BUILDING A WEDDING & EVENT VENUE - Episode 5

[@kalliericker8332]

I love how transparent you are with everything, it’s so hard to find in this industry! We are hoping to open a venue in the next couple years so your videos have been a real inspiration to me in this planning process.

[@LADYGANDY]

Inspiration for me as well! It so encouraging to see someone do what I’ve dreamed about so long 🙏🏾👏

[@rayvaldez1153]

Congratulations on your success, and thank you for providing this information to the public. I really appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing your new videos.

[@wynnlocher3602]

Awesome video and so glad to see you back at it! I only recently became involved in hospitality and I’m definitely interested in learning more about the day to day and behind the scenes operations of The Haven! Additionally, I really appreciate the transparency you provide, especially with pricing, and I would love to see a more detailed breakdown of build out costs and monthly income and expenses! Last but not least, you’ve created a beautiful venue and I can’t wait to see more videos!

[@JulieSilva-h5b]

Thank you for sharing.. yes ! Definitely more on the business side? Can’t wait to see your next video…

[@kaziannova]

Looking to build a venue on a 40 acre pond. I'm loving your content. Great job and congratulations on your venue!

[@Aeditta]

Congratulations Blake🎉

[@Vemy69]

My big dream build my own venue. I am lucky I found your videos. Congratulations!

[@janedoe2526]

congratulations 🎉

[@kennysalazar3631]

That’s awesome!! We hope to break ground on our event center April 2024! You have shared great information!! Thank you and continued blessings!!

[@paulalee-barnes6819]

Thank you so much for the video and your openness and willingness to share. I recently came up with the idea to build a wedding venue on some land that I have inherited. Not 100% sure about it yet. Still Praying about it. But your videos have certainly provided some insight. Thank you.

[@Holden1062]

This is amazing! Truly inspiring!

[@RealEstatewithDeAndra]

Congratulations I loved watching your journey so inspiring!! I would love to chat more about opening a venue in my hometown. God bless and congrats again.

[@iamcassiejbudgetsvlogs325]

i would like to see a tour with you talking to us and how u choose the room or decoration behind it. wht didnt. tell us what u thought and what was going through your head when u hosted the first event.

[@adamkubacki1958]

Thanks for your transparency, I started following in 2021 and lost track over the last 12 months or so... very inspired by your progress since then. Some questions for you: - are you/did you look at vertical integration (i.e. providing food, cakes, etc) - did you consider having accommodation on-site - any commentary on risk-management of the business - would you ever consider franchising to leverage the work you've done so far that would be repeatable elsewhere (building plans, permit paperwork, business processes, etc.) - a million questions around funding everything that happens before opening day but i'll catch up on some videos as i'm sure the answers are there! Cheers and congrats on the accolades

[@thehaveneventspace]

Sounds like maybe we should setup a zoom call! Catchup on videos then reach out via email and we can chat! [e-mail]

[@adebayoadesida1]

@@thehaveneventspaceyour videos have been a source of inspiration for many. It has become my Bible for going on this journey. We have watched your videos back to back. Please we are very curious about the question on providing accommodation onsite alongside the event hall . What are your thoughts ?

[@thehaveneventspace]

@@adebayoadesida1 I think if it makes sense financially and logistically for how you will run your business and the county approves it, you should do it! Our new space will have lodging on-site and it will be a fun new challenge for us!

[@adebayoadesida1]

@@thehaveneventspace I do appreciate the prompt response. You are a big blessing to so many with these information you keep churning out.

[@miguelmunozrodriguez7609]

wow, wow, wow, I love your videos, especially the quality of the ones you have told us about your business. Could you tell us more about the things that your couples have found most valuable about your venue and the things that they have observed that you could improve or complement? Have you detected that some of those amenities that you originally designed are not really profitable or valuable to the couple? Thank you for this very interesting content!!

[@chapelcreekranch]

Great information! We want to more details on handling the bar packages, special orders and pricing for "premium" wines.

[@Markel_Greatness]

Your venue is amazing and your passion is very inspiring! What does your typical utility bills look like per event and monthly? And what bills are included in that figure.

[@thehaveneventspace]

Good question! I think I can do an entire video on "expenses" for a venue. But on average, for me, our overhead including utilities, mortgage, payroll, office supplies, alcohol orders, etc etc is about $40K per month.

[@Markel_Greatness]

@@thehaveneventspace thank you so much! A video on your expenses would be GREATLY appreciated!

[@wbohman2134]

I have been following you from your first video and congratulations on all your success! We are hoping to open our venue in Indiana next year. My question is how do you do your client intake? Is it all digital or do they fill out paperwork?

