The 3W Podcast: Ashley Starnes - Part 2

You can’t fake a venue that feels effortless. Ashley Starnes, owner of Osage House, joins us to share how one of the most sought-after wedding venues and event venues in Northwest Arkansas came to life, starting with 54 acres, a blank page, and a lot of listening. She walks us through the early research meetings with planners, photographers, caterers and DJs that shaped the core requirements: real capacity, true versatility and natural light that makes every photo look like a magazine spread.

We also tour the property through conversation, from the last-minute origin of The Reserve to the scale of The Hall and the emotional pull of The Chapel. Ashley explains what guests rarely notice but always feel, including flow, flexibility and those hidden rigging points that make massive floral installations possible. Along the way we talk wedding trends, how couples now care about the full planning experience, and why personal details beat “more stuff” every time.

As Northwest Arkansas grows, expectations rise, and Ashley gets candid about building relationships in a crowded market, maintaining hospitality without becoming transactional, and why the preferred vendor list is a real process, not a random spreadsheet. We wrap with practical advice for couples, nonprofits and corporate teams, plus a peek at Osage House open house themes and what new community-facing events might look like next. If you love weddings, entrepreneurship or hospitality done right, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend planning an event, and leave us a review.

Transcript

Welcome And Venue Snapshot

Speaker 0:05

Hey everyone, welcome back to The 3W podcast. I have my dear friend Ashley Starnes with me who owns Osage House. Ashley, welcome back. Thank you. This is part two. I hope you all caught part one where we kind of dive into all things Ashley, but now we're gonna dive into all things Osage House. They have been a longtime partner of 3W. I hope everyone on the other end of this camera knows exactly what I'm talking about. But just in case you live under a rock, it is the most beautiful event venue in Northwest Arkansas. This is one of their ads with a beautiful bridal couple on there, kind of like a giant white box in the best way. And I'm just talking about the venue. I'm not talking about the reserve, even though they're all great spaces, but I always gravitate towards the venue because of the giant or the giant glass on all three sides. So let's dive into all things out. Um tell me. I hope everybody caught part one or already said that, but just saying

How Osage House Was Born

Speaker 1:04

that again. So they bought 54 acres in 2017, which is nine years and so wild that that's I can't, yeah. I really can't believe that you're in a 10 years. Um it was not purchased for residential in any shape or form. So they had a business at the forefront of their mind. How was Osage House born?

Speaker 1 1:25

It was kind of, I mean, I wouldn't say by accident, but it was it was not the plan when we bought the land. We didn't have a plan. Um and so we, I really don't remember exactly. I think my dad suggested a venue. Um, and then we kind of started looking into it and thinking about it from there. Uh, it was just, you know, like what do we do? We've got this land, what do we do? So I started researching venues. And we have a lot, but not we have a lot of same time. And that was, you know, and even there's a lot more now compared to nine years ago, too. But so I started researching like what's out there, what do other towns have, what you know, what's missing. I didn't want to compete directly with anyone. I wanted to fill a gap and problem solve something, you know, for something that didn't exist. Um, so I just really like I met with every vendor that would meet with me. Really? In the in the event. And just what did you tell them? Well, you came from nonprofits, yes, a little bit. So you knew I knew a little bit. I knew like what it took for an event. So I started reaching out to event and wedding planners, photographers, caterers, DJs, what else? Those were the main core of what I met with. And just asked them if they would go to coffee with me. And you know, like we're planning to build a venue, and I just want your input on what's missing, what from your perspective in your industry, what you know, does a venue need to have? So I met with a lot of different people, and that I did build relationships that way too. So I got information, but also started building relationships, and it was of you know, still friends with all those people too. I love that. So it's fun to see how their businesses have grown also and with their partnerships with us at Osage House. So it's it was really neat. So from there, I compiled a massive list of everything and gave it to John. And I was like, this is what it needs to have in it. Okay, like let's go from there. So how long, how many pages was the list? Oh god, I think I don't remember. It was a lot, it was a lot, and a lot of it he was like, I don't care about. And I was like, Yes, you do care about this. Like this is going to matter.

Speaker 3:54

What's one thing? What was there one thing that stuck out to you the most that you kept hearing over and over and over again? Um, a large enough space to hold.

Speaker 1 4:03

So you want to be large enough to hold a decent amount of people. You know, most venues at that time could hold around 200, 250. And so I thought, well, we need to go a little bit bigger. Uh-huh. And that was one thing that stood out. And then just a very versatile space is what a lot natural light. Photographers all wanted natural light. Planners wanted a very versatile space that they could turn into anything. And so that's what gave us our direction. Okay. Yeah. Why Osage House? Like what what's in the name? The name. So we are just north of Osage Creek. Runs right behind, kind of behind the chapel. You can't see it from the chapel. You can see it from the balcony of the hall, like looking out. Right. Um, so Osage came from Osage Creek. And then House, I wanted it to be something like where you make memories and just a happy, you know, place that you're with, you know, your friends and family. And so house came from that. Did you kick around a bunch of names? I did. I had a running list. I don't honestly remember any of that. Um, because it's already been born. Yeah. So that one really stuck. And then from there, it was just, you know, the logo and all of that, trying to figure colors and what you wanted the identity to be. And so which is overwhelming. That was overwhelming. So we we did hire a company to help with that a little bit. And thankfully, like we still use everything that they did. So that's very fat. Yeah.

