Keynote speaker and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jay Shetty is on a mission. By sharing a message that is both spiritual and practical, he uses his books, podcast and speaking engagements to help others find their purpose. In a short time, his wisdom has gone viral—Shetty has been featured by top media outlets such as TODAY, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, National Geographic and BBC News. AdWeek even featured him on the cover of their “Young Influentials” issue, and SUCCESS Speakers Bureau has named him in their lists of “Top Personal Development Keynote Speakers” and “Best Motivational Speakers to Know in 2022.”

A pivotal moment came for British-born Shetty at age 21 when he first heard a monk speak. Soon after, he began spending half his summers working in finance. During the other half, he lived a contrasting, simple life among monks in India. After three years of leading this dualistic life, he chose the life of a monk. He joined them for another three years, living a simple life that included up to eight hours of daily meditation as well as engaging in studies of wisdom and acts of service in nearby communities.

Shetty knew he had to leave, but the lessons in gratitude and mastery of the mind stuck with him. He knew the powers of mindfulness and empathy, and had learned the gifts of building confidence and gaining resilience through clarity of mind. He learned, too, to control negative thoughts and find joy in mindful, daily discipline. “Mindfulness wasn’t just a tool,” Shetty writes on his website. “It was a way of life.”

Today, Shetty’s mission is to help others by sharing the wisdom and insights he gained. And he uses today’s most powerful media tools to their fullest effect in order to do so.

Shetty shares his wisdom across popular media.

As one vehicle for his mission, Shetty started his On Purpose podcast in 2019. Available through major streaming services such as Apple and Spotify, On Purpose is a top health and wellness podcast, one which earned a No. 1 ranking on Spotify in India in its first year. Along with superstar guests such as Kobe Bryant, Alicia Keys, Will Smith and Ray Dalio, Shetty takes on topics to help his listeners worldwide boost productivity, improve physical and mental health and build resilience.

Shetty published his first book in 2020. An instant hit among fans and critics alike, Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Everyday debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In it, he guides readers through struggles such as overthinking, comparing ourselves to others and defeating negativity. He also provides wisdom on how to discover your purpose and how kindness benefits our personal well-being.

More recently, Shetty has authored his second bestseller, 8 Rules of Love. Here, he lays out a roadmap of actionable steps and skills to better nurture love in your life. Based on Vedic wisdom and modern science, his methods help readers to better manage relationship cycles while also avoiding the pitfalls of false and unfulfilling relationships.

Shetty’s keynote addresses improve mindsets and performance.

“The Monk Mindset works,” Shetty writes on his website. “Whether you want to find your purpose, manage negativity, build real confidence or overcome your fears, the tools I learned when I lived as a monk truly do work.”

If you consider booking Shetty as your next keynote speaker, media spokesperson or workshop leader, you’ll be in good company. Shetty has worked with top names including HSBC, Facebook, Google, SABMiller, Nasdaq and many others. He assists clients in building better brands, creating a stronger social media presence and driving purpose, creativity, innovation and mindfulness in the workplace.

His speaking topics include:

“Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day”
“The Millennial and Gen Z Mind”
“Conscious Communication”
“Resilience: The Art of Growing When You Want to Give Up”
“Self-Care For Service”

Whatever the topic or the audience, Shetty’s unique experiences and proven communication skills guide his sense of purpose and attentive mindfulness to your needs.

Book Jay Shetty today for your event.

Booking Jay Shetty is easy with the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau. Visit Shetty’s speaker page to learn more about him, and use the simple contact form to check his availability.

With more than a century of experience in building relationships among some of the top global trendsetters, you can trust SUCCESS to understand your needs and follow through with prompt professionalism. Plus, we will handle booking fee negotiations and other logistics.

Still not sure of the best speaker, coach or emcee for your needs? SUCCESS offers a comprehensive catalog of top speakers in areas including leadership, sales, health, mindset, branding and more. Or simply contact us with your needs, and we’ll help you find the right match to help make your event a memorable success.

Photo by Stephanie Diani

Business Speakers, Host / Emcee, Keynote

Event Emcees: Key Duties for Success and What to Look for When Booking

by Cecilia Meis

June 15, 2023

What does an event emcee do to ensure success?

An event emcee, also known as a master of ceremonies, performs vital duties to ensure your event is a success. They serve as the face of the event for your attendees, setting the tone and establishing your event’s overall brand. In the process, they also provide important information to keep your conference or other event flowing smoothly.

Four key duties of a professional emcee are:

1. Opening ceremony and introductions

An emcee serves as the host of your event, engaging the audience while creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. In welcoming guests and introducing your speakers, they create a positive first impression to help establish a lasting connection with attendees.

2. Providing house rules and other information

The emcee shares important information such as event details, the agenda and speaker bios. They also provide important logistical information that may include lunch schedules, breakout session plans, emergency exit information and more.

3. Managing the program

Professional emcees act as a timekeeper to ensure that the event proceeds as planned. They coordinate with various participants, making announcements and smoothly transitioning between speakers, breakout sessions and other scheduled proceedings.

4. Engaging the audience

Professional emcees add humor as well as providing relevant stories to keep your audience “warmed up” and engaged between segments and throughout your event. They may encourage participation by initiating audience interaction such as Q&A sessions, polling through applause or mobile devices and leading fun games to keep attendees attentive and entertained.

Can my emcee serve as a keynote speaker?

Yes, event emcees may also serve as your keynote speaker. As master storytellers and engagement specialists, both event emcees and keynote speakers play a key function in setting your event’s tone, making the two duties an ideal combination. Author, keynote speaker and storytelling expert Kindra Hall served this dual role for Direct Selling University in Frisco, Texas, with great success.

What should I look for when booking an event emcee?

Finding the best emcee for your event requires carefully considering many factors. Subject matter expertise, booking fees and scheduling are all considerations you must weigh carefully. More broadly, however, you want an emcee who engages, entertains and memorably impacts your audience.

