Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Rivera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Monica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

My first true client – someone completely outside my network – came as a direct result of my TEDx talk, “The Flipside of Loneliness,” in 2019. This moment was pivotal, not just for the revenue it generated, but for the validation it provided.

I remember standing on that stage, sharing my deeply personal journey with loneliness and connection. As I spoke, I could feel the energy in the room shift. People were leaning in, nodding, some even tearing up. It was a powerful reminder of how universal our struggles can be.

After the talk, she reached out on social media. She wanted to pivot into her next chapter. My story had resonated with her on a profound level.

She asked if I could help her craft her own story and develop her personal brand to connect more authentically with her team and peers. The excitement I felt in that moment was indescribable. Here was someone who had never met me before, ready to invest in my expertise based solely on the impact of my words.

This experience crystallized for me the incredible power of public speaking. In just 14 minutes, I had built enough trust and connection with a stranger for her to become a paying client. It accelerated the know-like-trust factor in a way that no other medium could.

This is why public speaking has become a cornerstone of what I teach my clients. It’s not just about conveying information; it’s about creating an emotional connection, showcasing your expertise, and building credibility in a remarkably short time. Whether it’s a TEDx stage or a team meeting, the ability to articulate your story and ideas compellingly can open doors and create opportunities faster than almost anything else.

That first client didn’t just represent my first dollar of revenue; she represented the validation of my belief in the power of storytelling and personal branding. It was the moment my business truly came to life, and it continues to fuel my passion for helping others harness the power of their own voices.

Monica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! is a personal branding coaching/consultancy for mid-career professionals, founders, and solopreneurs. Drawing on 20+ years of corporate marketing experience, Monica offers keynote speaking, training, workshops, and 1:1 coaching in personal branding, leadership, public speaking, storytelling, and marketing strategy.

We serve individuals and organizations, helping them enhance their online and offline presence to unlock career and business opportunities.

As a Latina-owned business, we bring a unique, culturally aware perspective to personal branding, combining corporate expertise with personalized service.

To get a taste of what we do, I invite you to listen to a podcast of the same name, YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up in The Bronx, being called a “show-off” was like wearing a scarlet letter. It was the fastest way to lose friends and respect. We lived by an unspoken rule: keep your head down, stay humble, and let your work speak for itself. I remember watching kids who “bragged” about their achievements, fresh kicks, or new outfits get side-eyed and excluded. The fear of being seen as a show-off was real.

When I started attending predominantly white schools and later entered corporate America, I realized I was playing by a completely different rulebook than everyone else. While waiting for my work to “speak for itself,” my peers confidently showcased their achievements, built networks, and climbed the ladder.

It hit me: the very thing I was taught would make people dislike me was actually the key to getting ahead.

This realization was a game-changer, both in my corporate career and later as a business owner. I learned to carry myself differently, to speak UP about my accomplishments, and to take up space unapologetically. As a business owner, success is dependent upon people knowing about your business and how it can help them!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Without a doubt, public speaking has been the best source of new clients for me. There are three main reasons for this:

1. Immediate credibility: When you’re on stage, you’re instantly positioned as an expert. This perceived authority fast-tracks the trust-building process with potential clients.

2. Emotional connection: Speaking allows you to share your story and ideas in a way that resonates emotionally with your audience. This connection is far more powerful than any written content or advertisement.

3. Demonstration of value: Public speaking gives you a platform to showcase your expertise in action. It’s essentially a live demonstration of the value you can bring to clients.

These benefits of public speaking are precisely why it’s a cornerstone of my work with clients. I teach professionals how to build their executive presence, showing them how to step onto any stage – whether it’s a conference hall or a boardroom – with confidence and poise.

My approach goes beyond just teaching presentation skills. I work with clients to craft messages that clearly communicate their unique value proposition. This involves distilling complex ideas into compelling narratives that resonate with their target audience.

The goal is to transform my clients into magnetic speakers who can articulate their worth effectively. When they master this, they too can leverage public speaking as a powerful tool for attracting new clients and opportunities.

By focusing on these elements – executive presence, confidence, and value-driven messaging – I help my clients turn every speaking opportunity into a potential source of new business, just as I’ve done in my own career.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.youwannadowhat.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/youwannadowhat
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/monicamrivera
• Other: Listen the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-wanna-do-what-personal-brand-public-speaking-thought/id1253069055

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