Let Her Speak

Thanks to an opportunity through the Small Business Association of Michigan's Small Business Support Hub Grant Program, I have been participating in a class called "Let Her Speak," taught by the INCREDIBLE Dana Black. This class is meant to help female-identifying business leaders learn how to speak in their authentic voice and have fun doing it - and boy, has it done that and MORE in the short time I've been participating. I have met some of the most INSPIRING and intelligent women who have made me cry every month with their raw, powerful, heartfelt speeches, and all of our stories are so unique and wonderful I feel fate brought us together for a reason.

Last night, we had a make-up class because snow messed with our regular December class schedule, and with a small turnout, we still learned SO much. The participants presented remarks about our business in front of a camera, with no notes in hand, all in under 3 minutes, and it was glorious!  We all survived to tell the tale. Heather (who I now call Denise because she looks like Denise Jonas - the mother of the Jonas Brothers LOL) even brought Santa earrings, and we put them on for the class. Jack, our videographer, even got into the action! Then we all went out to celebrate.

I am so grateful for this experience, and we aren't even halfway through the course! I will cherish this photo forever - we all have our Santa earrings on and are looking fly!  This is the community that I have been needing, the tribe that I have been missing since I moved to Northern Michigan.

Pictured: (In summary - a bunch of badasses) Cortrice (who drives from Detroit every month), owner of Meal Prep by Cort, Jenny who works in Real Estate but is also a life coach (www.jennybremercoaching.com); Heather, who is a real estate broker but will be opening up a boutique with her daughter soon, Dana who is a public speaking and performance coach, TEDx Chicago speaker delivery coach, emcee, moderator, SAG-AFTRA actor, and Jack, filmographer and create of Flabocce which is made in Traverse City!

And then little ole me, Co-Founder and CEO of G. D. Placemaking. I've learned that my strength in speaking and using my authentic voice is when I use humor to connect with my audience.