Meet Katie Wagner of The Guest Experience Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Wagner.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Guest Experience Co. really grew out of my photography business and my passion for creating meaningful experiences for people. I started my journey in the wedding and events industry through photography, founding With Love Photography several years ago with the belief that “Memories Matter.” Over time, I realized that some of the most meaningful moments at events happen beyond the traditional photos — they happen in the interactions, the laughter, the messages people leave behind, and the little experiences guests remember long after the event ends.

As I continued photographing weddings and events throughout Northwest Ohio and beyond, I noticed couples and event hosts were looking for more unique, interactive, and personalized ways to entertain guests while also preserving memories. That inspired me to expand beyond photography and begin building experiences that felt intentional, elevated, and memorable.

That’s how The Guest Experience Co. was born.

What started with photo booths quickly evolved into so much more — audio guestbooks that preserve voices and stories, interactive sticker and tattoo vending machines, custom guest activations, and other creative experiences designed to make events feel unforgettable. My goal has always been to create things that spark connection and emotion, not just entertainment.

Today, The Guest Experience Co. continues to grow into something much bigger than I originally imagined. It’s become a creative outlet where I can combine storytelling, design, technology, and human connection all in one place. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, community gathering, or celebration of any kind, I love helping people create moments their guests will genuinely remember long after the event is over.

And at the core of everything I do is still the same belief that started it all: memories matter.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all — and honestly, I think a lot of the growth came because it wasn’t a smooth road.

Like many small business owners, I started with a lot of passion but had to learn most things through trial and error. Building a business in the events industry means wearing every hat at some point — marketing, customer service, design, logistics, accounting, sales, problem-solving — often all at once. There were definitely moments where balancing a full-time career, graduate school, and entrepreneurship felt overwhelming.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating growth and evolution. The Guest Experience Co. didn’t exist overnight. It evolved from years of working weddings and events, listening to clients, testing ideas, rebranding, and figuring out what truly made our business different. Rebranding and expanding from photography into a larger experiential company came with a lot of uncertainty. There’s always risk in changing something people already recognize, but I knew I wanted to build something bigger and more aligned with the vision I had for the future.

Another challenge has been learning how to value my work and trust my creativity. In a very saturated industry, it’s easy to compare yourself to others or feel pressure to follow trends instead of creating something original. Some of our concepts — like interactive audio guestbooks or custom sticker vending experiences — were newer to our area, so there was a learning curve in educating people on the value and experience behind them.

Looking back, I think the struggles taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of building a business rooted in purpose rather than just profit. Every challenge helped shape what The Guest Experience Co. is becoming today.

As you know, we’re big fans of The Guest Experience Co.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Guest Experience Co. is an experiential event company focused on creating interactive, memorable moments that guests genuinely connect with. While many people know us for our photo booth, what we really specialize in is transforming guest entertainment into something meaningful, personalized, and elevated.

We offer a variety of unique experiences including photo booths, audio guestbooks, interactive sticker and temporary tattoo vending machines, and other experience-driven rentals for weddings, corporate events, brand activations, community events, and private celebrations. Every offering is designed with the intention of creating not just entertainment, but lasting memories and conversation-worthy moments.

What sets us apart is that we approach events from both a creative and emotional perspective. My background as a photographer has shaped the way I view experiences — I’m constantly thinking about storytelling, emotion, interaction, and what people will remember years later. We don’t just drop off equipment; we help create moments that feel intentional and personal to the client and their guests.

I also think our willingness to innovate has made us stand out. We’re always looking for experiences that feel fresh, interactive, and different from what people have already seen dozens of times. Whether that’s preserving loved ones’ voices through an audio guestbook, creating custom stickers guests can take home, or building branded experiences for businesses and events, we love finding ways to make events feel more immersive and memorable.

One thing I’m especially proud of is that the brand has grown very organically through relationships, referrals, and genuine connection with clients. A huge part of our business has been built on trust and word-of-mouth, which means a lot to me because it reflects the experience people have working with us.

I’m also proud that we’ve built a brand that feels approachable while still offering a polished, elevated experience. We want clients to feel excited and inspired when they work with us, but also fully supported throughout the process.

More than anything, I want readers to know that The Guest Experience Co. is rooted in connection. We believe events should feel memorable not just because they looked beautiful, but because they made people feel something. Whether it’s hearing the voice of a loved one years later through an audio guestbook or watching guests laugh around a sticker vending machine at a wedding reception, those are the moments we care about creating.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t always come from having everything figured out — it comes from being willing to keep going, adapt, and trust yourself even when things feel uncertain.

When I first started, I thought success meant having the perfect plan or knowing exactly what the future would look like. Over time, I realized that entrepreneurship is really about learning as you go, being open to change, and having the courage to evolve when your vision gets bigger.

Another huge lesson has been understanding the value of relationships. So much of this industry is built on trust, connection, and the way you make people feel. The relationships I’ve built with clients, venues, vendors, and other creatives have opened doors I never could have anticipated and have played a major role in the growth of my business.

If there’s one thing I’d want others to take away, it’s that you don’t have to have everything perfectly mapped out to build something meaningful. Sometimes the best opportunities come from simply being willing to start, stay adaptable, and continue showing up for your vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theguestexperienceco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guestexperienceco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guestexperienceco