Most importantly, your emcee is the face of your event. They are the person who your audience will see and hear most. As such, you need a true professional. Let’s look at three traits to consider when booking your event emcee:

1. Universal appeal

Even if your event focuses on a specific field such as real estate, attendees may still represent a wide cross-section of professionals: rural and urban, IT and marketing, executive leadership and middle management, for example. Attendees embody a diverse spectrum of specialties, backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, you want an emcee with a broadly universal appeal.

Top emcees such as Mel Robbins provide a dynamic, customizable message of confidence, courage and personal growth that transcends specific industries and career paths. Whether you work in accounting or marketing, top event emcees connect with audiences big and small, conveying their message at a universal level that engages and excites audiences throughout the event.

Look for speakers who are popular authors, appear in popular legacy media or who engage large numbers of followers online.

2. Motivational subject matter expertise

Some event managers may see nuts-and-bolts subject matter expertise at odds with a broader motivational message. For less experienced emcees, this may even be true. But emcees with speaking experience and a strong leadership background expertly blend deep knowledge with an inspirational message that reaches every attendee.

Top speakers and emcees like Simon T. Bailey can both answer the difficult questions while delivering a deeply motivational message. With more than 30 years of experience in hospitality, Bailey and top speakers like him know the ins and outs of their industries. But that expertise also provides the skills needed to effectively communicate with people of diverse personal and professional backgrounds.

Look for emcees who have strong leadership experience that requires motivating and engaging not just corporate teams and divisions, but entire institutional systems.

3. Master storyteller

The best emcees are also master storytellers. Skilled storytelling turns a dry lecture into stories that resonate. One key ingredient is having a story to tell, something that requires lived experience and expertise. But storytelling is an artform, too. It allows people to turn complex ideas into simple, understandable narratives. It also necessitates excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence in order to engage audiences.

The best event emcees perform with captivating body language, intonations and narrative rhythms to accent and punctuate their stories. Jimmy Hays, aka Coach Jimmy, exemplifies the best ingredients of powerful storytelling. Whether acting as an emcee, keynote speaker or business coach, Hays draws his own expertise in training others to tell their own stories. As Hays says, “Tell a story, change the world.”

Look for event emcees with masterful storytelling skills and an authentic speaking style by sampling their TED speeches or speaking reels.

Book your next event emcee with confidence.

You can now book your next event emcee with confidence. Simply contact the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau with your event needs. At SUCCESS, we will put our century of experience in professional relationship-building to work for you. We will help match you with a top emcee who has the skills, personality and professional experience you need. Plus, we will handle fee negotiations, booking and other logistics to make your job a breeze.

You can also browse our extensive library of professional keynote speakers, executive coaches and event emcees. There, you will find top speakers such as Anne Grady, Daymond John, Erin King and many more, each with a biography and other professional information.

Business Speakers, Keynote, Personal Development

Speaker Spotlight: Allison Graham Optimizes Personal Capacity

by Cecilia Meis

June 13, 2023

Being stressed may be a sign of productivity—after all, those seeking success may choose to take on increased workloads, responsibilities and challenges. But stress limits us, too. It wears down our bodies and minds, affecting our well-being while potentially impairing our ability to be more decisive. But what if you could optimize your personal capacity for productivity by redesigning your relationship with stress?

Keynote speaker, author and executive coach Allison Graham knows the challenges motivated professionals face. She also created methods used by top companies to empower executives, leadership teams and staff to build resilient traits while reducing burnout.

The results? Graham’s executive clients and wider audiences alike enjoy tremendous gains in:

Performance
Productivity
Profitability
Personal fulfillment

Graham understands that most negative stress is unnecessary. Audiences agree. From media features and authored articles at Fast Company, Financial Post and Global News, among others, to her keynote addresses, emcee duties and coaching services, Graham has helped achievers manage and reduce stress and grow their leadership capacity.

What is Graham’s winning approach for success?

“If you do not do something that actually fundamentally shifts how you relate to all of the challenges that are going on in your life, the destructive stress cycle will intensify.”

—Allison Graham

Every challenge brings stress. But not all stress is bad. Some pressures may motivate us, keep us on task and even help us improve our performance. Negative stress, however, can wear on our personal health and well-being. Graham’s leadership insights begin with a deep understanding of the difference between positive and negative stress.

Graham is driven by an understanding that much of our angst and mental blocks can be eliminated, and her programs help people to identify, overcome and reframe their relationship with stress. She empowers them with advanced techniques to solve problems that might otherwise leave them feeling drained and less confident. Her approach to challenges improves resilience, reduces burnout and optimizes productivity, encouraging people to learn to better manage multiple priorities while creating more time for personal fulfillment.

Additionally, in the long-term, workplace retention rates rise when we defeat anxieties and create happier professional environments.

Author Graham impacts wide audiences

While Graham provides group and one-on-one coaching services, she also knows how to impact and transform larger audiences. Her popular books attest to her broad appeal and ability to engage and entertain audiences while providing them the tools to exponentially improve performance and enhance their lives.

In Married My Mom Birthed A Dog: How to be Resilient When Life Sucks, Graham provides readers with the tools to become more resilient. Her audience learns not how to better cope with adversity, but to come away stronger than ever. Her most recent book, Take Back Your Weekends: Stress Less. Do More. Be Happier., delivers what the title promises and more. Graham guides her readers in best practices to relieve stress by outlining habits to support a better work-life balance.

Speaking, coaching, emcee and services

Graham delivers keynote addresses that impact audiences at a personal level. With her engaging style and gift for telling stories that resonate, she does more than provide guests with the tools they need to build resiliency and take back their lives. Attendees experience a public talk that feels more like a heartfelt, one-on-one conversation.

As Todd Copeland, general manager of Community Futures Middlesex, said, “Allison crafted and executed an engaging presentation that inspired our audience and set the stage for the entire event…. We could not have picked a better and more engaging keynote speaker for our virtual International Women’s Day event.”

