Master bridal consultant™ - Lynda Barness, MBC™

I DO Wedding Consulting, idoplan.com, Philadelphia, Penn.Employees: Owner-operated with independent contractorsRevenue Breakdown: 100% planning and consulting, including full-service and day-of services.Contact: 215.262.8188, lynda@idoplan.com, LinkedIn, FacebookFamily: I am a mother of two, mother-in-law of two, and grandmother of two.Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tufts University in Medford, Mass., and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I completed the wedding planning and consulting certificate program from Temple University in Philadelphia and the Association of Bridal Consultants Professional Development Program, where I achieved the designation of Master Bridal Consultant™ (MBC™).Getting Started: Serendipity played a large part in my career. When my older daughter became engaged, we hired a full-service wedding planner. A month after the wedding, I stumbled upon a Temple University course catalogue offering a wedding planning and consulting certificate program. I took it just for fun. At the time, I was in the process of selling my real estate development and construction business, and as I sat in class, I realized that this would be a fascinating new business opportunity.Goals: I’d like to do more mentoring and writing and to learn more about social media.On the ABC: I have been a member since 2005. I joined the Association of Bridal Consultants as soon as I decided I was going to have a wedding consulting business. I like the education, conferences, and collegiality of other planners.On achieving MBC™ status: Becoming a MBC™ was important to me because it represents the highest level of both education and professionalism in the field. I earned the designation in 2012.Other Memberships: In addition to the ABC, I am a member of the International Special Events Society, National Association for Catering and Events, Forum of Executive Women, National Association of Women Business Owners, Center City Proprietors Association, and Femfessionals.

Mentors: My father was both a life and business mentor. I worked with him in the real estate business before I became a wedding planner, and he taught me so much. In my wedding world, Mark Kingsdorf, MBC™, was my first mentor. He allowed me to intern with him when I was first starting my business. He was, and continues to be, generous with his time and information.

Industry Influencers: The Internet! There is so much information available. Pinterest and Etsy have made a huge difference in the wedding industry in just a few years.Inspiration: I seek inspiration by attending seminars and conferences, networking, traveling, reading magazines, and yes, on the Internet. I find inspiration in so many places.Marketing Strategy: Stay in touch! I try to keep the name of I DO Wedding Consulting visible in many ways.On Staying Fresh: The saying “work hard, play hard” applies here. I love spending time with my family and traveling. I also attend meetings, seminars, and conferences of the organizations of which I am a member.Ideal Client: My ideal clients tend to understand the value of a wedding planner by our first meeting. They have busy lives and know they need help to carry out their vision.Reading Now: The Free Library of Philadelphia has a program called One Book, One Philadelphia, and it encourages those in our area to come together by reading one specific book. I recently read this year’s book by Julie Otsuka, Buddha in the Attic, and I just finished the book Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I am a member of a book club and do my best to keep up with the reading.Hobbies: I like spending time with family, traveling, reading, going to the theater, enjoying the restaurant scene and the activities of any city in which I find myself.Words of Wisdom: For new planners, I suggest interning with another planner, or several. The lessons are invaluable. And then, when you are an established planner, give back by taking on interns. I still learn something at every wedding.On Giving Back: Here are some of my activities from the last few years: advisory board member and chair for Temple University’s International MBA, project manager for Temple’s Fox School of Business Enterprise Management Consulting Practice, preliminary judge for Temple’s Business Plan Competition, chair for the Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Delaware Valley, board member of the Book Award Philadelphia Theater Company, member of the Director’s Leadership Council for the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center, and the co-director of the Greater Philadelphia Local Networking Group for the Association of Bridal Consultants.