Happy New Year, 2025!

This year is going to be incredible, and I’m starting it off strong! I had a relaxing New Year’s Eve with my family and am proud to say I woke up hangover-free and ready to crush my goals.

Over the past year, I made a major pivot in my life and business, all thanks to my amazing life and business coach, Xue Bravo. She has truly transformed the way I approach both my personal and professional life. Fun fact: I first met Xue when I photographed her for the cover of a magazine! She’s a Christian mom of four (younger than me!) and an inspiration in every way.

I’ve been diving headfirst into affiliate marketing, and the possibilities are endless. Huge shoutout to 17hats and Aftershoot for sponsoring this podcast and supporting my journey! Through affiliate digital marketing, I’ve discovered a path to passive income that has not only helped me but is also transforming the lives of wedding pros and creatives.

Want to know how I’m making $1k a day, all from my phone, working just 1–2 hours a day? Watch my 9-minute video—it’s a game-changer, and I know you can do it too! https://carissawoo.systeme.io/

Hot Topic of the Day:

“When You Prioritize Your Life, Your Business Grows Faster.”

Today, we’re unpacking this powerful concept and sharing actionable tips to help you strike the perfect balance between life and business.

Tune in now for inspiration, practical advice, and some exciting updates about what’s to come in 2025!

Connect with Xue https://www.instagram.com/lifeandbusinesswithxuebravo/

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

Episode 165 - When You Prioritize Your Life, Your Business Grows Faster Xue Bravo

In this episode of Get a Heck Yes, I’m thrilled to welcome the powerhouse duo behind the popular wedding blog Wed Vibes—Daria and Alina! As trailblazers in the wedding industry, they’ve built Wed Vibes into an incredible resource that highlights trends, celebrates love stories, and empowers wedding professionals to stand out in an ever-competitive market.

We dive deep into:
🎉 The story behind Wed Vibes and what inspired Daria and Alina to create their wedding blog empire.
💍 The top wedding trends for 2024 you need to know about!
📣 Actionable tips for wedding pros to boost visibility and attract their dream clients.
✨ How storytelling and authenticity are game-changers in marketing your business.

Whether you’re a seasoned wedding professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with inspiration and strategies to help you thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

 * Why staying on top of trends matters—and how to do it effortlessly.
 * The secrets to getting your work featured on major blogs like Wed Vibes.
 * Simple ways to leverage social media and blogging to elevate your brand.

Daria and Alina share golden nuggets from their years of experience, so don’t miss this insider conversation!

Links & Resources:

 * Follow Wed Vibes: https://www.instagram.com/wed_vibes/https://wedvibes.media
 * 
 * Free Resource: Wedding Trends for 2025 [https://wedvibes.media/2025-wedding-market-trends/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYgCEZIeo4i305fnrK9mackg6K3q9oa-ULv5rGBANZ99WhHuQBl2rd6KnU_aem_4q526lqVDYw72YMirfmGXg]

Let’s Connect:

 * Follow me on Instagram: @carissawoo @carissawoophotography
 * Make passive income http://bit.ly/passiveincomecarissa

🎧 Tune in and get ready to Get a Heck Yes!

Ep. 164 How to Get Visible and Stay on Trend with Wed Vibes Founders, Daria & Alina

Happy Woo Wednesdays! I have my best Robert Hilo in the HECK YES house. He makes every feel like a VIP. This episode is for couple and wedding pros.

Robert Hilo, Owner, DJ and MC for Hilo Productions.
He is the person that will turn your melodies into memories.

Hot Topic:

The ultimate preparation tips for engaged couples

Get Stuff Done Ahead of Time, So you can worry about the small stuff

Get your mind ready - Own your vision and don't let anyone's opinions mess up your vibe

Take it easy and stay healthy

Assign someone to feed you throughout the day

You can Drink but drink lightly the night before.

hiloproductions.com [http://hiloproductions.com/]

Episode 163 - Robert Hilo The ultimate preparation tips for engaged couples

Today Melissa is going to teach us the implementing just a few key workflows, wedding photographers can streamline their processes, deliver a flawless client experience, and generate more referrals. Automating key touchpoints not only reduces stress but also creates raving clients who keep coming back and spreading the word.

Hot Topic:

-Workflow/Tip 1: Automate Client Communication to Create a Consistent Client Experience (focus on onboarding/welcome sequence)
-Workflow/Tip 2: Streamline Your Client Journey to Eliminate Stress for You and the Client (how to provide a nurturing client experience from start to finish)
-Workflow/Tip 3: Wow Your Clients with a Seamless Post-Wedding Workflow (focus on offboarding workflows and the importance/relevance they play in referrals.Hot Topic: 3 Must-Have Workflows to Wow Your Wedding Clients and Boost Your Referrals

Connect with Melissa

https://www.instagram.com/virtuallydonesystems

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

Connect with Melissa

https://www.instagram.com/virtuallydonesystems

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

Ep. 162 - Automate Client Communication - Melissa Rich

Happy Woo Wednesdays!

If you want to build a lasting brand you have to lead with your values, and messaging is at the foundation of not just communicating those values, but putting them into action. This is what you will learn today on Get A Heck Yes!

Justine Wentzell-Chang is the founder of Red Balloon Station where she empowers culture-changing, community-lifting, and equity-driven BIPOC + woman-owned businesses with strategic and impactful copywriting, brand storytelling, and messaging strategy.

