We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful McKenna Shano. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with McKenna below.
McKenna, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
This is something I think most business owners struggle with. There are so many ways to play the comparison game with with people in your industry and it can be a big punch to your self esteem if you let yourself go down that hole of comparing yourself and your company to others in field. Some things I have done to overcome imposter syndrome throughout my years as a planner is I dont follow many other wedding planners on social media. If I follow any, it is people who are not in the same region as me, therefore we dont go for the same targeted clients and they aren’t a “competitor” or someone I really could compare myself to. Another thing that has helped me is switching my mindset. Every single one of my client find me, I dont go out and search for clients. They find me and book me because they simply love my work and they see my value and potential. I think imposter syndrome creeps up on me still from time to time, but I think it is normal in a world full of social media and it is very easy to compare yourself to others. My advice is to not go down the rabbit hole of looking up your competitors and to just put your very best work out there. Your clients are your clients for a reason and they see your value and talent and that in itself is more than enough.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I absolutely am in love with what I do. It is truly an honor to be a part of such a special day in someones life. When I opened McKenna Katherine Weddings almost 5 years ago I had no idea it would turn into what it is today. I have planned over 400 weddings and been able to witness some of the most amazing love stories. One of my favorite parts of being a wedding planner is getting to see the entire day come together, from that very first vision board to the final production makes me giddy and filled with joy. Our goal at McKenna Katherine Weddings is to make the entire wedding planning process as easy and stress free as we can for our couples. It is often said that wedding planning can be stressful and most people want to just get it over with. However, we strive for it to be quite the opposite and for it to be something our couples can enjoy and for them to be able to be present in this engagement season they are in.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back I would say I have always been a very creative and organized person. I was always that girl who had her schedule planned out way in advance and constantly had my planner with me at all times. I loved doing projects growing up and have always had such a love for fashion and design. I was often told I was “bossy” as a kid and guess what? That is one of the qualities you need to have to be a business owner so it did work out in my favor. Being a leader and able to delegate without feeling uncomfortable is huge, it might make you feel out of your comfort zone when you need to have difficult conversations or ask people to do certain tasks but it is a main skill you need to have to be able to run a successful business. Some advice I have for people who are early on in their journey is to take the talents you already have and let them work in your favor. For awhile it was so hard for me to see what my talents were but when you start to do more successful weddings or hit business goals you gain a confidence and knowledge that you have had these talents all along and you just had to see them to fruition.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always looking for business and people to collaborate and network with! One of the best things I have ever done for my company was get out there and network from the very very beginning. Relationships and word of mouth are what keep my company alive. The wedding industry can be partnered with so many different businesses. You have your typical wedding vendors; photographers, DJ’s, florists, caterers, etc. But we also collab with businesses in the beauty industry, health and wellness industry, fashion and design, it goes on and on! The best way to reach out for collaboration with McKenna Katherine Weddings is through email or instagram DM. We are always looking for ways to expand and grow our business and connections and collaboration is the best way to do so. We would love to partner and work alongside likeminded business entrepreneurs out there and support one another in the best ways we can!
Contact Info:
- Website: mckennakatherineweddings.com
- Instagram: @mckennakatherineweddings
