This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on February 4th, 2015 on how to make it happen with Lara Casey at www.laracasey.com . The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Lara Casey Biography

Lara Casey was born in Washington, D.C. but spent most of her youth on the shores of Pensacola Beach,  Florida. Lara graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University and studied art and design at Yale University. Her successes are wide-ranging: Lara has worked as a celebrity personal trainer in Manhattan and served as a contributor to Shape magazine. Lara is a believer in the “impossible,” helping women to live on purpose through the many hats she wears in her parent company, Lara Casey Media. She is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Southern Weddings magazine, where they encourage couples to plan a meaningful beginning to married life. Lara is also the founder of the Making Things Happen movement, a nationally-acclaimed workshop that has been sold out for the last six years and has toured over 40 cities. Mrs. Casey frequently speaks on goal-setting, faith, mission-centered business, and how to make what matters happen. Her first book, Make it Happen: Surrender Your Fear, Take the Leap, Live on Purpose, released nationwide through Thomas Nelson publishers on December 30th. Lara loves to garden and explore local farms and she wishes her neighborhood would let her have chickens. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, Ari, and their bubbly daughter, Grace.

Learn More About Lara Casey at www.laracasey.com

Q1: How did you get involved with the #weddingmarket ?

Lara Casey: I was a wedding planner before EIC of @iloveswmag and have loved what you do, Julie!

Q2: How did the #MakeItHappenBook come about?  

Lara Casey: I founded the @MTHCommunity and #MTHConference in 2009, encouraging others to make what matters happen. I’ve also written a Goal Setting series for the last 4 years. @ThomasNelson approached me because of the series + MTH. I’ve always wanted a way to pass along my story and what I’ve learned from my mistakes.

Q3: Why must we let go of where we are in order for new life to come? 

Lara Casey: To take a leap of faith, we must first leave where we are to leap to somewhere potentially better. Sometimes it takes closing one door for another door to even appear.

Q4: How does surrendering help us realize big dreams? 

Lara Casey: When we let go of our own plans, we surrender to something bigger than us, something better… For me, that means surrendering to God’s plans over my own. His plans are always better than mine.

Q5: Now you had an eating disorder in college? 

Lara Casey: I chased unattainable “perfection.” But, the battle wasn’t with food itself – that’s just what I chose to control. The battle is always bigger than what’s on the surface. The real battle was with my self-worth. I was chasing all the wrong things and, over time, God showed me where true contentment lives. Not on a scale.

Q6: How did you realize that you needed help?

Lara Casey: In the gym one day, I felt an irregular heartbeat and God telling me to stop chasing elusive perfection.

Q7: How do we stop chasing perfect? 

Lara Casey: In short, find your value in what God says about you, not what the world says.

Q8: How does the chase for success disguise itself as a “Should”?  

Lara Casey: Because everyone around us is doing it, so we feel we *should* chase money, popularity, status, etc…But, it crushes us. We think, “There must be a better way to live.” There is…

Q9: What would happen if everyone threw out the “shoulds”? 

Lara Casey: I will turn this question on those joining our conversation. How would YOU feel if you threw out the “should’s”? Most people echo the same answer: If we threw out the “should’s” we would be and feel FREE.

@LiLinspirations  Being honest….it’s a bit scary…i think one would truly not have to care at all of what other’s thought.

Lara Casey: Yes, challenging to see your worth in God’s eyes and not in what other’s think. But, worth the fight! : )

Q10: Why do we fear if we slow down that we will be less productive? 

Lara Casey: There is a false perception that a “balanced” life is slow and a “successful” life is fast. So, we live in extremes. True balance is the absence of extremes.

Q11: How do we choose to live on purpose over perfect? 

Lara Casey: Living on purpose means living for something bigger than us – can’t be measured with money or accolades. Living on purpose means choosing God’s success equation over the world’s. God’s ways + My life = true success.

Q12: What is fear? 

Lara Casey: There are two kinds of fear: normal (protects from harm), and abnormal (makes us question our worth).

Q13: Why are we afraid of success?

Lara Casey: Often, it’s because we fear a new level of responsibility or lifestyle we can’t maintaining.

Q14: How do we let go of that fear? 

Lara Casey: Know that God will equip you to succeed in what matters. Moses felt unprepared, but God was with him.

