We recently connected with Cath DeStefano and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cath, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I don’t remember saying yes but the seed was planted.
I entered a countywide speech contest when
I was barely old enough to know what I was doing.
I memorized the Gettysburg Address.
I didn’t win.
But, after that, a small stint as a student teacher during college moved me along the path of teaching/speaking.
And then I met Mary Alplanalp.
Staff development.
San Diego County Welfare Department.
A lull in hiring gave us creative-juice time to design and deliver professional development workshops.
Mary got me on the right path of interactive learning and fun.
I had found what I love to do.
After two years, I quit my job and started my own company. I ended up speaking all over the world, developing human potential.
BIG SHIFT IN MY SPEAKING: I remember when the big shift happened. Instead of worrying about what people thought of me, I could see the audience, person by person, and focus on them and their needs. BIG.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I provide keynote presentations that set the tone for meetings and always interactive learning.
What sets me apart? My reputation.
Fun, not stuffy!
After my last keynote called the Less Stress TuneUp, one of the men came up afterwards and said: “Right up front I thought, well I’m not going to get anything out of this.”
And he was there to tell me he got a LOT out of it.
One time, after a (mandatory attendance) customer service presentation
for data managers at General Dynamic, an engineer came up afterwards and said:
“I didn’t want to like it but I did.”
Why these reactions? Because I build on “discovery learning” (get them involved) and a sense of fun along with it!
Plus, I have an online HumanTuneUp.com store with products to support us humans personally and professionally.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At first, what was moving me was this somewhat vague but ever-consistent thought: “Finance the free time.”
Free time was more important than money at that point. That, plus offices with windows that didn’t open also inspired me.
So, one day I quit my job and declared me self-employed.
Oh, I was so business-naive.
The struggle was real.
Friends bailing me out was part of it.
I admit.
But use me as proof that a strong intent can carry you. Not giving up unless it’s killing you.
And know people will be there to help all along the way. I can see that from here.
NOW, I am not moved so much by free time (although I still treasure it.) but a desire to help us humans live lives we like while here.
I still cringe when I hear one of us say: “I’m not creative.”
YES, we all are! We are creating our lives! Hello.
For those who want to live their version of the good life, I help with that.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Marketing, sales, and compound interest.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.HumanTuneUp.com
- Facebook: Human TuneUp Company
- Linkedin: Cath Kachur DeStefano
Image Credits
Not applicable.