Speaker 5:34

So the design itself is a huge part of Osage House and the entire experience. Um, let's talk about that because you have three different spaces. Yes. And they are all different but consistent. Yes.

Speaker 1 5:50

So they all coordinate with each other. I would say.

The Reserve And Fast Decisions

Speaker 1 5:54

Let's start when we go up the hill. We have a space on our left. So we go up the hill at the entry. That's the reserve. Okay. And it is. I feel like that was the first venue open to the public. It was the first one opened. It was the last one started. So that's a different story. Oh, that's right. But um kind of yeah. So we were really behind on construction. And has left weather. Everything we had we were booked out for the year when we were supposed to be open. And we were not going to be open. So that that was a panic moment. And we thought, well, we can get, you know, this metal built, like we can get this up really quickly and have a space at least for people to use. Okay. So we did that. Uh, so that was not in the original plan. The reserve was not. Was it in the original plan at all to exist? We had thought, not not really. We had thought if we wanted to do something else later, the place where it sets was going to be that spot.

Speaker 6:50

Okay.

Speaker 1 6:51

Um, but it was not in the plan.

Speaker 6:53

So that was. The design, like anything about it, what we just you had maybe thought about later on down the road. No.

Speaker 1 7:01

It was every it was last minute and it went up really quickly.

unknown 7:05

Oh wow.

Speaker 1 7:06

And like John came up with the design and we adjusted a few things, but it was very quick. Um, ordered, you know, the steel for it, got it put up, and yeah, it was up really quickly. So that was so that's the reserve. It's a little more industrial style. Um, why is it called the reserve? You know, I don't I don't know. That's just it needed another name, its own name. And that's okay. That one does not have a reason for what it's called. So it needed a name though. We it's hard with the different buildings because you want them to have their own identity, but they're all under the same umbrella. Right. So, so it needed an identity of its own.

Speaker 7:48

Um and I feel like, and I've just noticed this, so I apologize because I've been after it a hundred times, hundreds of times. It has its own little nuptial area, yes, per se. I don't know if we really call it ceremony area. It's just kind of it's there, it's obvious and not obvious all at the same time. Yes, it's very subtle. I just noticed it in the past year.

Speaker 1 8:11

Yes, we added that, I would say probably two years after we opened. Okay. So it wasn't originally there. But it people wanted a space to have their ceremony, a designated space. So we added that. It's got steel, we call them arches, even though they're not arched, they're square. Uh, but it's got that space there. So a lot of people do their ceremony there. Or if the weather's bad, they'll use the breezeway, the open air breezeway, or inside. Um, we do probably, I mean, a large amount of our events there are nonprofit or corporate events at the reserve.

Speaker 8:47

It's a great small space. Yes, yes. And it's easy, it's still a blank slate. Right. And it still has all the it has a beautiful backdrop and it's super accessible. Yes. Right. It's got two parking lots, a circle drive, the breezeway.

Speaker 1 9:03

I it's easy to hang out. We've got those garage doors that open up to the breezeway if you want indoor-outdoor feel. So, so yeah, so that's the reserve. And some people will even use that for their rehearsal dinner. Oh, yeah. And then do their, you know, the wedding the next day at the chat. So that's fun too. We do um, like I said, a lot of a lot of corporate like holiday parties, a lot of the smaller.

Speaker 9:30

What's the most unique event that's been in the reserve? Is there anything that you you're just like, oh my gosh, I can't believe y'all activated that and that was amazing.

Speaker 1 9:38

The the very, very, very first event we had there was actually a nonprofit event, uh, a fashion show. Mom. Oh, okay. It's called Mom and So Much More. Mom and Oh, I remember this fashion show. It was a fashion show that was a fundraiser, and that was our very first event, July 19th, 2000. What year was that? 18, 19, 2019. Okay. Yeah, you opened just before Cupid. Yes. So 2019. Um, that was our first event, and that was different because it was just you know, there was a fashion show component, there was food, there were drinks. Um, they had partnered with a lot of different boutiques. Right. And so that was a did you walk in it? I did. Okay.

Speaker 10:18

I walked in it one year when it was at the promenade. Yes.

Speaker 1 10:22

Yes, they did that. They had it at uh Pinnacle one year. Okay. Oh, yes.

Speaker 10:26

I think I did that too. You're right. You did it at the club. I forgot about that.

Speaker 1 10:30

And then I don't think they do it anymore, but it was fun and interesting. They were rolling out sod that morning, and our parking lot was not paved yet, so it was still gravel. So it was it was tight, but we pulled it off.

Speaker 10:47

Oh, yeah. Your road to your venue was just paved in the past year, I feel like.

Speaker 1 10:54

Thank the Lord for that one.

