The Michael Coombs Show

Today’s show features Veronica Di Santo, co-founder and managing partner of Ines Di Santo, about luxury bridal fashion, entrepreneurship, and resilience. 

Veronica describes herself as a passionate, people-focused, and spiritual person while sharing the story behind the launch of V, Veronica Di Santo. She reflects on growing up in her mother’s atelier, where she learned that bridal is about creating history ...

Host Michael Coombs interviews sales, leadership, and customer service trainer Cindy Novotny about building sustainable businesses through the combination of strong sales, exceptional service, and leadership. Drawing from her experience with the Ritz-Carlton Learning Institute and Malcolm Baldrige quality standards, she shared how vision, mission, onboarding, daily standards, reviews, and communication huddles all contribute to lon...

Host Michael Coombs interviews Josh Spiegel, founder and chief creative officer of Birch Events, about his path from selling florals in his dad’s Brooklyn balloon shop to producing 200+ events a year. Spiegel says Birch’s foundation is service and listening, defining luxury as how clients feel and how heard they are. He recounts early financial naivety that led to about $1.5M in debt, and describes steps to regain contr...

Host Michael Coons interviews Mo Govindji of Mango Studios, a wedding photography company founded in Toronto in 2005 that now shoots globally with a boutique team across Toronto, Miami, and destination markets. Mo attributes 20+ years of consistency to quality as a prerequisite, plus strong people, customer service, consistency, systems, and embracing change. He explains Mango’s three “machines” (sales/marketing, ...

Host Michael Coombs interviews global event planner and brand strategist Kathy Romero following her surprise talk at Toronto’s client appreciation party, The Interlude. Romero explains that reaching high-profile work required complete self-trust, strong boundaries, and projecting certainty because clients “hire a presence,” not just a planner. She emphasizes leaving fear by choosing yourself, vetting client alignm...

Toronto International Film Festival isn’t just a festival—it’s a cultural force.  TIFF’s Director of Special Events, Mariangel Urdaneta, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bring it to life. At its core, TIFF operates as a charity with a bold mission: to shift how people see the world through film.

For its 50th anniversary, the focus wasn’t on doing more—it was on doing bett...

Host Michael Coombs interviews Katie Hendricks, founder of Masterfully Managed and Forma, about supporting wedding creatives through operations and representation. Katie explains that Masterfully Managed, an eight-year-old 17-person team, acts as an extension of clients’ brands by handling behind-the-scenes tasks like client communication, vendor/venue sourcing, submissions, social media, blogs, and Pinterest. She shares how ...

Host Michael Coombs interviews DJ MOS, an NYC and LA nightlife veteran and, with his wife DJ Kiss, the Academy Awards’ official DJ. MOS recounts how he manifested the Oscars gig and met an assistant to the Academy president who helped connect him, and explains preparing for celebrity rooms by reading the crowd and mixing classics with current hits. He reflects on formative experiences at NYC clubs like the Tunnel, interning a...

Host Michael Coombs interviews Santa Barbara planner, designer, and florist Tyler Speier, creative director for Engage! Santa Barbara, about executing luxury at scale under industry scrutiny, short turnarounds, and high expectations. Speier explains the intentional Santa Barbara story he designed for Engage—from natural beauty and monarch migration to agriculture, downtown, Fiesta, cowboy history, and old Hollywood—and ...

In this episode,  Ashley Pigott shares her insights on the power of manifestation, the importance of obsession with excellence, and the personal costs of growth in the event planning industry. She discusses the calculated risks involved in expanding her business internationally and the significance of building collaborative partnerships. Ashley emphasizes the need to stay true to oneself amidst industry noise and the evolving ...

Brandee Gaar, founder of Wedding Pro CEO, explains that many wedding professionals undercharge and avoid leading clients to a decision because they fear sounding pushy, which leaves couples confused about next steps. She outlines a four-part consultation framework: deep discovery to uncover motivations and pain points; pitching only in direct relation to those pain points rather than listing generic service bullet points; securing ...

In this episode, renowned bridal designer Hayley Paige, shares her inspiring journey from loving dresses as a young girl to navigating a tumultuous legal battle over her own name. Hayley discusses her early influences, including her grandmother who taught her to sew, and her academic journey, which initially included pre-med at Cornell before pivoting to fiber science and apparel design. She reflects on her professional experiences...

In this episode, Michael Coombs interviews Meghan Ely, a renowned expert in wedding and event PR. They discuss the importance of maintaining a strong digital presence and the role of PR in achieving credibility, bookings, and growth. Meghan emphasizes the need for customized PR strategies based on specific goals within the event industry, such as wedding submissions, increasing brand awareness, and diversifying into B2B. She addres...

In this episode, Michael Coombs interviews Wassal Seddiqi, the founder and creative force behind Toronto-based planning and design boutique Petals and Pearls. They discuss the challenges of wedding planning, including a worst-case scenario where a venue canceled last minute. Wassal shares her strategies for managing crises, the importance of education and certifications, and how she uses social media to showcase her personality and...

In this episode of the show, host Michael Coombs interviews Lisa Zachery, the CEO and creative director of Papered Wonders. Known for her custom stationery work for brands like BET, Essence Magazine, and Mary J. Blige's Strength of a Woman Tour, Lisa discusses her unique approach to design. She explains how she incorporates personal elements from her clients' lives into their invitations to set the tone for unforgettable events. Li...

In this episode, host Michael Coombs talks with Sean Low, the founder and president of the Business of Being Creative. They discuss the importance of emotional connection, value, and alignment in running creative businesses. Sean emphasizes the pitfalls of using packages in luxury and creative businesses, advocating for a focus on personalized value instead. He explains how businesses can pivot from package-based models to valuing ...

In this episode, Michael Coombs converses with Natalie Denyse, the founder and director of In Good Company PR. They delve into the evolving landscape of media strategy for luxury wedding and hospitality brands, emphasizing the importance of targeted exposure and founder-led storytelling. Natalie discusses the increasing value of developing privatized storytelling channels, such as podcasts and digital journals, and how brands can l...

In this episode, Michael Coombs welcomes Simon T. Bailey, an award-winning keynote speaker, success coach, and bestselling author. They discuss the importance of resilience and brilliance in both business and life, and offer practical advice on how to unlock these qualities. Simon shares insights from his 20 years of experience, including the three key components of brilliance: confidence, competence, and creativity. They delve int...

In this episode, we hear from Phong, who shares his remarkable path from being a mechanical engineer and personal trainer to becoming a successful wedding filmmaker with his company, Modern Frame. Phong discusses how his diverse background in engineering and personal training has given him a unique edge in the wedding videography industry. He delves into the emotional aspects of wedding filmmaking, the impact of social media on his...