What does it really take to build a luxury destination wedding business across continents—without losing yourself in the overwhelm?
In this episode of Leading Her Way, Nikisha King sits down with powerhouse CEO Mari Walker of Mart Mari Bridal House. Mari shares how she went from planning her first wedding on a different continent to building a sought-after brand in Europe and Dubai.
From intimate ceremonies in Italy to big-picture business visioning, Mari opens up about the mindset, systems, and support that helped her elevate her business without sacrificing personal joy.
Inside this conversation:
- How Mari shifted her mindset and went from chaos to clarity in her systems
- Why automation doesn’t mean losing your luxury, bespoke experience
- How having a business bestie (aka a strategic coach!) helped her finally say yes to scaling with confidence
If you’re a creative entrepreneur ready to build a high-end brand without the burnout, this episode is your reminder that the dream is possible—and it doesn’t require you to do it all alone.
Connect with Mari Walker
- Website: martmariweddings.com
- Instagram: @martmariweddings
Tap the show notes to follow Mari, explore her elegant weddings, and get inspired by her upcoming Bridal House vision.
Want to attract aligned clients with less hustle and more heart?
Follow @nkbizguru on Instagram and get access to Nikisha’s 5-Star SCALE™ Framework at her More Profit, Less Chaos masterclass.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Leading Her Way with your host and
business guru, nakesha King.
This podcast is the ultimatedestination for women, creative
entrepreneurs, who want to breakfree from burnout.
If you are overwhelmed byclient demands and feel like
you're doing this all alone, you, my friend, are in the right
(00:22):
place.
Now let's dive in for steps totake back your time and simplify
your workflow.
All right, makisha, take itaway.
Nikisha King (00:36):
Hello everyone, welcome, gorgeous Welcome to
Leading Her Way podcast.
I am so honored and so grateful.
Today I have a very specialguest of mine.
Her name is Marie Walker.
She is the founder and CEO ofMart Marie Bridal House.
She is a destination, aEuropean and Dubai destination
(00:59):
wedding planner.
She planned intimate eventsthat are weekends that are in
these beautiful luxury spacesthat are just heaven sent for
all of us, and she is prettymuch.
She loves to embracesentimental family and
togetherness with her clients.
(01:19):
She has a special gift in doingwhat she does, and not only is
she a CEO, but she is one of myamazing clients.
So today I'm going to introduceher to you.
We're going to speak about herjourney in her business and
we're also going to talk abouther experience working with me.
And how has that been?
She's been with me for sometime, so I guess it can't be
(01:41):
that bad.
Hi, marie, welcome to LeadingHer Way podcast.
How are you?
Mari Walker (01:47):
Hi Nikesha.
Thank you so much for thatlovely introduction.
I'm really good today, Thankyou.
We are in Dubai and it's veryhot, but we're embracing the
heat with beautiful airconditioning.
Thank goodness for that.
Nikisha King (02:02):
Oh, you would have been melted by now if there was
no AC.
Mari Walker (02:06):
I tried to be outside earlier, but it was
actually hurting me, so I waslike, oh no, no, let's go back
inside.
Nikisha King (02:12):
Got you, so got you.
I was outside, but I wasenjoying it.
We're in spring and it justfeels nice.
You know, you get breeze andwarmth, not just hot and nothing
else, so I'm enjoying every bitof it.
I'm so grateful.
Mari Walker (02:27):
I'm jealous.
Nikisha King (02:30):
Don't worry, I don't know about you.
I don't think you guys getwinter, so don't be jealous.
You get pretty much exactly Allright.
So I'm going to jump in and I'mgoing to start with something
that's going to pull out ourhearts a little bit.
What I want to know is whatpulled you in the world of
weddings, and when did yourealize that it wasn't just a
(02:51):
passion, but a business thatcould be profitable and joyful?
Mari Walker (02:58):
Well, as with every journey, it starts a long, long
time ago, but I'll make itshort.
As with every journey, itstarts a long, long time ago,
but I'll make it short.
I studied tourism and eventmanagement as a student when I
finished school, so I've alwayshad that passion with working
with people and doing events anddoing all of those things, and
(03:22):
then I kicked off my career incorporate conferences and
exhibitions, which I absolutelyadored.
But now fast forward years,years later, I was approached by
a gentleman that was inMinneapolis, and at that time,
it was COVID 2020.
Well, actually, it was justbefore COVID Just had the start
of it.
People were talking about it,but no one really knew what it
was.
It was in February 2020.
(03:44):
And this lovely gentlemanreached out to me.
I was in Cyprus, in theMediterranean Europe side.
He was in Minneapolis and heasked me to help him create a,
or help him to plan a engagementand his soon to be fiance.
She always knows everything, sowe have to be really secretive
(04:05):
about this and I thought, okay,well, this is really interesting
.
How are we going to do this?
I'm on this side of the world,you're on that side of the world
.
Okay, let's do this.
So I planned this whole eventfor them and we even had this
random stranger who pulled out aguitar, which was actually the
groom's guitar, and he startedplaying music.
And while they were walking onthe bridge and he went, the
(04:26):
groom went down, or thegentleman went down onto his
knee on the famous bridge inMinneapolis and he proposed to
her.
And she was totally shocked andmeanwhile I arranged with the
family to hide behind a wall andas this all happened, the whole
family came out and it was justsuch a big surprise for her.
We even organized a party inone of the local pubs for them
(04:48):
to celebrate this wonderfulevent.
And then, a couple of weekslater, the couple reached out to
me again and they asked me canI please plan their wedding?
And then by that time we werewell and truly in the COVID
situation.
So at that time they were like,well, we're in Minneapolis, but
we want a destination wedding,we want to go to Montana.
(05:09):
And I'm like, oh, wow, okay,well, how are we going to do
that?
So, anyways, from Cyprus noone's allowed to travel
internationally at all toMinneapolis, to Montana, planned
all of this for them and I'mlike I've never done weddings
before.
But this is fun.
I was up until about fiveo'clock in the morning that
(05:29):
morning and waiting for them andjust checking in Is everything
okay?
Checking with the venue,checking with everyone.
And when I spoke to the coupleand the joy I felt and seen on
their faces and just the pureexcitement and the happiness
they felt, I was like, yeah, Iwant to plan weddings.
I love that, that is the feeling.
(05:50):
That is the feeling I like.
Nikisha King (05:52):
What did you love about it?
Mari Walker (05:56):
Just their happiness, their joy, seeing
these people that I've actuallynever met before in my life,
except for video calls that wedid at that time and just seeing
that absolute joy, the feel youcould.
You could actually see whatthey were feeling on their faces
, the, the, the gratefulnessthey had, the oh my gosh, did
this just happen?
(06:17):
We've just got married.
Wow, the love they felt, thelove love they expressed.
It's just I love love.
Nikisha King (06:27):
That's how I felt when I did wedding invitations.
You get to enjoy someone's loveand the way that they feel and
the affection they have for oneanother and, no matter what
anyone says, it's a beautifulstage to be in.
We don't always live in it,because that's just life and
that's evolving, but thathoneymoon as what they call it
(06:47):
it's just blissful and I thinkwe all need that in our lives
and sometimes when you work inthe wedding industry, it's like
a drug.
It's like let me get my dose ofhappiness, yeah, and it's not
going to hurt me, it's onlygoing to like.
You know, it's a nice feelingto get while you're doing what
you love.
So I totally, totally get that.
(07:14):
Now, growing your business,especially as a luxury wedding
destination business I know thatit's not a joke.
It takes a lot of amazingness,especially when it's
international, because youreside in Dubai but you do it in
Europe, but you used to live inCyprus, but I believe in the
time you've been doing it, yougrew a great network of people
and I want to know what has thatgrowth actually felt like
(07:36):
behind the scenes?
Do you remember the momentswhere you might've bottlenecked
about tension?
Those may have been the momentsthat got you to the next level,
like tell us a little bit aboutwhat that was for you.
Mari Walker (07:54):
Well, any wedding or any event or any any big
project you try to plan or do orcreate, you need a good team.
Without team, nothing ispossible.
And I'm hearing it quite a lotthese days where people are
saying that without the team,this is not possible, we cannot
create this.
(08:14):
All of us have done it.
It's not just one person, it'sall of us that's come together
to create something magical forsomeone.
There has been many times that Ithat I have felt the stress, it
all bubble up and I'm like, oh,and I actually feel like, okay,
I can't do this anymore, I'mthrowing the towel in, I don't
want to do this, I can't.
I don't want to do this anymore.
But then there is just thatmoment where you speak to the
(08:38):
couple and they're because theydon't know about all these
things sometimes happening.