Along with authentic keynote addresses, Graham provides a full catalog of services for her clients. These are:

High-impact keynotes
Team training
Panel facilitation
Emcee duties
Group coaching
One-on-one coaching

In each case, Graham provides the clarity, honesty and judgment-free expertise you’d expect from a speaker and coach with a forward-looking mindset and a focus on stress-reduction. For a taste of her message and captivating style, be sure to check out Graham’s speaking reel.

Book Graham as your event speaker, emcee or coach

When booking a speaker or executive coach, you want to work with a talent agency you can trust. The SUCCESS Speakers Bureau brings a rich history in progressive leadership that includes our founder Orison Swett Marden and the groundbreaking Napoleon Hill. We provide personal care in helping you find the best, most authentic speaker for your needs. We’ll also handle fee negotiations and thorough logistics management.

To check speaking availability, simply visit Graham’s profile page and use the quick form to drop us a note. You’ll find information about Graham’s background as well as her top speaking topics and other information. Or browse our extensive panel of top speaking talent.

Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational

Speaker Spotlight: Johnny Quinn Tackles Your Organizational Challenges Head-On

by Cecilia Meis

May 24, 2023

While companies vary greatly in terms of size, structure, scalability, profit margins and more, they share many of the same organizational challenges. Keynote speaker, author and former NFL receiver Johnny Quinn specializes in several of the areas that matter most to achieving peak performance. As a speaker and author, he tackles some of the most important issues businesses and other institutions face today, including:

Team culture
Resilience
Leadership development
Change management

With each keynote address, Quinn delivers more than a speech; he delivers an experience. His engaging style and ability to project authenticity as a speaker impact people from all walks of life.

Alongside his TEDx speech, “Understanding the Olympic Mindset,” Quinn has been featured by outlets such as ABC, NBC, FOX and CNN. With that in mind, let’s look closer at Quinn and what booking him means for your company event.

Johnny Quinn embodies a mindset of goal-setting and achievement.

When it comes to increasing resilience and developing goal-setting skills for your teams, you want someone with real-world experience in struggle and achievement. Quinn delivers in ways few others can via the experience gained over the course of his own remarkable journey.

With unwavering commitment to his goals, he played in three college football conference championships, leaving the University of North Texas as their “all-time leading receiver in receptions (187) and receiving yards (2,718),” according to his website. That helped launch his NFL career, but he was not chosen in the draft. Instead, signing on as a free agent, he played for the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers as well joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. Again, challenges beset him. Facing cut after cut from these teams, he had a choice: Give up, or learn to face setbacks head-on by setting new goals with determination and drive.

Quinn chose the latter. After tearing his ACL and getting cut for the last time, he joined the U.S. Olympic bobsled team. Through hard work and training, he was soon rocketing down mountains at more than 80 miles per hour. In 2014, he competed at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, becoming the third NFL player ever to do so. Through these experiences, Quinn developed and honed his ability to bounce back from every difficulty.

Quinn describes these experiences in his deeply personal and impactful book, Push: Breaking through the Barriers. Much more than a chronicle of success, the book outlines his spiritual journey as well as his professional one. It details how achievement is more than commitment to yourself. It’s also commitment to improving the lives of family and those around you.

As Quinn informed his audience at TEDxPlano: “I don’t know where you’re at today. But what I do know is that tomorrow can look different. And, my friends, I’ve got some wonderful news: You get to choose, and that choice is giving more.”

Johnny Quinn delivers powerful keynotes, breakouts and workshops.

Quinn’s transformational messages of building more confident leadership in times of change and developing resilience aren’t limited to TEDx talks and network appearances. He also delivers powerful keynotes with his virtual talks and in-person appearances.

Forward-looking companies, medical centers and associations and other institutions have benefited from Quinn’s keynote addresses, breakout sessions and workshops. Some of his past clients include Toyota, Battelle for Kids, Verizon, Baylor Medical Center at Frisco and dozens of others.

Quinn’s in-demand leadership and development speaking topics are:

1. “Breaking Through Barriers”

Learn how to overcome the barriers that hold you back by developing greater “resilience, determination and a growth mindset.” Quinn provides the real-world tools necessary to overcome both professional and personal challenges and take your career to the next level.

2. “Think Like an Olympian”

As an Olympian, Quinn knows what it takes to pursue and achieve excellence. With this talk, audiences learn how to channel their inner confidence while developing the mindset and discipline needed to achieve greatness in the marketplace.

3. “Cultivating a Champion Mindset”

The most successful leaders have positive, resilient mindsets and the ability to develop and achieve bulletproof goals. Quinn teaches the practical tools and techniques anyone can use to develop a positive and resilient mindset for high-yield opportunities and growth.

4. “Leading in the Digital Age”

Digital technology has utterly redesigned the marketplace, and leaders need to acquire new skills to meet the demands of the digital landscape. In this talk, Quinn focuses on areas such as new applications of adaptability, innovation and successful collaboration in the digital era.

Book Johnny Quinn or other top business speakers for your event.

“Johnny [Quinn] was phenomenal, clear and captivating!” says Mona Phillips, broker at Realty ONE Group Elite. “We need more of his wisdom to reach everyone.”

Read more testimonials, watch videos and check booking availability for Quinn at his bio page.

Or search other top motivational speakers, executive coaches and emcees provided by the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau. With more than a century of experience in building networks among thought leaders and entrepreneurs, SUCCESS will manage all the booking details for you with the professionalism and certainty you deserve.

Business Speakers, Keynote

Cost Analysis: Is Booking a Professional Speaker Worth the Fee for Your Company?

by Cecilia Meis

May 22, 2023

Booking a professional keynote speaker can be a game-changer for your company event, seminar or nonprofit fundraiser. Whether hiring a virtual speaker or someone for an in-person address, top thought-leaders entertain, inspire and educate your audience.