Speaker 10:56

I know you're happy about that one. Let's talk about um, let's talk about the hall.

Touring The Hall And Chapel

Speaker 1 11:02

Yes. So the hall is the largest building we have on the property. It can see like dinner seating, 450. It's tight at that, but 450. Okay. Um, so it's the largest space. It's got a patio directly below it that's the same size. I like that space. So that is fun because it's a cupboard. A lot of people do cocktail hour down there. Some of the nonprofits will do their silent auction and different fun activities down there. So it's again a very versatile space that a lot of people use in different ways.

Speaker 11:33

I've been in it so many times. Yes. I love it. And they're so different. Yes. I mean, I know it's obviously it's outdoor and it's concrete, but the juxtaposition that I used to though, they're so different, but you're in the same space.

Speaker 1 11:49

Yes, so different. So we tried to make it where it was that way. Like you just have so many options. Photographers love it because they have all these different areas that they can make it look like they've never been there before. So that's amazing. So they love that. We've got both buildings have a bridal and groom's suite to get ready in. And then um I like your staircase too. The staircase. I wanted, I wanted a few fun little surprise areas like the bathrooms are one that we did a little more design in, and then the staircase was another one. Um, my favorite room is the groom's quarters. Really?

Speaker 12:25

Just because I don't even know if I've I oh you if you ride on a groom. But I'm like, I've walked all around the space, but I don't know if I've been in that space.

Speaker 1 12:32

It's my favorite space. It's dark and masculine, and just we've got wait downstairs. Yes. Yes, I have been in a VIP area. Yes. So some nonprofits. Some people will use that as a VIP. Yeah, I have been in that VIP like pre-event, yes. So that's my favorite area. It's sexy. It's fun. And we've got the exposed decked work, but we had it painted like a brassy gold color. So it just looks it looks cool. It's a cool space. What's the most unique event that's been in the hall? The most kind of wow. There was a oh, what nonprofit was it? I am not the greatest at that's my memory is really bad. Same, but same, and I lie on the street. Certain things, yeah. I make things up and I don't even mean to. Yeah. So the most fun that I can remember was, gosh, what nonprofit was it? I think it no, was it a nonprofit? Yes. They had a monopoly theme. And you may have seen it. I don't, I think it was a nonprofit. I don't think it was corporate. Okay. But they had a monopoly theme, and they had these cutouts just massive, like all around the room. Like it was a monopoly board. Oh, wow. Essentially, and everything was like themed around that. And so it was really creative. Not something I would have ever chosen as an inspiration, but it's it was really cool. I'll have to find pictures and send them to you. That sounds amazing. And I'll find out what event it was because I can't remember.

Speaker 13:57

Yeah, I will gladly take those photos and send them to over to Hasbro because they own that. Oh, they would love that.

Speaker 1 14:02

Yeah, they would love that. So they we partnered with for our open house because of that. They did all of the Oh wow. Whatever. Whatever what I don't know what it's called, but the cutouts. Yes. So we partnered with them for our open house the following year. Okay. Because everything it was so amazing. And so Oh wow. That was fun. That was our that's probably my favorite open house was travel theme. Um not this year, but last year. So Okay. So yeah, so it is fun to see the different vendors and things that come in out of the ordinary. Yes. Um, and get new new ideas.

Speaker 14:38

Pretty. I love that. Okay, and then let's jump over to the chapel. I love that. I've never been in the chapel because I just I'm old and I don't know if people getting married anymore. But from afar, I love the chapel. Yes. And I love the photos that come out of the chapel. So um, I think I would love the chapel.

Speaker 1 14:57

Yes, I think you would love it too. Yes, I think you love it. It's a special space. Like you walk into it. I've had people when I used to give tours back when it was just me. Um I had a few people like they would walk in and get teary-eyed because it just feels like it's not a church, but you it just feels special and feels you know, you just feel like you're somewhere else.

Speaker 15:18

I feel like the chapel was the last one to open.

Speaker 1 15:21

It was it was the second one. So it was ready. See, I do that. It was ready right before the hall. It was close. Okay, I'm sorry. They were close. That was end of September 2019, and the hall was January 2020.

Speaker 15:35

Okay.

unknown 15:35

I lied.

Speaker 1 15:36

So I told you. I wasn't lying about that. That's just a memory thing. It's okay. It's okay.

Speaker 15:41

So have all three concepts. Well, let's take the reserve out of it, because it was a last second concept. Yeah. So the hall and the chapel. Concepts in your brain, and then they're on paper, and then they came to life. Were there a bunch of changes from paper to life?

Speaker 1 15:58

There weren't that many changes. There were some, but I would say not that many. And again, my memory, I may be blocking it out. Right. Um, it was a very stressful time. Just being under construction, but also trying to book weddings and events of like I promise it will be beautiful. I promise. Like, I literally I met people at Cape Springs Coffee and had an iPad that my husband had a program on that I would pull it up and like walk them through the building on the iPad and be like, okay, now I have to drive you out there because you can't make it up the hill. So get in my car. So this kind of ties back to like my electric company. Yes, you're like this. Random people with me. So get in my car. So get in my car and don't kill me, please. Yes. And so we would drive up the big hill. Like the entry is steep, but before it was paved and cut out even more, it was like off-roading. So so yeah, I did that. Um and I would drive them around out there and show them and book it, which to me now is insane. But I'm also insane that people have that faith. Yes, that's what I mean.

