Gathered Here

If You Look for the Good, You’ll Find ItIn this Quick Chat, I’m reflecting on one of the biggest leadership lessons that’s been sitting with me since my conversation with Anthony Lambatos—and honestly, it hit deeper than I expected.We talk a lot about team culture, hiring the right people, and building something meaningful. But what happens when someone who was the right person… isn’t anymore?In this episode, I’m unpacking:The shift from “dream employee” to someone who no longer believes in the visionThe leadership mistakes I didn’t see in real time (but see so clearly now)Why not everyone is meant to stay forever—and why that’s not always a failureAnd the mindset shift that’s changing everything for me right now: if you look for the good, you’ll find itThis one is honest. A little uncomfortable. And a reminder that even in the hard seasons—especially in the hard seasons—there’s something worth holding onto.Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Aisle PlannerWedding ProBrite BizLead LockReleventfulEvent Guard VenueX AIInterested in learning more about The Venue Masterclass?Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.comFollow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

Where I Got Culture Wrong — And What I’m Doing Differently NowIn this Quick Chat, I’m reflecting on my conversation with Anthony Lambatos—and more importantly, what it brought up for me as I step into building new teams and new venues.We talk a lot about company culture in this industry, but what happens when you realize… you didn’t get the core right?In this episode, I’m breaking down the three things that actually define culture:People doing work they’re good atUnderstanding the purpose behind the workAnd building relationships rooted in love, trust, and respectBut more than that, I’m sharing where I got it wrong.From misaligned roles and burnout… to losing the “why” behind the work… to unintentionally creating a culture that felt more transactional than meaningful.This is an honest look at what I’ve learned, what I would do differently, and how I’m approaching leadership as I build again.Because culture doesn’t just happen.It’s built—intentionally, daily, and often through failure first.

What if culture isn’t something you add to your business… but the thing that drives it?In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Lambatos to talk about what it actually looks like to build a people-first business—and why so many leaders get it wrong.Anthony shares how he transformed his family’s catering company by focusing on one simple goal: create a great place to work. What followed? Increased revenue, stronger retention, and a team that shows up when it matters most.We get into:Why culture isn’t perks, ping pong tables, or beer cartsThe difference between generosity and just spending moneyHow to identify (and handle) “red dot” employees before they derail your teamWhy burnout has less to do with hours—and more to do with the work itselfAnd how to build a team that protects your culture even when you’re not in the roomIf you’ve ever felt the tension between being a good leader and running a profitable business… this episode will challenge the way you think about both.Show Notes:To Follow Anthony and all his hustles: @footerscatering, @social_capitol_eventsThis Episode's Sponsors: Information on Brite BizInformation on Lead LockIn Previous Episodes:Event Guard ReleventfulWedding ProVenue X AIAisle PlannerAre you the Vendor Asshole: Submit your story here Want to be a Judge or a Podcast Guest? Fill out this form hereWant more information on The Venue Masterclass? Join us February 21-24 in Tampa, Florida. Learn more here

In this Venue Masterclass segment, Dana sits down with Sara Kincaid from Aisle Planner to unpack one of the biggest mistakes business owners make: building a business around not failing instead of intentionally designing it for success.With over 17 years in the events industry, Sarah has seen it all—from catering and venue management to leading a global software platform. And her message is clear: growth doesn’t happen by accident.This conversation dives deep into:Why “taking every client” can actually hurt your brandThe difference between working in your business vs. on itHow to think about ROI beyond just dollars (hint: your time matters more than you think)Why tech, systems, and processes aren’t optional—they’re the foundationAnd the hard truth about what’s really keeping most venue owners stuckIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overworked, or unsure where your next level of growth comes from—this episode will challenge the way you think about your business.Because success isn’t about doing more.It’s about doing the right things, on purpose.Show Notes:Follow Aisle Planner on Instagram: @aisleplannerpoSchedule a demo: https://www.aisleplanner.com/Our Advertisers:Info on Event Guard: https://eventguard.ai/Info on Venuex AI: https://venuexai.com/Info on The Venue Masterclass Can be found: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com

