Our highly anticipated Coterie Retreat 2022 kicked off on Monday, December 5th, at Half Moon, Montego Bay, with highlights including inspirational speakers, an informative wedding tech panel, intimate breakout sessions, and a vibrant tropical welcome party.
MunaLuchi Brides’ annual Coterie Retreat is so much more than just another conference. It champions inclusion, diversity, and community. With every retreat, it is our mission to provide a platform of growth and collaboration for wedding professionals that caters to the fastest-growing multicultural market (and to have fun, of course!).
Whether it was your very first Coterie Retreat or you’ve been attending since our first launch back in 2014, this year’s Coterie Retreat at Half Moon, Montego Bay, was epic.
As a first-timer myself, the positive vibes and sense of community were truly palpable. Surrounded by warm, welcoming faces, each event of the 3-day retreat was filled with inspiring speeches, business-minded tips, and expert guidance from some of the most successful faces in the wedding industry and beyond. It was an unforgettable experience!
Keep scrolling below for more details from day one of this year’s Coterie Retreat in Montego Bay, Jamaica! Click here to register for our next Coterie Retreat at the Cayman Islands in 2023!
- Host: Half Moon Resort
- Date of event: Monday, December 5th, 2022
- Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Day 1:
Beginning with an early breakfast at Half Moon’s Seagrape Terrace, attendees mingled over a delicious buffet spread. Connections were made, fresh mimosas were sipped, and excitement for the day to come buzzed in every conversation.
After fueling their bodies for the day ahead, it was time to fuel their minds.
Guests were shuttled to Half Moon’s Conference Center where a full day of learning, networking, and inspiring speaker presentations awaited them. The space itself was transformed with beautiful florals by Tai Flora Luxe and seamlessly organized and executed by Tiffany Chalk Events.
MunaLuchi’s founding power couple Jackie and Chike Nwobu started the retreat with a triumphant entrance to the song “Made a Way” by Travis Greene that left everyone inspired and on their feet!
International Event Host and Emcee, Karli Harvey Raymond, kept the energy high, reminding attendees to grab a coffee to add a little “personality to your cup” if they needed an extra boost throughout the day.
The conference center became a hub of knowledge, brimming with inspiration and endless possibilities.
Esteemed speakers of the day included Reinvention Strategist, Crypto Investor, and Business Coach, Marshawn Evans Daniels, Michelle Loretta of Be Sage Consulting, and Muna Coterie Photographer, Chip Dizard.
Speaker #1: Marshawn Evans Daniels
If you allow yourself to settle for less, no one is obligated to stop you.”
– Marshawn Evans Daniels
Our first speaker of the day, Reinvention Strategist, Crypto Investor, and Business Coach, Marshawn Evans Daniels, shared inspiring insight on “how to amplify your brilliance.” She also preached some hard facts she calls “Truth Thorns.” One of those was her first experience babysitting.
At the time, a Caucasian neighbor asked Marshawn to babysit. Eager to make money, she said yes. However, when it came time for payment, things got interesting. For a full day of babysitting, the neighbor offered her a choice between $1 or $5. Weighing her options, she felt guilty if she took the extra cash, even if deep down she knew she deserved and wanted more. She ultimately chose the $1 and went home.
“Why do we settle for less? Why do we feel guilty? We’re escaping our own greatness. In 2023, what are we afraid of?
– Marshawn Evans Daniels
This seemingly small anecdote became a major catalyst in her life.
On a larger scale, the story serves as a fueling point to help people recognize and ultimately combat their own internal competing voices, which she identifies as “Little Me” vs. “Future Me.”
To challenge this internal dialogue, she created “The Purpose Map.” Guiding the audience, she helped them draw out their own maps. Step by step, she drew 4 squares connected by a bridge. Each segment contemplated a question: “Who am I supposed to be? Who did I decide to be? What Gifts do I bring? And Where am I being led to lead next?”.
These integral questions are explored further in her book, Believe Bigger, where she strives to help people discover the path to their life’s purpose. Through inspiring stories and tools, she hopes to guide others in leading confident, faith-driven lives, uninhibited by the constructed restraints of society and free from the shackles of our own minds.