So when you are sitting withthat things and obviously you're
not going to tell them all ofthe details, because this is
something that can be resolvedand then you see their
excitement and you talk to themand you have a catch-up call
with them and you just realizethis is the big picture.
(09:00):
This is why I'm doing what I'mdoing, because it's for their
happiness, it's for theirspecial, it's for their special
day, it is for their excitementand their beautiful memories
that they are building.
So we figure it out, we just,we just figure it out.
Nikisha King (09:15):
Great, so good, and that's the word.
Figure it out, right, likeMarie Folliot.
It's figureoutable or somethingof that nature, and everything
is.
There's a saying that I'velearned in my book A Happy
Pocket Full of Money.
Everything has a solutionbefore the problem.
Like there's a solution beforethe problem and you just have to
(09:37):
be conscious of the solutionsand that's where everything can
be figured out.
It's just normal behavior, butwe tend to sometimes sit in all
the chaos, thinking there is nochoice.
Right, you can think that, andwhen you think it, I believe you
create it.
There is no choice, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
There's always options.
Nikisha King (09:57):
Yeah, exactly.
Mari Walker (09:59):
It's all easy.
And I remember you telling meone day very, very clearly on
one of our calls that we had.
You were like it all works outin the end and I was like, but,
nikisha, you were like, my dear,it works out in the end.
I'm like okay, and I actuallythe next week I followed up with
you.
Nikisha King (10:17):
I'm like, guess what, nikisha, you were right it
will always work out, no matterwhat you think.
At the moment it feels heavy,but it normally does.
It's just we're at a place inour time where we are up in age
and so far we're still here andsurviving, and all the things we
thought was not gonna work out.
(10:37):
I promise you.
Mari Walker (10:38):
I've been there many times and I'm like I'm here
and it's so much better,exactly you just have to push
through, because there isliterally light at the other
side of the tunnel always,always.
Nikisha King (10:50):
Now you plan some of the most stunning
celebrations in Europe.
Why Europe?
Mari Walker (10:57):
I think it was because I was based in Cyprus
and, even though it's at the endof the European continent, it's
on the other side.
Well, it's on a little islandjust outside of Greece.
I was still part of theEuropean continent and I was
close enough and I've traveledto Europe quite a lot, so I was
(11:19):
always very excited to sharethat beauty with other couples
and with other people.
I want them to experience it, Iwant them to see it, I want
them to to feel it and I wouldjust like everything to.
I just like them to just see it, because there's a lot of
people it's like oh, europe, butEurope is a continent, it's not
a country.
Um, so there is just so muchgoing on there and so much to
(11:43):
enjoy.
So, yeah, I just that's whySorry, that was my daughter
Trying to get my attention.
Nikisha King (11:58):
All right.
So in Europe, is there anyplace that you have that's a
favorite and traveling to, whereevery time you do an event
there, it just feels like homeor anything of that nature to
you?
Mari Walker (12:16):
Right now, to be honest, there's been a lot of
Italian destination weddings.
Italy has had like an absoluteboom and I have been going to
Italy quite a lot.
I've got a lot of relationshipsthat I've built with Italy
because I have been there sooften, last year especially, um.
So, even though I would love toexplore or show people other
(12:38):
parts of Europe as well, I thinkItaly it kind of makes me feel
like home because I have mynetwork there, I have my
connections there, I've got mytrusted people there, even
though I do have them in Franceand in Greece and in Spain as
well.
It's just there's like anattraction there.
But I would love to go toFrance and show people the
(13:01):
beauty of France as well.
Nikisha King (13:04):
Do you speak any of those languages?
Italian, french.
Mari Walker (13:09):
Unfortunately not.
Nikisha King (13:10):
When I was young.
Mari Walker (13:12):
I wish I could, but I try to learn French, but no,
unfortunately not.
I was trying to learn Germanbecause my husband's half German
.
Nikisha King (13:21):
Okay, why do you consider it unfortunate?
Because here's the thing youdon't speak the language, but
you're still able to plan awedding.
I don't think that'sunfortunate.
I think that's like a gift,right?
Because think about it A lot ofpeople want to plan a wedding
overseas, but one of the biggestfrictions is that the person
they want to plan with doesn'tspeak the language they speak,
(13:42):
or it's either broken or there'ssome miscommunication because
the words that are being used.
So the fact that you've donethat as a business owner, do you
even know how that came to be?
Where you speak English, notthe language, the native
language you're planning in?
But somehow did you just getreally lucky that everyone you
(14:02):
spoke to spoke English.
Mari Walker (14:05):
It's actually a really good question because I
never thought about it this way,because I never made it a thing
.
And I know people are concernedabout language barriers, but
for me it's like I've neverthought that oh my gosh, what if
I can't speak the language?
It just always worked out.
I had incidences where therewas a language barrier and two
(14:29):
of the vendors could not speak aword of English and it was
absolutely fine because we gottranslators in.
We have connections there, wehave a team there that when we
did have our meetings and ourcalls, we would have the whole
team there and we would talk inEnglish and in Italian, or in
French or in Spanish, even where.
(14:50):
And everybody saw the bigpicture.
But I never thought to make ita big deal because there's
always a way to work through it.
Um, the, the connections I have, or the, the relationships I've
built there over the last fewyears, has really made that
possible to have peopleunderstand.
(15:13):
And also with Google Translate,especially with the emails
doing it automatically, it'smagical.
Nikisha King (15:19):
Wow.
I love this because sometimes,as business owners, we get in
our head about a problem.
We think, oh my goodness, howcan I do this, how can I do that
?
And we believe that thoseproblems are not solvable and
then that stops us from doingthe thing we think we can be
really good at.
So for you to say that nevercame up for me it's a really
(15:42):
beautiful thing, because itwasn't one of the hoops or the
things you had to jump over.
It was pretty much somethingyou welcomed, you were open to
and it just worked out.
Like we all know, it works outno matter what, and I think
that's really good to see as aCEO, because it helps you know
your capabilities and planningany event, any wedding.
(16:05):
It's not a small feat.
It has a lot of moving partsand has a lot of feelings in it,
and the feelings come from yourcreative partners, aka your
vendors, and it comes from yourcouples and it comes from the
location.
There's a lot to work.
So, as much as it gives you joy, because it's just love,
there's moments where there'sstress and frustration,
(16:31):
absolutely.
So you, being the CEO, how doyou actually handle that stress?
What do you do when thosemoments come up.
Is there any rituals you do?
Is there anything you do topull back?
Then come back.
Tell me a little bit more aboutwhat that looks like for you.
Mari Walker (16:50):
It's so funny because we actually had a
wedding a couple of well a fewweeks ago and one of the
creative partners asked thequestion.
She was much younger, of course, more younger than me, but she
did ask the question how do youjust let it run off your back
(17:10):
and how do you just get out ofthat situation and move on?
And we're like well, what I'velearned is I put my rhino suit
on and let it just run off, gofor a walk, take a couple of
deep breaths, compose myself andthen show up, because at the
end of the day, you can't justlike okay, I'm disappearing,
(17:30):
there, I go, I'm gone.
Good luck, all the best.
I wish you the best.
You can't do that?
Well, of course you can, butit's not good to do that.
But just basically, I try.
Before the events start, I havethis um meditation prayer that
I love to do.
(17:51):
It's only like a seven minuteprayer that I do and then that
hopefully sets me up for the dayahead.
Um, but when there's anythingthat comes up, I smile, I nod, I
take a few deep breaths, go fora walk, maybe, maybe around the
building, maybe around a lake,or maybe like a puddle or
whatever around the gardenwherever I can just have nature,
(18:13):
feel grounded, fresh air and goback and just move past it.
Nikisha King (18:21):
So good, Especially when you said the
meditation was seven minutes andyou made it sound like that was
short.
I'm telling you, there's somepeople who feel like seven
minutes is too long.
But the fact that you feel thatis short, that's perfect,
because that's your way.
And sometimes, when we requiresomething, seven minutes can
feel short because you requireit, you need it and as CEOs and
(18:44):
women entrepreneurs, especiallyin the creative realm, there's a
lot of energy that goes into it.
You need it and as CEOs andwomen entrepreneurs, especially
in the creative realm, there's alot of energy that goes into it
.
We think, we feel we do and weshow up for the people we care
about.
We serve on a high level.
So I really, really appreciateyou sharing that and I love the
analogy the rhino suit.
(19:06):
So if you're listening, takethat one, put it in your toolbox
right, Put it in your rhino,put on your rhino suit and let
things slide.
And when you get home, take offyour rhino suit and process
right.
Don't live in the rhino suitbecause you're going to get lost
.
Mari Walker (19:24):
Absolutely.
You actually told me that.
It's like, marie, have youtaken your rhino suit off?
Yes, and I'm like, oh yeah,it's well and truly off.
Thank you.
Nikisha King (19:33):
Yes, which is so good, which is so good.
Now I want to dream for asecond.
I want to know what's thevision for your business that
you haven't shared out loud,which is always scary, and is
there a dream destination or akind of client that you would
like to work with in yourbusiness that maybe you have
(19:55):
worked with?
You haven't, but let us know,cause maybe our listener is
getting married and they want adestination wedding right?
Our CEOs still have lives,still plan living, and maybe
they're interested in learningwhat that looks like.
So tell me some ideal client orsomeone you would love to work
with.
Mari Walker (20:15):
Oh gosh, Is there an option for all of the above
Of?
Nikisha King (20:18):
course it's a dream, it's your dream, it's
your vision.
Of course, all of above isavailable to you.
Yeah, go ahead so with thebridal house.
Mari Walker (20:27):
It's my dream and it's in the works and I haven't
really spoken to many peopleabout it.
I think this nikisha, and thenone or two other people, knows
about this.
Um, just having, like mycreatives and myself and
everybody working together as ateam.
Now, I know that a lot ofplanners do that anyways, but
(20:50):
for me it's like we need thesepeople's voices to be heard,
because there are times wherepeople don't have that option,
but I strongly believe that abig and a great team not a big
necessarily, but a great teamreally gets the job done and
that's the aim and everybody'son the same page.
So, having these wonderfulcreatives and we're all working
(21:12):
together in unison.
How are we going to do that?
It's still to be figured out,but that is a dream.
Also, having the opportunity toexpand into travel and
honeymoons and travelsuggestions of beautiful
locations and destinations forpeople to travel to.
(21:33):
You don't necessarily have tobe getting married or go on
honeymoon, but you people do goon holidays and, as I've have
the experience me and my husbandcombined have amazing
experience traveling the world.
So we love sharing this stuffwith people.
Dream destination oh mygoodness, there are so many, but
(21:56):
I think Croatia is on my listof definitely seeing, and
there's this one absolutelygorgeous venue that I must see
and I will see it, and therewill be something going either
an event or a shoot, orsomething will happen there.
I'm manifesting that.
And the dream couple oh goodness, love someone who wants their
(22:22):
wedding to feel like their homewhen they walk in, when their
guests walk in, they feel athome, that they've walked into
your living dining room or evenin your kitchen, where in the
heart of your home, and you arerelaxed, you're comfortable,
you're having a great time,you're surrounded by the
absolute people you love andeverything is just falling into
(22:44):
place.
You've got the great food thatyou can share with the people
you love.
You've got wonderful wine,cocktails, mocktails, whatever
it is that you want to drink,and beautiful music playing in
the background, and you've gotan amazing view that you can
share with the ones you love yes, so true, so good.
Nikisha King (23:03):
I love that.
And the hospitality part abouttraveling I need that in my life
.
So you know Croatia.
I have a friend who's fromCroatia and I have not been
there yet, but it's beautiful.
So I'm very interested to learnmore about where you see this
venue and in working togethergood, in working together I'm
going to get you to call andreach out to them.
So that's going to be on youraction list?
(23:25):
We need to figure that out.
Mari Walker (23:27):
Reach out to them so that's going to be on your
action list.
We need to figure that out.
I actually know the girl verywell there, so I met her.
I was very fortunate to meether in person, so yes, I have to
go and see her.
Nikisha King (23:38):
Oh, my goodness, so exciting.
Now I want to kind of help myaudience understand what I do,
because they hear me have thesebeautiful conversations with so
many business owners and thereason I do Leading Her Way
podcast even though HER is anacronym for human because we're
human first and foremost.
We're always evolving and we'reso resilient because of us being
(24:01):
very much persistent goingforward in our business.
I have the gift of God this isthe biggest gift in my entire
life of where I get to work withcreatives like you and there
are so many moments we havetogether that are so
transformative.
And as much as my clients loveto thank me, I'm like I didn't
(24:24):
do anything but ask youquestions and show you
opportunities or possibilities.
That has changed your life.
So I want to be able to sharethat with my audience today,
because I normally don't share alot of my backend and I want to
start sharing that with them sothey can understand what's
happening in my world.
Before working with me anddoing your business, what were
(24:48):
three of your biggest challengesyou faced in managing your
business or your clientrelationships?
Mari Walker (24:56):
well, automations whenever.
Whenever anyone told me toautomate, I was like no way no
way no way high-end, unique,like luxury weddings, any that's
bespoke.
You do not automate that okaythat was the one thing, because
I was like uh, you ain't doingthat.
(25:17):
The second one was there weresystems, but it wasn't working,
and I also felt like it wasn'tworking for my couples and so we
never did it.
So I did everything manually and, of course, the overwhelm and
the overload just got more.
Um.
Then the other one was I wastotally burned out, like I'm
(25:42):
doing everything myself.
I have have to like a simpleemail, even just an inquiry
coming in, I need to respond tothem and then set up a call.
And then all of these thingsjust like, okay, let me send you
a link.
It was all these things and I'mlike, what am I doing?
But no, I'm not going toautomate that.
So these all were things, andevery time you and I spoke quite
(26:04):
often, and time you spoke to me, you're like Marie, you're on a
hamster wheel.
I spoke to you like six monthsago and you're still exactly
where you are.
What's going on?
Nikisha King (26:14):
yeah, and then that fateful day, the 16th of
April 2024 the fact that youhave the date down is a gift and
an honor.
I appreciate that to the like.
That is like I've never evenexperienced what you just did
and I'm like whoa.
She has the date where westarted, the day where you said
(26:35):
yes, the date where you opted in, the date where you decided to
choose something different.
Mari Walker (26:42):
Absolutely it was.
It was a momentum, momentousday.
Is that what I can say?
Yes, it was the day that myentire mindset changed.
Nikisha King (26:52):
Wow, and it did because you did something
different.
You choose something Now, onthat day, and from that day, can
you share with the audiencewhat were like three specific
improvements you noticed withworking with my company and k
business essentials?
Mari Walker (27:10):
automations.
They actually work.
And no, it is not, not luxuryor not bespoke it actually works
and it does make your lifesimple.
Um, it helps you.
It really takes that overwhelmof.
I think I sent nakisha amessage one day saying nakisha,
(27:32):
I just had an email and acontract and a payment all in
one go and I didn't even have todo a thing.
And she's like you see, this iswhy it works and I'm, I'm so
excited.
I was celebrating this with her.
She was like I know.
Nikisha King (27:51):
And it works, because when you have to put
yourself in between all of thosesteps, you become the
bottleneck, because they'rewaiting on you, and I tend to
don't like people waiting on me.
So I like to roll out the redcarpet and help them have an
experience, because that's thebeginning of everything.
You're a destination planner,right?
(28:12):
You do a whole slew of workafter they book you.
So when someone books you, it'sonboarding.
You need to get informationfrom them, find out their
priorities.
Usually that's in the form of aform, a questionnaire.
So let's get it to them, givethem time, not send it out a day
(28:33):
before and ask for it the daytomorrow, and you might be on a
way with your family on theweekend and it's getting done
Exactly.
Yeah, you don't need to be, atyour computer waiting for that
email to come in, or travelingwith your phone in your hand
because you're waiting becausethe client might have a question
or something.
Our clients are so willing towork with our system if it feels
(28:58):
good.
Yeah, yeah, right, because somany people talk about
automation and the first thingthey think about is a robot and
I go no, that's what you thoughtabout.
Tell me, go ahead, share.
Mari Walker (29:10):
That is exactly what I thought about, because I
thought it's going to be thiscanned email where everybody
gets the same email and there'snothing personal about this
whole experience, because it isjust another email that everyone
gets.
You're not, you're just anumber.
And I'm like.
I do not want my people to feellike that.
They are not a number.
(29:31):
They are someone extremelyspecial to me, so I'm not going
to make them feel like a number,so I am not automating things,
but then they get.
None of the ones who havereceived my automated emails
have ever felt like they arejust a number.
They still feel loved.
Nikisha King (29:48):
Of course, because you give them a lot of love.
Mari Walker (29:57):
An email doesn't change the amount of love you
pour into your clients at all.
But also, Nikesha, remember youdid tell me that everything
starts with a thought and howthat thought, thoughts, and yeah
, that has changed as well.