Speaker 17:04

Like insane that they that they just were like, okay, yeah, here's my deposit. I can remember our first magazine, um, the 2009 issue. We had all these knockoffs of a 3W, basically. We're like, it's gonna look like this. I promise it's gonna be great. That's right. And we're like we're taking all of people's money. Yes. And we're like, I guess we could have just like up and left. Yeah. But we obviously would never do it. But I remember thinking, this is so crazy. These people are trusting us with zero product.

Speaker 1 17:34

Yes, zero. Well, that fire festival documentary came out around that time. And I was like, when construction like it wasn't gonna be done on time, and I was like, oh my gosh. I I'm the fire festival. I am the fire festival. But we were real in the end. So it turned out okay.

Speaker 17:56

Oh my gosh. I think that's somewhere down here of like the hardest things. But uh, so now you've hosted countless weddings and celebrations.

Making Weddings Personal And Timeless

Speaker 18:05

Um what do you think actually makes a wedding memorable at your venue?

Speaker 1 18:11

I think for couples, it's doing something that makes it personal. Um, whether it's just for them or for their guest experience. And a lot of people, you know, for years have done a memory table for family members that couldn't be there. Um but even things like a little, like their their guest gift at the end of the night. They make that really personal, whether it's a little cookbook of their fate like favorite recipes or um a candle that is they came up with a scent, and you know, maybe a scent that they had throughout the day that are you blown away by what these brides and grooms every week. Because it's not at all back when we got married, it was not like that at all. But it is much it's very personal, very, you know, just detailed, very detailed. Do you have a favorite? Oh gosh. I don't, I've tried to think about if I do have a favorite. I really love I think I really love the more simple weddings that are more just greenery and like not I I love color, but I also love simple. So I really think I like the more simple weddings. Okay, there are a lot of I mean amazing, gorgeous over the top for sure. And I I love them and they're beautiful. But my own personal style, I think I like the focus more, like if you can direct your focus to one area, I guess I would say, instead of like the whole experience.

Speaker 19:44

Are you blown away by what they do to your venue?

Speaker 1 19:47

Yes, in good and bad ways.

Speaker 19:52

Um good, I can I would love to dive into those.

Speaker 1 19:54

I don't like to be there at night during during an event because that it gets so messy and crazy and they're having I mean, yes, they're having a blast, but I just don't want to know about it. Right. So I love like I love going up during the day when they're decorating and seeing it all and then seeing pictures of it later, like how it came to life. Oh, that's fun. So that's fun. Okay, and yeah, I am blown away by the talent of the vendors, what they come up with and produce is I mean, it's next level.

Speaker 20:25

I can't even imagine. I just I'm thankful I'm already married because I wouldn't want to.

Speaker 1 20:29

Oh, I can't. I I don't want to either. Yeah. Yes, yeah. And I have boys and not girls.

Speaker 20:33

So I know, right? So I guess we it's kind of easy for us. Um, what are couples looking for today that they weren't looking for 10 plus years ago or nine years ago? Yeah.

Speaker 1 20:46

Aside from like larger you said that when you're meeting with the veters. I think I've been doing a lot of reading about this because thinking about where things are going in the future. And couples really want a good experience, like not just the wedding day and what's gonna happen on the wedding day, but the experience leading up to it. So their experience with us and my team, okay, and as a whole, they really care about like what you're starting to finish. Yeah, start to finish. Like, what does the process look like? You know, what what all do we get, not just on the wedding day, what kind of support do we get? Um, so I think that's gonna keep moving in that direction. That's interesting. I would have thought it was tact tactical on the day of. Yes. I and there's there's only so much you can offer, I feel like, on the day of, whenever you're just the building. And we do have our liquor license now, so we're a building and alcohol. Okay. But um Which is apparently a big deal, right? Yes. Okay. Yes, it's been great so far. Um, we're still learning, uh huh. But it's been great. Good. And um, but yeah, I think they really care about the more personal connection throughout the experience. Okay. Is what I found.

Speaker 21:58

That's not what I would have thought, but it Makes so much sense. Excuse me, when you say it out loud. I love that. Well, I think you've already touched on that. But like, what's one moment during a wedding that never gets old to you?

Speaker 1 22:13

I think I mean, obviously, like when if they if they do a first look, then the first look, like, so that means they see each other before the ceremony. Right.

Speaker 22:23

I think that's a neat thing of that didn't exist.

Speaker 1 22:25

Right, same.

Speaker 22:26

But I think it's great.

Speaker 1 22:27

Yes. So the first look, whether it's before the ceremony or when the doors open and the groom, like you see his face when he sees the bride coming down the aisle. And then also with the dads, the bride and their dad. Okay. They do first looks. Uh-huh. So that I think to me is just like you can see the whole reason for the big production. Oh, you know, yeah. In that moment. Um, so that's something that will that will never get old. Yeah. I like that. Yeah.

