Centre Stage Spotlight: Amber Lilyestrom
“Chantelle’s beautiful and well-designed program got me on the road to accomplishing my goals.”
HOW HAVE YOU GROWN YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH SPEAKING?
When I joined Centre Stage, I had no clue how to begin with writing my signature talk, even though speaking was one of my TOP goals in my business. With Chantelle’s help, I was able to tackle a life-long goal, write a talk based on my story that has served as an inspiration to hundreds of people since I took the stage for the first time in November 2014.
I joined her course in the summer of 2014 and set my goals. I zeroed in on a few big conferences and events and much to my surprise, I got the first gig! I got to take the stage in front of 400 women, tell my story and connect with lots of new colleagues locally.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SPEAKING EXPERIENCES SO FAR?
I had the opportunity to speak at the New Hampshire Conference for Women in November 2014. There were over 400 women there, including my mentor and the keynote speaker, Mel Robbins. She was thrilled with my performance as was the event organizer and countless women who approached me afterward and thanked me for my courage to get up on stage and share my message of empowerment and giving permission to live the lives we want.
WHAT IS YOUR BIG GOAL SPEAKING IN 2015?
I am currently scheduling as many podcasts and blog interviews as possible with different entrepreneurs. I host a monthly online Brand Love Soul Chats and my 2015 guest was the best-selling author of Money: A Love Story, Kate Northup.
I am also looking at upcoming live events that make sense with my message and I am sending in applications and information. I was also just nominated for a TEDx talk locally, so we shall see what that holds!
WHAT FEARS DID YOU HAVE AROUND SPEAKING AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THOSE FEARS?
I was afraid of just not knowing what to say, how to structure my talk and keep people engaged and emotionally connected to me as a speaker. I was also afraid of not remembering what I was up there talking about, but Chantelle’s encouragement and suggestions really helped me zero in on my most powerful signature speech.
WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE LESSON YOU GAINED FROM YOUR SPEAKING EXPERIENCE AND ONE ACTIONABLE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING THEIR JOURNEY IN SPEAKING?
The most valuable lesson I gained from my speaking experience was that it gets easier the more you do it and also that it is really fun!
ACTIONABLE TIP: just begin. Start with video blogs and posting them on social media. Then progress to interviews, perhaps do the interviews yourself! Connecting with others is the best way to grow your platform. It is also a fantastic way to connect with others so they can refer you for upcoming opportunities they hear about.
HOW DID CHANTELLE AND HER CENTRE STAGE PROGRAM SUPPORT YOU IN MAKING THESE SPEAKING DREAMS A REALITY?
Chantelle was the first person I had consulted with in actually STARTING to go after this dream. I had no idea who to turn to or where to go to get help in writing my signature talk. I had no idea how to get booked.
Chantelle’s beautiful and well-designed program got me on the road to accomplishing my goals. I think the other piece that was invaluable was how accessible Chantelle was throughout the process. She was always there with words of encouragement and feedback. She knew what everyone in the group was working on and that accountability and recognition felt really great in my process.
It’s not your average program. It’s one you can actually COMPLETE, successfully and take with you in all your endeavors.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING USING SPEAKING TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS?
Do it. You are your brand. Your voice is the vehicle to communicate your brand message. No one can share your message like you, so you have to put yourself out there if you want to grow. That’s on a spiritual level too, isn’t it?
Push beyond those comfort zones and you will be amazed at what’s possible. I am a living proof of that!
