I am not a Failure

Being a small business owner has never been easy, and I will admit It’s been difficult since the pandemic, but I know I still have more to offer. I have clambered over many obstacles since I decided to start my own business and I know there are many more to come. I keep getting back up, I keep pivoting, but I stay true to my passion and why I became a motivational speaker.

I know that hard work and not making excuses is why I got this far. I know that whatever challenges I have in my personal life, or my business life, I am strong enough to continue to find those opportunities.

My Story

When I became a motivational speaker I shocked my family and long-time friends. Not because I had no training, but because I am shy; at school I had one simple sentence in a school play but when it came to actually getting the words out I just could not do it!

I started my business, Motivational Steps, just months after my second diagnosis of breast cancer. Health and Wellness was my first topic and within a year I was being paid for my presentations, I was overjoyed when I was offered my first keynote! Without any experience at all I relied on research and my instincts to know that I had to build my brand, I had to get to know people in my local town, I had to reach outside of out of my comfort zone.

Twenty-two years ago I wrote articles for newspapers, newsletters, I sent faxes to speak at conferences after I had searched for that important “call for speakers”. I had no dedicated office at that time, just a corner in my family room. I had no money to spend on advertising, new laptops, phones, or nicer clothes.

My Growth

Social media came along and I came into my own. I was already a popular figure on the networking circuit, and by now my brand was all about Pink, for breast cancer awareness.

I knew I had to continue to spread out so to speak and to gain more exposure. My amazing husband and business partner suggested I host my own podcast show, Motivational Moments, and it’s still going. I started my own newsletter, in those days it was not so pretty as newsletters are today but subscribers came along slowly.

Becoming an author was something I wanted to do, mostly because I wanted to share my personal and business story with others to help them, but I also knew it was a way to market myself. My first book definitely helped me along the way, I was engaged to speak at the larger conferences, and travel to other countries. The magical moment when people recognized me because my brand was now familiar was both funny and wonderful at the same time. Eating breakfast with my husband and a woman came over to our table and asked if I remembered her from a past conference and when she told me how much my book had helped her it was unreal!

A Published Author

I went on to publish two more books. Generous people, friends, connections, were always there to help and offer me sponsorship for my book launches.

My own TV Show

My next train of thought was to come up with my own TV show on the local cable show. The Small Business Show came into being, I invited a trusted connection to be my co-host and we enjoyed three amazing seasons before Covid came along. By now I had so many successful and influential connections the guests on the show were amazing, I was honoured and grateful for those people.

A Second Business

Three years after I was gaining steady growth with my business I came up with the idea of a networking organization, a second business, which myself and my husband/business partner continue to co-host 19 years later. It’s still going strong and we help thousands of people.

Health Challenges

Along the way there were many health challenges for me. Our four children had their own challenges, and two of them are going through very serious health challenges to this day. I know in my heart of hearts, I will be there for them when they need me. On the other hand I can’t and I won’t use challenges as an excuse for giving up, not carrying on, not turning up, or taking days off just because.

I love my work, I love helping people, and I know that I inspire and influence the audience every time I present.

My Struggle

But, where keynote engagements are concerned, they are slow to arrive these days. There are many reasons, there is a recession, virtual has become popular, and it seems there are less conferences, for now.

My topics grew from Health & Wellness, which covers cancer, mental health communication and much more. The topics I cover on the business side of things, include how to build a small business with no money or experience — that’s popular because I have done it, twice! Creating a brand — yes I have done that too — Networking — without which I would not be where I am today. My third published book includes the secrets to my networking success.

I am Resilient

So, am I a failure because I am finding it difficult to find speaking opportunities? Should I give up? Of course not! I am resilient, I am determined, I know when I share my lived experiences and strategies with the audiences that they will leave the event and change their lives forever!

My business consulting keeps me busy, I now have four podcast shows, and I am about to write my fourth book; I will never give up because I love what I do.

Never, Ever, Give Up

If you are experiencing issues being a business owner, always remind yourself why you started your business in the first place. Know that hard work, dedication, and belief will get you through.

You can do it, you can get through any challenges, and keep jumping over hurdles, that’s what I have done many times, and I will continue to do so because I believe in myself!