the HUB

I'm very happy to have spent time with this power couple of the wedding and events industry.  These two have created a one-stop-shop for brides & grooms to build their wedding services from.  They are talented, hard working and were very generous with their time spent with me for this episode.  Hope you guys love it!

Thanks to Dane Miller for taking time out to record with me at his photography studio! What a lovely man. So humble and unassuming despite his status within the industry...and despite being someone that others want to be when they grow up as artists. I hope you guys love this episode! Find Dane and Dos Kiwis at ~ https://www.doskiwis.com/ And check out our video with Dane on the youtube channel!! ~ https://youtu.be/NaThiWLLwws This episode is brought to you by : Moments & Milestones ~ https://www.momentsmilestones.com/ Fresh Start Cleaners ~ https://www.freshstartcleaningsa.com/ This episode’s shout out goes to : The Milestone in New Braunfels ~ https://themilestone.com/austinsan-antonio/new-braunfels Check out their open house on September 8th from 2:00-4:00!!

Dona Liston, owner and operator of the Lambermont Events venue and Regional Vice President for ILEA. We talk about her journey to owning a venue, designing parties, and why she is passionate about having only professional vendors working at her venue. She is an absolutely lovely person. I really think you guys will enjoy listening to her! This episode’s sponsor is Moments & Milestones : https://www.momentsmilestones.com ~ We live to see you smile…and we guarantee that you will! This episode’s shout-out is Gardens at Old Town Helotes : http://www.gardensatoldtown.com 

The one and only Genaro at Fusion Catering stopped by the studio and "MAN!!!"...what an amazing story he shared!  He is inspiring!  I am so thankful to have met him and I look forward to building a friendship with him...I really, really hope you guys love this! Check out Fusion Catering ~ https://www.sanantoniocateringservices.com/  This episode's shout-out is for Paesanos 1604 ~  https://www.paesanos1604.com/  Our sponsor, as always, is Moments & Milestones ~  http://www.momentsmilestones.com/  And feel free to reach out to me any time ~  http://www.thehubpodcast.com/  Enjoy it!!

Christina Bitner – current owner of Weights ‘n’ Cakes bakery / also a decorated body builder / also a recently former bride…swung by the studio to chat all things weddings and the wedding business. What an interested, charming guest! *SO* thankful to her for taking the time to talk with us. Hope you guys enjoy!! Check out Weights 'n Cakes ~  https://www.facebook.com/WeightsnCakes/  This episode's shout-out is for Gruene Estates ~   https://grueneestate.com/  Our sponsor, as always, is Moments & Milestones ~  http://www.momentsmilestones.com/  And feel free to reach out to me any time ~  http://www.thehubpodcast.com/  Enjoy it!!

 Dominic swung by the studio to chat about moving his business from a different city, transitioning from a full-time job to being an entrepreneur, making time for his family and what makes At Last Entertainment one of the fastest growing DJ businesses in San Antonio. He’s awesome – you guys are going to love him by the end of this episode, I promise. Enjoy it!

 We welcomed the ladies heading the board for STEP (South Texas Event Professionals) into the studio. They are 4 dynamic entrepreneurs and personalities. Gretchen from Aly-Am Paperie, Tammy from Ata-Girl Photography, Lizzette with From His Garden Floral and Vicki with Gardens at Old Town Helotes each shared their thoughts, their advice, and their experience. I thought it was going to be difficult technically and format/flow, but they were absolutely easy going, charming, insightful and fun to talk with. I was so glad we did this. Hope you all enjoy this – episode 2 of 2 – with the Ladies of STEP.  Visit STEP at www.sotxep.com And this episode’s shoutouts are with :       Moments & Milestones Event Planning & Photography : www.momentsmilestones.com      And From His Garden :  https://fromhisgardenflowers.com

We welcomed the ladies heading the board for STEP (South Texas Event Professionals) into the studio. They are 4 dynamic entrepreneurs and personalities. Gretchen from Aly-Am Paperie, Tammy from Ata-Girl Photography, Lizzette with From His Garden Floral and Vicki with Gardens at Old Town Helotes each shared their thoughts, their advice, and their experience. I thought it was going to be difficult technically and format/flow, but they were absolutely easy going, charming, insightful and fun to talk with. I was so glad we did this. Hope you all enjoy this – episode 1 of 2 – with the Ladies of STEP.  Visit STEP at www.sotxep.com And this episode’s shoutouts are with :       Moments & Milestones Event Planning & Photography : www.momentsmilestones.com      And Granberry Hills : www.granberryhills.com

Honored to have Miss Tina Alvarado stop by the studio!  We talk navigating through this industry, networking and the importance of relationships, lessons she's learned along the way, and why Rentals is a good place to start in this industry. She is charming, knowledgeable, generous and fun!  This was one of our favorite conversations to date.  Check out Tina at Great Events & Rentals at : http://www.greateventrentals.com/ Enjoy!

Frank Burton swung by the studio to talk CBD oil, the changes he's noticed in budding entrepreneurs over the years, and always being a team player.  We *LOVE* Frank here at the HUB - hope you guys enjoy this conversation!

Nicolette swung by to talk with Derek about her background in design, what it's like with her mom as a business partner, and where Chic Concepts is headed. Great info, fun stories and a few good laughs - this was a fantastic interview!  Enjoy it!