Speaker 22:53

It's just a special moment.

Hospitality, Growth, And Vendor Standards

Speaker 22:56

Okay. So Northwest Arkansas has changed dramatically. You would know since you've been here since birth. Yes. Um, what's it been like building a thriving business through all of that growth?

Speaker 1 23:08

It's been, it's been great, really. It's been challenging in, you know, new venues come in and you everybody has a place, but you try to find your place and what your niche is. Um so, but the growth has been great for us, like new people coming in all the time. And I feel like what we offer is comparable to what you would find in a little bit larger city. Have you visited other venues in other cities? Um, yeah, that's one. Uh-huh. I have a few, like Dallas, Nashville. Um, that's probably about it. Okay. But I think what we offer is comparable to those places. And so we do even have some people that will travel in. They're they don't live here, and they chose us for their wedding. So I think are you serious? Yes. So isn't that surprising? One of it found. I think that's amazing. I don't mean that. They found this on TikTok. I know it's not something I would ever do. But yeah.

Speaker 24:04

I mean, I had a destination wedding, so I guess I but Arkansas as a few. I don't think of that, right? Mine was on the beach. So I don't think of like exactly the middle of 54 acres as a destination, but I get it when you say it.

Speaker 1 24:18

Yes. But the growth here has been great for us. Again, like bringing in more people that, you know, just have a variety of expectations and things that they want. And we can, you know, just try to keep continue to level up in what we offer and how we treat people.

Speaker 24:35

Um, but that one bride found you on TikTok? Yes. And just called you all up and was like, okay, I found you on TikTok. I want to come get married here.

Speaker 1 24:43

From where? I want to say it was, oh gosh, like Alabama or somewhere. Oh, like not close. Somewhere, yeah. It was a flight. It was not, yeah. Oh my gosh.

Speaker 24:54

So yeah. Oh, yeah, that is crazy. How has the world um changed, or how has our area changed hospitality-wise? Like it's a deeply personal connection. It is the hospitality world. Like very it's personal to your clients, it's personal to your vendors, your space is personal because it's yours. Yes. Like this is like healthcare, like it's personal. Very personal. So, how has that changed throughout the growth? Boom.

Speaker 1 25:28

Yes.

Speaker 25:28

Whatever.

Speaker 1 25:29

It's so it's a little bit of to me, it's a little bit of a challenge because there are so many new businesses popping up, vendors in the event industry. And I do want to have that connection with them. And I like to have relationships with the people we work with repeatedly. Um, our clients are our clients, but I consider the vendors are also our clients because they can refer us. And so you want everyone to have that human connection. Like we know on the other side of that email or text or phone call, like that's a person with a life and a family. And so you want to maintain that as much as you can and still have your boundaries and your rules and all of that. But allowing grace and the, you know, the humanity of it is what I think sets you apart in that in this industry and like hospitality, like truly being hospitable. Yes. Even like not just for the guests on the wedding day, but being hospitable in just how you treat people every day. Transactional.

Speaker 26:33

Yes. Yes. Do you do your brides and grooms and we'll just say clients, whatever, because it could be corporate nonprofit. Do they have to work within your vendor? Like you have approved vendors. Yes. Right. Is that the only vendors they can work with? It's not.

Speaker 1 26:49

So we have we call it a preferred vendor list. Preferred vendor list. And so every January, December, January, we take applications. Oh. Um, for vendors. And so it's a process. And so we sit down as a team and we go through every single one and we make sure, you know, throughout the previous year, if there are certain issues that happened, we make notes of that. Okay. If there are things that a vendor went above and beyond, we make notes of that. So we really, what we're giving our clients, we really want to be able to stand behind. So we prefer that they use that list. They do not have to use that list. So that's awesome. That I so we do put a lot of work and thought into the list. It's not just you do. Like that's way more than I would have. So it's a it's a whole day that we sit down. We have usually over 200 applications and we go through one of the requirements is that you have worked at the venue before. Okay. So if you're new and you haven't, that doesn't mean next year you won't get on there. And it doesn't mean a client's not going to use you. Right. So we don't want new people to get discouraged, but we have to have something to back, you know, why we have you on the list. Absolutely.

Speaker 27:57

That makes a ton of sense. Um, what do you think? I wish I would didn't say um so much. But what do you think makes Northwest Arkansas unique compared to other growing regions? Like, like what do you think? Why do you think the TikTok person, like, why'd she want to come to Northwest Arkansas?

Speaker 1 28:18

I do think beside your venue, the growth and again, like all of the different people moving in. Some some people that have been here forever, like me, like some people complain about, oh, it's changing everything. And but I I see it as a positive most of the time. Right. There are negatives.

Speaker 28:36

This happens every time I do a podcast because I if I silence my watch, it will never get silence. Yeah, so sorry, sorry, everybody. That's okay. Happens every time. Happens.

