Meet Amber Massey | Owner. Stylist. Officiant. Epic Elopements

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Massey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Years ago I was standing in a book store and looked over on a shelf and there was a book about women in business. I picked it up and started scanning the book and a page stuck out to me. It said something along the line, Women in business don’t make as much money as men because we are less willing to take risks. Women are evolutionarily dispositioned to play it safe because we are the ‘nurturers’. Therefore we are less willing to ask for a raise or take a risk of any kind for worry that we will be left in a worse position than the one we are currently in.

Once I read that, I started thinking about risks differently. I realize that there is no gain without risks. And, yeah, I know it’s always a gamble, but there is no gain, no success without risk. You just have to weigh the consequences and decide if that calculated risk is worth it to you. Reading that book that day changed the way I think about business in general and it has defiantly changed my life.

We as women, we blame society for the pay gap, and not that the system isn’t broken, but we need to take charge of our worth and how people see us. Many times women haven’t spent time learning negotiation & financial management. It’s a harder climb for us, especially when you mix corporate world with home life and all the extra responsibilities that fall on women, but what’s worth fighting for, is worth having.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what has really set me apart from others, isn’t what I think, but it’s what my couples say about me.

After a couple gets married there are always two things they say. It’s always a variation of:
1. Oh My God. You said you do everything, but we really didn’t understand until we saw it in action.
2. Are you sure we paid you enough?

Those two things really say it all.
I guess the most important conversation is the one about you when you’re not in the room. I have spent my career learning the ins and outs and how to merge all those skills together within my own business.
If anyone tells you it’s easy or to pay for something to make it easier either they are lying or selling something. Growth is pain and the road has been paved with a lot of struggle and soul searching, but I wouldn’t be here unless I put in the hard work and gained the skillset I have today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Living in Ohio’s Wine Country that is always the first place to check out. Area wineries such as South River Vineyards, M Cellars, and Cask 307. I love to cook and always happy to entertain guests. I used my profession to grow my hobbies such as event planning, wine pairing, and having years in the food and beverage industry, I just love to entertain.

I love to visit local artisans, farm stands, coffee shops and antique stores. I’m a sucker for an antique store. Also, if I’m headed into Cleveland for the day, Rockefeller Greenhouse Is always on my list. It’s such a gem.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many great (and not so great) people in my life. There have been many employers and managers who have been very tough on me throughout my career and I could have not done it without everyone of them. I look back now on that job that was terrible, or that boss that drove me absolutely crazy, but I see now the lesson I learned from every single one.

There are three people that have given me opportunity and helped guide my career.
Bob Cannan, taught me over the top customer service and how to really go above and beyond. How to take everything to the next level and the type of effort that it takes to do that. He gave me an opportunity and saw what I was capable of before I even knew.

Karen and Sam Fagnilli, owners of The Lakehouse Inn Resort. My management style was very different before I started to worked for them. Through working there I developed a softer and more approachable management style and the value of processes within the business. I learned how to take risks and not to be scared of the consequences. They gave me a tremendous opportunity to run their business and take chances and I will forever be grateful.

Website: www.epicallyelope.com

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

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Image Credits
The Dusty Lens Cap Karleigh Collective The Golden Hour Photography