Tell us about yourself; who are you and what do you do for fun?
I’m just a punk skater kid who somehow ended up running an international marketing agency and writing a lot of stuff. I’m having a blast living in China right now and learning Mandarin, and my favorite thing to do is hang out with my family. I also love trail running and getting out to skateboard when I can.
What got you into speaking? Is it what you expected?
After I began writing for Forbes then I started getting offers, all unpaid, but sometimes covering travel and lodging. I had great fun doing it, and it was good for my business, so I started doing more of it, then I started getting paid, and it’s been much more rewarding than I ever expected.
Tell us about your hardest moment as a speaker so far.
My hardest moment as a speak so far has been giving a TEDx talk in front of 1,000 people. I can talk for two hours with zero preparation and do a great job with rave reviews. But 15 minutes? I prepared for two months and it still wasn’t nearly enough.
What has been your biggest success as a speaker so far?
Anytime someone contacts me and says “I heard you speak and you said such and such, so I did it, and I got these great results!” then it makes it all worth it. I love knowing that what I say matters and is making a difference. It’s very humbling.
What was your biggest struggle before finding The Speaker Lab?
Before The Speaker Lab, I really struggled with having a vision of what’s possible. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I didn’t know who hired speakers, how to contact them, how much to charge, how to create an agreement, how to manage the relationship, etc.
How has The Speaker Lab helped you and your business?
The Speaker Lab has helped me gain the confidence to ask for what I’m worth and be willing to walk away if necessary.
What is your number one goal over the next 6 months to a year?
My number one goal over the next 6 months to a year is to put on the largest marketing conference in China, with over 8,000 people. It’s already happening at www.chinamarketingsummit.com, and TSL was part of giving me the confidence to make it a reality.