More importantly, the best speakers leave lasting impressions that transform work cultures and amplify positive mindsets. They deliver results that reinvigorate legacy corporations while providing next-generation institutions with the tools needed to achieve the next levels of success. They provide expert guidance in areas such as:

How to foster and close a sale
Using more effective communications techniques
Improving staff health and well-being
Increasing brand awareness with the latest tools
And much more

Yet the cost of booking a professional speaker must be weighed against your budget and measurable outcomes. Booking fees vary widely based on factors such as speaker expertise, experience and availability. Additionally, analyzing the cost-benefit of hiring a professional speaker can become complicated. In this article, we will look at the range of booking fees as well as the short- and long-term benefits you can expect from booking a qualified speaker.

How much does it cost to book a professional speaker?

The cost of booking a professional keynote speaker varies based on measurable, real-world factors. These include the speaker’s level of experience, expertise in a particular subject and their individual popularity. Other factors may include the length or type of presentation you desire, the location of your event or their current schedule.

Top booking agencies such as the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau offer only the most popular public speakers and coaches available. They include nationally and internationally recognized speakers, TED Talk speaking alums, bestselling authors and leading business moguls such as Daymond John and Grant Cardone.

While relatively new speaking talent may charge as little as $500, speaking fees for a celebrity speaker can be as high as $100,000 per engagement, if not more. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the long- and short-term corporate benefits of booking a professional speaker for your event.

What are the financial benefits of booking a keynote or guest speaker?

Fortune 100 companies such as Walmart, AT&T, American Express and Johnson & Johnson have hired some of the best motivational and business speakers available. Clearly, they see a long-term advantage. But unlike booking an entertainer, the benefit cannot be measured in dollars collected at the door. Rather, the benefits may arrive in forms such as increased productivity and reduced expenses.

Depending on your type of event, cost benefits of booking a professional speaker include:

Top leadership speakers are an investment in your company’s future.

Ideally, every person in your company can step up when needed as situations change due to promotion, absence, retirement or other factors. Using proven methods, leadership speakers build the confidence, mindset and communications skills required to cultivate your leaders of tomorrow.

Sales and business speakers provide a tangible return.

From developing leads to closing the sale, digital and in-person sales are the lifeblood of any successful enterprise. The best sales speakers such as Erin King and Justin Owens provide the tools necessary today to grow an aspirational brand, hold your prospect’s attention through critical phases and close the deal.

Motivational speakers increase employee engagement and performance.

Building a positive corporate culture means that much of your team is motivated, engaged and incentivized to stay with the company. Today’s top motivational speakers such as Mel Robbins and Jay Shetty provide your audiences with the tools needed to increase team buy-in and develop prosperous mindsets. Speakers with expertise in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion similarly help ensure every member of your team feels valued, creating a positive work culture and improving team productivity.

Healthy workplaces are happier… and more cost-effective.

“Total health benefit cost per employee reached $15,013 on average in 2022,” according to the 2022 “National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans” conducted by Mercer. Add to that the additional “$7.8 trillion in lost productivity” Gallup found disengaged employees cost employers worldwide in their “State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report.” Health and wellness speakers such as Shawn Stevenson and Mo Brossette provide expertise in movement and nutrition as a fundamental. But they don’t stop there. They also inspire individuals at every level of your organization to build better habits and mindsets while providing the tools needed to live healthier lives.

Professional keynote speakers help you make the most of your event.

Events themselves can be costly, but keynote speakers can help make them truly worthwhile. They play a unique service role by setting the tone of your conference, webinar or symposium from the outset, building interest and enthusiasm for the proceedings that will follow by engaging audiences in an entertaining way while introducing the major themes of your event. They are the kick-off from which all else follows.

Booking professional speakers provides positive impacts for your event itself.

As experienced storytellers, professional speakers deliver engaging, transformative addresses with a balance of takeaways and critical subject matter expertise. In fact, many top speakers will customize their message to fit your company’s unique needs and goals. Plus, top speakers raise interest in your event through name recognition, increasing attendance and networking opportunities for you and your guests.

Are there other cost and time benefits of booking a professional speaker?

Many professional speakers work through talent services, something which provides additional benefits, as top booking agencies make every step of the booking process quicker, easier and more cost-effective. There is no need to spend hours googling for the perfect speaker when you can choose from an extensive menu of the best speakers available.

Furthermore, agencies such as the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau provide speaker categories, bios, videos, testimonies and speaking topics for each speaker who interests you. We’ll even help you with a personalized analysis to meet your needs and your budget. All you need to do is contact us using a simple form—it’s really that easy!

Once you’ve chosen your speaker, we’ll handle the delicate communications, fee negotiation and even travel arrangements and other logistics. Learn more about the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau and how we can make your next webinar, conference or symposium the most impactful and cost-beneficial one yet.

Photo by ArLawKa AungTun/iStock

Business Speakers, Health & Wellness, Keynote

Top Keynote Speakers Share How Companies Can Support Mental Health at Work

by Cecilia Meis

May 19, 2023

Mental Health Awareness Month has spotlighted mental health issues since 1949, promoting education around mental health while also attempting to remove the stigma that once plagued people seeking care. Top keynote speakers address the importance of mental health from a variety of angles, serving as messengers for greater well-being and self-care.

Is there a mental health crisis today, and how does it impact the workplace?

Sadly, raising awareness has become increasingly important. 5.5% of adults over the age of 18 suffered from “serious mental illness” in 2021, according to the “2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” The number of people in the same age range experiencing “any mental illness” was even higher at 22.8%. And many more people experience less-than-optimal well-being due to anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, self-limiting thoughts, low resilience and more. This mental health reality impacts not only individuals, but also their performance in the workplace.

According to the 2022 “Gallup Panel” results, employees who “rate their mental health as fair or poor… report about four times more unplanned absences due to poor mental health than do their counterparts who report good, very good or excellent mental health.” Additionally, they take more unplanned absences than other employees (on average, 12 days to 2.5 days), which results in an estimated cost of “$47.6 billion annually in lost productivity.” Similarly, a 2019 report by Unum found that mental health issues account for 62% of missed workdays while also adversely impacting their focus, coworker and family relationships, overall productivity and other aspects of their work and personal lives.

