The Venue Nest Podcast Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:00:01 -0400 en-us © 2026 The Venue Nest Podcast yes 7f309475-11d9-5d54-81fd-0486e35964ff Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith episodic false 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.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith https://storage.buzzsprout.com/p2e5u4dun43dd5atqhshqfff23mu?.jpg The Venue Nest Podcast Wedding Venue Marketing That Actually Gets You Bookings Wedding Venue Marketing That Actually Gets You Bookings In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith reveal why some wedding venues thrive while others struggle to get noticed. They explain why visibility is now the currency of the wedding industry and how venue owners can adapt to today's digital landscape using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You'll learn why authentic, behind-the-scenes content often outperforms polished marketing, how to repurpose content across multiple platforms, use location tags and strong hooks to reach the right audience, and even leverage AI to generate content ideas. The biggest takeaway? Consistency, not perfection, is what drives long-term growth.

If you're a wedding venue owner looking to increase visibility, attract more qualified couples, and book more weddings, this episode is full of practical marketing strategies you can start using today. For a deeper dive into venue marketing, be sure to check out Venue Nest University.


00:00 Introduction to Venue Marketing
02:54 The Evolution of Venue Marketing
04:25 Repurposing Content Across Platforms
07:02 Overcoming Perfectionism
11:31 Targeting the Right Audience
13:18 The Power of a Good Hook
14:47 Understanding Viewer Psychology
17:16 How to Stay Current with Trends
19:27 Consistency is Key


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Website https://www.venuenest.com/

]]> In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith reveal why some wedding venues thrive while others struggle to get noticed. They explain why visibility is now the currency of the wedding industry and how venue owners can adapt to today's digital landscape using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You'll learn why authentic, behind-the-scenes content often outperforms polished marketing, how to repurpose content across multiple platforms, use location tags and strong hooks to reach the right audience, and even leverage AI to generate content ideas. The biggest takeaway? Consistency, not perfection, is what drives long-term growth.

If you're a wedding venue owner looking to increase visibility, attract more qualified couples, and book more weddings, this episode is full of practical marketing strategies you can start using today. For a deeper dive into venue marketing, be sure to check out Venue Nest University.


00:00 Introduction to Venue Marketing
02:54 The Evolution of Venue Marketing
04:25 Repurposing Content Across Platforms
07:02 Overcoming Perfectionism
11:31 Targeting the Right Audience
13:18 The Power of a Good Hook
14:47 Understanding Viewer Psychology
17:16 How to Stay Current with Trends
19:27 Consistency is Key


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
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest
Website https://www.venuenest.com/

]]> Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19569900 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1310 full false Why Every Wedding Venue Needs a Venue Director Why Every Wedding Venue Needs a Venue Director If you're afraid no one will care about your venue as much as you do, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith explore why hiring a venue director can be the turning point for a growing wedding venue. They explain the difference between a venue coordinator and a venue director, share their proven hiring process, reveal the qualities they look for in strong leaders, and answer the biggest concerns venue owners have, including "What if they leave?" and "No one will love my venue like I do." Whether you're hoping to scale from 50 to 150 weddings a year or simply step away from the day-to-day without sacrificing your client experience, this episode offers practical leadership and hiring strategies to help you build a stronger, more sustainable venue business.

If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and start building a team that can carry your vision forward, this episode is a great place to start. Be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Venue Nest community for more practical advice to help you grow your venue with confidence.


00:00 Introduction
01:08 What is a Venue Director?
02:25 Venue Director vs. Venue Coordinator
05:32 Finding and Filtering Candidates
07:40 The Problem with Traditional Hiring
09:57 Implementing a Video Application Requirement
12:15 Qualities of a Great Venue Director
17:41 Objection: "It's Easier If I Do It Myself"
19:58 Objection: "What If They Leave?"
22:20 Episode Wrap-Up and Call to Action


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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest

]]> If you're afraid no one will care about your venue as much as you do, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith explore why hiring a venue director can be the turning point for a growing wedding venue. They explain the difference between a venue coordinator and a venue director, share their proven hiring process, reveal the qualities they look for in strong leaders, and answer the biggest concerns venue owners have, including "What if they leave?" and "No one will love my venue like I do." Whether you're hoping to scale from 50 to 150 weddings a year or simply step away from the day-to-day without sacrificing your client experience, this episode offers practical leadership and hiring strategies to help you build a stronger, more sustainable venue business.

If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck in your business and start building a team that can carry your vision forward, this episode is a great place to start. Be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Venue Nest community for more practical advice to help you grow your venue with confidence.


