running a venue can look glamorous from the outside, but behind every booked event are sleepless nights, financial pressure, difficult decisions, and the constant challenge of balancing business and personal life. From putting everything on the line financially to missing important family moments, venue ownership often comes with sacrifices that few people see. In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith open up about the emotional realities of building and growing a venue business. They share personal stories about the isolation of entrepreneurship, the pressure of making payroll and mortgage payments, and the struggle of balancing motherhood, family, and work. Together, they discuss the importance of building a supportive team, setting healthy boundaries, and embracing community over competition. Through Venue Nest, they aim to create a supportive community where venue owners can connect, learn, and feel less alone in the challenges of building and growing a venue business. Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup Follow Us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest Website https://www.venuenest.com/

The Hidden Side of Running a Venue

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith dive into the realities of venue ownership and the unexpected challenges that come with it. They share candid stories from behind the scenes, including handling a severe allergic reaction, managing an out-of-control intoxicated guest, navigating difficult client situations, and learning from mistakes along the way. Ashley and Kelsey discuss how setbacks, bad reviews, and stressful moments are inevitable, but how venue owners respond can shape both the client experience and their brand. Through Venue Nest, they aim to create a supportive community where venue owners can connect, learn, and feel less alone in the challenges of building and growing a venue business. Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup Follow Us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest Website https://www.venuenest.com/

What Nobody Tells You About Starting a Venue

In the first episode of the Venue Nest podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith share the story behind their journey into the venue industry. Ashley shares how starting a small catering business with her husband eventually led to becoming a venue owner and building their first event venue. Kelsey first entered the story as a client and later joined the team as venue director at just 19 years old, helping bring an unfinished vision to life. After taking different paths professionally, they eventually reunited and are now growing multiple venues together. The Venue Nest Podcast is where real venue owners come to feel less alone, get clear on what’s actually working, and learn how to run a profitable, organized, and experience-driven venue without the overwhelm. Through Venue Nest, they aim to create a supportive community where venue owners can connect, learn, and feel less alone in the challenges of building and growing a venue business. 00:00 Introduction to the Venue Nest Podcast 02:55 The First Catering Gig 05:47 The Idea for a Venue is Born 08:15 Kelsey Becomes Venue Director 12:02 Selling a Vision, Not a Building 17:56 The Birth of Venue Nest Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup Follow Us Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572069806041&ref=PROFILE_EDIT_xav_ig_profile_page_web# YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest Website https://www.venuenest.com/