Speaker #2: Michelle Loretta
Think about how you can cushion your business from the changes happening in the economy.”
– Michelle Loretta of Be Sage Consulting
Named one of the Top 1,000 Event Professionals by BizBash in 2019, Financial Strategist Michelle Loretta of Be Sage Consulting knows what she’s talking about when it comes to finances. Speaking on everything from economic cycles to building resilience in your business and preparing for a possible recession, she humorously credited her financial knowledge to being a “bruja.”
In Latin culture, a bruja (a witch) knows all and is clairvoyant. According to Michelle, the key to understanding the economy (like a bruja LOL) is simply looking for patterns. “Anyone can do this. It’s a cycle,” she shares. “A market that expands will eventually contract.”
Looking at the trends
Observing 2022 wedding trends, for now, weddings and other luxury services are still doing well and are predicted to continue in spite of a possible recession. However, she notes that if a recession does occur, some things will change. For example, during a recession, “the volume of revenue decreases.” So in the wedding industry, that could look like a decrease in a wedding party’s guest list or a lower wedding budget from the couple.
Other factors can also influence changes in trends and styles during a recession, which Michelle explains is because “consumers and clients set the trends.” For instance, during the last recession in 2008/2009, wedding consumers hyper-focused on mason jars, DIY decor, and rustic chic designs. This in turn influenced the wedding industry market and led to the DIY trend blowing up.
Because she was paying attention to these trends, Michelle was able to adapt her own business and even created a DIY kit to bridge the gap between luxury and the economy. Ultimately, anyone can be a bruja and stay resilient against economic changes! She shares her keys to economic resilience below.
Keys to Economic Resilience:
- Know how your business (& you) are different
- Raise prices to cushion for shortages
- Do NOT discount
- Re-examine services and consider re-introducing an entry-level service
Speaker #3: Chip Dizard
If you don’t change your mind, you’ll never change your life.”
– Chip Dizard
Award-winning Muna Coterie Photographer, Chip Dizard, was our final speaker of the day and he gave excellent insight into the importance of using short-form videos, tips for growing your business, and how to make #REELMONEY.
As technology rapidly evolves, we are constantly having to adapt our businesses. Before 2019, Instagram didn’t have Reels. It was all about really great photography and paying attention to ever-changing IG algorithms. In 2022, with IG Reels and TikTok‘s center stage, short-form videos are everything.
According to Chip, being fearless and always willing to learn new things is integral to your brand staying relevant. Creating captivating videos can also maintain and exponentially increase follower engagement. This is particularly important on social media.
Your brand is what everyone says when you leave the room.”
– Chip Dizard
In order to create a brand that resonates with people, Chip explained that you have to have a “deliberate design of messaging.” This means strategizing, planning, and learning how this all works. To help us out, Chip gave some Reel Strategy Tips followed by #REELMONEY tips that you can use to help grow your own business and expand your online engagement.
Reel Strategy Tips:
- Relate to your audience.
- Share your thoughts and opinions.
- Engage in conversation.
- Let go of your fears.
- Surprise people.
- No watermarks.
- Shoot vertical content.
- Tell a story (your story).
- Look into the lens.
#REELMONEY Tips:
- Create effective audio.
- Use enticing hooks.
- Create engaging videos.
- Insert a call to action.
- Like this if you agree..
- Tag a friend that can relate
- Share this to “x” people
- Share this to your stories if you agree
- What are your thoughts?
- Which number stood out the most to you
- What am I missing?
- Meet me in the comments
- Post an emoji that describes your emotions
Check out Chip’s Reel tutorial for Instagram here.
Mini Breakout Sessions:
Mini breakout sessions held by Nadia Anderson of Anderson Means Business, Leah T. Williams of Leah T. Williams Events, and Jeffrey Selden of Marcia Selden Catering, delved deeper into everything from post-pandemic profitability to pricing your business right and using your brand to elevate the client experience.
