Q. What type of events do you speak for?
A. Women’s Conferences, Events and Retreats, National Association Meetings, Annual Conferences, Sales Meetings, Wellness Events.
Q. Do you work with clients internationally?
A. Yes, I coach clients nationally and internationally by phone or Skype. Because of my speaking and travel schedule I limit the number of business women I accept into my program. When you commit to coaching—I commit to helping you reach your goals. Coaching brings about major shifts in life, the process is transformational, and transformation takes time. Successful people hire coaches. Having the support of a team is monumental in your success. My coaching clients also participate in monthly Mastermind calls with other clients. Everyone loves the monthly group calls and having the support of other clients.
Q. How did you get started as a speaker?
A. When I wrote It Started with Pop-Tarts I knew I had to share what I learned about alternative healing for eating disorders. And after twenty-eight years being in information technology consulting and professional sales, I was bored and ready for something new. My goal was to share my story to help teens and college students recover from eating disorder more quickly than I did (over 30 years). I had an added blessing since I grew up performing musically and was a software trainer for several years so I have always been very comfortable on stage in front of people.
In the beginning I spoke wherever people would have me. I spoke for the local Rotary Club, women’s conferences, sober living homes, treatment centers, networking events, colleges and community programs like Penny Lane Centers Teen Pregnancy Prevention Classes for girls in foster care. I also hired a coach who was a successful speaker. I wanted to learn the business quickly instead of spending years of trial and error investing a lot of money in the wrong places. That’s why I offer coaching to authors and speakers today to pay it forward.
After five years dedicated to teens, college students and eating disorders. I realized that wasn’t why I was put on this earth. I shifted my focus, incorporated my business skills and now serve female executive, business owners and professionals.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a speaker?
A. Identify your passion. What message do you have to share that will motivate and inspire others? Who do you want to talk to? Do you have life experience or a professional background that will allow you to be credible in the field? Go do some test runs. Speak at a Rotary Club, Kiwanis, or local women’s groups. Ask for feedback from the audience.
Hire a coach. I have special coaching programs for authors who want to become speakers. Anyone who is successful has a coach from Michael Jordan to Oprah and Jack Canfield. You can spend many years and lots of money trying to figure it out on your own, or get connected with someone who has the experience to help you break through quickly. There is so much to learn and you’ll save bundles of time and money coaching with me. I’ve been blessed to help many people along their journey to becoming professional speakers.
Email or call today and schedule an introductory coaching session, we’ll explore how I can help you jump start your career as a speaker.
Q. Do you coach other authors and speakers?
A. Yes. There is so much to learn in the publishing world and so many options for how to write and publish a book it can be overwhelming to say the least. I’m very active in the independent publishing world and have a huge network of resources I work with on my own projects and yours. By hiring a coach, you’ll save time and money on your project and avoid the costly pitfalls of being a new author.
Email today and schedule an introductory coaching session and we’ll explore how I can help you jump start your career as an author.
Q. Who are your favorite comedians?
A. Laughter truly is the best medicine. My favorites include Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Howie Mandel, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Lucille Ball, Whoopi Goldberg, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Eddie Murphy, and Dave Chapelle.
Q. What music do you listen to?
A. My musical tastes are varied. From hard rock, alternative rock, new age, world, blues, funk, R&B. My favorites go way back…Joe Walsh, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Eagles, Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Marvin Gaye, The Police, Sting, Nirvana, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Saliva, Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine, Prong, Queens of the Stone Age…the list goes on.
Q. What do you do for fun?
A. Okay, this one will probably surprise you. I’m actually a great seamstress. I used to make all my suits for work. Unfortunately I don’t have the time now. I’m a huge sports fan and I love speed. Taking my nieces and nephews to Mile High Nationals (NHRA) rocks. I am an avid golfer and follow the PGA, USTA, NBA and NFL. Hawaii is my favorite place on earth. I like to vacation at the beach. But my spiritual connection and rejuvenation comes from being in the Colorado Mountains.
Q. Do you play any musical instruments?
A. My mom was a music teacher so music was always in the mix. I started singing at a young age with my sisters. Mom insisted I learn piano, so I did. But violin was my instruments of choice. I started at 8 years old. I played in the Columbus Cadet Orchestra in Junior High and by college was second chair. I loved it and was a great violinist, but after school when it was time to focus on career it fell by the wayside.
I also played saxophone in the school band from grade school through college and sang in school choirs and groups. I toured internationally with the Continental Singers in 1978. We traveled all over the U.S. and to Helsinki, Finland, Oslo, Norway, Copenhagen, Denmark (my ancestral homeland) and to Leningrad, Russia. In my forties I started writing lyrics. I’ve written and recorded 12 songs as “Shewolf.” They’re alternative rock with a couple of ballads mixed in.
Q. What’s with the wolves?
A. I love animals. Especially wolves and arctic dogs. I’m drawn to their independence, spirit and loyalty. Love their eyes, beautiful tails and howling. Hence Shewolf Press (my publishing company) and Shewolf (my band). Animals have so much to teach us about life and have incredible hearts and energy. I’ve had three dogs; my Samoyed, Alta, my Akita/Malamute mix Yager who are now both gone. Sasha my Malamute left me at the young age of six when she developed pancreatic cancer. It broke my heart, but there will be another canine love in my life.
Q. How do you deal with obstacles, drama and adversity?
A. I live by a quote I learned from my mentor Bill Harris “Let everything be okay.” No matter what happens whether it’s what you expected or not, you’re on your path and life is playing out the way it’s supposed to. That phrase has completely changed my life. When one door closes, look for the new one that’s open. Banging, pounding and pushing is a waste of time. Remember, Anything is Possible!
Q. Who inspires you?
A. Jack Canfield, Wayne Dyer, Gary Null, Joseph Murphy (author), Lynn Grabhorn (author), Dan Caro (drummer), Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla. Talented athletes with die-hard mental focus (Rafa Nadal, Michael Jordan, Andre Agassi, Tiger Woods). People living their dreams and fulfilling their purpose, people who never give up.