Origins: The Bradford — Building, Breaking & Letting GoFor years, I told other people’s stories.This time, I’m telling my own.This is the story of The Bradford—the dream that started on a napkin, the risk that changed everything, and the journey that shaped who I am today.From building a venue with no money… to living on-site with our families… to navigating the pressure, the partnership, and the moments no one talks about—this is the full story.Not the gossip. Not the headlines.But the truth of what it takes to build something from nothing—and what it costs along the way.This episode is about more than a venue.It’s about identity, growth, letting go, and realizing that the thing you thought was the end… was never the end at all.Show Notes:Information on Aisle Planner: https://www.aisleplanner.com/Information on Wedding Pro: https://pros.weddingpro.com/Follow my new ventures:https://mcalisterleftwich.com/https://thegrahammill.com/

What does it really cost to say yes to your dreams?In this heartfelt quick chat, Dana dives into the quiet sacrifices that come with ambition — the missed moments, the guilt that lingers, and the constant tug between what we want to build and who we want to be there for. Drawing inspiration from Brittany’s story of saying yes to her calling and no to everything that didn’t align, Dana shares her own journey of learning that every yes carries a no.From coaching her daughter’s basketball team to redefining what balance looks like, this conversation is an honest look at how we can honor our dreams and our boundaries. Because the goal isn’t to do it all — it’s to say yes to what truly matters.For More Info on Brittany and The Colonial at Sunset:Website:https://thecolonialatsunset.com/Instagram: @colonialatsunsetFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

There comes a moment when you realize the seat you’ve been holding onto no longer serves you. For Brittany, it was leaving spaces where respect was missing — even when walking away meant heartbreak, loss, or uncertainty about what came next.In this episode of Gathered Here, Dana shares her own experiences of staying too long at the wrong tables, the fear of leaving, and the freedom that comes when you finally decide to walk away. Together with Brittany’s story, this conversation explores:The courage it takes to recognize when you’re not valuedWhy heartbreak can be the foundation of resilienceThe importance of not silencing the dreams that refuse to let goHow “no” often becomes the path to a deeper “yes”For More Info on Brittany and The Colonial at Sunset:Website:https://thecolonialatsunset.com/Instagram: @colonialatsunsetFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

Sometimes the dream won’t let go of you — no matter how many times the world tells you “no.”In this episode, Dana sits down with Brittany Schrader, owner of The Colonial at Sunset, to hear how she turned years of setbacks, heartbreaks, and hard lessons into the foundation for her ultimate “yes.”From her start in sports management to nearly giving up on the industry altogether, Brittany’s story is one of grit, resilience, and listening to the pull of a dream that wouldn’t quit. Together, Dana and Brittany talk about the messy middle of venue ownership, the sacrifices behind the pretty pictures, and the courage it takes to walk away from the wrong tables in order to build your own.If you’ve ever felt like giving up, this episode will remind you that every “no” might just be laying the groundwork for your biggest “yes.”For More Info on Brittany and The Colonial at Sunset:Website:https://thecolonialatsunset.com/Instagram: @colonialatsunsetFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

We often feel the pressure to be perfect in business — to never miss a detail, never drop the ball, never let our humanness show. But the truth is, mistakes happen, emotions spill over, and life rarely fits into neat boxes.In this episode, Dana shares reflections inspired by her conversation with Leah from The Historic Ashland. From the weight of making an impact, to reframing the “value” of our work, to the radical reminder that weddings — and the work behind them — are about people, not perfection.Listen in as Dana talks about the banner she forgot to hang, what her AP chemistry teacher taught her about true care, and why approaching each other with charitable assumptions might just change everything.Because at the end of the day, we’re not perfect — we’re people.For More Info on Leah and The Historic Ashland:Website: https://historicashlandevents.com/Instagram: @historicashlandFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

In this episode of Quick Chat with Dana, I dive into a deeply personal topic: asking for help. We often pride ourselves on independence, on being the ones who can handle it all—but what happens when life gets overwhelming, and we realize we can’t do it alone?I reflect on lessons from my past, the struggles of balancing care for others while neglecting our own needs, and how asking for help isn’t a weakness—it can actually be a sign of strength, connection, and humanity. This episode is about vulnerability, self-reflection, and the courage to let people in, even when it feels terrifying.For More Info on Leah and The Historic Ashland:Website: https://historicashlandevents.com/Instagram: @historicashlandFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