Absolutely thrilled that Sheila Dunn took the time to swing by the studio to chat with us! Sheila regaled tails of her past and using her 20 years of marketing, promotion and communications experience within small businesses, offered advice to young artists and entrepreneurs looking to establish and expand their companies. This was a great episode! I sincerely hope you guys love it!

Ashley swung by the studio and talks about how she built BLUSH Makeup & Hair; Meeting with clients at diners before she had a studio; maintaining a unique image in the industry; planning her *OWN* wedding; and the constant fight to stay busy. She was AMAZINGLY fun to talk to - hope you enjoy this episode!

We had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Ms Monica Endejan, owner and operator at Reel Photo Booth in San Antonio. She was very honest about how she built her business, a few lessons along the way, and goals she has for the future. This was an absolute delight! Enjoy it!

We get to sit down and speak with Carmel & Marcus about their new non-profit venture "The Banquet Table". They're absolutely awesome people with a big heart for the college-aged demo, they've decided to plan their business in San Antonio around the UTSA campus. We support them whole-heartedly! Hope you guys enjoy this episode! Cheers!

I’ve been SO ready to release this episode with Anthony Pedrotti because he’s AWESOME! And he’s promoting his venue and his open house on November 14th at Pedrotti’s Ranch in Helotes, Texas. But Anthony talks about growing up with a family of entrepreneurs and what it’s like to step back into the family business. And how he’s added his own dimension to the business since he’s stepped in…while still respecting the blood, sweat and tears that his family put in before him. Pedrotti’s rounds the 25 year mark this year. So congrats to them and this amazing milestone. And thanks for talking with us here at the HUB!

Lizzette was WONDERFUL! She talked about how her love for flowers blossomed (see what I did there?!?!) She talks about her balance between home & business and the sacrifices she has made to make sure she was 100% ready to dive head first into building this business. I loved having her at the studio. I hope you love her too - go check out her website at https://fromhisgardenflowers.com/. And give her a good rating on FB and IG!!

This was a FANTASTIC sit down with the operations manager from Cutting Edge Entertainment. Wes is a wonderfully authentic, honest and open guy. I am so happy to share his rise to being one of the most popular DJ's in San Antonio. I hope you guys love this conversation!

Shimeyka is one of the coolest, most fun-loving and SUPER-CREATIVE people in this industry. She was hilarious, insightful and generous with her information as she told us from start to finish how she ended up at The SA Botanical Gardens. Now she runs the events department and designs, plans and produces events on a very grand scale! She says she tries to produce events that SHE would want to go to. Shimeyka is an inspiration to all of us in and around this industry...as well as one of the nicest people around. Hope you guys love her as much as we did!!

No guest, just Derek...listen as he gives advice on choosing the right event vendors; and consequently, how to BE the right event vendor. Hope you enjoy!

This is an absolutely fantastic interview - Chris talks about his background in radio, the inception of Future Sounds, and the multiple iterations of the company. He talks about the specific things he focuses on during an event and what things to expect in an entertainer.

Rene & Kari Esparza were absolutely PERFECT podcast guests! You will love hearing about the formation of their companies, how they handle being partners in business and in life, and their vision for the Events Industry. Hope you enjoy this episode!!

San Antonio's Queen of Floral and Design makes an appearance on the podcast! I cannot say enough good things about Melissa...you ABSOLUTELY should listen to this!!! Hope you enjoy it!

Saul drops by the studio to talk about his new business : V-Bar Mixologists. He also gives LOTS of detail on becoming an entrepreneur...what he has overcome to get his business this far...and where he is going. He was fantastic - don't miss this episode! Check out contact info and more detail in the show notes on the blog here : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/saul-vision-lounge-furniture

After a couple of months with the podcast, we'd like to address a few questions and comments we've collected. Hope you enjoy this! Thanks so much for listening...show notes are on the blog! Show notes on the blog : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/the-hub-between-cast1/

Ron Peene sits down with Derek to discuss his 30 years of experience in the industry as the head of one of the largest Mobile DJ Companies in San Antonio. This is chock-full or information, great advice and inspiring stories. Enjoy this episode!! Check out contact info and more detail in the show notes on the blog here : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/ron-peene-cutting-edge-entertainment/

Today on the HUB, we had the pleasure of chatting with Laurie Love of Cru Vintage Rentals. She talks about dealing with the rapid growth of her business and how she's struggled to find a balance in her family life and professional life. She gives advice on networking and building your business through reputation. Enjoy this one ~ Laurie was an absolutely fantastic and insightful interview! Show notes on the Moments & Milestones blog : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/laurie-love-cru-vintage-rentals

Derek talks with Stephanie about balancing her life while managing 3 venues. She tells us how she worked her way into the industry and how she accidentally started a design company! And she gives WONDERFUL advice to vendors on the correct way to network with venues. Give this episode a listen...I promise it's worth your time! Show notes here on the Moments & Milestones blog : www.momentsmilestones.com/stephanie-ponce-rosenberg-skyroom/

Derek talks to Anthony from Christian Ellis Images about how he got started as a videographer, why his clients love him, and the importance of coffee at the beginning of the day. Anthony reminds those of us who are just getting started to "not despise the small beginnings". And he offers advice and encouragement for people planning an event. Show notes here on the Moments & Milestones blog : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/christian-ellis-images/

This is just a quick introduction of this podcast...who we are...and why we do this. If you are planning an event, if you are in the events industry, or if you *WANT* to be in the industry - this podcast is for you. Come check us out!! Show notes here on the Moments & Milestones blog : http://www.momentsmilestones.com/introducing-the-hub-events-podcast/