How can companies contribute toward mental health solutions at work?

Keynote speakers specializing in well-being tackle these mental health issues head-on. As experienced storytellers, they engage and inspire your teams while providing real-world strategies needed to live healthier, happier and more resilient lives. Let’s look at some of the important mental health issues at work addressed by today’s top health and wellness speakers.

Build resilience for personal and company growth.

We all face difficulties. Yet, some people persevere seemingly unscathed. They bounce back quickly and without drama, a key skill for effective leadership. But it’s not that they don’t feel stress or hardship. Rather, they have developed psychological resilience. Fortunately, resilience is neither finite nor fully innate. As with many skills, one can learn to become more resilient through specific exercises and daily habits.

Consider the work of leading resilience expert Anne Grady. She knows the strategies needed to build resilience in uncertain times. A two-time TEDx speaker, author and entrepreneur, Grady began researching neurodevelopment and the brain after her son was diagnosed with severe mental illness and autism. Later, her own health issues led her to utilize the tools she learned from working with her son to persevere in the face of adversity, tools which were later codified in her books Mind Over Moment and 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work.

“Your mindset is literally the story you tell yourself about yourself and your life,” Grady writes in a SUCCESS article. She continues on to say, “It helps to understand your brain and how it interprets your stories.”

In the same article, Grady explains that our brain “has evolved to overestimate the negative and underestimate the positive” as a form of self-protection. Through tested, mindful practices, she provides the tools needed to overcome life’s challenges and get unstuck when progress feels remote.

Develop a positive growth mindset for everyone on the team.

Self-limiting beliefs may impede our academic performance, career and personal lives. These self-imposed restrictions may not cause stress or unhappiness in the short term. In fact, confining ourselves to our existing notions of ourselves may serve as a defense mechanism to avoid stress. But over the course of our lives, this style of coping may prevent us from reaching our potential.

But there are solutions. Growth mindsets involve an understanding that our talents, abilities and even our intelligence are not fixed. Rather, we can grow into new roles and challenges. Plus, these growth mindsets can easily be cultivated and grown.

In this vein, growth mindset coach and keynote speaker Karen M. Allen is passionate about helping others reach their potential. Her “Stop & Shift“ mindset reset regimen helps remap minds with healthier thoughts and a more proactive approach in life. Resilient in her own right following the tragic loss of her husband, Allen has worked with institutions such as Google, YouTube and Experian while hosting her In the Details mental fitness podcast.

“As a leader, developing a growth mindset is key to your success,” Allen’s “Leading with a Growth Mindset” course description states. “It has the potential to increase creativity, motivation, empathy, ambition, self-improvement, brain development, performance levels and so much more.”

Improve mental health at work through movement, nutrition and meditation.

Mind and body—mental and physical health—are inextricably connected. Study after study links physical fitness with mental and cognitive well-being. Likewise, the American Psychiatric Association and Healthline cite multiple studies regarding the link between good nutrition and improved mental health, including the treatment of depression.

But diets and exercise can be difficult to adhere to. Try taking small steps when developing the body and improving personal mindset—literally, go at it one step at a time.

“Walking is meditation,” says health and wellness expert Mo Brossette in a video interview with Grady. “If I walk outside, and I just breathe… and I look at the trees and I look at the leaves… I’m doing a mindfulness practice. I’m paying attention to something, in the present moment, without judgment, on purpose. That is meditation.”

As Brossette explains on the podcast Brilliant Thoughts, no first action is too small, and steady improvement wins the race.

“With people, I start with breath,” Brossette says. “You’ve got time to take 10 breaths before you get out of bed. When you can learn how to control your breathing on a regular basis, you can start your day with relaxed diaphragmatic breathing.”

Mental health awareness reduces the risk of severe illness and suicide.

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us to maintain overall psychological health and well-being. But even with proper care, our cognitive systems sometimes falter and break, and that can be a cause for concern.

According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one death by suicide occurred every 11 minutes in the United States in 2021. Equally alarming, more than 12 million adults had serious thoughts about taking their own lives.

Author, documentary filmmaker and global keynote speaker Kevin Hines knows the experience of suicidal ideation beyond the data. He has experienced it himself. He attempted suicide in 2000, and his first thought after leaping from a bridge was one of regret.

Today, Hines speaks on the topic of better mental health and suicide prevention. As a motivational speaker and leader of the #BeHereTomorrow movement, he travels the world to help others build resilience and improve wellness. His inspirational book, Cracked, Not Broken, as well as his transformative and life-saving film, Suicide: The Ripple Effect, reach readers and viewers deeply from a space of personal experience.

As Hines’ mantra goes: “Life is a gift; that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.”

For his life-saving work, Hines has received the Clifford W. Beers Award from Mental Health America, their highest honor, as well as other prestigious awards for his ongoing role in assisting others in self-harm prevention.

Learn more about suicide prevention, including important hotlines, at cdc.gov/suicide.

For booking information regarding any mental health awareness speakers mentioned in this article, contact the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau.

Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational

Speaker Spotlight: Daymond John Challenges Entrepreneurs to Dream Bigger

by Cecilia Meis

May 15, 2023

The name Daymond John resonates for achievers worldwide. As a self-made millionaire, top business and motivational speaker and bestselling author, he commands the attention of millions. And just when you think he’s done it all, John challenges himself with his next big venture. Best of all, he shares his genius by inviting you along for the ride.

From his humble origins in Queens to a global empire, John has become one of the world’s most sought-after keynote speakers. Whether he’s discussing the power of branding, the importance of perseverance or the value of teamwork, John’s keynote addresses can inspire every member of your organization from the ground floor to the C-suite. That’s why he made our bestselling authors list as well as our top celebrity speakers and best sales speakers lists.