Nadia Anderson
With over 20 years of experience in accounting, business management, and event management, Nadia Anderson of Anderson Means Business shared her expert advice on financial management for post-pandemic profitability.
Leah T. Williams
Muna Coterie Florist Leah T. Williams shared a wealth of knowledge in her presentation on “Blooming economics.”
With an MBA and a focus on Budgeting, Leah was originally working in an entirely different field. However, all along she knew she always loved flowers and design. It wasn’t until 2019 that she finally quit her day job and took a leap of faith, starting her own business, Leah T. Williams Events, that same year.
The Pandemic in 2020 allowed time for pause and reflection.
She stepped back and noted how she was making a profit and how she was falling short. She asked herself 3 things:
- Is the client’s budget big enough?
- How much are you charging for this design (cost of service)?
- What’s your recipe/formula?
Leah’s incredible success today is due in large part to answering these questions herself and understanding that “your pricing lets your customer know your value.” Possibly her most important key takeaways are understanding your value as a creator and as a business, recognizing your worth, and owning that with confidence enforced by strategy.
Pricing Strategy Do’s:
- Create a pricing strategy that works for your business.
- Research your competition; “It’s not about copying, it’s about networking.”
- Define your goals.
- Know your numbers.
Pricing Strategy Dont’s:
- Don’t compromise your values; remember, “No is a full sentence.”
Jeffrey Selden
Working alongside his sister, Robin, Jeffrey Selden is the managing partner of their family-run catering company, Marcia Selden Catering & Events.
Following in the footsteps of their mother, Marcia, the dynamic duo understands the value of the client experience. For them, it’s all about using your brand to elevate that experience and create memorable, luxurious, and enjoyable events (with excellent food, of course!).
Key takeaway:
- “Luxury = anticipating your client’s needs”
Sponsored Lunch by WeddingPro
The details…
Sweet & savory sides…
Muna fam…
Technology Panel:
After lunch, the technology panel was the final group of speakers to wrap up day 1. Moderated by award-winning Muna Coterie Event Planner, Brian Green, Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin, Randi Bushell of Be Merri, and Eddie Babbage of Timeline Genius collectively discussed the importance of implementing automation into your business.
Nora Sheils – Rock Paper Coin
There must be a balance between automation and personalization.”
– Nora Sheils
Rock Paper Coin keeps you organized and on track. All your proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, and reminders stay in one place so you can streamline your workflows.
Eddie Babbage – Timeline Genius
Tech can be used to increase your personalization.”
– Eddie Babbage
Timeline genius is a smart software that thinks through the wedding day details with you — keeping you organized, confident, and calm.
Randi Bushell – Be Merri
Good tech should supplement, not replace.”
– Randi Bushell
Be Merri is a 3D visualization platform made for event planning. You can visualize your entire event using 3D models of furniture, decor, flowers, and more, all within renderings of your venue. Then you can then share it with your vendors, planner, and family, and feel confident that your vision will actually come to life.
“It’s a Vibrant Thang” Welcome Party
Vibrant tropical decor…
Tropical attire…
Cheers…
Photo-op…
On the dance floor…
Looking for more Coterie Retreat 2022 recaps?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Event Planning: Tiffany Chalk (Director of Events for MunaLuchi)
- Host Venue: Half Moon Resort
- Photography: Trene’ Forbes | Pervez Taufiq
- Videography/Photography: Pervez Taufiq
- Speakers’ Makeup: Society 11:11 | Master Artists: BJohnBeauty & Candice Hardy
- Speakers’ Hair: Golda-Ann Newton | Tinika Sadiku
- DJ (welcome party) Exeqtive Entertainment
- DJ (white party) | | DJ (awards gala): Finer Touch Entertainment
- Decor Partner (staging, luncheons, welcome party, white party, gala): Tai Flora Luxe
- Gala Floral Designer: Flower Guy Bron
- Digital Strategy: Tisha Holman
- BBQ Luncheon Designer: Events Down Pat
- Stationery Partner: Be Your Guest Jamaica
- White Party Venue Host: Grand Palladium Jamaica
- Speakers’ Dinner Host: Sandals Montego Bay
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