00:00 Introduction
01:08 What is a Venue Director?
02:25 Venue Director vs. Venue Coordinator
05:32 Finding and Filtering Candidates
07:40 The Problem with Traditional Hiring
09:57 Implementing a Video Application Requirement
12:15 Qualities of a Great Venue Director
17:41 Objection: "It's Easier If I Do It Myself"
19:58 Objection: "What If They Leave?"
22:20 Episode Wrap-Up and Call to Action


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
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest

]]> Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19532225 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1406 full false Turning Overwhelm into Opportunity: A Venue Owner’s Guide to Scaling Smart Turning Overwhelm into Opportunity: A Venue Owner’s Guide to Scaling Smart Feeling overwhelmed as a venue owner? It might not be a time problem. It might be a systems problem.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith share why so many venue owners become the biggest bottleneck in their own business. They break down three practical ways to reduce overwhelm, including brain dumping every role you handle, creating canned responses for repetitive questions, and mapping out your client journey. They also explain why documenting your processes makes it easier to delegate, protect your business, and create more freedom without sacrificing the experience you provide.

If you're ready to spend less time putting out fires and more time growing your venue, this episode is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Venue Nest community for more practical strategies to help you build a thriving venue business.


00:00 Introduction
03:37 You Are the Bottleneck
05:01 Documenting Processes to Create Freedom
08:47 The Many Hats of a Venue Owner
10:16 The Power of Transparency
13:24 Tip 1: Identify and Offload Roles
14:25 Tip 2: Use Canned Responses and Automation
18:26 Tip 3: Define Your Client Journey Stages
20:21 A Resource for Venue Owners


Join our free community! https://live.venuenest.com/signup

Follow Us
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/venuenest
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest
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]]> Feeling overwhelmed as a venue owner? It might not be a time problem. It might be a systems problem.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith share why so many venue owners become the biggest bottleneck in their own business. They break down three practical ways to reduce overwhelm, including brain dumping every role you handle, creating canned responses for repetitive questions, and mapping out your client journey. They also explain why documenting your processes makes it easier to delegate, protect your business, and create more freedom without sacrificing the experience you provide.

If you're ready to spend less time putting out fires and more time growing your venue, this episode is for you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and join the Venue Nest community for more practical strategies to help you build a thriving venue business.


00:00 Introduction
03:37 You Are the Bottleneck
05:01 Documenting Processes to Create Freedom
08:47 The Many Hats of a Venue Owner
10:16 The Power of Transparency
13:24 Tip 1: Identify and Offload Roles
14:25 Tip 2: Use Canned Responses and Automation
18:26 Tip 3: Define Your Client Journey Stages
20:21 A Resource for Venue Owners


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

]]> Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19497926 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1314 full false How Can Sales Strategies Transform Your Wedding Venue Business? How Can Sales Strategies Transform Your Wedding Venue Business? Want to book more weddings and convert more venue tours into bookings? The secret might not be better selling. It might be better listening.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith sit down with Venue Nest partner Matt, a wedding venue owner, investor, and former high-ticket sales leader. Matt shares proven sales strategies for wedding venues, including how to build trust during venue tours, use transparent pricing to attract the right couples, improve tour-to-booking conversions, and create a client experience that feels helpful instead of pushy.

He also explains how venue owners can increase profitability, generate more qualified leads, and build systems that make a venue business easier to scale or sell. Whether you're a venue owner, venue director, or wedding venue entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you book more weddings and grow a more profitable venue business.


00:00 Matt's Background in High-Ticket Sales
02:06 Why Wedding Venues are a Great Investment
05:37 Preparing Your Venue for Sale
09:57 The 80% Rule for Delegation
13:35 Building Trust with Couples on Tours
17:35 What Separates Successful Venues
21:20 Common Mistakes During Venue Tours


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
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest
Website https://www.venuenest.com/

]]> Want to book more weddings and convert more venue tours into bookings? The secret might not be better selling. It might be better listening.

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith sit down with Venue Nest partner Matt, a wedding venue owner, investor, and former high-ticket sales leader. Matt shares proven sales strategies for wedding venues, including how to build trust during venue tours, use transparent pricing to attract the right couples, improve tour-to-booking conversions, and create a client experience that feels helpful instead of pushy.

He also explains how venue owners can increase profitability, generate more qualified leads, and build systems that make a venue business easier to scale or sell. Whether you're a venue owner, venue director, or wedding venue entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you book more weddings and grow a more profitable venue business.


00:00 Matt's Background in High-Ticket Sales
02:06 Why Wedding Venues are a Great Investment
05:37 Preparing Your Venue for Sale
09:57 The 80% Rule for Delegation
13:35 Building Trust with Couples on Tours
17:35 What Separates Successful Venues
21:20 Common Mistakes During Venue Tours


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
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest
Website https://www.venuenest.com/

]]> Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19464138 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1466 full false Why Every Venue Owner Needs Better Systems Why Every Venue Owner Needs Better Systems Starting a wedding venue is exciting, but the reality of running one can look very different than expected. From becoming the plumber and maintenance person to building systems that actually allow a venue to grow, the journey requires more than just loving weddings. In this episode of the Venue Nest Podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith sit down with Braden, a Venue Nest partner and multi-venue operator, to talk about his journey from real estate investing to scaling wedding venues. Braden shares the challenges of starting from scratch, creating systems, hiring the right venue directors, managing managers, and finding the balance between collaboration and competition in the venue industry. He also explains how those experiences helped shape Venue Nest into a platform built for venue owners and operators. 00:00 The Reality of Venue Ownership 02:13 Braden's Entry into the Wedding Industry 05:58 Hiring the First Venue Director 07:44 Advice for Overwhelmed New Owners 09:43 The Search for the Right Software 11:05 The Creation of Venue Nest 14:38 What Separates Venue Nest 16:00 The Challenges of Managing Managers 20:08 Outro 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 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest Website https://www.venuenest.com/ Venue Nest Podcast https://www.venuenest.com/podcast