Even if you know John from his starring role on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Shark Tank, there’s still much to learn. John’s business savvy coupled with his electrifying personality supercharges brands and transforms companies. He has partnered with top corporations such as Chase for Business, AARP and Audible. As a keynote speaker and executive coach, he can inspire your team to take on the challenges of game-changing perseverance and success.

Background: The making of a Shark

Like any authentic public speaker, John has a stunning personal story to tell. It begins with growing up in Queens, New York, and working handing out flyers at age 10. Facing the challenges of poverty, dyslexia and difficulty at school, he worked full time in his teens. He waited tables. He started a commuter van service. He did the hard grind it takes to get ahead, missing no opportunity and always having bigger goals in mind.

John founded his first company from his mother’s home. By building his own sense of purpose, he made his dream a reality. John turned his startup company FUBU into a major fashion brand with over $6 billion in product sales worldwide.

“It takes the same energy to think small as it does to think big,” John tweeted in 2017. “So dream big and think bigger.”

With experience as a successful and forward-thinking entrepreneur established, John co-hosted the hit ABC series Shark Tank. Here he grew further as a globally recognized business strategist, assisting entrepreneurs in achieving their own dreams and establishing his own personal brand as “The People’s Shark.” His popularity soared, gaining more than 5 million social media followers as one of the “LinkedIn Top Voices” of 2020.

In true entrepreneurial fashion, he dovetailed his fame as a top business strategist to launch his services as a cutting-edge brand ambassador and adviser. He worked or is currently working with companies such as AARP, The American Cancer Society, Shopify, Knocking and others, continuing his mission to educate and empower the brands and leaders of tomorrow.

John’s books

Someone with John’s business expertise and a penchant for helping others never runs dry of personal motivation or game-changing ideas. Throughout his journey, he developed his inspirational message of success as a bestselling author. As a writer, he shared in an even more personal way his formulae for success. John’s popular and life-changing books include:

Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life

Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome

The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage

Keynote addresses and consulting services

Booking John means that you are willing to deliver to your guests one of the most entertaining, exhilarating and tested keynote speakers of our time.

His celebrity status brings attention, and his compelling rags-to-riches story both captivates and inspires audiences from all walks of life. But more than that, he delivers the goods in helping your teams achieve their own success. His message of hard work, personal sacrifice, resilience and the willingness to think big challenges and uplifts your teams.

“Poverty of the mind is permanent,” John has said. “Being broke, that’s temporary.”

John teaches the strategies to overcome self-limiting mindsets. He provides the proven, winning methods to negotiate from a position of strength, win the sale and optimize the talents of your staff. His message is universal, but it’s pragmatic, too. Students, entry-level employees and chief officers alike learn from his story and his methods. That is why John is so demanded by major companies and educational institutions alike. John has spoken for General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung, and AT&T as well as Yale and Purdue University. In each case, listeners leave with the tools they need to move the company and change their lives.

Book John

The SUCCESS Speakers Bureau has made hiring your next motivational business or celebrity speaker easier than ever. Visit John’s speaker page to learn more about him and check booking availability.

SUCCESS will put its century-and-a-quarter of relationship-building and thought leadership experience to work for you, including negotiating your best fees and handling your most important talent logistics.

Still not certain of the best speaker for your event? Browse the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau talent list of top business speakers including Erin King, Grant Cardone, Simon T. Bailey and dozens of others. Or simply drop us a note with your event needs, and we’ll match you with the best speaker or coach to meet your event planning and business needs.

Business Speakers, Keynote, Personal Development

Speaker Spotlight: Michelle Poler Embraces Fear—And Encourages You to Do the Same

by Cecilia Meis

May 8, 2023

Motivational speaker and branding strategist Michelle Poler brings rare excitement and inspiration to every event. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, she moved to New York City to obtain her master’s in branding at the School of Visual Arts. While serving as art director at Young & Rubicam, she worked with top brands such as Hershey’s, Wendy’s, AT&T and Revlon.

This highly sought millennial speaker and social entrepreneur later gained acclaim as an author and speaker, helping others to grow by facing their fears. Her TEDx talk in Houston, “100 Days Without Fear,” exemplifies her clear message and exhilarating style, garnering nearly half a million views on YouTube alone. Now a resident of Miami, she has grown to become an internationally known “fear-facer” and social movement founder. She has delivered her transformative message of confidence and courage for Google, Facebook, ESPN, Yum! Brands, Toyota and many others. In fact, Poler has earned spots in both our “Best Motivational Speakers to Know in 2022” and “7 Best Social Media Speakers for Your Keynote Address” lists.

But her electrifying delivery style aside, what is her message for personal growth? And why should you consider booking Poler for your next in-person or virtual event?

What is Poler’s message for fearless living?

Imagine a leadership speaker so empowering, that her message inspires an entire movement. That is exactly what Poler has accomplished in teaching people to become the bravest version of themselves. The “Hello Fears” movement continues Poler’s life-changing message that “the enemy of success is not failure, it’s comfort.”

After all, not leaving one’s comfort zone can tempt anyone. Yet, your comfort zone is the most dangerous place to live, and the results of doing so are self-limiting. As a public speaker, Poler doesn’t attempt to change people. She instead teaches them to become the bravest version of themselves. She inspires them to break free from the bonds of comfort and face their fears by embracing new challenges. Only by adopting this growth mindset can we truly meet our full potential both personally and professionally.

Best of all, Poler provides the tools and step-by-step methods needed to gain this courage. And as with any positive habit-building, living bravely eventually becomes routine, a way of acting that was within us all along. The change not only benefits us, but those around us, too. The success is shared, at home, at work and in our communities. As Poler writes in Hello, Fears, “When you believe in yourself so much, you make others believe in you as well.”

Hello, Fears builds confident women and men.