In this episode, Dana sits down with Leah Nadu, co-owner of Historic Ashland, to talk about the reality of running a family-built venue — the grief and grit it takes, the lessons her late father passed down, and why she believes hospitality isn’t the wedding business at all, but the people business. From learning to ask for help, to finding refuge in her work, to building a team that carries her family’s legacy forward, Leah’s story is one of resilience, vulnerability, and heart-led leadership.For More Info on Leah and The Historic Ashland:Website: https://historicashlandevents.com/Instagram: @historicashlandFor More info on Dana and her Hustles:Instagram: @hustleandgather & @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Consulting: https://www.hustleandgather.com/Speaking: https://www.danakadwell.com/speaking

Life can be messy, painful, and overwhelming—but sometimes the very act of caring for someone else can help us find our way. In this episode of Gathered Here, Dana Kadwell explores the power of empathy, sharing stories from her own journey and a conversation with Kate, a hospitality professional who learned that serving others can be deeply healing.These experiences reveal a profound truth: showing up for others can restore, teach, and guide us—even through the hardest moments. Dana also dives into practical ways to cultivate empathy, including the transformative idea of “charitable assumption,” and reflects on how hospitality has become both her purpose and her North Star.If you’ve ever wondered how kindness, understanding, and empathy can shape not just the people around you but also yourself, this episode will leave you inspired to show up, serve, and heal—one moment at a time.Learn more about Kate:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitymarketingsolutions/Learn more about us:The Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatheredherepodcast/

Complacency isn’t just a business risk — it can quietly erode the relationships that help us thrive. In this episode, Dana reflects on the lesson sparked by last week’s conversation with Kate.Dana shares honest stories from her own experience, from the times she neglected networking and personal connections, to the moments she realized that surface-level interactions weren’t enough. She talks about the pep talks in elevators, the shift toward authentic relationship-building, and how being intentional about connection opened doors in both her venue business and her wider community.This episode is for anyone who’s struggled to stay engaged, felt drained by networking, or wondered how to cultivate real, lasting relationships. Beyond strategy and operations, Dana reminds us that progress in business — and in life — is powered by the people we connect with.Learn more about Kate:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitymarketingsolutions/Learn more about us:The Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatheredherepodcast/

When Hospitality Heals: Resilience, Adaptability, and the Heart That Keeps Us HereSometimes hospitality is more than just events — it’s survival, it’s healing, and it’s the heart that keeps us moving forward.Kate Foster’s story is proof of that. From her early career in politics to planning over 500 weddings, opening multimillion-dollar venues, and now training hospitality sales teams across North America, her journey is anything but ordinary. Along the way, she learned lessons venue owners often discover the hard way: why opening day is never the finish line, how complacency can quietly destroy a business, and why adaptability is everything.In this episode, Kate also opens up about the deeply personal story of how hospitality quite literally saved her life — and why empathy remains at the center of everything she does.This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered if they have the fortitude to keep going, and a reminder that while the work is hard, hospitality has a way of healing us, too.Learn more about Kate:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitymarketingsolutions/Learn more about us: The Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatheredherepodcast/

You don’t become a boss without paying a price. But what if the cost keeps climbing — and it’s you on the line?In this deeply honest solo episode, Dana Kadwell reflects on a powerful moment from her interview with Dixie Bagley: the idea that every entrepreneur pays a price to lead.From burnout and resentment to health scares and missed time with family, Dana shares how even when you love your work — really love it — there are moments when the business you built starts to break you.This is a conversation about the pressure of being the decision-maker, the weight of responsibility, and the reckoning that comes when your body (and your heart) starts saying, enough.Follow Dixie:Instagram: @dixiedoesweddings and @thefarmromegaweddinsWebsite: The Farm Rome Georgia | European Style Barn Wedding VenueFollow Us!Instagram: @hustleandgather and @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: The Venue MasterclassHustle and Gather: Events & Trainings for Event Professionals | Hustle & Gather

