In this week’s episode of the Venue Rx Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Dana Kadwell. Dana is a wedding industry educator, multi-venue owner, and founder of Venue Masterclass, known for helping venue owners build profitable, sustainable businesses through practical strategy and community-driven education.

Dana shares her journey from wedding planner to owning multiple venues, including the emotional experience of selling a venue she built. She unpacks the realities of venue ownership, from the differences between buying an established venue and starting from scratch to the cash flow challenges and operational hurdles that come with both paths. Dana also explains how aligning your venue’s aesthetic, pricing, and service model is essential for long-term profitability and sustainability.

She also discusses smart strategies for hiring and scaling, and what it truly takes to transition from being involved in the day-to-day operations to stepping fully into CEO mode. She also dives into why venue education and community matter in such a fast-evolving industry, along with details about Dana’s Venue Masterclass and how venue owners can get involved.

About Our Guest: 

Dana Kadwell is an entrepreneur, venue owner, educator, and speaker with more than 18 years of experience in the wedding and events industry. She is the co-founder of Hustle & Gather, a consulting and education company that helps venue owners and event professionals build profitable, sustainable businesses. Dana has launched and operated multiple event companies and venues and is the founder of Venue Masterclass, a leading educational platform for venue owners. Known for her candid leadership style and practical business strategies, she is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to grow strong teams and thriving businesses.

Find Her Here: 

Website: https://www.hustleandgather.com/

Venue Masterclass: https://www.thevenuemasterclass.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hustleandgather/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustle-gather-podcast-consulting