Q15: Do you work from home? Does that help with having a healthy balance?

Lara Casey:  Yes, we work from my home – 5 staff members here and 2 remote! We do a lot with a little.

Q16: Did you have previous experience in publishing or with working with magazines before?

Lara Casey: I am “ask a lot of dumb questions” taught in publishing! I have a degree in much theatre…But, my degree has been fruitful. I love telling great love stories through music, sound, texture, lighting, etc

Q17: How did you work finding the right people to publish a magazine?

Lara Casey: I have an amazing team of women I work alongside! Hiring advice: mirror what you want to get back…Each woman on our team had strong passion that matched the heart of our company.

Q18: Did you have money saved to invest in your magazine or did you find other ways to finance?

Lara Casey:  I am a strong advocate of debt-free business from the start. Grow slow over taking loans. I was resourceful with what I had.

Q19: How do photographers or wedding planners submit real weddings to your magazine?

Lara Casey: Yes, we welcome Southern wedding submissions! Details: http://southernweddings.com/info/submit-a-wedding/
Q20: What would you like everyone to take from this #WeddingMarket Chat?

Lara Casey: More followers, money, clients, or anything you can see with your eyes won’t bring true lasting contentment. All of those things aren’t inherently bad, but living for them will drive you into the ground. Chase what matters. Making it happen means living for something bigger than you and using all of your gifts on purpose. Thank you for having me, Julie, and thank you to everyone who joined us!

Q21: Where can they purchase your book?

Lara Casey: You can purchase the #MakeItHappenBook at all major retailers. Details: http://www.laracasey.com/book  #weddingmarket @thomasnelson
#WeddingMarket Questions From Twitter:

1. @DFWEventinc When you decided to start a magazine, what drew you to the wedding industry?

Lara Casey:  Wanting to inspire hope in others during a time in my life that felt desolate. More details in my book : )

 2. @UnwhiteWedding Can you share any advice for those wanting to pursue a big dream that seems a bit out of reach?

Lara Casey: Take it little by little. Little by little steps add up!
3. @karleykiker  Your personal brand has many facets! How do you invest in each endeavor and keep it all cohesive?

Lara Casey: Everything I do stems from one core place- like different brushes with the same paint.

4. @BridalBalance How did you get into the magazine industry? 

Lara Casey: Whole story is on my book, but in short, was a wedding planner and wanted a place to inspire hope in others.

 5. @BelovedMyLove How do you balance your time between projects and motherhood? 

Lara Casey:   Strong boundaries and lots of prayer. Boundaries are key.

6. @GreysonDesign  Did you find yourself losing fans when you started being so open about your faith? If so, were you okay with it?

Lara Casey:  I assume so, but I don’t  follow the numbers. I’d rather people not be fans of me, but rather friends. : )

7. ‏@DFWEventsInc When you worked as an event planner, how did you apply this truth to your business and client interactions?

Lara Casey:  My faith wasn’t grounded back then, so I made a lot of mistakes. But now, I know that keeping our mission…

8. @danieladegrassi  Does #MakeItHappenBook exists in digital version? 

Lara Casey:  Yes, paperback, digital, audio – more details on Yes, paperback, digital, audio – more details on http://www.laracasey.com/book 

 
9. @DressedDetails I’ve been struggling with defining MY personal and business core. Wise counsel please? 

Lara Casey:  I suggest going through my Goal Setting series on my blog right now — will help! http://www.laracasey.com/blog

10. @FrillsBridal @laracasey your positivity is so inspiring! how do you remain positive on days when life seems to test us?
Lara Casey: I am challenged constantly, but God’s word always brings me back to gratitude! Much to be grateful for.

 11. @DFWEventsInc What does a day-in-the-life of an @iloveswmag team member look like?
Lara Casey: @iloveswmag Great question! See here:   http://southernweddings.com/?s=a+day+in+the+life

12. @BridalBalance Do you ever accept article submissions or look for guest writers for your magazine?

Lara Casey: We don’t generally accept writing submissions because a large part of our brand is our personal team voice.

13. @karleykiker Did you ever get frustrated by feeling like things weren’t moving + growing quickly enough? 

Lara Casey:  Absolutely! That frustration made me more resourceful and pushed me to learn more quickly.