Being Crystallized Means No More Awkward Sales Calls
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“I…ummm…I…don’t really know how to answer that. If I would have known that I was going to be asked that question, I would have prepared more…done some homework.” This was what a flustered attendee at a major conference said onstage when put on the spot about what she would say to a prospective client about the value they bring. (The speaker was drawing a distinction between sales and marketing.) My heart literally hurt watching the exchange from the back of the room. I wanted

- Sep 9, 2019
- 2 min
How to Make Better Videos That Get Seen
people aren't reading anymore. They are scrolling, scanning, viewing, and listening.


- Mar 19, 2019
- 1 min
How to Make a Compelling Video
How does one make a great video that will be watched, and more importantly, acted upon? It’s just like with any other sales presentation – it’s all in the face. In the eyes. In the smile. In the realness. Here’s just a few moments from a recent Corporate Comedy Minute video I made. I was especially animated because I got to break out my mom impression, which is one of my favorites. Yes, I look goofy, and no, I don’t care. Why? Because people like REAL, and they LOVE to feel c

- Mar 11, 2019
- 1 min
Stop Thinking, Start Doing
As a professional speaker, corporate comedian, and author, I often meet people who want to be a speaker, do stand-up comedy, or write a book. They always say the same thing: “I always wanted to do that!” to which I respond, “Why haven’t you?” They say, “I wouldn’t know how to start”, “I’m not sure I’d be any good”, or the most common, “I just never found the time”. Thinking about it doesn’t count if you don’t follow up by taking focused action toward the goal. Otherwise it’s


- Apr 30, 2018
- 2 min
Put That Drink Down
“If you want to be a great dancer, put your drink down.” I said this to a stranger at the Hipshakers Old School Funk and R&B night at the Kitty Cat Klub. I went to the bar to catch my breath and hydrate after chewing up the stage with my groove. A young woman half my age left the floor to join me and said she wished she could move like I could. I told her that being a great dancer isn’t about knowing the perfect steps or having the perfect body. It’s about presence. It’s abou

- Apr 24, 2018
- 1 min
Who Are Your Rock Star Clients?
“If you don’t know what you want, you won’t get it.” My sales rockstar mom taught me this at an early age. You need to know the characteristics of your ideal future client in order to most effectively connect with them (and convert them). In my dating life I have a mental list of characteristics I look for. Kind eyes, nice smile, fun spirit, and high-functioning gray matter are all must-haves. (There are several other nice-to-haves that may or may not involve puppies and six-


- Mar 30, 2018
- 2 min
Strategic Planning at Sunset
Ahhh... exhale. I am in the Tampa airport right now on my way home after a perfect vacation to Paradise with my best friend Jean. As with all of our vacations, they were filled with long walks on the beach, gut-busting laughter, and tasty libations worthy of two lovely ladies from the snowy Midwest ready for the Spring thaw. It also included hours and hours of discussion about the focus and trajectory of my speaking business. During our marathon walk-n-talks on the sand, I go

- Mar 30, 2018
- 2 min
The Truth Contained in the Browser Tab
What browser tabs are open right at this very moment? I asked myself this question earlier this morning as I fought through a bout of entrepreneurial stinkin’ thinkin’. I was boo-hooing that a few of my big-ticket proposals have gone into limbo and found myself sporting a bad attitude and a major dip in productivity. As a thought leader in Mindful Productivity, I know that our performances (or lack thereof) leaves clues everywhere. I looked at my Sent file, and there were pre

- Mar 4, 2018
- 2 min
Knowing What Your Target Wants
Do you know why people want what you offer? Have you asked the question? As a single woman online dating, I have had my fair share of text exchanges with potential dates. In those exchanges, I have occasionally inquired as to what er, attributes I possessed that attracted them to swipe right on me. Most of the answers began with B. You know, like brains. There is one man in my life, however, whose opinion matters more than others. I asked him once, what was it about me that w

- Jan 2, 2018
- 2 min
The Power of Drop-Dead Goals
It’s not about what we say we are going to do, it’s about DOING it. Many of us make grand pronouncements of what we will accomplish in the new year. And it usually lasts about nine days. What is ultimately more productive is to create one mission-critical goal that is both defined and doable with a drop-dead due date. And then do it. No matter what. No matter how you feel. Or what comes up. Or how dirty the house gets. Or who texts you. YOU. DO. IT. I made a goal in preparati

- Dec 30, 2017
- 2 min
A Two-Word Growth Strategy
“More eyeballs.” That is the extent of my business growth strategy for 2018. Two years ago, my speaking business had but one focus: “More value”. I incorporated more of my expertise in mindful productivity to help clients improve focus and reduce distraction so they could develop better leaders, make more sales, and create more collaborative cultures. That singular focus on adding more value of what I do on the platform netted me more money. Last year, my #1 focus was “Strong