Speaker 1 28:46

Um, but I think that what makes the area unique are all the different people that are here. And whether they're, you know, here for a short while, everybody brings, you know, just a different background. And again, that kind of makes different businesses and things try to level up. Or in my mind, like that's how I see it, is like, oh, like there's all these people coming from these different areas, and they're used to this from where they're from, so maybe like I can look into that and see what we can do. And so I think it's it's been good and it makes, you know, it just pushes everyone to be better. Right. I think, or if you're not going to be, then you're just you're not gonna make it.

Speaker 29:26

Yes. What's one thing you've taken from another market or from that maybe somebody brought into you as an idea? Like, is there one thing that stands out to you that that made you level up?

Speaker 1 29:37

Uh well, I will say I another vendor, well, I guess, yeah, a vendor, uh, suggested a book to me, Unreasonable Hospitality. And it's written by a guy that's in the restaurant industry, which is it's different, but it's still hospitality. Right. And so that book to me, I mean, it's it's an amazing book. Like I feel like anyone in business in general should read it. Okay. Because it's about how you treat people and about the experience they have with you as a person and in your business and the smallest of things that make a big impact. So even like a cli the client, we do a client gift on the wedding day, and we have a handwritten, you know, card. Sweet. And we have um cards in there that they can write a letter to themselves or their spouse, and we mail it a year later. And so neat. So like little tiny things that don't cost a lot of money can make a big impact and you know just create more of that connection and improve their experience. Thanks.

Speaker 30:44

Um, I feel like Osage House reflects those um so sunny. I feel like Osage House reflects Northwest Arkansas as a whole. Thank you. It's modern and traditional at the same time. Um, it's very grounded, it's growing. You're constantly booked all the time, in the best way. Yes. Um this is gonna be titled the um podcast. Uh it's relationship driven, it's personal. I'm sorry, y'all know I make notes because if I don't, I will remember, won't remember anything. It's landscaped beautifully, which is probably why I'm just now noticing the new ceremony, new ceremony spot at the top by the reserve, because there's so much lush green around every corner. Even and even the drive to the venues, they're not straight. Right. They're curvy and hills and hilly, and so they're kind of like a hug. Right. And I feel like the whole space is a hug. And I'm a huge hugger. Yeah, like um, oh my goodness gracious, I've that's a really bad habit. I gotta stop. I'm a huge hugger, so I always say, like, someone's like, What do you do at 3W? And I'm like, I just hug people. Yeah, because hugs love people, yeah. Just love people, it's relationship driven. I'm not transactional. I mean, you know that. So I don't really, I'm like, it's funny. I did have a uh client back out a year ago, and he was like, Well, we don't have a contract in place. I was like, You're right. I and he was new to the business, and I was like, You're right, I haven't had one for 10 years. So okay, you're right, fine. I'll let you out of the non-existent contract that we whatever. Right. I'm more of a like the handshake hugger contract. So to me, Osage House is kind of like a hug. You're like up and down and rolling around, and there's three different venues that are all beautiful and seamless and unique all at the same time. So I feel like that reflects Northwest Arkansas as a whole because we have growth, we have squares. I never didn't know what a square was when I moved here. And they're all unique in their own way with their old buildings and keeping history, and then we have modern homes popping up right and left. So I feel like Ose Chase reflects Northwest Arkansas as a whole. Thank you.

Speaker 1 33:07

Yeah. We tried to do that with having the land around it, you know, staying just pretty land. That's like old Arkansas. It is old Arkansas, how it was when I was growing up, and then the modern buildings, you know, you want to add something that will add to the visual and yes, be timeless and not something you constantly have to do, something to update or keep up. Um, so yeah. I know. Kudos to you all.

Speaker 33:33

Thank you.

Hidden Design Choices Guests Miss

Speaker 33:34

Let's talk a moment about how Osage House has such a recognizable aesthetic. It's unlike any of the other venues. Like there's another venue in the area that has a lot of glass as well. But overall, your venues, if someone sees a photo from a wedding, they know it's Osage House. Or your logo, it's very obvious it's Osage House, or the gold color. Like, let's um let's like dive into that, like the lighting and the staircase and what you know the details that guest what's like one detail that you put into Osage House that you notice, but guests don't really notice. Like it was a conscious decision. Yeah. I can think of one off the top of my head.

Speaker 1 34:27

Oh gosh, okay. Uh I mean the staircase would be one okay like design detail that we thought, oh, we could do something fun and special there. Because it's a huge wall. Uh-huh. Massive wall. And so that, like the railing, just little things like that that would still be timeless, but add a little visual effect. Um, gosh, I can't think of because it blends in to the others. Yes.

Speaker 34:48

Like I was just thinking the three walls of light.

Speaker 1 34:51

Yes, all the light. All the natural light. We wanted a lot of natural light and all the photographers. That was the first thing they all said. Natural light, natural light. Um, and my husband's design, like he loves a lot of windows. So that went really well with his, you know, design that he likes to do.

Speaker 35:08

Um did you have to put in special scaffolding type stuff up in the whatever stuff because I feel like anytime I say photos, there's just oh yes, the hanging massive floral installations.

