Years later I realized the importance of being an effective communicator, and in 1985, I joined a Toastmasters club. During my "Icebreaker" speech, I saw the club President turn to another woman and whisper, "He’s a natural!" I felt so proud, even though I knew it was not all natural ability—I had practiced that speech at least twenty times!

That evening I realized that if one learns how to prepare and practice, public speaking could be a wonderfully rewarding experience. Though still nervous, I sought every opportunity to speak. Eventually I won several speaking competitions and Toastmasters International declared me the 1st place winner of my home state's Presentation Evaluation Championship. Oglethorpe University in Atlanta hired me to teach their executive presentation skills classes and people from all types of organizations called me to help them improve their communication skills. In 1988, my company, Simply Speaking, Inc.®, was born. A decade later in 1998, the National Speakers Association honored me with their highest-earned award, the Certified Speaking Professional. The "CSP" designation is held by less than 7% of the organization’s four thousand members.

Being a powerful communicator has a tremendous transfer value to everything we do. Through my company’s workshops, I have witnessed transformations going far beyond improved presentation skills, including increased self-esteem, greater self-confidence and an increased desire to tackle other challenges.

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