3 years ago today I started writing this blog, Sage Wedding Pros.  I didn’t really have any foresight for what it would become.  What started as a ‘brainy outlet’ for all my business-y type thoughts evolved into a company where Kelly and I teach and consult wedding pros on how to build successful and sustainable businesses.  This 3 year anniversary is very special to us!

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We want to celebrate with all of you.  And, we want to give back also.

Kelly and I co-founded Get Hitched Give Hope in 2007 with 5 other lovely wedding industry friends. This 501c3 volunteer-run charity raises money to grant wishes for terminally ill patients through auctions of fabulous wedding goods and services.  To date, we have raised over $130,000!  Here is just a sample of what we’ve been able to do with our donations:

  • Susan and her family of 8 were able to have one last family vacation in Hawaii
  • Heather and her family of 6 were able to see Mickey Mouse at Disney World
  • Sharon’s wish was for her family of 4 to go to Hawaii
  • We sent Susan and her son to Key West for one final good-bye.

The BIG event takes place in Seattle each Fall.  But, why wait until Fall?!

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We are doing an online auction this week to auction off The Simple Plan Exclusive, our one-to-one business planning program, for one lucky wedding pro!  Here’s a little more about The Exclusive…

  • The program focuses on the 4 cornerstones of your business: the vision, marketing strategy, operational plan, financial forecast.
  • Six 90-minute calls via skype with Sage Wedding Pros, independent assignments, and over 30 templates, downloads, checklists, and supplements to use in your business.
  • Professional insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your business.  Suggestions for improvement and additional opportunities.

This is valued at $1200. You can read more about The Exclusive here.  And, learn what others say about The Exclusive here.

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Place your bid here…  (see rules below and make sure to refresh this page to see latest bid):

Here’s how it works (and some rules too)…

  • Place your bid through the online form above.
  • Bids must be made in US dollars.  We can service anyone worldwide.
  • Names and emails are not visible to public. (They are only visible to Sage Wedding Pros.) Only your nickname and bid amount will post.
  • The auction will remain open through Thursday, March 22nd at 5pm EST.
  • The winning bidder will be announced on Friday, March 23rd.
  • The program will be scheduled after July 1st, 2012.  You have until December 31st, 2012 to begin the program.  Calls and assignments will be administered by Kelly Simants and Michelle Loretta, split according to your needs and the best match for your business.
  • The bids will start at $100 and this page will be updated with the highest bidder information every ~15 minutes.
  • If you bid more than $500, we will break the invoice into 2 payments.  If you bid more than $1000, we will break the invoice into 3 payments.  The first payment will be due by March 31st.  Funds will be remitted to Sage Wedding Pros who will turn over funds to Get Hitched Give Hope.

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We’re excited to partner with you!  And, thank you for giving back with us too!

Oh… and if you can help us out, by spreading the word on this… we’d greatly appreciate it!