Speaker 1 35:21

So they're called rigging points. Okay. And yes, so we planned for those. That was one of the things I would not have known about. Okay. That one of the planners, I think it was one of the planners, mentioned, like you're gonna want to have rigging points for hanging installations. Okay. And so that was one thing we, you know, put in the plan and gave to our builder that, you know, we need these, like, but it's covered up. Your ceiling is right. Yes. So they're in in the steel above the ceiling. Okay. So, yes. So there's like eye hooks that are up there that you attach to. Okay. So yeah, yeah, you don't want to hang it if it's not if it's just right there's loosey oozy.

Speaker 35:58

Yeah, there's the most amazing installations constantly. Yes. I don't even know what happens. Yeah, it's it's beautiful. So, like, that's something that guests would never know.

Speaker 1 36:10

Right. They wouldn't see it and think, oh, yeah, that's true. Yeah. So those are my thoughts. Those are good. Those are better than that.

Speaker 36:17

And I like your giant entrance to the hall. Like the big open, wide staircase and very shallow stairs. They're not big stairs. Right. We didn't want the stairs to like stand out and be too. No, they jump right in. It's like a ramp without being a ramp. Yeah. Yes, I love that.

Advice, Open House Joy, And Farewell

Speaker 36:33

If you could give one piece of advice to couples planning a wedding, or nonprofits, development directors planning a nonprofit event, or a team lead planning a corporate event. What is the number one piece of advice?

Speaker 1 36:49

Oh, goodness. I would say my very first piece of advice would be to hire a planner. Okay. Do you have a planner on staff? We don't have one on staff. Well, I have I have a staff member that is a planner on her own with her own business. And but we do not have an in-house planner. In-house, that's a better. Right. Um, we've that's something we've talked about, maybe adding in the future. Again, it's something I don't want to compete or take away from the planners we love working with. Right. That's a push-pull. And so it's figuring out how what that would look like. That would be my first piece of advice though, because that that's you've most people have never planned a wedding. Right. And have no idea. But they think they do. What, yes. And it's like you can, you know, look at all that, but actually having someone to walk beside you and walk you through all of it, and they can save you money, even though they cost money, they can save you in a lot of other areas. And it just takes the pressure off on the date. You get to enjoy the experience. And it's less of a job and more just enjoying the aspect of it.

Speaker 37:55

Yes. Okay. Well, I like that. Well, uh okay. So for all the entrepreneurs listening, because you are, uh, what would you say is the most taxing part of ciphern taxes? Obvious, that's taxing. Yeah, that's the joy. Love that. Someone always said, if you're paying taxes, then you're you're doing the right thing. And I'm like, I don't like it though. I still don't enjoy it. I don't like it. But it means you're you're in the black, so you're good. Yeah. So what's um the first piece of advice you would offer up for entrepreneurs?

Speaker 1 38:30

I would say you you do want to give your business everything you have. Um the benefit, I think, of being an entrepreneur is the ability to have flexibility. So with with kids and things, depending on the business, of course, if it's something that you have to be at a storefront at certain hours. But owning a business, you want you want to blend it into your life and not build your life around it. Right. And usually that's why a lot of people become entrepreneurs so that they they can do that and they need that. Um so I would say find something that it doesn't have to be something you like absolutely love or enjoy that you start doing, but just something that allows you to have the life that you want. Right. I think people think they have to be passionate for a day. It does not have to be something that you're passionate about. You'll find things within what you do that you love, like connecting with people and things like that. But you want to have a business or a job that gives you the life that you want to live. Being able to pick your kids up from school or traveling or, you know, different things like that. I completely being able to provide jobs for other families and they can have flexibility too. All uh everyone, well, I say everyone, almost everyone on my staff is a mom and they love the flexibility because see that's a completely different perspective.

Speaker 39:58

Yeah. Oh, so sweet. I like that. I don't know if I would have thought about that angle because I'm like, I don't know, work for yourself. I I nobody, I'm not interviewed, I'm always on this. But I like that perspective. I don't know if I had thought about that. But my one thought is going back to the passion part of it, like I didn't know that I was passionate about on I wasn't passionate for about nonprofits from day one, but I ended up falling in love with them and their missions throughout the course of 3W and the hugging and the relationships. And so I'm like, well, I do love this. You love it, yeah. Yes, and now it's it's part of who I am. Right. So I can't imagine doing not doing it, but I'm sure if uh with somebody, I mean, it was my minor in college of like clothes. Well, I want to own a store, I want to design clothes because that's what I love. But yeah, and it took a right turn, which is the very best right turn. Yes, yes, okay, I love that. So uh consistency matters with being an entrepreneur, right? Many early mornings, many late nights, lots of difficult seasons, but the very best. But I can't imagine going back into I'm just gonna be stereotypical. The stereotypical nine to five grind for someone else. I I I could not, right? I couldn't, yeah. I mean, kudos to everybody who does. And I look at them and I'm like, oh that I think that looks so great to leave work at work. Yes, right? We don't have that luxury, but also we have a giant pile of luxuries that other things, yeah, right. Yeah, it's trade-off. Yes, thank you. Yeah, can you imagine going back into that?

