I Created My Own Stage Before Anyone Gave Me One: My Journey to Becoming a Keynote Speaker

Sometimes the first step in your keynote speaking journey isn’t waiting for an opportunity.

It’s creating one.

After exiting my company in 2021, I knew I wanted to make an impact beyond the business world. I started showing up in media – television, podcasts, articles. But my path to becoming a professional keynote speaker? It started much smaller than a TV studio.

It started in my backyard.

I hosted an intimate women’s empowerment event for about 40 women. No big venue. No fancy production. Just a room full of women entrepreneurs and small business owners who needed to see what was possible. I created a space to highlight their stories and remind them that success isn’t reserved for a select few.

That one night changed everything for me.

Because I wasn’t waiting to become a motivational speaker for women. I was already becoming one.

Two years later I gave a TEDx talk, became an NBC contributor, and started keynoting stages for healthcare professionals, dental organizations, and women’s leadership conferences I never imagined standing on.

I never saw any of that coming.

But looking back? It all started with one first step.

Creating the room when no room existed.

If you’re a healthcare professional, woman entrepreneur, or aspiring leader waiting for someone to hand you a platform…

Stop waiting.

Create your own.

Because the path to becoming a keynote speaker rarely looks like what you expect.

It looks like 40 women in a living room.

It looks like one intentional first step.

And that’s exactly where it all begins.