- Dec 11, 2017
- 2 min
Dance Floor Deals
I got a call from a prospect wanting to hire me for seven events next year. It’s a perfect fit client with the ideal audience (and a big fat budget). Santa has come early for this little keynote elf (despite the fact that I am undoubtedly on the naughty list)! And the deal was born on the dance floor. Last summer I spoke at an industry conference that hosted several dance socials. When a tasty groove starts playing, Imma gonna let my freak flag fly; I can’t help it (and my hi

- Nov 28, 2017
- 2 min
Success Means Sacrifice
You don’t want to play Trivial Pursuit-TV Edition with me, because I’m clueless. For years I have missed out on all of the shows that people wax poetic about: Game of Thrones, Orange is the New Black, The Walking Dead, and the most popular show that seems to be on everyone’s mind lately, Stranger Things. I have no earthly idea about any of them, since I have not owned a television in over a decade. That’s okay. I’m not bitter. My success as a speaker is partially because I ha


- Apr 26, 2017
- 1 min
Mindful Networking: How to Make That Next Mixer Work For You
"Yay! I get to go to a network mixer!", said no one ever. If you are like me, you enjoy those uncomfortable, forced-friendliness pitchfests about as much as getting a root canal from Sweeney Todd using rusty instruments and no anesthesia. Fear not, dear one! Using the powerful principles of mindfulness and service, I have moved through my awkward social squeamishness to actually LOVE networking events. My confidence has improved, my network has mushroomed, and my business is


- Mar 29, 2017
- 4 min
Good Food = Good Mood
Success is right under our noses; in fact, it’s in our mouths. It is widely believed that our mindsets are major factors to our success, whether it is in a leadership role, in sales, on teams, or at home. When we are happy, empowered, and balanced, people want to be around us. They work harder for us. They buy more from us. And that equates to more money in our pockets. Yet, stress is at an all-time high. Antidepressant usage is off the charts. Sleep disorders are common occu


- Mar 15, 2017
- 2 min
What a Foam Roller Can Teach Us About Success
I love to get massages. Ever since going to massage therapy school a million years ago, I have been a bodywork junkie. I know first-hand the many therapeutic and stress-reducing benefits that receiving regular bodywork can bring. But, alas, I don't have unlimited resources of time and money to enjoy a pampering spa visit every week. But I DO have an orange foam roller. Since I don't have the freedom to get my weekly bodywork (at this point), I recently made the decision to br


- Feb 13, 2017
- 3 min
Mindful Mentorship: Learning From the Leaders in Your Field
Who are the people that are the best in your field? Do you personally know them, and do they know you? Are you learning from them on an ongoing basis? I am blessed to not only know but also be great friends with one of the leaders in my field of professional speaking. My mentor Connie Podesta is a rockstar ninja who has helped me to up-level my game as a keynote speaker both onstage and off. She has taught me more over mimosas and late-night texts than I have learned from all


- Jan 21, 2017
- 2 min
DON’T Do What You Love (If You Want to Succeed)
We’ve all heard the sayings: “Do what you love and you’ll never have to work another day in your life”, “Follow your bliss”, and other feel-good catchphrases that convince us that all we need to do is find our passion and the doors to success will swing wide. That’s total bullcheese. Don’t get me wrong – knowing your true calling and following it with relentless enthusiasm is absolutely a key to achieving great success. But it is not THE ONLY KEY. If you really want to be, do

- Oct 20, 2016
- 4 min
Coaching to Your Hidden Core: Going Deep to Grow a Bigger Business
Most people don’t know this, but last year I was seriously considering giving up my career as a full-time keynote speaker (which, by the way, I was born to do!) to find a “real” job. Why? So I could survive as a newly-single mom, pay the bills and provide for my daughter. Back then I was in a very challenging place emotionally. I was sad because I adored speaking and wasn’t doing enough of it, frustrated because I'd done everything I knew how to do to build my business, and m


- Oct 6, 2016
- 4 min
Emotion Management: Using Mindfulness to Keep Your Crazy in Check
Admit it: You have stressed-out, nutso, I-can’t-believe-I’m-this-upset moments. (If you never feel the crazy, then you might as well move on to the next adorable cat video; I've got nothing to offer you.) With all of the nuttiness in this year’s election cycle, the intense socio-economic challenges that we face both locally and globally, and our omnipresent pressure to do more with less (all while staying healthy, happy and helpful to others), sometimes we find ourselves smac
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