What does it really take to build a market that stands out nationally? For Amy Marshall & Frank Murray, Franchisee of the Year and co-owners of Wed Society Greater Raleigh Area, it starts with a proven business model and scales through intentional connections. In this Q&A, the powerhouse duo shares the keys to their success and offers insight into how becoming a Wed Society franchise owner has changed their lives.
It was incredibly meaningful!
The award reflects the work of our entire community. The growth we’ve seen in Raleigh is the result of an incredible group of vendors who believed in what we were building and chose to be part of it. They choose to show up and support each other, pick up the phone to connect, and build a beautiful referral network. It’s also a reflection of the Wed Society of Raleigh team, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our vendors, produce our events, and build meaningful connections across the market.
Receiving that recognition was a reminder that when you lead with authenticity, invest in relationships, and surround yourself with great people, really great things can happen.
I’ve always loved building communities, especially in spaces where creativity and collaboration thrive. Before discovering Wed Society, I co-owned a marketing agency where we worked with clients across the United States. That experience gave me a broad view of the industry and how powerful great marketing can be for small businesses.
But what I realized over time was that I really missed the local connection. Wed Society, being a hyper-localized business, gave me the opportunity to focus deeply on one market and truly connect with the wedding professionals who make it special.
The wedding industry is full of incredibly talented people, many of whom are small business owners navigating growth on their own. When I discovered Wed Society, I immediately saw the opportunity to bring those professionals together in a meaningful way.
What inspired me most was the idea of creating a platform where local vendors could be seen, supported, and connected. Wed Society isn’t just about advertising. It’s about elevating a market and helping great businesses thrive together.
Being part of the Wed Society network has accelerated everything. The brand already has credibility and a strong reputation, which gives you a powerful foundation from day one. I absolutely love and need the systems that Wed Society has in place. They have already done the groundwork, and you can jump right in!
More importantly, the collaboration within the franchise system is incredible. We share strategies, data, and ideas constantly. That support has helped me grow Wed Society Greater Raleigh much faster than if I had built something entirely from scratch. It’s a rare combination of entrepreneurial freedom and a proven system.
Professionally, it has allowed me to step fully into a leadership role within the wedding industry. We’re not just participating in the market, we’re helping shape it. Personally, it has been incredibly fulfilling to build something that brings people together. Watching vendors collaborate, seeing new businesses gain traction, and celebrating wins with our community have been some of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Go into it with a relationship mindset. I think the most successful franchise owners truly care about the people in their market.
This business is built on trust and connection. If you approach it with authenticity, curiosity, and a desire to help others succeed, the growth will follow.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of consistency. Showing up, supporting vendors and building momentum week after week is what creates a thriving market.
One of the biggest challenges early on was building awareness in a new market. Even with a strong brand behind you, you still have to establish local credibility. I focused heavily on relationships. Meeting vendors in person, attending events, hosting gatherings, and really listening to what businesses needed from a platform like ours. Once people saw that Wed Society was genuinely invested in the community, the momentum began to build quickly.
This year is about expansion and a deeper connection. We’re continuing to grow our vendor community, launching new initiatives like our Book of Weddings release event, and creating more opportunities for vendors to collaborate and gain visibility.
We’re also incredibly excited to launch our second market in Charleston + Hilton Head, which feels like a very natural next step for us. Many of our Raleigh vendors already work in that market, so there’s already a strong connection between the two communities. Being able to support them in both places and introduce them to new local partners in Charleston + Hilton Head is something we’re really looking forward to.
At the same time, I’m excited to continue elevating Raleigh as a wedding destination. There’s so much talent here, and it deserves to be seen on a national stage.
One moment that stands out is seeing vendors who met through Wed Society collaborate for the first time and then continue working together again and again.
Watching those partnerships form, and knowing our platform helped spark them, is incredibly rewarding. It shows that we’re not just promoting businesses, we’re strengthening the entire wedding ecosystem.
Listening first.
Every business is different, and understanding what success looks like for each vendor helps us create opportunities that actually support their goals.
I also focus on creating spaces where vendors can connect with each other. When you build a strong community, the platform’s value multiplies.
How powerful the community truly is.
When you bring the right people together with a shared vision, the impact is far greater than any individual effort. That sense of collaboration has been the driving force behind our growth.
Stories like Amy & Frank’s remind us that the path to success doesn’t happen alone—it’s shaped by shared vision, consistency, and intentional connections. As our network continues to grow, so does the collective impact of franchise owners across the country. If you’re inspired by what you’ve read, we invite you to explore your own possibilities within the Wed Society network. Take the first step toward franchise ownership and learn more about what’s possible with Wed Society in your local community. Let’s build something extraordinary together!
