We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Delisha Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Delisha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

At the age of twelve I had my first public speaking opportunity. I was extremely nervous but since this was in another country, the pause for the translator actually helped my nerves. However, because of that it also made me feel like this was a lot longer. Ensuring to cover the outline my mentors helped me prepare I quickly concluded and sat down. People came to me afterwards saying they enjoyed what I said and that made me feel a little better but still quite nervous about the entire speaking part. After that I begin to speak a few times a year at youth events and internationally. A few years later I was entered into an essay writing contest and surprisingly won out of my school. Unknown to me this was the beginning of a writing passion. My dream as a teenager was to become a teacher and help the next generation reach their full potential. I was blessed to actually achieve that goal, but the desire to share transformational ideas through speech and writing was still there. A few years after graduating from undergrad I wrote my first book, which in turn gave me more speaking opportunities. Being invited to such places as Morehouse Medical school to be a panelist really made me realize I had a message that people needed and wanted to hear. However, I still was a full-time educator so most of my focus was there. After ten years in the classroom I had the idea of becoming a speaker and author. A few questions I asked myself: What does that look like? Where do I begin? How do you make money doing this? I waited about two more years before committing to thorough research and finding mentors to help me in this process. I begin to research the best in the speaking industry and pray about who best aligned with my vision. At a conference in my hometown I met my now speaking coach and community. The mentorship program they have assisted me in launching my speaking business.

Delisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m affectionately known as a transformational speaker because after a keynote, workshop, or training audience members have received practical advice they can apply to their life today to begin the transformation.

However, let me just say that speaking on stage to large groups of people is not something I ever thought I’d be doing. I’m an introvert at heart, and I thought using my words through books would be enough, but then I realized that when I speak, people listen — and there’s a true need right now for purpose-driven transformation.
So, even though it requires me to leave my comfort zone, I speak.
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I get up on that stage and give educators and other leaders just like me the strategies they need for understanding what to do next. Sure, some move on and do something other than teaching, but when I speak, retention rates increase, morale improves, and everyone leaves with a strategic plan for the future. Organizations have partnered with me so they can have these same results. As a former Special Education Teacher and Administrator, I know firsthand what it’s like to give yourself to your career. From handling students’ needs and parents wishes to navigating new curriculum and requirements from school administrators, it can be a lot to take in.
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Many teachers and professionals devote themselves entirely to their work and in turn, wear themselves out.
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As a speaker, author and consultant, I’ve made it my job to step in and offer strategies that help them check in before they check out. With my dynamic speeches and strategies, I reignite the spark for high-potential educators and leaders and recapture their attention.
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My work reconnects high-achievers with their driving force and gives them a way forward. Their renewed dedication helps organizations increase retention, improve morale and shape a strategic plan for the future.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

There has actually been two effective ways I’ve grown my clientele; relationships and impact over money. I don’t believe you can strategize relationships because with those you need to be as authentic as possible, no strategy involved. However, you can be intentional. For example, make it a point to personalize all thank you cards/gifts to clients to be memorable. This takes time to go the extra mile to get to know the clients and know more about them than their name and what they need from you. Keep in mind, how can I best serve this person, which ties into my second suggestion. Impact over money. Make your business plan with the end in mind on how many lives would you like to impact and not how much money you’d like to make. We are all here for purpose and will only be remembered by how we made people feel not how much money we made. Making an impact gets you repeated customers or clients because they enjoy the way they feel after experience with you or your product.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I truly enjoy sharing this story now, but at the time I was angry, anxious, and felt lost. One day my supervisor at the time sad she would have to let me go from this role. That was a shock but the second part of her statement really hit home. She said if I allow you to keep working here you want move in your purpose. In my mind my purpose was to get a check every two weeks. LOL Seriously, I was furious because this came at a very difficult time with family transitions. To say the least I needed this job. However, this is what actually allowed me to begin my Education Consultant business because I had to pivot and quickly. My experience gave me the knowledge and skills to create my own career path, which was a business. Sometimes what seems like failure is a launching pad for purpose. In my book, Purpose in the Process, I share more about how this story created and entrepreneurial mindset to never have to rely on a job.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.delishae.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdelishae/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delisha.easley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delishaeasley/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamdelishae