The Wedding Biz – Episode 434 MICHELLE RAGO: Destination Planner, Producer, and Designer Part 3
This episode marks today’s guest’s third spot on The Wedding Biz! Michelle Rago is a very popular and successful destination planner, producer, and designer based out of New York City, and she has published a book titled Signature Weddings: Creating a Day Uniquely Your Own. She joins Andy today to discuss topics such as how the COVID-19 pandemic affected her business, how she sometimes has to make decisions in the moment, her passion for travel, how she values her independence, what her greatest challenge is now especially since the pandemic, what she is most excited about in the future, and more!
Andy is so glad that he had yet another opportunity to talk to Michelle and hopes to have her on again in the future! If you enjoyed his conversation with Michelle and/or found it helpful, then Andy would love if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it and would also appreciate it if you were to subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode! Be sure also to leave a top review wherever you listen because that really helps out the show and helps people find it!
This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right vendors. Zola gives wedding vendors more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads — all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ Become a patron and Andy and the show: For as little as $6 per month, or $0.75 per episode, are you willing to support the industry insights Andy brings on his podcast? If you are so inspired: contribute. 
Time Stamps
[0:00] – Today’s sponsor is Zola.
[1:02] – Andy reveals that today’s guest is Michelle Rago.
[2:42] – Michelle discusses how COVID impacted her business.
[5:32] – The destination part of Michelle’s business completely shut down during COVID.
[6:47] – What did Michelle learn about herself during the pandemic?
[8:26] – Michelle reflects on a recent wedding at Palm Beach.
[9:40] – How did Michelle curate a team for this specific event?
[12:50] – Michelle describes what it’s like being a team leader.
[16:24] – Andy shifts the conversation toward making your own luck.
[19:23] – Andy gives an example of improvisation as a musician.
[21:23] – Michelle touches upon how she stays inspired.
[22:48] – Does Michelle ever feel burnt out?
[24:58] – Michelle shares what her greatest challenge is.
[27:00] – Learn about the second business Michelle might launch.
[28:40] – Michelle discusses what about the future excites her.
[30:58] – Discover where to find Michelle.
RESOURCES
Michelle’s Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz
Michelle Rago – Signature Weddings: Creating a Day Uniquely Your Own
Find Michelle:
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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.