Nikisha King (30:07):
So good, oh my goodness.
And it only gets better becausewe're still working together
and we're building your empireAlways gets better.
What was, or what is, the mostsignificant benefit you've
experienced from working with me?
Mari Walker (30:22):
Oh gosh, there are so many Nakisha, but the one
that really stands out quite alot to me is the support I'm
getting from you.
You're like my business bestie.
If I have an idea, hang on, letme speak to Nakisha.
Let me run it past Nakisha.
When I'm on site at an event, awedding retreat, whatever I am,
(30:44):
you're checking in on me.
You're like, hey, how is itgoing, how are you feeling?
And I'm like, oh my gosh, letme speak to Nekisha, let's give
her an update.
You'd say you are concernedabout my wellbeing, for my
business and for me as well.
You're my support, you'recheering me on.
You've never told me no.
(31:05):
When I've had an idea or whenI've come to you, you've been
the one who's asking me thequestions and then making me
realize, by just the questionsyou're asking, is this going to
be good or how can I do it?
And just reaching out to youand brainstorming ideas and just
(31:28):
asking you questions and youbasically just guiding me has
been really amazing for me,because when you are an
entrepreneur or a business owner, sometimes it can get really
lonely because you don't havethose office full of 20 people
sitting in the back that you cansay hey, we're having a meeting
(31:49):
.
Let's spit ball ideas.
What are we going to do?
What's the new product?
We don't have that.
So being able to have you by myside and do that, priceless.
Nikisha King (32:00):
Thank you, I swear it's amazing that I even get
the privilege to do that.
I remember when I startedthat's what I desired.
It's so weird how that's thething I desired and that's the
person I became I always wanted,because it was very lonely,
very lonely and you have tons ofideas and you couldn't speak to
(32:22):
your family because either theywere not understanding
entrepreneurship or they hadtheir limitations.
So when you spoke to them, theyjust would tell you it's not
going to work.
Mari Walker (32:33):
Yeah.
Nikisha King (32:34):
You know and didn't have that.
So in creating NK BusinessEssentials, it's just a space
where, like one of my otherclients say, they love having me
in their pocket, right, theycan easily find me and go hey,
this is happening, how do I makethis work?
How do I do this?
And I'm like this is it?
Let's go, let's figure this out.
(32:54):
And we get excited.
Trust me, I always get excitedbecause my clients are freaking
rock stars, especially you, andI'm always excited to the point
where I'm like I don't know ifthis is healthy, because it is
my drug.
I love my drug of choices.
I don't have like coffee,smoking or drinking, but when it
comes to the joy of people,it's not the joy that I need
(33:18):
from them for myself, it's justthat they get to win.
So I truly appreciate you andthank you for sharing that.
I appreciate that You're likewhat is it Business bestie?
Like I've never even said thatword, but that's a good one.
Mari Walker (33:34):
I actually thought about it earlier when I was
sitting and waiting for the call.
I was like business bestie.
That's what it is.
Nikisha King (33:42):
That's what it is.
That's a good one.
Would you recommend a serviceto other business owners and if
so, why?
Mari Walker (33:52):
Absolutely, gosh.
Just the way I've changed mymind, my mindset, how it has
really made my life so mucheasier, better I don't know the
right word for this because,honestly, nikesha, you've helped
me change my thoughts, you havehelped me show up, and if this
(34:16):
could have been me, I mean Ihave been delaying, delaying,
delaying it for so many years,making every excuse under the
sun and now actually just takingthat step, oh gosh, and they
always say I don't know who theyare, but they always say that
you have to invest in order tosee some return, you have to
(34:38):
give to receive and by investingin yourself, in your business,
to grow, to learn, to learn whatis important, that the
impossible that can be possible,I mean absolutely worth it,
absolutely.
(34:58):
I would do this again and again.
Nikisha King (35:00):
I am 100% with you .
It is the the day I did that isthe day my life changed.
I'm a student, just like you,as much as a coach, a mentor,
but the day I invested in me andbelieved in me just like you
invested in you and believed inyou it changes everything, not
(35:23):
just your business, but yourpersonal life.
You've even experienced that.
I've experienced that where ourpartners get to enjoy a better
version of us, in my opinion,because we're not just
struggling in our business andfeel like it's just draining us.
Mari Walker (35:40):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
If we're happy, our cups arefull, we just spread the love
and the joy even more.
Nikisha King (35:49):
So, yes, so true, so true, and we don't realize
sometimes that's the power wehave.
But as creators, we have thatpower.
I love that.
Now, what would you say tosomeone who's on the fence about
investing in themselves to growtheir business?
Like someone maybe you know whohasn't done what you've done
(36:12):
and you might hear them.
And when you hear them, you'relike, wow, they sound like the
old me, but they're on the fence.
And them being on the fence,how would you help them see the
possibilities?
Is there something you wouldtell them specifically?
Mari Walker (36:28):
Well, two things that I've already mentioned is
having that person that you canshare things with, because when
you're alone, who are you goingto share anything with?
No one's going to listen.
You'll get stuck in your ownmind.
But when you are with someonelike nikisha or whoever it is,
(36:49):
it doesn't matter who it is butwith another person helping you
and just taking that extra loadof your and getting all the
information out of your mind andputting it on paper, like you
always tell me, anyways, to do,just having that person there
will change their lives.
It'll make life so much easier.
(37:11):
Um, the and also the.
If you don't invest in yourself, how are you going to grow?
Um, also, just by the way, it'schanged my life, um, my, my
personal life, my business life,how it's changed how I view the
industry, how I view mybusiness.
Now it's not just a hobby orsomething on the side.
(37:34):
It is actually something that Ilove doing and something that
is profitable and something thatgives me great joy, as well as
other people.
Absolutely, absolutely worth it.
They must.
They must at least give it atry Right, and if they see a
result, or if they see just thesmallest change, then they know.
Nikisha King (37:59):
Yeah, and it's for me personally.
It's impossible to work with mewithout seeing a change.
I've learned and it's not evenme being I don't know what the
words are they call it I'm.
I've seen it so many times thatit's, it's only a month, it
doesn't take for me.
I work with my clients for sixmonths.
(38:20):
It doesn't take us six monthsto see a change.
It's only a month that theycause my.
My clients are action takers.
I love them.
They love to take all theaction.
Sometimes they just don't knowwhat to do.
They're like how should I focusand where?
And then I give that and onceyou put it in front of them,
it's like done, and you knowthings are yeah, so it's always
(38:43):
it's quicker.
Because they're action takers,they don't sit a lot in their
stuff.
You know we work through thisstuff, we get it, and I'm proud
of what gift I was given to evenbe a part of that journey.
You know, every day, as acreative entrepreneur, there
(39:03):
have been moments, and I thinkyou've experienced your moments,
the moments where we don't wantto get out of bed the moments
that I think we all experiencethat.
But the fact that we're here andwe constantly are moving
forward and serving people whocan't do what you do for sure I
know that because I'm one ofthem If I was getting married or
(39:25):
if I'm traveling, having you inmy pocket is a gift, because I
will pay you anything and belike here, figure it out, I'll
see you when I get there.
I don't know how people cannotunderstand that what you do is
so worth it, because we'rebuilding your website and I want
to tell you, as I'm watchingthese images and videos, I'm
(39:46):
like what is this?
This is beautiful and thesepeople you could feel the energy
through the videos and photos.
I usually consume a lot ofenergy when I'm looking at
visuals and I'm just like doesshe not understand what she does
?
They couldn't find this ontheir own.
They just couldn't.
I don't believe they could.
(40:06):
I believe they would go througha lot of hell before they get
to that heaven and the peoplewho choose that.
I don't think they experiencewhat you can give them.
So I'm excited for you.
I'm excited for Marie's bridalhouse.
It's already here, just got tobring it to life, and that's
what we got to do.
We got to just tell everyoneit's here, right?
So thank you.
(40:29):
Thank you, marie, for your time.
Thank you for sharing yourgifts with us, your stories,
those moments that a lot ofpeople struggle with.
We are all humans first and westruggle, but there is something
spiritual about us that makesus very special in our own way.
Mari Walker (40:46):
Absolutely.
Thank you for giving me thisopportunity.
I'm very honored to be on yourpodcast and to be here today, so
thank you for letting me sharemy message.
Nikisha King (40:59):
And I would love for you to share verbally where
can people find you?
Mari Walker (41:05):
Okay, well, you can find me on my website.
It is still the old website,but we are working on a new one
that we will launch soon, whichI'm really excited about as
martinmarieweddingscom, and youcan find me on Instagram at
martinmarieweddings.
We can see more updates, dailyupdates, stories and what's
(41:26):
happening in my world ofweddings.
Nikisha King (41:28):
See more updates, daily updates, stories and
what's happening in my world ofweddings.
Yes, Thank you.
Thank you once again forsharing.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
Thank you for joining us today on Leading Her Way.
We loved having you with us.
Remember each action you take,no matter how small, adds up to
big results.
If today's episode fired you up, hit subscribe for more
insights and visit our resourcehub, which is linked to the show
notes.
There you'll find tools tostreamline, organize and grow
(41:56):
your business.
Keep moving forward and we'llbe right here to cheer you on
next week.
Welcome to Leading Her Way with your host and
business guru, nakesha King.
This podcast is the ultimatedestination for women, creative
entrepreneurs, who want to breakfree from burnout.
If you are overwhelmed byclient demands and feel like
you're doing this all alone, you, my friend, are in the right
(00:22):
place.
Now let's dive in for steps totake back your time and simplify
your workflow.
All right, makisha, take itaway.
Nikisha King (00:36):
Hello everyone, welcome, gorgeous Welcome to
Leading Her Way podcast.
I am so honored and so grateful.
Today I have a very specialguest of mine.
Her name is Marie Walker.
She is the founder and CEO ofMart Marie Bridal House.
She is a destination, aEuropean and Dubai destination
(00:59):
wedding planner.
She planned intimate eventsthat are weekends that are in
these beautiful luxury spacesthat are just heaven sent for
all of us, and she is prettymuch.
She loves to embracesentimental family and
togetherness with her clients.
(01:19):
She has a special gift in doingwhat she does, and not only is
she a CEO, but she is one of myamazing clients.
So today I'm going to introduceher to you.
We're going to speak about herjourney in her business and
we're also going to talk abouther experience working with me.
And how has that been?
She's been with me for sometime, so I guess it can't be
(01:41):
that bad.
Hi, marie, welcome to LeadingHer Way podcast.
How are you?
Mari Walker (01:47):
Hi Nikesha.
Thank you so much for thatlovely introduction.
I'm really good today, Thankyou.
We are in Dubai and it's veryhot, but we're embracing the
heat with beautiful airconditioning.
Thank goodness for that.
Nikisha King (02:02):
Oh, you would have been melted by now if there was
no AC.
Mari Walker (02:06):
I tried to be outside earlier, but it was
actually hurting me, so I waslike, oh no, no, let's go back
inside.
Nikisha King (02:12):
Got you, so got you.
I was outside, but I wasenjoying it.
We're in spring and it justfeels nice.
You know, you get breeze andwarmth, not just hot and nothing
else, so I'm enjoying every bitof it.
I'm so grateful.
Mari Walker (02:27):
I'm jealous.
Nikisha King (02:30):
Don't worry, I don't know about you.
I don't think you guys getwinter, so don't be jealous.
You get pretty much exactly Allright.
So I'm going to jump in and I'mgoing to start with something
that's going to pull out ourhearts a little bit.
What I want to know is whatpulled you in the world of
weddings, and when did yourealize that it wasn't just a
(02:51):
passion, but a business thatcould be profitable and joyful?
Mari Walker (02:58):
Well, as with every journey, it starts a long, long
time ago, but I'll make itshort.
As with every journey, itstarts a long, long time ago,
but I'll make it short.
I studied tourism and eventmanagement as a student when I
finished school, so I've alwayshad that passion with working
with people and doing events anddoing all of those things, and
(03:22):
then I kicked off my career incorporate conferences and
exhibitions, which I absolutelyadored.
But now fast forward years,years later, I was approached by
a gentleman that was inMinneapolis, and at that time,
it was COVID 2020.
Well, actually, it was justbefore COVID Just had the start
of it.
People were talking about it,but no one really knew what it
was.
It was in February 2020.
(03:44):
And this lovely gentlemanreached out to me.
I was in Cyprus, in theMediterranean Europe side.
He was in Minneapolis and heasked me to help him create a,
or help him to plan a engagementand his soon to be fiance.
She always knows everything, sowe have to be really secretive
(04:05):
about this and I thought, okay,well, this is really interesting
.
How are we going to do this?
I'm on this side of the world,you're on that side of the world
.
Okay, let's do this.
So I planned this whole eventfor them and we even had this
random stranger who pulled out aguitar, which was actually the
groom's guitar, and he startedplaying music.
And while they were walking onthe bridge and he went, the
(04:26):
groom went down, or thegentleman went down onto his
knee on the famous bridge inMinneapolis and he proposed to
her.
And she was totally shocked andmeanwhile I arranged with the
family to hide behind a wall andas this all happened, the whole
family came out and it was justsuch a big surprise for her.
We even organized a party inone of the local pubs for them
(04:48):
to celebrate this wonderfulevent.
And then, a couple of weekslater, the couple reached out to
me again and they asked me canI please plan their wedding?
And then by that time we werewell and truly in the COVID
situation.
So at that time they were like,well, we're in Minneapolis, but
we want a destination wedding,we want to go to Montana.
(05:09):
And I'm like, oh, wow, okay,well, how are we going to do
that?
So, anyways, from Cyprus noone's allowed to travel
internationally at all toMinneapolis, to Montana, planned
all of this for them and I'mlike I've never done weddings
before.
But this is fun.
I was up until about fiveo'clock in the morning that
(05:29):
morning and waiting for them andjust checking in Is everything
okay?
Checking with the venue,checking with everyone.
And when I spoke to the coupleand the joy I felt and seen on
their faces and just the pureexcitement and the happiness
they felt, I was like, yeah, Iwant to plan weddings.
I love that, that is the feeling.
(05:50):
That is the feeling I like.
Nikisha King (05:52):
What did you love about it?
Mari Walker (05:56):
Just their happiness, their joy, seeing
these people that I've actuallynever met before in my life,
except for video calls that wedid at that time and just seeing
that absolute joy, the feel youcould.
You could actually see whatthey were feeling on their faces
, the, the, the gratefulnessthey had, the oh my gosh, did
this just happen?
(06:17):
We've just got married.
Wow, the love they felt, thelove love they expressed.
It's just I love love.
Nikisha King (06:27):
That's how I felt when I did wedding invitations.
You get to enjoy someone's loveand the way that they feel and
the affection they have for oneanother and, no matter what
anyone says, it's a beautifulstage to be in.
We don't always live in it,because that's just life and
that's evolving, but thathoneymoon as what they call it
(06:47):
it's just blissful and I thinkwe all need that in our lives
and sometimes when you work inthe wedding industry, it's like
a drug.
It's like let me get my dose ofhappiness, yeah, and it's not
going to hurt me, it's onlygoing to like.
You know, it's a nice feelingto get while you're doing what
you love.
So I totally, totally get that.
(07:14):
Now, growing your business,especially as a luxury wedding
destination business I know thatit's not a joke.
It takes a lot of amazingness,especially when it's
international, because youreside in Dubai but you do it in
Europe, but you used to live inCyprus, but I believe in the
time you've been doing it, yougrew a great network of people
and I want to know what has thatgrowth actually felt like
(07:36):
behind the scenes?
Do you remember the momentswhere you might've bottlenecked
about tension?
Those may have been the momentsthat got you to the next level,
like tell us a little bit aboutwhat that was for you.
Mari Walker (07:54):
Well, any wedding or any event or any any big
project you try to plan or do orcreate, you need a good team.
Without team, nothing ispossible.
And I'm hearing it quite a lotthese days where people are
saying that without the team,this is not possible, we cannot
create this.
(08:14):
All of us have done it.
It's not just one person, it'sall of us that's come together
to create something magical forsomeone.
There has been many times that Ithat I have felt the stress, it
all bubble up and I'm like, oh,and I actually feel like, okay,
I can't do this anymore, I'mthrowing the towel in, I don't
want to do this, I can't.
I don't want to do this anymore.
But then there is just thatmoment where you speak to the
(08:38):
couple and they're because theydon't know about all these
things sometimes happening.
So when you are sitting withthat things and obviously you're
not going to tell them all ofthe details, because this is
something that can be resolvedand then you see their
excitement and you talk to themand you have a catch-up call
with them and you just realizethis is the big picture.
(09:00):
This is why I'm doing what I'mdoing, because it's for their
happiness, it's for theirspecial, it's for their special
day, it is for their excitementand their beautiful memories
that they are building.
So we figure it out, we just,we just figure it out.
Nikisha King (09:15):
Great, so good, and that's the word.
Figure it out, right, likeMarie Folliot.
It's figureoutable or somethingof that nature, and everything
is.