Poler wrote her book, Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You’re Meant to Be, as a fun, motivational guide for anyone to enjoy and learn from. Each engaging page delivers the humor and no-holds-barred attitude you expect from Poler. But while Poler is a thoroughly enjoyable author, she also challenges her readers. Poler dares her audience to become the hero of their own lives by facing fears, taking risks and becoming the people they are meant to be.

Only with courage can we find joyful purpose. In Hello, Fears, Poler lays out the strategies to guide you in meeting that objective. Rather than playing the victim, she explicitly explains how you can approach challenges, reach your full potential and live unapologetically as your best and most authentic self. As Poler writes, “Sometimes the things we want the most are just one act of courage away.”

Speaking topics that inspire confident teams.

The strongest corporations have a superpower. That is, each member of every team acts with confidence. Poler, who has been featured by CBS, CNN and Cosmopolitan, among others, has the skills to engage and motivate audiences whatever their position. Major brands such as P&G, Univision, Wells Fargo, NBC Universal and Mondelēz International have relied on her to motivate, inspire and drive success with professionalism and confidence.

Plus, Poler’s keynote addresses are never delivered in “cookie-cutter” fashion. She approaches each client with the professionalism and heartfelt care you’d expect. She customizes each engagement to your needs, including for:

Virtual events
Women organizations
Diversity and inclusion
Leadership conferences
College and universities

Her speaking topics are:

Courage: Poler explores what limits us and answers with what motivates us. Teams and individuals learn how to deal with the unknown, embrace change and redefine our fears. In this address, she inspires the leaders of tomorrow to lead with accountability and authenticity.
Confidence: We all bring different gifts to the table. One does not measure a fish by its ability to climb a tree. And yet, we often persist in measuring ourselves against others. In this address, Poler helps audiences stop comparing and begin contrasting themselves to build greater confidence, authenticity and values.

Book Poler.

Check booking availability for Poler with the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau.

It’s as simple as sending us a brief message. At SUCCESS, we will put our 125 years of experience in leadership and relationship-building to work for you. Each of our motivational, personal development and celebrity speakers brings unique, professional talent that we stand by to make your event or executive coaching session the success you want and deserve!

Business Speakers, Keynote, Motivational

Top International Motivational Speakers to Book in 2023

by Cecilia Meis

May 7, 2023

Today’s top motivational speakers bring out the best from you and your teams. They rally your audiences with inspirational, actionable messages that drive institutional growth and prosperity. Whether speaking on topics of women’s leadership, self-care or personal development, booking a motivational keynote speaker adds lasting and measurable value for your company. Additionally, motivational speakers with international experience may provide even further benefits.

For instance, your company may employ people from all walks of life and around the globe. You may have customers living beyond U.S. borders as well. International motivational speakers provide a unique, global perspective and expertise that enriches your audience’s experience.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at five top international motivational speakers to consider booking for your next major in-person or virtual event:

Ricky Mendez

Are you ready to increase sales, create a better company culture and improve prosperity both for yourself and your peers? International speaker and mindset fitness coach Ricky Mendez shows you how. He teaches top global brands the tactics and strategies needed to build winning mindsets. Through his systematic process, audiences learn how to defeat negativity, procrastination and the minimalistic mindsets that hold them back. The result? A healthier, happier and higher-achieving workplace.

Through Mendez’s mindset and prosperity planning methods, he has improved companies and their cultures, working with top companies such as Home Depot, Costco and Sears, among others. In each case, he builds the confidence required to motivate action.

His game-changing speaking topics include:

“Mindset Fitness”
“Prosperity Planning”
“Leadership from Within”
“Borrow your Way to Wealth”

Learn more and check booking availability for Mendez.

Lee Marie Jacobs

International speaker Lee Marie Jacobs offers a refreshing, attention-grabbing perspective. One of our “Top Leadership Speakers to Book in 2023,” she specializes in the space where holistic health and wealth meets transformational leadership. She is a certified yoga and pilates instructor and clinical nutritionist who holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical toxicology as well as a master of business administration. She’s also a former sales and marketing manager who worked with companies including L’Oreal, DuPont and Johnson & Johnson. An advocate for better health and well-being to build truly sustainable wealth and happiness, Jacobs inspires readers with her four-week plan that advocates for “creating joyful, powerful and meaningful wealth” in her book, Beautiful Money.

Her speaking topics include:

“Soul Leader: The New Era of Leadership”
“Energy Management: The Evolution of Time Management”
“Beautiful Money: Holistic Wealth Creation”

Learn more and check booking availability for Marie Jacobs.

Nataly Kogan

“Challenge in life is constant,” says international speaker and bestselling author Nataly Kogan. “But struggle is optional.”

An immigrant of the former Soviet Union at age 13, Kogan learned English by watching Who’s the Boss? Today, executives know her as a storyteller and jubilant speaker. Her book, Happier Now, explores her own journey from cynicism to joyfulness through a science-based shift in mindset. A globally recognized expert in emotional fitness and leadership, she has been featured and authored articles for top media outlets including Time, Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. She also created the Happier Method™ and serves as founder of Happier and Happier @ Work.

With each media appearance and speaking engagement, Kogan provides life-affirming, evidence-based tools people can use to improve emotional fitness, manage stress and become stronger, more resilient leaders. One of our top self-care motivational speakers, Kogan’s speaking topics include:

“The Power of Emotional Fitness @ Work”
“Happier Now!”
“Thriving Through Change”

Learn more and check booking availability for Kogan.

Nick Santonastasso

Nick Santonastasso knows firsthand the value of motivation and goal-setting. Born with the rare genetic affliction known as Hanhart syndrome, he entered this world with no legs and only one arm. Through perseverance, he nevertheless joined his high school wrestling team, later gaining success as a bodybuilder, fitness model, author and international keynote speaker. Throughout his journey, he chose to become a victor, learning the values of resilience and building the perseverance needed to dominate his goals.

