Building a Speaking Career That Lasts
They say only 6% of speakers make it past 20 years in the business.
Recently, I read a post by Christa Haberstock, Founder of the See Agency, that really got me thinking. The stats on the speaking industry surprised me.
Nearly two-thirds of today’s speakers are still in their first five years.
Only one in five make it past the ten-year mark.
And fewer than 6% become legacy speakers, with careers that last two decades or more.
Those numbers stayed with me. They made me pause and reflect on my own journey.
Fifteen years ago, I was focused on the full-time job of raising my kids while also grappling with the sudden loss of my father. I was heartbroken and unsure of what came next. So, I leaned into something I could control: small acts of kindness.
What began as a personal mission in honor of my dad performing 1,000 Mitzvahs or acts of kindness, slowly turned into something bigger than I ever imagined. It helped me heal and find purpose, and somehow it sparked a career that now takes me across the country speaking and consulting.
Looking back, I realize it wasn’t just my own effort. It was the stories of witnessing and receiving kindness, the developing science on the impact of kindness and my own deep knowing that this was my path that helped me move forward and kept me grounded along the way.
What Started as Grief Became a Life’s Work
That mitzvah project changed everything for me. Two and a half years of giving, connecting, listening, healing and comforting.
With every small act, whether it was volunteering, making a meal, or simply showing up for someone, I felt a shift. A new sense of purpose in me. I began to feel without a doubt that this was my path to follow forward.
That journey became my first book, 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change Your Life. In it, I shared how the simplest gestures can have profound meaning. I wanted to show that kindness isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about being present, seeing each other, and showing up in a way that truly connects. And that anyone, at any point in life, can lead with kindness.
As I dove deeper into this work, I realized something important: kindness isn’t just about healing. It’s practical. It makes a real difference in everyday life. And it absolutely belongs in our workplaces. I noticed organizations that I frequented that were leading in kindness.
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The ROI of Kindness
For the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to thousands of people about how kindness isn’t a soft skill, it’s a smart business strategy.
Organizations that prioritize kindness actually perform better. They retain people longer. They create cultures where employees feel safe, connected, and motivated. I’ve had the privilege of consulting with companies across industries, and the message is always the same: people want to work where they feel valued.
That’s the heart of my second book, The Economy of Kindness. It’s about showing leaders that kindness isn’t just a nice-to-have but a strategic advantage.
Kindness delivers results, and finally, the business world is starting to take notice.
Kindness Is No Longer Optional
Today’s employee is tired of being treated like they don’t matter. They are looking for something better.
And guess what? Kindness is that game changer. It builds trust, boosts morale, and has a ripple effect that impacts your teams, clients, and entire communities.
If you’re planning a meeting or event and want something fresh and grounded and will remind you how important a culture of kindness is, I’d love to bring The ROI of Kindness to your audience.
Here’s what I bring to the table:
A decade of experience helping organizations build cultures rooted in kindness.
Two books that explore the transformative power of everyday generosity.
A kindness toolkit designed to empower leaders, teams, and anyone who wants to be part of a culture that thrives.
This isn’t just a message, it’s my call to action!
To My Fellow Speakers, Especially the Newer Ones
Stick with it. Your voice matters. Your message matters.
This industry can be unpredictable, and the road can feel a little lonely sometimes. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is this: a message that’s grounded in truth even if you are talking about the ROI of kindness has real impact.
Fifteen years in, I’m still learning, still speaking, and still convinced that kindness is the key to transforming organizations and maybe even the world.
And the truth is?
I’m just getting started.
