Nicole Vullo

Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand. Everyone does. But let’s clear up a common misconception: personal branding is not about self-promotion, bragging, or flexing. Instead, your brand is your reputation—it’s how you are perceived by your friends, family, colleagues, and, most importantly, the people you serve. Every interaction—whether in person, digital, or over the phone—contributes to your personal brand. So, let’s dive into what personal branding truly is and why it matters. Your Brand Is More Than Just Aesthetic Your personal brand is not a product, a logo, or a cool photo. While these elements can enhance your brand, they are simply accessories—visual cues that help people remember you. For example, my personal style includes red nails, wearing black, floral prints, and sometimes a combination of both! But beyond these elements, my brand is […]

Written by the Team at Family Shield Credit As many funeral home owners and directors would agree, sometimes it can be hard to talk about payment with families during an arrangement. Because of this, funeral homes often times will perform a service and then look to collect payment afterwards. Next things next, your accounts receivables start to pile up and now you are spending more time on collections than you are focused on running your business and meeting with families. If this sounds like a familiar problem, it might be time to look for another solution to help. Family Shield Credit has made strides to address this very problem, and while they have only been around for just 3 years, they have already helped over 500 funeral homes across 24 states. By offering affordable loan options to families ranging from […]

Written by Wendy Russell Wiener, Managing Member, WRW Legal, PLLC During December, my law practice assisted clients with seven difference instances of “We _____ed the wrong body!”  In some of those cases, the blank was filled with “cremated”, in others with “interred”, in another with “delivered”.  And, yes, I said SEVEN in one month.  You might be thinking, “Wendy, just what type of clients do you have?!”  But, I assure you my clients are the best in our industry and profession. What did every single one of the incidents have in common?  Simple failure to pay attention.  That’s it.  In every case, a human failed to properly identify the decedent that they were retrieving from refrigeration and took the decedent they retrieved, which was the wrong decedent, to their final disposition or in one case to the wrong destination. So, […]

Contributed by the Lawyers at WRW Legal, PLLC: Wendy Russell Wiener, Lauren Pettine and Henry Thompson As the new year approaches, each business should be engaged in both reflection and anticipation.  Ensuring that all your licenses, both facility and individual, are current and properly renewed is a key to ensuring you get off to a good start in 2025.  This seems such a basic idea which might be why so many businesses fail to secure, maintain and renew their licenses each year.  Consider these: Many state regulators’ budgets are supported, partly or wholly, by the fines the regulator generates from the industry. Put more simply, when you fail to renew your license the time you operate “on” the expired license is actually unlicensed practice.  States impose fines for unlicensed practice that range from small to $10,000 per occurrence and more. […]

In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is no longer optional for businesses—it’s essential. This holds true also for funeral homes and cemeteries as well. A website serves as the cornerstone of your digital identity and provides an invaluable platform to showcase your products, services, and values. Regardless of the size or type of business, a website can be the key to your growth and success. Here is why having a website is critical for your business in 2024 and beyond. Increased Visibility and Accessibility A website is accessible 24/7, allowing potential customers to find and learn about your business anytime, anywhere. This presence expands your reach beyond local customers. Credibility and Professionalism Many families and clients expect a legitimate business to have an online presence, which helps build trust and credibility. A well-designed website reflects professionalism, making […]