[@aundreastarkey]

Just watched all your videos in this series. I’m curious how health insurance / 401ks and other benefits work. How do you set them up/how much it costs your business

[@paulmetz1168]

It’s been a while, but congratulations. Stay blessed

[@davidschell7784]

Loved your videos, fantastic job. I would love to network with you, as my family and I have a property purchased in 2020 for a venue and are inspired by your videos. We have just begun the design process ideas and have plenty of room for a barn style venue. keep up the good work. I have watched every one of your videos more than once

[@thehaveneventspace]

reach out anytime and we can setup a Zoom call if you want!

[@nathangoetsch2059]

Thank you for sharing your story, you are such an inspiration to us in our future endeavor! I was in awe of the number of team members you have. Are all of your team members direct employees? How do you get started with understanding the legal aspects of payroll, benefits, etc? How do these team members interact on a venue day? Do the same team members assist with multiple activities: bartending, set-up, tear down, etc? Also interested in who takes the lead during the venue day with the flow of activities - is this a service you provide, the DJ, or does the wedding party handle, etc? Thank you for all of the information you provide!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Great question Nathan! The craziness of payroll and taxes and workman comp, etc was something I did NOT have experience in and knew that was going to be a challenge. My accountant actually offers a full payroll/accounting service for $1000 a month where they basically "work for me" as if they were full time handling all of my financial stuff. They do all of my budgeting, payroll, taxes, etc etc. WELL WORTH IT! My 4 full timers (plus me) work in the venue daily, doing marketing, sales, client relations, cleaning, property management, tours, client/vendor onsites, etc. My part-time staff arrives 2 hours prior to ceremony start time on day-of-wedding. They handle setup of tables/chairs, bartending, barbacking, bussing, trash, bathroom service, manage the photo booth and yard games, and and "flips" that may need to occur. Then at the end of the event, they handle all clean-up, trash service, and flipping the building for the next event coming up. We run a pretty well-oiled machine, and it works super well! I am usually onsite at all weddings as the "lead", but if I cannot be, then my venue coordinator Taylor takes lead. we are there for the clients and guests as the "face of the venue". Then we have a "shift lead" that manages the staff that night as a "manager" basically so I don't have to stay during cleaning. They do the closing checklist and manage cleanup. This is all included in their regular wedding package with us, we do not have any "add-ons" or anything.

[@Kleemakes]

Hello! You mentioned how the event space is always changing, how do you remodel or change furniture for clients who have visited and booked a year or years in advanced?

[@thehaveneventspace]

This is always going to be an potential concern since most of our clients are booking 12-18-24 months out. Our clients have never had any issues with us in the last couple years since we are always making it nicer. We aren't making any dramatic changes like painting different colors, changing lighting fixtures or floors, etc. We always do little details which are a nice addition in their minds! In the event that we were to make a large change, I would probably just send out an email proactively before we started the project, and always be willing to allow clients out of contracts with full refunds should they be unhappy. That would be the right thing to do :)

[@christiandominguez4656]

I’m 20… me and my soon to be wife are interested in getting into this business. We currently run a party rental business with bounce houses and figured this would be our next business to go with. Is there anyway I can personally email/text you for mentorship? It would mean the world to me! We’re currently in Atlanta GA and anything helps ❤️ love what you do thank you!

[@jeffreymsilva5458]

Wow! so awesome...When is your next video?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Good question! I haven't planned anything, but we have SO many updates to share, so I should probably get on that!! 😅 thanks for watching! Let us know what you wanna hear about in the next episode!!!

[@LADYGANDY]

I absolutely LOVE your venue just from the videos. It’s my passion as well to build an event space from the ground up. I’m an event planner by side hustle and a mail carrier by day job. My dream and goal is to do exactly what you are doing to rent the space and to decorate and plan the whole wedding day! My questions are two fold funding and contracts. I’m working on my credit so I’m nervous about asking for a huge business loan and I’m terrified of wedding contracts 😮😊 I don’t have how to structure it 🤷🏽‍♀️ I know that’s later down the road to learn how to do. I was wondering will you share of template of your contracts and building plans? Is that something you are willing to share?

[@simplefarmhousefamily383]

Your channel is amazing and thank you for sharing your journey! We want to open a venue on our 80 acre property so this is just want we need. Do you share the cost of your venue build anywhere? Thanks again!

[@thehaveneventspace]

Thank you for reaching out! If you would like to set up a Zoom call to chat, you can contact us at [e-mail]. I would love to talk to you more about your project! - Blake

[@nataszacieplik4190]

Thank you for your insight, knowledge and inspiration. Would you be able to guide me where to find a proper business plan?

[@thehaveneventspace]

Natasza, I found a template for mine online and was just specific in searching for a business plan related to a venue. I actually came across another venues business plan that was listed and downloaded it and used it as a template to build mine!

[@nataszacieplik4190]

@@thehaveneventspace Thank you!

[@carmenteets3015]

What did your expenses end up being your first year vs what you had in your biz plan?

[@j_blades]

God is good.