On this week’s episode of The Venue RX Podcast, our host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Anthony Lambatos, owner of Footers Catering and founder of MIBE, to discuss what it truly takes to build an intentional and high-performing workplace culture in the events industry.

Anthony shares his journey of transitioning into and purchasing his family’s business, navigating a complex succession process, and redefining the company’s core values along the way. He offers practical, actionable insight into improving team dynamics and reshaping company culture, while also highlighting the tangible return on investment that comes from investing in people.

He also discusses the impact of MIBE (Make It Better Every Day), including the summits and workshops he leads throughout the year to help businesses grow stronger from the inside out.

About Our Guest:

Anthony Lambatos is the owner and CEO of Footers Catering and the founder of MIBE, a culture-focused coaching and training company serving the hospitality and events industry. Growing up in the family business, Anthony officially stepped into leadership alongside his wife, April, when they purchased Footers Catering in 2010 and successfully transitioned it into a thriving second-generation company.

Under his leadership, Footers has experienced significant growth while becoming nationally recognized for its people-first culture, consistently earning “Best Places to Work” honors and achieving industry-leading employee retention. Anthony is known for pioneering “heart-led leadership,” a philosophy centered on putting people first to drive both team fulfillment and business success.

As a nationally sought-after speaker and coach, Anthony has helped thousands of leaders build intentional workplace cultures that fuel performance, engagement, and long-term growth. Through MIBE, he delivers keynotes, workshops, and summits designed to equip business owners and leadership teams with practical tools to create thriving, people-first organizations

Find Him Here:

Website: https://themibe.com/

Catering: https://footerscatering.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonylambatos/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themibe

In this week’s episode of The Venue Rx Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Artūras Asakavičius, co-founder of Breezit, to explore the future of AI in the wedding and events industry.

Artūras shares how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming venue management, marketing, and customer interactions, giving venue owners a clear, no-fluff perspective on what’s coming and how to stay ahead. He dives into the shifting landscape of traditional platforms like The Knot and WeddingWire, and what their evolution means for the industry as a whole.

He also explains how AI assistants are reshaping both the customer journey and the venue owner experience, along with practical strategies for optimizing your website for AI-driven discovery and LLM searchability. Artūras breaks down the real-world impact of Breezit’s AI tools on lead management and conversions, and what will ultimately set venues apart as AI adoption continues to accelerate.

About Our Guest:

Artūras Asakavičius is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and the co-founder and CEO of Breezit, a modern platform transforming how people discover and book event venues and vendors. Originally from Lithuania, Artūras began his career as a finance lawyer at a leading Baltic law firm before pivoting into entrepreneurship, driven by a desire to build innovative, tech-enabled solutions.

He went on to co-found a renewable energy startup in Australia, gaining international experience before exiting the business and turning his attention to the events industry. The idea for Breezit was born while planning his own wedding, where he recognized a major gap in the market, an outdated, opaque booking process lacking transparency and efficiency.

Under his leadership, Breezit has grown into one of California’s largest event venue marketplaces, offering real-time pricing, instant booking capabilities, and AI-powered search tools that streamline the planning experience for couples and event organizers.

Artūras brings a diverse background spanning law, fintech, clean energy, and startups, and is known for his focus on innovation, transparency, and customer-centric product design. In addition to leading Breezit, he is also an active angel investor and advisor, supporting emerging technology ventures.

Find Him Here:

Website: https://breezit.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustBreezit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justbreezit

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturasasakavicius/

In this week’s episode of the Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Dixie Bagley, a venue owner, venue coach for the Bridal Society, certified wedding planner, and consultant. Dixie shares practical, real-world lessons from her journey transforming venues, managing teams, and building multiple thriving businesses in the wedding industry.

Dixie opens up about how she transitioned from hosting social events to owning a successful wedding venue, and what it really took to make that leap. She talks candidly about the importance of trusting your instincts as a business owner, especially when making big decisions that shape the future of your company. She also dives into why setting boundaries and learning to say “no” is critical for long-term success, sustainability, and protecting your vision.

Dixie also unpack the realities of rapid growth, including the lessons she learned from managing 50 weddings in her very first year. From navigating overwhelm to building the right systems, Dixie shares what she would do differently and what she believes every venue owner should prioritize. Furthermore she shares her strategies for outsourcing, hiring, and identifying the strengths within your team so you can scale without burning out.

About Our Guest:

Dixie Bagley is a seasoned wedding industry entrepreneur, venue owner, certified wedding planner, venue coach for The Bridal Society, and consultant who helps wedding professionals become the boss of their business. A Georgia native, Dixie’s journey began when she and her husband purchased a barn in 2008 and hosted a spontaneous wedding that sparked a thriving business. She opened The Farm, a European-style barn venue in Rome, Georgia, and quickly booked out every weekend, which led her into wedding planning, launching The Sweet Bar Bakery, opening a second venue (The Tillman Hangar), and founding The Southern Wedding Collective, an online directory built on integrity and high standards. With hundreds of weddings and years of real-world experience under her belt, Dixie mentors venue owners and wedding pros on profitable pricing, smart business systems, team building, ethical practices, and sustainable growth. Her mission is to empower others to run intentional, profitable, and fulfilling businesses without losing their passion or peace of mind.

Find Her Here:

Website: https://dixiebagley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixiedoesweddings/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dixie.bagley/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixiebagley