You can’t compare your day 1 to someones day 100. And today’s guest, former Luxury Mastermind student Madeline Kuzminsky joins us to talk about how she learned that first hand. We have had so much fun with our Allstar series but we know how important it is to also speak to creatives who are still in the trenches of growth. And even though Madeline has grown so much in just 3 short years, she isn’t stopping any time soon. We chat everything from the changes she has made to her website and instagram to how she deals with comparing herself to others who are further in their career. Our biggest takeaway? Instead of comparing yourself to others, use that to fuel your fire. When someone is achieving something you want that just means it is possible for you to achieve that too!
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If you’ve been in the wedding industry for a few years, you know that hitting that next level doesn’t just happen. You don’t wake up one day with higher-paying clients and less work on your plate. You have to make it happen—and that means being intentional with your growth strategy.
We’ve had so many conversations with creatives who are feeling stuck. They’re shooting 20, 30, sometimes even more weddings a year, and they’re still not hitting the income goals they set when they started. The thing is, working harder and taking on more bookings isn’t the answer. Scaling your business means working smarter, not just grinding through another busy season.
One of the biggest shifts we made was deciding to break into the luxury market. It didn’t happen overnight. We didn’t just change our prices and hope for the best. It took strategic branding, refining our client experience, and learning how to position ourselves as a luxury service—not just an option.
It’s not just about charging more—it’s about aligning your entire business around a higher standard. That means how you show up, how you present yourself, how you build relationships with planners, and how you curate your online presence. When your brand feels luxury at every touchpoint, the right clients start to see your value without you having to justify it.
A big part of scaling is being willing to change. We’ve worked with so many creatives who hit a plateau because they’re holding on to what’s familiar. Maybe it’s a website that’s outdated but feels safe, or maybe it’s a business name that doesn’t quite fit anymore but has sentimental value.
To really level up, you have to be willing to let go of the things that no longer serve you. That’s what we did when we realized our branding didn’t match the clientele we wanted to attract. We revamped everything—from our website to our social media presence—and made sure every detail felt elevated. Even the smallest things, like the font in our email signature, were rethought to feel more aligned with a luxury experience.
It was scary at first—changing things that felt like part of our identity. But in reality, those changes were the catalyst for attracting higher-paying clients who actually resonated with our new, more intentional brand.
We also learned that sometimes, you just have to take a leap without being 100% ready. Waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect strategy means you might miss opportunities. Sometimes it’s better to just decide, make the change, and trust that your vision will guide you.
Another game-changer? Surrounding ourselves with the right people. There’s something about being in a community of like-minded creatives who are all pushing for growth. It keeps you motivated and accountable. It’s easy to stay small when everyone around you is comfortable with where they’re at, but when you’re in a room with people who are stretching themselves, you start to see what’s possible.
During our mastermind, we had so many conversations about how to get luxury planners to notice you, how to break out of the saturated market, and how to keep pushing forward when self-doubt creeps in. We learned that growth isn’t just about strategy—it’s about mindset. It’s about choosing to see challenges as opportunities and being willing to learn from others who have been where you are.
That’s why we’re always talking about the importance of community. Whether it’s in a mastermind, a coaching group, or just surrounding yourself with other ambitious creatives, being around people who get it makes the journey so much easier.
One of the hardest parts of growing is not letting comparison paralyze you. It’s easy to look at someone else’s success and feel like you’re behind. We’ve all been there—scrolling through Instagram and wondering why that filmmaker or photographer is booking the clients you want. But that mindset doesn’t help. It just keeps you stuck.
Instead of comparing yourself to someone who’s been in the game for ten years longer, focus on what you’re building. Use other people’s success as proof that it’s possible—not as a reason to doubt yourself. You don’t know their whole story, just like they don’t know yours. Stay focused on your own path, your own growth, and your own goals.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing our own progress when we take a step back. Just a few years ago, booking a $5,000 wedding felt like a dream. Now, we’re consistently booking weddings at $10,000 or more, and it’s because we did the work to position ourselves there. You can do it too.
If you’re tired of playing small or wondering why your rates aren’t landing, the Luxury Mastermind is for you. Over 12 weeks, we’ll help you refine your brand, elevate your client experience, price with clarity, and market yourself with confidence—no matter your personality type or background.
This is for the creative who knows they’re ready for the next level—but needs the roadmap to get there.
Apply now at thelevelupco.com/mastermind.
Because your talent deserves to be seen—and paid for—at the level you’re aiming for.
