Building Bridges, Not Walls | Anja Winikka
This week onThe Venue RX Podcast, Jonathan Aymin sits down with Anja Winikka, founder of Freeda, to discuss the power of community in the wedding industry. Anja shares her journey from her time at The Knot to creating Freeda, an exclusive network that connects established wedding professionals for collaboration, resource sharing, and support.
She highlights the importance of openness and vulnerability, especially when engaging with the next generation of industry professionals who bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Jonathan and Anja also explore how a strong community can help wedding professionals overcome challenges and grow sustainable businesses. Anja offers a behind-the-scenes look at Freeda’s application process, the impact of small group dynamics, and the value of in-person events in fostering deeper connections. She reinforces that success in the wedding industry isn’t just about talent and strategy, it’s about building meaningful relationships and learning from one another.
About Our Guest:
Based in New York City, Anja Winikka brings nearly two decades of expertise in digital marketing, content strategy, PR, and brand partnerships within the weddings and events industry. Anja has a proven track record of growing both consumer and B2B audiences in the weddings and events space. She is widely recognized for her deep, two-sided industry knowledge and her ability to align audience segments with the right branding, PR, and content strategies. Her work has helped numerous brands 10X their organic reach and secure top-tier media placements in Harper’s Bazaar, BRIDES, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more.
Previously, Anja was the founder of Maroo, a Y Combinator-backed payments platform designed specifically for the weddings and events industry. Within just one year of launch, she successfully onboarded over 7,000 small wedding businesses nationwide.
In 2024, Anja foundedFreeda, a private, invite-only network designed for established wedding and event business owners. Freeda connects members with their own curated advisory group of industry peers, offering a trusted space for collaboration, strategic guidance, and business growth. More than just a network, Freeda serves as a mastermind community where experienced professionals can share insights, navigate challenges, and accelerate their success through high-level discussions and exclusive resources.
Find Her Here:
Email:hello@joinfreeda.com
Website:https://www.joinfreeda.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/joinfreeda
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