There's a saying that I'velearned in my book A Happy
Pocket Full of Money.
Everything has a solutionbefore the problem.
Like there's a solution beforethe problem and you just have to
(09:37):
be conscious of the solutionsand that's where everything can
be figured out.
It's just normal behavior, butwe tend to sometimes sit in all
the chaos, thinking there is nochoice.
Right, you can think that, andwhen you think it, I believe you
create it.
There is no choice, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
There's always options.
Nikisha King (09:57):
Yeah, exactly.
Mari Walker (09:59):
It's all easy.
And I remember you telling meone day very, very clearly on
one of our calls that we had.
You were like it all works outin the end and I was like, but,
nikisha, you were like, my dear,it works out in the end.
I'm like okay, and I actuallythe next week I followed up with
you.
Nikisha King (10:17):
I'm like, guess what, nikisha, you were right it
will always work out, no matterwhat you think.
At the moment it feels heavy,but it normally does.
It's just we're at a place inour time where we are up in age
and so far we're still here andsurviving, and all the things we
thought was not gonna work out.
(10:37):
I promise you.
Mari Walker (10:38):
I've been there many times and I'm like I'm here
and it's so much better,exactly you just have to push
through, because there isliterally light at the other
side of the tunnel always,always.
Nikisha King (10:50):
Now you plan some of the most stunning
celebrations in Europe.
Why Europe?
Mari Walker (10:57):
I think it was because I was based in Cyprus
and, even though it's at the endof the European continent, it's
on the other side.
Well, it's on a little islandjust outside of Greece.
I was still part of theEuropean continent and I was
close enough and I've traveledto Europe quite a lot, so I was
(11:19):
always very excited to sharethat beauty with other couples
and with other people.
I want them to experience it, Iwant them to see it, I want
them to to feel it and I wouldjust like everything to.
I just like them to just see it, because there's a lot of
people it's like oh, europe, butEurope is a continent, it's not
a country.
Um, so there is just so muchgoing on there and so much to
(11:43):
enjoy.
So, yeah, I just that's whySorry, that was my daughter
Trying to get my attention.
Nikisha King (11:58):
All right.
So in Europe, is there anyplace that you have that's a
favorite and traveling to, whereevery time you do an event
there, it just feels like homeor anything of that nature to
you?
Mari Walker (12:16):
Right now, to be honest, there's been a lot of
Italian destination weddings.
Italy has had like an absoluteboom and I have been going to
Italy quite a lot.
I've got a lot of relationshipsthat I've built with Italy
because I have been there sooften, last year especially, um.
So, even though I would love toexplore or show people other
(12:38):
parts of Europe as well, I thinkItaly it kind of makes me feel
like home because I have mynetwork there, I have my
connections there, I've got mytrusted people there, even
though I do have them in Franceand in Greece and in Spain as
well.
It's just there's like anattraction there.
But I would love to go toFrance and show people the
(13:01):
beauty of France as well.
Nikisha King (13:04):
Do you speak any of those languages?
Italian, french.
Mari Walker (13:09):
Unfortunately not.
Nikisha King (13:10):
When I was young.
Mari Walker (13:12):
I wish I could, but I try to learn French, but no,
unfortunately not.
I was trying to learn Germanbecause my husband's half German
.
Nikisha King (13:21):
Okay, why do you consider it unfortunate?
Because here's the thing youdon't speak the language, but
you're still able to plan awedding.
I don't think that'sunfortunate.
I think that's like a gift,right?
Because think about it A lot ofpeople want to plan a wedding
overseas, but one of the biggestfrictions is that the person
they want to plan with doesn'tspeak the language they speak,
(13:42):
or it's either broken or there'ssome miscommunication because
the words that are being used.
So the fact that you've donethat as a business owner, do you
even know how that came to be?
Where you speak English, notthe language, the native
language you're planning in?
But somehow did you just getreally lucky that everyone you
(14:02):
spoke to spoke English.
Mari Walker (14:05):
It's actually a really good question because I
never thought about it this way,because I never made it a thing
.
And I know people are concernedabout language barriers, but
for me it's like I've neverthought that oh my gosh, what if
I can't speak the language?
It just always worked out.
I had incidences where therewas a language barrier and two
(14:29):
of the vendors could not speak aword of English and it was
absolutely fine because we gottranslators in.
We have connections there, wehave a team there that when we
did have our meetings and ourcalls, we would have the whole
team there and we would talk inEnglish and in Italian, or in
French or in Spanish, even where.
(14:50):
And everybody saw the bigpicture.
But I never thought to make ita big deal because there's
always a way to work through it.
Um, the, the connections I have, or the, the relationships I've
built there over the last fewyears, has really made that
possible to have peopleunderstand.
(15:13):
And also with Google Translate,especially with the emails
doing it automatically, it'smagical.
Nikisha King (15:19):
Wow.
I love this because sometimes,as business owners, we get in
our head about a problem.
We think, oh my goodness, howcan I do this, how can I do that
?
And we believe that thoseproblems are not solvable and
then that stops us from doingthe thing we think we can be
really good at.
So for you to say that nevercame up for me it's a really
(15:42):
beautiful thing, because itwasn't one of the hoops or the
things you had to jump over.
It was pretty much somethingyou welcomed, you were open to
and it just worked out.
Like we all know, it works outno matter what, and I think
that's really good to see as aCEO, because it helps you know
your capabilities and planningany event, any wedding.
(16:05):
It's not a small feat.
It has a lot of moving partsand has a lot of feelings in it,
and the feelings come from yourcreative partners, aka your
vendors, and it comes from yourcouples and it comes from the
location.
There's a lot to work.
So, as much as it gives you joy, because it's just love,
there's moments where there'sstress and frustration,
(16:31):
absolutely.
So you, being the CEO, how doyou actually handle that stress?
What do you do when thosemoments come up.
Is there any rituals you do?
Is there anything you do topull back?
Then come back.
Tell me a little bit more aboutwhat that looks like for you.
Mari Walker (16:50):
It's so funny because we actually had a
wedding a couple of well a fewweeks ago and one of the
creative partners asked thequestion.
She was much younger, of course, more younger than me, but she
did ask the question how do youjust let it run off your back
(17:10):
and how do you just get out ofthat situation and move on?
And we're like well, what I'velearned is I put my rhino suit
on and let it just run off, gofor a walk, take a couple of
deep breaths, compose myself andthen show up, because at the
end of the day, you can't justlike okay, I'm disappearing,
(17:30):
there, I go, I'm gone.
Good luck, all the best.
I wish you the best.
You can't do that?
Well, of course you can, butit's not good to do that.
But just basically, I try.
Before the events start, I havethis um meditation prayer that
I love to do.
(17:51):
It's only like a seven minuteprayer that I do and then that
hopefully sets me up for the dayahead.
Um, but when there's anythingthat comes up, I smile, I nod, I
take a few deep breaths, go fora walk, maybe, maybe around the
building, maybe around a lake,or maybe like a puddle or
whatever around the gardenwherever I can just have nature,
(18:13):
feel grounded, fresh air and goback and just move past it.
Nikisha King (18:21):
So good, Especially when you said the
meditation was seven minutes andyou made it sound like that was
short.
I'm telling you, there's somepeople who feel like seven
minutes is too long.
But the fact that you feel thatis short, that's perfect,
because that's your way.
And sometimes, when we requiresomething, seven minutes can
feel short because you requireit, you need it and as CEOs and
(18:44):
women entrepreneurs, especiallyin the creative realm, there's a
lot of energy that goes into it.
You need it and as CEOs andwomen entrepreneurs, especially
in the creative realm, there's alot of energy that goes into it
.
We think, we feel we do and weshow up for the people we care
about.
We serve on a high level.
So I really, really appreciateyou sharing that and I love the
analogy the rhino suit.
(19:06):
So if you're listening, takethat one, put it in your toolbox
right, Put it in your rhino,put on your rhino suit and let
things slide.
And when you get home, take offyour rhino suit and process
right.
Don't live in the rhino suitbecause you're going to get lost
.
Mari Walker (19:24):
Absolutely.
You actually told me that.
It's like, marie, have youtaken your rhino suit off?
Yes, and I'm like, oh yeah,it's well and truly off.
Thank you.
Nikisha King (19:33):
Yes, which is so good, which is so good.
Now I want to dream for asecond.
I want to know what's thevision for your business that
you haven't shared out loud,which is always scary, and is
there a dream destination or akind of client that you would
like to work with in yourbusiness that maybe you have
(19:55):
worked with?
You haven't, but let us know,cause maybe our listener is
getting married and they want adestination wedding right?
