Season 4, Episode 10. Founder Lessons Learned with Callie Murray
"Mentorship and just community around entrepreneurship is so vital... It just can't happen by yourself." - Callie Murray
From accidental entrepreneurship to mindful innovation, explore the journey of turning a quirky idea into a thriving business and the lessons learned along the way. In today’s episode, Callie Murray joins us to discuss her entrepreneurial journey, from founding The Big Fake Wedding to her current venture with Same Page HR. Callie shares her fascinating story of how she stumbled upon the idea of
The Big Fake Wedding, an experiential marketing company that allowed engaged couples to see wedding vendors in action. She talks about the challenges and successes of building this unique business and how it eventually led her to the world of HR. Natalie and Callie delve into the lessons learned from both of Callie's ventures, including the importance of financial planning, the value of having a business partner, and the need for a supportive entrepreneurial community. They also discuss the significance of not tying one's identity solely to their business and the benefits of maintaining a strong work-life balance.
This episode is a great reminder that entrepreneurship involves many highs and lows. Having the right support system and mindset can make all the difference. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or navigating the challenges of business ownership, Callie's story offers valuable insights and inspiration.
Callie Murray spent her twenties building The Big Fake Wedding, a quirky experiential marketing company allowing brides-and-grooms-to-be to see wedding vendors in action. She sold The Big Fake Wedding in 2016 and has since helped dozens of other organizations with word-of-mouth marketing. She now does this as a partner in Same Page HR—a fractional HR company serving businesses with 1-100 employees. On a personal level, she loves starting side hustles with her husband and three daughters and is passionate about building community in her little town of Norcross, Ga through economic development and community engagement.
[00:00 - 13:35] A Journey of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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Callie's idea of hosting fake weddings as a unique marketing approach led to the creation of a successful experiential marketing company.
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Callie's transition from running the business to selling it involved finding the right buyer and adapting the company's operations for a successful exit.
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Post-exit, Callie experienced mixed emotions but eventually found gratitude for her entrepreneurial journey and the business she built.
[13:35 - 27:45] Beyond the Business: Lessons on Innovating
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Entrepreneurship can be all-consuming, and it's important to maintain a separate identity beyond your business.
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Mentorship and a supportive community are crucial for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
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Financial planning, recurring revenue, and clear agreements with partners contribute to a healthier and less stressful business journey.
Key Quote:
"You're more than your job, you're more than just the company you started or what you launched." - Callie Murray
Connect with Callie Murray
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-murray-groundsweller/
Check out the Big Fake Wedding at: https://thebigfakewedding.com/
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