Speaker 1 41:50

I'm really addicts for the no, definitely not so. Um, no, I've thought about that often. Like, I I just can't imagine. Or it's it seems like a different universe. Right. Or having someone like telling me what to do right now. I just I just get to figure it out. Yeah, get up and do it. And so having someone to say, hey, I need this report, or I need, you know, I can't imagine I would do it if I had to. For sure. But I can't imagine choosing to go back.

Speaker 42:16

But it seems like foreign languages.

Speaker 1 42:18

Yes, I would be so worse out of it.

Speaker 42:20

Yes. Yeah. But I don't disagree with you at all. Okay. Well, what do you let's let's wrap it up on but tell me your most favorite Osage House memory.

Speaker 1 42:33

I would say, I mean, most of my real Osage House memories are with my team. And because we're just together a lot. And as time goes by, we get closer and closer and become more like family. So I think favorite memory, I mean, planning our open houses. Which is a year once a year. Once a year in the spring. I think open house is probably my favorite memory and my favorite experience every year because we put so much into it. And then to see all the vendors succeeding from it and just how it impacts their businesses and the fun ideas that all everybody gets to be creative because they're not designing for a client. So each planner has a surface and we have a theme, but they the sky is the limit. And so seeing what all they come up with is so much fun.

Speaker 43:28

I don't think I know you've done it every year because we've promoted it every year. I haven't been just because I'm not planning it. Right. But as Ashley has covered it multiple times. I don't think I realized you had a theme every year.

Speaker 1 43:41

We well, so originally we did it the last two years we have. So this year was Osage Hall of Fame. And so it was all themed around music. Okay. And so each planner chose a musician that they planned around. And we had um, I mean, everything was just music themed. We Had a bar where we covered a wall in records behind the bar, and we did a photo shoot with Miles Boyer, and we were in leather jackets, we were dressed like the Ramones and did a photo shoot, and so we had posters made like we were a band. Oh, this is fantastic. Tied it all in. Anyway, so it was it's just fun. Stuff like that's fun. And then the year before that was travel.

Speaker 2 44:22

Okay.

Speaker 1 44:23

And so each planner chose a destination and planned around that.

unknown 44:26

Oh wow.

Speaker 1 44:27

And so, and then we all kind of tie it together with what we do with what's left in the space. Oh, wow. So it's just a passport, the travel one they had a passport. Okay. That they would go around and get stamped and then enter for the giveaways at the end. And then the music, the hall of fame, they had like a VIP lanyard that they would get stamped at each spot that they stopped at. Do you have the same next year for 20? We don't. We've been talking about it. 26, yeah. Yeah, 26. 27. We will start talking about it soon. Um, because it's already halfway through the year. I know. Somehow it's I feel like we just did it in June. So we we have a few ideas. Okay. But um we'll we'll put out a few little teasers when we decide on what it is.

Speaker 45:08

Oh, I can't wait. I love that. I feel like such a horrible person. I did not know there was a theme. I love it.

Speaker 1 45:15

Yeah, and you should come because you know, there's food and drinks, and just it's fun to walk around. It sounds delightful. Yes, it's fun.

Speaker 45:23

It's fun to do. Yes, I will feel like it's in February.

Speaker 1 45:26

It is. Well, we used to do February. Okay. The weather, I I can't deal with the chance of snow. So now we do March, which I know it could still snow, but yes, it's a little safer than February. So a lot of venues do January, February. I just all the work that goes into that for it to be snow outside. Like I just want it. So so we bumped ours out a little bit more into spring, which is not ideal for engagement season per se, but it still works out, I think, for everybody. Um so yeah, but yeah, we're we're gonna do, we'll do that again in March. We'll put our date out. Um, we're about to start doing a bunch of community, not oh, I don't want to say community events, open to the community, yes. Right. So in-house events that we're gonna put on too. Oh, good, okay. And so that'll that'll be a fun that's fun, a fun thing that we're adding.

unknown 46:17

Well, good.

Speaker 46:18

Yeah, I can't wait. Ashley, thank you for joining me. Yes, of course. Thank you for having me. Absolutely. You all please go check out her open houses. Please check out her website. It is beautiful. She also has an Airbnb that you can use for your event. I think they are the premier event venue of the area. And I'm not just saying that because we're partners. Yes, I'm saying that because it's beautiful. Like it's a beautiful white, glass space. And that's what I love to attend from an event attendee perspective. Yeah, I'm and I'm over the red and orange carpet, but I understand they have to have that, and that's fine. But I do love your venue. So kudos to you and John and your team on all the successes that have come your way. And I can't wait to celebrate 10 years with you next year. Yeah, yeah, it's gonna be great. Don't forget to stop by on your way. When you need a little snack after you leave Osage House, stop by Neighborhood Market and get your Hershey Salty Snacks. Don't forget your dots, pretzels, skinny pop, and pirate's booty. We will see you all next time. Keep inspiring a culture of giving. Thank you. Thank you. Bye bye.