Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Molina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
My professional speaking career started talking off at the end of 2019.
In 2020, George Floyd was murdered. BLM protests are everywhere.
In the world of the professional speakers who happen to be people of color, we were being asked this question daily: “We need a DEI speaker… what can you speak about?”
I was asked this many times, but politely declined and referred to his Black colleagues who were actively speaking on the topic. I did this because none of the topics in the DEI sphere spoke to him – except for Code-Switching.
When an organization didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, I felt like I had no choice but to build a Code-Switching program. Since then, I’ve been hired over 50 times to deliver my Code-Switching program – my most sought after program to date.
My DNA is so mixed that when I took a DNA test
What is Code-Switching?
Code-Switching is defined as the ways in which members of historically & currently marginalized & underrepresented communities adjust their:
-language,
-speech styles,
-behaviors,
-dress,
-the topics they talk about,
-and other forms of expression/communication (so it’s MUCH MORE than just the words we use).
We Code-Switch to assimilate within dominant culture.
As I’ve spoken on this topic across so many differing audiences (middle school, high school, universities, manufacturing firms, tech firms, financial firms, etc) I’ve noticed that Code-Switching is really about authentic self-expression. If we go even deeper, it’s about feeling safe. Studies show that a majority of people don’t feel safe showing their authentic selves. Period. I want to change this. I want people to be comfortable enough to show their authentic selves everywhere they go. I want people to be comfortable enough to accept others when they show up as their authentic selves.
There’s so much more to this topic that I could write for DAYS (I’m even making a documentary on this topic)! I’ll stop here though. lol
Chris, 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?
Chris Molina was born abroad in Panama City, Panama but was raised in East Chicago, Indiana his entire life.
Upon graduating from High School in 2004 he immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While serving on active duty for seven years, Chris found a love for Leadership. ‘Leading Marines’ was his favorite thing to do.
After injuring his knee in a training accident, Chris had to pivot. In 2011, he separated from the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge and began his studies at Purdue University. After 4 years & 3 changes of his major, Chris graduated from Purdue with a B.S. in Business Management and a minor in Philosophy.
After graduation, Chris worked for John Deere for 3+ years in Supply-Chain and Operations. Mostly recently he has found a home on speaking on stages across America.
Chris is a respected voice on many topics; mainly Leadership, Communication, Code-Switching, and Student Veteran issues.
Chris has been married to his wife Katrina for 17 years. They have a 5-year old daughter, Ava, one cat, Danger, and one dog, Nimbus.
More information about the programs I speak on can be found here: https://forcollegeforlife.com/chris/
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Many times!
– I planned to spend 20 years in the Marine Corps, then my left knee was injured in a training exercise.
– I planned on going to school to be an accountant, but then pivoted to Supply-Chain.
– I planned on spending a long time as a John Deere employee (because they treated me very well), but then I found my passion of being a Professional Speaker.
– I recently had a semi-pivot that has pulled me into the film industry.
I’M FULL OF PIVOTS! :)
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Yes!!!
I was a full-time employee at John Deere, and that’s when I started working on my speaking business during my off-time.
The 1st time I was paid to speak was in 2016.
In 2020, I hired a coach (Odell Bizzell) and that helped me grow to a place where I could do this full-time since then.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://forcollegeforlife.com/chris/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgt.molina/
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-molina
Image Credits
Anya Kumar
https://www.instagram.com/anyakumar_/