]]> Starting a wedding venue is exciting, but the reality of running one can look very different than expected. From becoming the plumber and maintenance person to building systems that actually allow a venue to grow, the journey requires more than just loving weddings. In this episode of the Venue Nest Podcast, hosts Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith sit down with Braden, a Venue Nest partner and multi-venue operator, to talk about his journey from real estate investing to scaling wedding venues. Braden shares the challenges of starting from scratch, creating systems, hiring the right venue directors, managing managers, and finding the balance between collaboration and competition in the venue industry. He also explains how those experiences helped shape Venue Nest into a platform built for venue owners and operators. 00:00 The Reality of Venue Ownership 02:13 Braden's Entry into the Wedding Industry 05:58 Hiring the First Venue Director 07:44 Advice for Overwhelmed New Owners 09:43 The Search for the Right Software 11:05 The Creation of Venue Nest 14:38 What Separates Venue Nest 16:00 The Challenges of Managing Managers 20:08 Outro 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 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest Website https://www.venuenest.com/ Venue Nest Podcast https://www.venuenest.com/podcast


]]> Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19431667 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1255 full false Turning Passion into Profit: Essential Steps for Wedding Venue Owners Ready to Grow Turning Passion into Profit: Essential Steps for Wedding Venue Owners Ready to Grow Scaling a venue business takes more than just booking more events. It requires the right people, systems, and mindset to move from simply owning a venue to building a sustainable business. In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith are joined by Alex, a Venue Nest partner and venue owner, to discuss the journey of growing a venue business. Alex shares how he went from seeing venues as a simple cash-flow opportunity to understanding the complexity of operations, staffing, maintenance, cash flow, and scaling across multiple locations. They discuss the importance of knowing your numbers, building strong teams, creating systems before expanding, delegating responsibilities, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Alex also shares insights on moving from one venue to multiple venues, the challenges of growth, and why community and collaboration are essential in an industry where many owners feel alone. Through Venue Nest, they aim to help venue owners connect, learn, save time, and build businesses that can grow beyond just the day-to-day operations. 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Alex's Entry into the Wedding Industry 04:57 Scaling to Multiple Venues 07:43 Advice for Buying a Second Venue 09:10 The Emotional Toll on Venue Owners 11:17 The Purpose of Venue Nest 13:50 When and How to Hire Staff 18:01 The Myth of Weekday Weddings 19:18 Final Advice on Growth 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 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest Website https://www.venuenest.com/ Venue Nest Podcast https://www.venuenest.com/podcast



]]> Scaling a venue business takes more than just booking more events. It requires the right people, systems, and mindset to move from simply owning a venue to building a sustainable business. In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith are joined by Alex, a Venue Nest partner and venue owner, to discuss the journey of growing a venue business. Alex shares how he went from seeing venues as a simple cash-flow opportunity to understanding the complexity of operations, staffing, maintenance, cash flow, and scaling across multiple locations. They discuss the importance of knowing your numbers, building strong teams, creating systems before expanding, delegating responsibilities, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Alex also shares insights on moving from one venue to multiple venues, the challenges of growth, and why community and collaboration are essential in an industry where many owners feel alone. Through Venue Nest, they aim to help venue owners connect, learn, save time, and build businesses that can grow beyond just the day-to-day operations. 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Alex's Entry into the Wedding Industry 04:57 Scaling to Multiple Venues 07:43 Advice for Buying a Second Venue 09:10 The Emotional Toll on Venue Owners 11:17 The Purpose of Venue Nest 13:50 When and How to Hire Staff 18:01 The Myth of Weekday Weddings 19:18 Final Advice on Growth 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 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@venue.nest Website https://www.venuenest.com/ Venue Nest Podcast https://www.venuenest.com/podcast



]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19399145 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:00:00 -0600 1277 full false Connect, Learn, Implement, Grow: Inside Venue Nest 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/

]]> 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/

]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19360984 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1320 full false Trust the Process: Navigating the Rollercoaster of Opening a Wedding Venue 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/



]]> 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/



]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19323961 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1405 full false Why So Many Venue Owners Feel Alone 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/


]]> 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/


]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19288744 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1122 full false The Hidden Side of Running a Venue 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
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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/venuenest
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VenueNest
Website https://www.venuenest.com/


]]> 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/


]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19246948 Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1369 full false What Nobody Tells You About Starting a Venue 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/



]]> 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/



]]> Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19210470 Wed, 20 May 2026 11:00:00 -0600 1278 full false Trailer Trailer Ashley Shepherd + Kelsey Smith Buzzsprout-19176413 Thu, 14 May 2026 08:00:00 -0600 73 full false