Sink or swim — it’s a phrase we all know. But what happens when you realize… you don’t want to swim anymore?In this solo quick chat, Dana Kadwell unpacks a vulnerable truth sparked by last week’s conversation with Dixie Bagley: not every goal deserves to be chased to the end. Dana shares her personal struggle with goal-setting, the fear of failure that’s shaped her choices, and the surprising realization that sometimes sinking isn’t the loss we think it is — it’s actually the win.Follow Dixie:Instagram: @dixiedoesweddings and @thefarmromegaweddinsWebsite: The Farm Rome Georgia | European Style Barn Wedding VenueFollow Us!Instagram: @hustleandgather and @gatheredherepodcastThe Venue Masterclass: The Venue MasterclassHustle and Gather: Events & Trainings for Event Professionals | Hustle & Gather

Dixie Bagley didn’t go looking for a wedding venue — it found her. In this episode, she shares the wild story of how an impulsive property visit, a personal tragedy, and a last-minute wedding turned into a life she never expected. From double-booked disasters and boundary-setting breakdowns to the high cost of keeping 36 toilets clean, Dixie gets real about what it actually takes to run a venue. This is a story of sink-or-swim moments, resilient choices, and learning to follow the spark… even when it feels like chaos.If you’ve ever built something by accident — or by sheer force of will — this one’s for you.Follow Dixie: Instagram: @dixiedoesweddings and @thefarmromegaweddingsWebsite: The Farm Rome Georgia | European Style Barn Wedding VenueFollow Hustle and Gather:Instagram: @hustleandgather and @thegatheredherepodcastWebsite: The Venue Masterclass and Events & Trainings for Event Professionals | Hustle & Gather

Sometimes, the most unexpected moments give us exactly what we’ve been missing.In this solo episode, Dana reflects on a powerful conversation with Sarah Narcus of Olio—and how it unearthed something deeply personal: the quiet but profound joy of sharing your vision, your excitement, and your heart with someone who really sees it.From early sales missteps to rediscovering what it means to genuinely connect with a potential client, Dana dives into what it looks like to lose your spark... and then find it again—in the most surprising of places.Follow Olio on Instagram: @oliopeabodyFollow us! @gatheredherepodcast, @hustleandgather Info on The Venue Masterclass: The Venue Masterclass

In this vulnerable solo episode, Dana opens up about the years she spent shapeshifting to fit the mold—hiding that she was a teacher, a mom, or even just herself. From navigating burnout and resentment at the venue to reckoning with the fallout of people-pleasing in leadership, she shares the turning point that forced her to stop pretending.This episode is a reflection on the power (and cost) of authenticity in life and business—and a reminder that if your whole heart and whole truth aren’t in it… what’s the point?Follow Olio on Instagram: @oliopeabodyFollow us: @gatheredherepodcast, @hustleandgather Info on The Venue Masterclass: The Venue Masterclass

What happens when a planner sees a gap in the market and goes all in? In Sarah Narcus's case: a million-dollar loan, a historic renovation, a baby in a hard hat, and the opening of one of Boston’s most unique venues—right before a global pandemic. Sarah joins Dana to talk about living in the “and,” embracing the juggle of motherhood and entrepreneurship, and how doing things with your whole heart and whole truth is the best sales strategy around.Follow Olio on Instagram @oliopeabodyVisit their site: https://www.oliopeabody.com/

You know exactly where you're meant to go.But the path to get there? That part feels… unclear.This week’s episode is about those moments—when you’re holding tight to the vision, but every direction feels blocked.It’s about staying with it. Getting creative. And believing that yes is still possible—even if it doesn’t come the way you expected.Follow Kim on Instagram  @estateatriverrunCheck out The Estate: https://theestateatriverrun.com/

Kim Moody’s story stirred something real: the moment when a dream feels too big—and you’re tempted to settle. In this solo reflection, Dana shares her own journey of gut instinct, fear, failure, and the supernatural moments that changed everything. Follow Kim on Instagram  @estateatriverrunCheck out The Estate: https://theestateatriverrun.com/

Kim Moody’s journey to owning The Estate at River Run is anything but linear. From flipping homes to a $1M renovation during COVID, she shares what it really took to create a dream venue—and why she never settled.Follow Kim on Instagram  @estateatriverrunCheck out The Estate: https://theestateatriverrun.com/

Welcome to the Chaotic World of Venue Ownership!