Recorded live on location at White House Custom Colour, Erica discusses how she turned a sale that didn't go as planned into a chance to build trust, confidence and clients that come back again and again

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

Ben and I are renovating our home, and part of that includes picking out a fireplace (hurray!).
We thought it would be simple—walk into a store, pick one out, order. But instead, we had three wildly different experiences. And by the end, I realized this had everything to do with what’s working in sales right now in 2025.
Quick summary:
Store #1: all the friendly chit-chat, but we left without answers
Store #2: bombarded us with pushy sales tactics (eww)
Store #3: the expert who guided us with clarity and confidence, making the decision easy.
Guess who got our business?
This same dynamic is happening in the wedding industry right now. Clients don’t want to be sold to. They don’t need a new best friend. They need an expert guide—someone who knows exactly what they want before they do and makes booking a no-brainer.
If you’ve been feeling like couples aren’t moving forward, or you’re losing them to cheaper options, this episode is for you. I break down:
✔ The key mistake most are making in sales (without realizing it) ✔ What today’s clients actually need to feel confident booking ✔ How to be the “just right” choice—without pressure or discounting

When you show up as the trusted expert, couples won’t just book you—they’ll refer you before they’ve even signed the contract. That’s what’s working in 2025.

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

Have you ever felt stuck in a routine that doesn’t align with the life you truly want—like you’re just getting by instead of thriving?

That was me in 2013.
At that time, my hubby Ben was grinding away, spending 60+ hours a week away from our family (baby boy #2 had just arrived on the scene!) for a career he didn’t love. It was a “wake up - go to work - go to sleep - repeat” kind of life that we knew wasn’t for us.
But change requires action.
And for us, that meant figuring out how to turn my “glorified hobby” into a real business—that could replace Ben’s salary, cover health insurance, and give us the freedom to not just survive, but to live a life that excites us.
We set a huge, slightly terrifying goal: add $150,000 to our revenue in 12 months.
At first, it felt kind of impossible…until we broke it down:
$150K in a year became 30 weddings at $5K each
30 weddings meant booking just 2.5 per month
Suddenly, it wasn’t about how to leave a “stable” job but how to book a few more clients each month
I worked harder than ever that year…but in July of 2014, Ben handed in his notice and we stepped into the life we’d dreamed of.
This journey wasn’t just about money—it was about creating time, freedom, and the ability to be present for our family. It’s about showing up for the moments that matter most.
Here’s the thing: achieving your vision doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It starts with clarity on what you truly want and a step-by-step plan to get there. When you break down big goals into actionable pieces, they stop feeling impossible.
If this story sparks something in you—a vision for your own life or business—know that it’s possible. Whether your goal is to hit a financial milestone, redefine your work-life balance, or simply dream bigger, I’m here to help.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Successful Creatives podcast to hear the behind the scenes on how I “manifested” an additional $150,000 in 12 months, so that you can make your dreams a reality now.
Let’s make this year the one where everything changes.

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

In this episode, we break down actionable strategies to manifest your biggest goals and transform your life in 2025. Learn how to create a clear vision that aligns with your most authentic desires and craft a specific plan to achieve them without compromising on your values or overworking.

Here, we cover the vital steps needed to bring your vision to reality, including setting precise goals, breaking them down into manageable tasks, and maintaining a belief in your unique potential. Whether it's breaking free from a career that doesn't fulfill you or creating a more joyful work-life balance, this episode provides a structured approach to manifesting real change.

Head to thesuccessfulcreatives.com/successplan to create your 2025 plan today!

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

Imagine it’s breakfast time.

You wake up starving and head to the kitchen to make some eggs and toast, but you’re sleep deprived and forget to turn on the burner. The eggs don’t cook.

When you finally realize, you turn on the burner and after an extra long time, the eggs are ready…not awesome, but edible. And the toast is cold.

Think of a sales system as a pre-heated pan, with the burner on just the right temperature.
Drop an egg (or in this case, your lead) onto that sizzling surface, and it cooks up perfectly every time.

A sales system heats things up before clients even walk in, showing off your value and building desire in a clear, repeatable way.

I share the story of how focusing on my sales system—without changing my website, portfolio, or client experience—brought me an additional $38,000 in one year! I also unpack why every business needs this setup first. From standing out in a sea of ads to raising perceived expertise, a good sales system builds desire and guides clients smoothly to a ‘yes’ without discounts or endless persuasion.