Santonastasso shares his motivational message through a massive social media presence including more than 650,000 followers on Instagram, as well as substantial followings on TikTok and YouTube. A top speaker for schools, sports teams, conferences and Fortune 500 companies alike, Santonastasso is also one of our top motivational speakers due to his inspirational message and compelling delivery. His keynote message, “Victim to Victor: Annihilate Excuses to Effortlessly Dominate Your Goals,” continually captivates audiences.

Learn more and check booking availability for Santonastasso.

Thomas Blackwell

International speaker, author and peak performance coach Thomas Blackwell has one driving vision: “to significantly improve the language and mindset of more than one billion people worldwide through authorship, inspirational talks and workshops and peak performance coaching,” according to his website. Featured as one of our “Top Faith-Based Keynote Speakers Today,” his addresses and workshops have reached into the hearts and souls of his audiences.

A former Division I athlete and coach, Blackwell brings the stamina and dynamism you want from a motivational speaker. He also offers real-world entrepreneurial experience as the founder and CEO of Say Do Achieve, a company dedicated to improving lives through language and mindset. This bestselling author of The Liberty of Our Language Revealed motivates and inspires through his unforgettable keynote topics that include:

“We Bring About What we Talk About”
“Instructional, Motivational, Inspirational… The 3 Levels of Effective Speaking and Teaching”
“The Liberty of Our Language Revealed”

Learn more and check booking availability for Blackwell.

About us

Learn more about the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau and our vast pool of internationally recognized speakers and executive coaches. And keep up with the latest speaking talent news by following us at Facebook, LinkedIn and on the SUCCESS Speakers Bureau blog.

Photo by Wavebreakmedia/iStock

Business Speakers, Corporate Culture, Executive Coaching, Keynote

Keynote Speaker Waldo Waldman Delivers ‘Wingman Values’

by Cecilia Meis

May 5, 2023

What kind of person with claustrophobia and a fear of heights becomes a combat-decorated F-16 fighter pilot? The answer is someone driven by “Wingman Values”: integrity, accountability and service.

Retired Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman worked to gain the focus and training necessary to succeed. An Air Force Academy graduate with an MBA focused in organizational behavior, he developed his “Top Gun” skills as part of “Operation Allied Force” in Iraq, Kosovo and beyond.

Those combat flight experiences fill the pages of his electrifying book, Never Fly Solo. Written with executives, managers and entrepreneurs in mind, this New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller urges readers to “power through the barriers holding you back from reaching new heights in your career.”

The success of Waldman’s book, in addition to his business experience as a former top producing sales manager, led to worldwide celebrity and acclaim. Waldman has appeared in top publications including SUCCESS, Inc. and Harvard Business Review. Major networks and popular broadcasts like CNN, Fox & Friends and Dr. Drew on Call have also featured Waldman for his growth and leadership insights. Today, he delivers bottom-line results to top companies as an executive coach and in-demand keynote speaker.

As a business speaker, Waldman offers executives and teams more than outcome-ready insights. He’s an engaging guest who brings crowds to their feet. His excellence in delivery has even led to his induction into the National Speaker’s Association Speaker Hall of Fame, an honor shared with fewer than 300 speakers worldwide.

With each in-person or virtual keynote address, Waldman provides the practical lessons and methods necessary to gain trust and create revenue-driving relationships both internally and with customers and stakeholders.

Waldman’s business philosophy: the fighter pilot mindset

Waldman believes that to achieve optimal success, organizations must move away from the combat mindset. “Just like well-trained fighter pilots,” Waldman says, “well-trained organizations should never enter into combat.”

He instead believes that “cooperation, communication and a commitment to a core set of values that serve others” create lasting growth and opportunity. While survivors may fly solo, winners build relationships and trust through teamwork. When business leaders develop that trust throughout their organization, achievers are more motivated and dedicated to their workplace. Then they can better focus on achieving the corporate objectives assigned to them.

With this philosophy in mind, Waldman developed “The Seven Wingman Principles”:

“Winners Never Fly Solo”
“Leaders Promote Collaborative Cultures”
“Training and Preparation Drive Sales Excellence”
“Standards Determine Culture”
“Relationships are Foundational”
“Be Courageous, Not Fearless”
“Core Values are Essential for Growth”

Mission ready executive coaching

Even the best leaders have blind spots, and you need an executive coach who will reveal them with honesty and integrity. And as an executive coach, Waldman has you covered. He provides the insight you need, including an honest assessment of your current tactical and strategic situation.

Among Waldman’s many clients, Matrix Home Solutions, one of the largest home remodeling companies in the nation, serves as a prime example. Thanks to Waldman, their leadership team and sales force got the “shot in the arm” they needed post-COVID pandemic. “Waldo really helps motivate you to lift other people up around you,” says CEO Nick Richmond. “And he is a great, great coach—probably one of the greatest coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Waldman’s custom keynote addresses

When hiring a keynote business speaker, every second of your guests’ time matters. That is why Waldman delivers addresses that are content-rich as well as motivational. Audiences remain engaged at every turn, leaving your event with takeaways that transform their lives and deliver bottom-line sales outcomes.

You can book Waldman for an in-person or virtual keynote address, seminar or video. In each case, he will customize his address to perfectly meet your goals and situational needs. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Dell EMC, Kroger, Deloitte and others have benefitted from his lessons in personal and team excellence.

Speaking topics include:

“Never Fly Solo®”—Transform relationships into revenue with communications, conviction and compassion.
“Wingman Leadership®”—Instill a “one team, one mission” mindset throughout your organization.
“Wingman Safety®”—Build a company a value-based culture of excellence with a commitment to safety and trust

Book Waldman

If you are ready to commit to growth and service with a speaker like Waldman, follow his advice and leave nothing to chance. Work with a trusted talent booking agency to ensure hassle-free, professional and cost-effective delivery.

The SUCCESS Speakers Bureau stands firmly on a foundation that includes a century-long commitment to personal growth and relationship-building among the top influencers and business leaders in the world.

Check speaking availability for Waldman by clicking or tapping here.