Our CEOs still have lives,still plan living, and maybe
they're interested in learningwhat that looks like.
So tell me some ideal client orsomeone you would love to work
with.
Mari Walker (20:15):
Oh gosh, Is there an option for all of the above
Of?
Nikisha King (20:18):
course it's a dream, it's your dream, it's
your vision.
Of course, all of above isavailable to you.
Yeah, go ahead so with thebridal house.
Mari Walker (20:27):
It's my dream and it's in the works and I haven't
really spoken to many peopleabout it.
I think this nikisha, and thenone or two other people, knows
about this.
Um, just having, like mycreatives and myself and
everybody working together as ateam.
Now, I know that a lot ofplanners do that anyways, but
(20:50):
for me it's like we need thesepeople's voices to be heard,
because there are times wherepeople don't have that option,
but I strongly believe that abig and a great team not a big
necessarily, but a great teamreally gets the job done and
that's the aim and everybody'son the same page.
So, having these wonderfulcreatives and we're all working
(21:12):
together in unison.
How are we going to do that?
It's still to be figured out,but that is a dream.
Also, having the opportunity toexpand into travel and
honeymoons and travelsuggestions of beautiful
locations and destinations forpeople to travel to.
(21:33):
You don't necessarily have tobe getting married or go on
honeymoon, but you people do goon holidays and, as I've have
the experience me and my husbandcombined have amazing
experience traveling the world.
So we love sharing this stuffwith people.
Dream destination oh mygoodness, there are so many, but
(21:56):
I think Croatia is on my listof definitely seeing, and
there's this one absolutelygorgeous venue that I must see
and I will see it, and therewill be something going either
an event or a shoot, orsomething will happen there.
I'm manifesting that.
And the dream couple oh goodness, love someone who wants their
(22:22):
wedding to feel like their homewhen they walk in, when their
guests walk in, they feel athome, that they've walked into
your living dining room or evenin your kitchen, where in the
heart of your home, and you arerelaxed, you're comfortable,
you're having a great time,you're surrounded by the
absolute people you love andeverything is just falling into
(22:44):
place.
You've got the great food thatyou can share with the people
you love.
You've got wonderful wine,cocktails, mocktails, whatever
it is that you want to drink,and beautiful music playing in
the background, and you've gotan amazing view that you can
share with the ones you love yes, so true, so good.
Nikisha King (23:03):
I love that.
And the hospitality part abouttraveling I need that in my life
.
So you know Croatia.
I have a friend who's fromCroatia and I have not been
there yet, but it's beautiful.
So I'm very interested to learnmore about where you see this
venue and in working togethergood, in working together I'm
going to get you to call andreach out to them.
So that's going to be on youraction list?
(23:25):
We need to figure that out.
Mari Walker (23:27):
Reach out to them so that's going to be on your
action list.
We need to figure that out.
I actually know the girl verywell there, so I met her.
I was very fortunate to meether in person, so yes, I have to
go and see her.
Nikisha King (23:38):
Oh, my goodness, so exciting.
Now I want to kind of help myaudience understand what I do,
because they hear me have thesebeautiful conversations with so
many business owners and thereason I do Leading Her Way
podcast even though HER is anacronym for human because we're
human first and foremost.
We're always evolving and we'reso resilient because of us being
(24:01):
very much persistent goingforward in our business.
I have the gift of God this isthe biggest gift in my entire
life of where I get to work withcreatives like you and there
are so many moments we havetogether that are so
transformative.
And as much as my clients loveto thank me, I'm like I didn't
(24:24):
do anything but ask youquestions and show you
opportunities or possibilities.
That has changed your life.
So I want to be able to sharethat with my audience today,
because I normally don't share alot of my backend and I want to
start sharing that with them sothey can understand what's
happening in my world.
Before working with me anddoing your business, what were
(24:48):
three of your biggest challengesyou faced in managing your
business or your clientrelationships?
Mari Walker (24:56):
well, automations whenever.
Whenever anyone told me toautomate, I was like no way no
way no way high-end, unique,like luxury weddings, any that's
bespoke.
You do not automate that okaythat was the one thing, because
I was like uh, you ain't doingthat.
(25:17):
The second one was there weresystems, but it wasn't working,
and I also felt like it wasn'tworking for my couples and so we
never did it.
So I did everything manually and, of course, the overwhelm and
the overload just got more.
Um.
Then the other one was I wastotally burned out, like I'm
(25:42):
doing everything myself.
I have have to like a simpleemail, even just an inquiry
coming in, I need to respond tothem and then set up a call.
And then all of these thingsjust like, okay, let me send you
a link.
It was all these things and I'mlike, what am I doing?
But no, I'm not going toautomate that.
So these all were things, andevery time you and I spoke quite
(26:04):
often, and time you spoke to me, you're like Marie, you're on a
hamster wheel.
I spoke to you like six monthsago and you're still exactly
where you are.
What's going on?
Nikisha King (26:14):
yeah, and then that fateful day, the 16th of
April 2024 the fact that youhave the date down is a gift and
an honor.
I appreciate that to the like.
That is like I've never evenexperienced what you just did
and I'm like whoa.
She has the date where westarted, the day where you said
(26:35):
yes, the date where you opted in, the date where you decided to
choose something different.
Mari Walker (26:42):
Absolutely it was.
It was a momentum, momentousday.
Is that what I can say?
Yes, it was the day that myentire mindset changed.
Nikisha King (26:52):
Wow, and it did because you did something
different.
You choose something Now, onthat day, and from that day, can
you share with the audiencewhat were like three specific
improvements you noticed withworking with my company and k
business essentials?
Mari Walker (27:10):
automations.
They actually work.
And no, it is not, not luxuryor not bespoke it actually works
and it does make your lifesimple.
Um, it helps you.
It really takes that overwhelmof.
I think I sent nakisha amessage one day saying nakisha,
(27:32):
I just had an email and acontract and a payment all in
one go and I didn't even have todo a thing.
And she's like you see, this iswhy it works and I'm, I'm so
excited.
I was celebrating this with her.
She was like I know.
Nikisha King (27:51):
And it works, because when you have to put
yourself in between all of thosesteps, you become the
bottleneck, because they'rewaiting on you, and I tend to
don't like people waiting on me.
So I like to roll out the redcarpet and help them have an
experience, because that's thebeginning of everything.
You're a destination planner,right?
(28:12):
You do a whole slew of workafter they book you.
So when someone books you, it'sonboarding.
You need to get informationfrom them, find out their
priorities.
Usually that's in the form of aform, a questionnaire.
So let's get it to them, givethem time, not send it out a day
(28:33):
before and ask for it the daytomorrow, and you might be on a
way with your family on theweekend and it's getting done
Exactly.
Yeah, you don't need to be, atyour computer waiting for that
email to come in, or travelingwith your phone in your hand
because you're waiting becausethe client might have a question
or something.
Our clients are so willing towork with our system if it feels
(28:58):
good.
Yeah, yeah, right, because somany people talk about
automation and the first thingthey think about is a robot and
I go no, that's what you thoughtabout.
Tell me, go ahead, share.
Mari Walker (29:10):
That is exactly what I thought about, because I
thought it's going to be thiscanned email where everybody
gets the same email and there'snothing personal about this
whole experience, because it isjust another email that everyone
gets.
You're not, you're just anumber.
And I'm like.
I do not want my people to feellike that.
They are not a number.
(29:31):
They are someone extremelyspecial to me, so I'm not going
to make them feel like a number,so I am not automating things,
but then they get.
None of the ones who havereceived my automated emails
have ever felt like they arejust a number.
They still feel loved.
Nikisha King (29:48):
Of course, because you give them a lot of love.
Mari Walker (29:57):
An email doesn't change the amount of love you
pour into your clients at all.
But also, Nikesha, remember youdid tell me that everything
starts with a thought and howthat thought, thoughts, and yeah
, that has changed as well.
Nikisha King (30:07):
So good, oh my goodness.
And it only gets better becausewe're still working together
and we're building your empireAlways gets better.
What was, or what is, the mostsignificant benefit you've
experienced from working with me?
Mari Walker (30:22):
Oh gosh, there are so many Nakisha, but the one
that really stands out quite alot to me is the support I'm
getting from you.
You're like my business bestie.
If I have an idea, hang on, letme speak to Nakisha.
Let me run it past Nakisha.
When I'm on site at an event, awedding retreat, whatever I am,
(30:44):
you're checking in on me.
You're like, hey, how is itgoing, how are you feeling?
And I'm like, oh my gosh, letme speak to Nekisha, let's give
her an update.