Tune in to learn how this approach shifts your business from struggling over every price point to confidently showcasing your worth. And if you’re ready to set up this sales system shortcut and skyrocket your results, Super Attractor Academy is open for you! Doors are open, but only until 11/16!

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

In this episode, we explore a common pitfall for many wedding vendors: the relentless chase for more leads. We challenge the traditional notion that more leads are the key to growing your business and examine why this focus might be holding you back. With real-life examples and insights, learn why the quality of inquiries matters significantly more than quantity and how a strategic approach to bookings can transform your business efficiency.

We'll discuss how prioritizing your sales process and conversion rate can free up crucial time that could be better spent on your craft, clients, and family. See why investing in the right systems now can pay dividends by drastically reducing admin hours and improving client alignment without sacrificing your precious time or resorting to underpricing. Navigate common issues like ghosting, price shoppers, and the pressure of endless marketing with renewed clarity and strategy.

For more in-depth guidance, check out the free masterclass that breaks down my simple 2-step approach that booked 5 weddings in just 4 weeks, without chasing leads or discounting: https://the-ewings.com/otfb.

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

The industry has experienced "seismic shifts since 2023" according to Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot. Those who are successful are the ones who understand AND evolve with the market.

There’s a growing gap between creatives who are booking well and those who are struggling. 🥵

Why is this happening? Well, there are a few culprits at hand, namely:

• the economy - record inflation, election uncertainty…you know, you’re living it, too
  
  
  
• the “dating gap” - this one was so interesting to me! Couples typically get married 3.5 years after they’ve started dating. Think about life 3.5 years ago - we were in the middle of a global pandemic, social gatherings weren’t happening, bars were closed, dating was DOWN. So it makes sense there’d be a wedding gap 3.5 years later!
  
  
  
• the sheer amount of information and options available

But there’s a silver lining: budget predictions are actually up, for a total of $70 BILLION in revenue forecasted for the wedding industry in 2025. Experts are predicting 2.1 million weddings in the US alone.

So how can you capitalize on this?

My top 3 strategies to help you thrive in 2025:

1. Niche Down

Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, niche down within your specific industry.

CLARIFICATION: I don’t advocate niching into one TYPE of job if that’s not aligned with your goal…we photograph weddings, newborns and families because I love them all and the diversity helps with market fluctuations buuuut you can niche down within each job type.

For example, if you love vibrant, intimate celebrations in the mountains of Utah, make that your calling card. You’re not just a wedding photographer - now you have a “specialty.”

When you niche down, you get known for something. You’re an expert, and you’ll stand out in a crowded market.

2. Be specific in your messaging

Specific messaging is like a magnet to right-fit clients. Vague messaging gets overlooked…and most of the industry is stuck in vague messaging.

The most valuable way to be specific is to use your ideal client's actual words in your messaging.

For instance, if your ideal couple is family-oriented, reflect that in your messaging: "Our couples are so excited to celebrate with friends and family." This clarity will draw your right-fit clients in.

3. Take a “human-first” approach

The slow decisions they’re making have nothing to do with your worth; it’s a reflection of an oversaturated market.

They’re stressed, so be the one who makes it easy:

• Think about “WIIFM” - what’s in it for me (for them!).
• Break your info down into bite-sized, digestible pieces of information.
• Create a simple process that guides them from inquiry to consultation, and consultation to booking.
• IMPORTANT: focus only on what they need to know to take the next step.

Act as a guide and you’ll build trust while positioning yourself as the expert who can help them achieve their dream wedding.

Bottom line: with the predicted 2.1 million weddings for next year, there’s plenty of opportunity out there. Embrace the evolution and make 2025 your best year yet

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.

There are three essential systems every creative needs to run a business like a well-oiled machine.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this episode:

• How to build a pricing system that reflects the true value of your work and makes clients excited to invest
• Why a marketing system that targets the right clients is key to consistent bookings
• The power of a simple, repeatable sales system that converts nearly every inquiry into a booking

These three systems work together to create a business that runs smoothly, letting you focus on doing what you love while knowing you’ll always book the right clients.

Ready to dive deeper? Join the waitlist for Super Attractor Academy, where I’ll guide you step-by-step through a seamless booking process guaranteed to increase bookings and profitability.

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.