Building a distinct and memorable brand voice to help you stand out in a crowded market and find your people/help your people find you:
1) Take time to determine and understand your Brand Archetype
2) Intimately know your Ideal Customer Avatar and use their language
3) Dig deep to know and define your core values and conviction codes
4) Be specific about what makes you different from your competitors

Connect with Justine

www.redballoonstation.com [http://www.redballoonstation.com/]

https://www.instagram.com/redballoonstation

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://calendly.com/carissawoo/discovery-call

Ep. 161 - Building a distinct and memorable brand voice - Justine Wentzell-Chang

Happy Woo Wednesdays! Today we are prioritizing your physical and mental health as a wedding shooter so your career and creativity can last longer.

Jcquelyn Nytes, photographer from Gray Day Photo and her biz Partner Ashley are touching on a niche in the wedding photo industry that has never been done before but is soooooo important!! They started Focus Fit Co. after meeting at the YMCA and becoming good friends.

Focus Fit Co: fitness, health, and wellness for wedding photographers & videographers. A community that's here for photographers & videographers that want to improve their physical and mental health!

Hot Topic

- strength training for shooters
-stretching for shooters
-taking care of your mental health to avoid burnout

@focusfit.co [http://focusfit.co/] @graydayphoto

https://instagram.com/focusfit.co

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

Episode 160 - prioritizing your physical and mental health - Jacquelyn Nytes

Happy Woo Wednesdays.

I met Jen Sulak (with the pink hair) through WIPA and I instantly wanted her to be on my podcast because she is unique and unapologetically herself. She is going to welcome your Weirdness today (because we are all a little weird). She relates to her clients on a cellular level with pets or nerdy things.

I love her story about how the pandemic gave her the strength to rebrand to weirdo weddings. It was scary but her people were waiting for her.

Jen is a passionate photographer for over 17 years. She creates  safe spaces where you can have the freedom to BE YOURSELF and let your personality shine through! I use Photography as a tool to not only express my inner-artist but to capture unique wedding days in Dallas (DFW) and Destinations around the USA.

Connect with Jen Sulak

Freebie "Truly You" worksheet that you can get - https://weirdoweddings.myflodesk.com/pinkhairjenpodcastfreebie [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fweirdoweddings.myflodesk.com%2Fpinkhairjenpodcastfreebie]

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

https://heckyes.vip/

Episode 159 - Your Niche needs YOU - Jen Sulak

Happy Woo Wednesdays!

I have my dear friend Laura Rexer in the heck yes house, also known as the Dish Wish girl. Laura's goal is to work with people who appreciate her work and level of service. She creates a synergy amongst all the pieces of the tablescape + beyond.

I love how Laura shares her story about seeing  an opportunity in the wedding industry and going for it.

Laura is a master tablescape designer, curator and innovator who has focused on the idea of the personality of the celebration coming through in the unique details and aspects of the dining experience. Her work over the last 14 years can be seen in Vogue, Harper's Baazar, C Magazine, People Magazine and in the vast majority of national event and bridal publications and blogs.

Hot Topic : Making your business your own

dishwishevents.com [http://dishwishevents.com/]

https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo

Episode 158 - Making your business your own - Laura Dish Wish Girl

Happy Woo Wednesdays.

Today I have the famous Kristin Banta in the HECK YES house. She is all about maximalism.

She runs a production and design house creative agency.

I met her at a WIPA and Nace event in Palm Springs and she was keynote speaker.

You may recognize her because she had her own show on Bravo. Kristen is famous in the wedding industry!

She is known for provocative memorable integrative storytelling, all about the experience for her guests.

Go to her instagram and then website to check out her unprecedented before and afters. She transforms a space like no other. https://www.kristinbanta.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kristinbantaevents

Congrats Kristin on being named event designer of the year at the prestigious gala award!

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://instagram.com/carissawoo

Heckyesmedia.co

Episode 157 - maximalism - Kristin Banta

Happy Woo Wednesdays! I have my past student in the Get a HECK YES house. Phil Santos really dedicated his life to the craft of DJing. He cares so much.

Phil Santos went through the Triple Threat Program and he was able to double his prices and book 6 weddings in 2 months. Holy cow!

I love this deep conversation. He really explains the true meaning of what we do as event pros.

Phil Santos has been using music to bring people together since 2013. He is an award-winning Miami-based wedding DJ who started his career helping millennials and gen z fight loneliness through community-focused dance parties. His passion is to elevate the typical wedding reception into a fulfilling experience of music, family and community.

Hot Topic

- The philosophy of music and how it connects us
- the loneliness epidemic and how we fight it as wedding pros
- the importance of having a WHY
- Authenticity and having an edge in your marketing

Reach out to Phil

https://www.instagram.com/djphilsantos

Connect with Carissa Woo

https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo

Episode 156 - Authenticity and having an edge in your marketing - Phil Santos

Welcome to "Get a Heck Yes" with Carissa Woo. Carissa has been a Los Angeles
wedding photographer for over a decade. She's traveled the world, built her
team, and seen it all! Carissa Woo Photography won best wedding photographer by
California Wedding Day 2 years in a row. She now coaches wedding photographers
hit 10K a month and builds a thriving business. In this podcast, Carissa will
deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream
clients. She is not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to
push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your
money story, time hacks because she's a mom of 2, a little bit of woo woo, and
most important, self-love and confidence are just a few of the many things we
will talk about. See you all soon Connect with Carissa Coaching IG: @Carissawoo
Photography IG: @carissawoophotography Download a free guide on how to become a
lead generating machine HERE

Get a "Heck Yes" with Carissa Woo Wedding Photographer and Coach

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