You'd say you are concernedabout my wellbeing, for my
business and for me as well.
You're my support, you'recheering me on.
You've never told me no.
(31:05):
When I've had an idea or whenI've come to you, you've been
the one who's asking me thequestions and then making me
realize, by just the questionsyou're asking, is this going to
be good or how can I do it?
And just reaching out to youand brainstorming ideas and just
(31:28):
asking you questions and youbasically just guiding me has
been really amazing for me,because when you are an
entrepreneur or a business owner, sometimes it can get really
lonely because you don't havethose office full of 20 people
sitting in the back that you cansay hey, we're having a meeting
(31:49):
.
Let's spit ball ideas.
What are we going to do?
What's the new product?
We don't have that.
So being able to have you by myside and do that, priceless.
Nikisha King (32:00):
Thank you, I swear it's amazing that I even get
the privilege to do that.
I remember when I startedthat's what I desired.
It's so weird how that's thething I desired and that's the
person I became I always wanted,because it was very lonely,
very lonely and you have tons ofideas and you couldn't speak to
(32:22):
your family because either theywere not understanding
entrepreneurship or they hadtheir limitations.
So when you spoke to them, theyjust would tell you it's not
going to work.
Mari Walker (32:33):
Yeah.
Nikisha King (32:34):
You know and didn't have that.
So in creating NK BusinessEssentials, it's just a space
where, like one of my otherclients say, they love having me
in their pocket, right, theycan easily find me and go hey,
this is happening, how do I makethis work?
How do I do this?
And I'm like this is it?
Let's go, let's figure this out.
(32:54):
And we get excited.
Trust me, I always get excitedbecause my clients are freaking
rock stars, especially you, andI'm always excited to the point
where I'm like I don't know ifthis is healthy, because it is
my drug.
I love my drug of choices.
I don't have like coffee,smoking or drinking, but when it
comes to the joy of people,it's not the joy that I need
(33:18):
from them for myself, it's justthat they get to win.
So I truly appreciate you andthank you for sharing that.
I appreciate that You're likewhat is it Business bestie?
Like I've never even said thatword, but that's a good one.
Mari Walker (33:34):
I actually thought about it earlier when I was
sitting and waiting for the call.
I was like business bestie.
That's what it is.
Nikisha King (33:42):
That's what it is.
That's a good one.
Would you recommend a serviceto other business owners and if
so, why?
Mari Walker (33:52):
Absolutely, gosh.
Just the way I've changed mymind, my mindset, how it has
really made my life so mucheasier, better I don't know the
right word for this because,honestly, nikesha, you've helped
me change my thoughts, you havehelped me show up, and if this
(34:16):
could have been me, I mean Ihave been delaying, delaying,
delaying it for so many years,making every excuse under the
sun and now actually just takingthat step, oh gosh, and they
always say I don't know who theyare, but they always say that
you have to invest in order tosee some return, you have to
(34:38):
give to receive and by investingin yourself, in your business,
to grow, to learn, to learn whatis important, that the
impossible that can be possible,I mean absolutely worth it,
absolutely.
(34:58):
I would do this again and again.
Nikisha King (35:00):
I am 100% with you .
It is the the day I did that isthe day my life changed.
I'm a student, just like you,as much as a coach, a mentor,
but the day I invested in me andbelieved in me just like you
invested in you and believed inyou it changes everything, not
(35:23):
just your business, but yourpersonal life.
You've even experienced that.
I've experienced that where ourpartners get to enjoy a better
version of us, in my opinion,because we're not just
struggling in our business andfeel like it's just draining us.
Mari Walker (35:40):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
If we're happy, our cups arefull, we just spread the love
and the joy even more.
Nikisha King (35:49):
So, yes, so true, so true, and we don't realize
sometimes that's the power wehave.
But as creators, we have thatpower.
I love that.
Now, what would you say tosomeone who's on the fence about
investing in themselves to growtheir business?
Like someone maybe you know whohasn't done what you've done
(36:12):
and you might hear them.
And when you hear them, you'relike, wow, they sound like the
old me, but they're on the fence.
And them being on the fence,how would you help them see the
possibilities?
Is there something you wouldtell them specifically?
Mari Walker (36:28):
Well, two things that I've already mentioned is
having that person that you canshare things with, because when
you're alone, who are you goingto share anything with?
No one's going to listen.
You'll get stuck in your ownmind.
But when you are with someonelike nikisha or whoever it is,
(36:49):
it doesn't matter who it is butwith another person helping you
and just taking that extra loadof your and getting all the
information out of your mind andputting it on paper, like you
always tell me, anyways, to do,just having that person there
will change their lives.
It'll make life so much easier.
(37:11):
Um, the and also the.
If you don't invest in yourself, how are you going to grow?
Um, also, just by the way, it'schanged my life, um, my, my
personal life, my business life,how it's changed how I view the
industry, how I view mybusiness.
Now it's not just a hobby orsomething on the side.
(37:34):
It is actually something that Ilove doing and something that
is profitable and something thatgives me great joy, as well as
other people.
Absolutely, absolutely worth it.
They must.
They must at least give it atry Right, and if they see a
result, or if they see just thesmallest change, then they know.
Nikisha King (37:59):
Yeah, and it's for me personally.
It's impossible to work with mewithout seeing a change.
I've learned and it's not evenme being I don't know what the
words are they call it I'm.
I've seen it so many times thatit's, it's only a month, it
doesn't take for me.
I work with my clients for sixmonths.
(38:20):
It doesn't take us six monthsto see a change.
It's only a month that theycause my.
My clients are action takers.
I love them.
They love to take all theaction.
Sometimes they just don't knowwhat to do.
They're like how should I focusand where?
And then I give that and onceyou put it in front of them,
it's like done, and you knowthings are yeah, so it's always
(38:43):
it's quicker.
Because they're action takers,they don't sit a lot in their
stuff.
You know we work through thisstuff, we get it, and I'm proud
of what gift I was given to evenbe a part of that journey.
You know, every day, as acreative entrepreneur, there
(39:03):
have been moments, and I thinkyou've experienced your moments,
the moments where we don't wantto get out of bed the moments
that I think we all experiencethat.
But the fact that we're here andwe constantly are moving
forward and serving people whocan't do what you do for sure I
know that because I'm one ofthem If I was getting married or
(39:25):
if I'm traveling, having you inmy pocket is a gift, because I
will pay you anything and belike here, figure it out, I'll
see you when I get there.
I don't know how people cannotunderstand that what you do is
so worth it, because we'rebuilding your website and I want
to tell you, as I'm watchingthese images and videos, I'm
(39:46):
like what is this?
This is beautiful and thesepeople you could feel the energy
through the videos and photos.
I usually consume a lot ofenergy when I'm looking at
visuals and I'm just like doesshe not understand what she does
?
They couldn't find this ontheir own.
They just couldn't.
I don't believe they could.
(40:06):
I believe they would go througha lot of hell before they get
to that heaven and the peoplewho choose that.
I don't think they experiencewhat you can give them.
So I'm excited for you.
I'm excited for Marie's bridalhouse.
It's already here, just got tobring it to life, and that's
what we got to do.
We got to just tell everyoneit's here, right?
So thank you.
(40:29):
Thank you, marie, for your time.
Thank you for sharing yourgifts with us, your stories,
those moments that a lot ofpeople struggle with.
We are all humans first and westruggle, but there is something
spiritual about us that makesus very special in our own way.
Mari Walker (40:46):
Absolutely.
Thank you for giving me thisopportunity.
I'm very honored to be on yourpodcast and to be here today, so
thank you for letting me sharemy message.
Nikisha King (40:59):
And I would love for you to share verbally where
can people find you?
Mari Walker (41:05):
Okay, well, you can find me on my website.
It is still the old website,but we are working on a new one
that we will launch soon, whichI'm really excited about as
martinmarieweddingscom, and youcan find me on Instagram at
martinmarieweddings.
We can see more updates, dailyupdates, stories and what's
(41:26):
happening in my world ofweddings.
Nikisha King (41:28):
See more updates, daily updates, stories and
what's happening in my world ofweddings.
Yes, Thank you.
Thank you once again forsharing.
Speaker 1 (41:33):
Thank you for joining us today on Leading Her Way.
We loved having you with us.
Remember each action you take,no matter how small, adds up to
big results.
If today's episode fired you up, hit subscribe for more
insights and visit our resourcehub, which is linked to the show
notes.
There you'll find tools tostreamline, organize and grow
(41:56):
your business.
Keep moving forward and we'llbe right here to cheer you on
next week.
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