509 SUSAN LACZ/Ridgewells Catering: Quality and Culture in Business
Release Date: 06/24/2024
530 DAVID TUTERA: A Candid Conversation
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529 DAWSON HAYNES MITCHELL: Easton Events’ Executive Director
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528 REVISIT MAURICIO KIRSCHNER: Architect of Dreams and Deep in the Heart of Event Design
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527 JULIE NOVACK: PartySlate’s New Book, Rising Wedding Trends, and AI
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Andy is thrilled to have of on the show again! Julie is no stranger to the show as she has been on several times. Julie is the CEO and co-founder of PartySlate, a groundbreaking photo-rich website connecting event professionals, planners, and venues! Join Andy and Julie in this episode as she provides some updates, since the last time that she was on the show, including the publication of their book ! Listen as Julie discusses the inspiration behind the book, revealing how it serves as both a practical planning guide for couples as well as a valuable tool for industry professionals. She and...
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526 MARISSA MORRISON: Utilizing Gratitude & Manifestation to Create Your Dream Life & Career
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Andy sits down for this episode with , a successful destination wedding photographer, transformative mindset coach, and host of podcast. Listen in as Marissa opens up about her journey from being a 19-year-old single mother with no support to establishing a thriving business and helping others achieve their dreams! She also shares how gratitude and manifestation played incredibly important roles in her success and explains how these practices continue to guide her now. Marissa and Andy also discuss the power of gratitude, love, and presence in creating a fulfilling life and career, with...
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525 PRESTON BAILEY: A $600M Wedding, AI, and Embracing Creativity
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524 LARRY WALSHE: An Evolving Journey to Artistic Triumphs in Event Design
The Wedding Biz
Andy welcomes listeners back to the show for this episode in which he sits down with , founder and CEO of , a world-renowned floral and event designer with studios in London, Lake Como, and New York City! Larry's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with top-tier names like Rihanna, Adele, Benedict Cumberbatch, and even royal households. He is truly a trailblazer in the industry, known especially for his 100% plastic-free luxury floral service, , and his venture! Listen as Larry discusses his creative journey, beginning with his artistic upbringing, an unexpected career shift after an...
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523 JOSH SPIEGEL: Collaborations, Company Culture, & How True Listening Can Transform Design Plans
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Join Andy this week as he enthusiastically welcomes guest Josh Spiegel, the visionary founder and Chief Creative Officer of , to catch up on the evolution of his company since they last spoke four years ago in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Josh opens up about the challenges and victories of being in the luxury event space, including his team’s expansion, collaborations, and the creative strides that they have made. He and Andy discuss the importance of being adaptable in the post-pandemic world and how these elements have reshaped both personal and professional landscapes,...
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522 ABI MATESUN: Break Limiting Thought Patterns and Unlock Your Full Creative Potential
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521 REVISIT SARAH WINWARD: A Master Floral Designer’s Process and from Creativity Blooms Beauty
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Andy welcomes you to revisit his November 2022 interview with ! Sarah is based out of Salt Lake City and is a destination wedding florist who creates flower arrangements that are inspired by the changing of seasons in nature. Believing that flowers should feel natural in the environment in which they are going to be viewed, Still, she also finds many of her materials in the immediate area where the event will be held. Sarah primarily does flowers for events but also works on installations for private and commercial clients. She also offers various workshops and is a master of her craft! Sarah...
info_outlineJoin Andy this week as he sits down with Susan Lacz, the CEO of Ridgewells Catering. With a career spanning over three decades, Susan has been a pivotal force in the catering and events industry, steering Ridgewells Catering through significant transformations and challenges.
Listen in as Susan shares her inspiring journey, starting with her early influences, notably her grandmother, whose culinary skills and hospitality left a lasting impression on her. She discusses her initial foray into the food business, from working at a deli in Wyckoff, New Jersey, to bartending in Washington, D.C. Her passion for sales and marketing, paired together with her love for food, set the stage for her ascent in the catering world.
In this candid conversation, Susan recounts the challenges and triumphs of taking over Ridgewells Catering in 1997, a company with deep roots dating back to the 1920s. She describes her mission to restore the company’s former glory by emphasizing quality, creativity, and fresh culinary approaches. She reflects on key milestones, such as firing her former boss to initiate positive changes and hosting an innovative rebranding event at the Halcyon House.
Susan emphasizes the importance of culture in her company, highlighting the sense of ownership and appreciation that permeates the workplace. She and Andy also touch upon the broader shifts in the catering and events industry, from the increasing focus on decor and presentation to the critical role of staying ahead of trends.
Susan’s insights into navigating the saturated market, her strategic decision to divest from rental equipment, and her recent exclusive venue management agreements offer valuable lessons for industry professionals, and Andy hopes that you enjoy listening to this conversation with her! If so, then please don’t keep it to yourself! He would appreciate it if you were to share it with a few good friends and industry colleagues who might also enjoy it! Andy would also appreciate it if you were to leave a top review wherever you listen to the show because that really helps the show out! Lastly, don’t forget to follow The Wedding Biz on Instagram and subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode when it drops!
Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.
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Time Stamps
[1:01] - Today’s guest is Susan Lacz, CEO of Ridgewells Catering.
[1:57] - Susan's grandmother, an immigrant from Poland, was her strong role model and inspiration in cooking.
[3:16] - Susan explains that she is a salesperson first and enjoyed selling food and beverages, including pastrami sandwiches and drinks.
[4:18] - Susan wanted to restore the company's original quality and allure after multiple ownership changes.
[5:19] - Hear about some of Susan's milestones, such as firing her boss, focusing on quality, hiring new culinary leaders, and creatively rebranding Ridgewell.
[6:54] - Susan prioritized creating a strong, appreciative culture, guided by mentors including her entrepreneurial father.
[9:34] - Hear about some of the challenges Susan faced, especially during COVID, and how she credits her team.
[11:25] - Susan noted the shift from food to decor in the industry and evolved by focusing on culinary excellence.
[13:35] - Susan is excited about managing the iconic Mellon Auditorium, now a preferred caterer there, which opens new opportunities for her team.
[14:53] - Prioritizing balance and mentorship, Susan believes in taking care of herself to be a good mother and leader.
[16:26] - How does Susan define success?
[17:15] - Andy reveals where Susan can be followed online.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Videos:
Ridgewells Catering - “Erin Go Glam 2024”
Find Susan:
Ridgewells Catering - Instagram Page
Ridgewells Catering - Facebook Page
Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:
The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz
The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz
Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.
Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.