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

Hi Jenni, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

When I founded my business in 1990, I named it Prisk Communication. I still carry that name. However, in 2021 I published a book (on Amazon) entitled “Stand in Your Spotlight – An Ode to Living Fully”. Subsequently, my readers have told me that the book has given them courage to be forthright, to stand up for themselves and for others, to recognize their talents and skills, and to take their place in their spotlight. Women especially are stepping into their power, recognizing their importance, standing up for their rights, and using their voices to make a difference when life is unfair or unjust.

These discoveries have helped me to realize that through my public speaking company and the 1000s of people I have coached, that I have been bringing them all into the spotlight! This means so much to me, as growing up, I stood in the shadows and didn’t want to be recognized. Now I do!

I will soon be 75 years young, and I want people of my age to realize that life can begin at this age! Through new strengths, new skills, new interests, new friends, and the ability to stand back and laugh at yourself and the world when necessary, life renews with excitement and fulfillment.

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.

Even though I had good opportunities to go to university, I refused, and instead became a Secretary. At the age of 21, I left my native New Zealand to travel the world. My 26 years as a secretary provided me with good organizational and planning skills, and constant daily communication. I began to realize that this is where I excelled. So, at the age of 40, and now married and living in San Diego, I opened my business, Prisk Communication, to provide exemplary public speaking, assertiveness, leadership and communication skills, after completing an extra-mural diploma in Speech & Drama from a college in London, England.

I am fortunate to solve many problems for my clients… someone is promoted to a leadership role and feels inadequate. I coach them to step into their power. Another has to deliver a speech to 2000 stakeholders and is terrified of the podium. I coach them to step into their spotlight and command the stage. A CEO ponders her ability to deal with the naysayers in the company who would like to pull her down. I coach her to utilize her strengths and communication to settle into her strengths.

I’ve frequently been told that my New Zealand accent and my holistic approach are what set me apart. When working with a single client or a room full of clients, I see each person individually. This permits me to provide the appropriate skills for that person, while working with their ego, be it fragile or overbearing, leaving no feathers ruffled.

I am most proud of the fact that my business is still going and I am still training and coaching at my age. I thought I had retired, but I’ve realized that is a ridiculous word in my vocabulary and I have banished it. I like “refired” which I didn’t create, but appreciate!

Through the years of operating my business, I have suffered from severe depression, had many surgeries, discovered we couldn’t have children, and been knocked over in several arenas. Yet I’ve always stood up and carried on! And that’s why I’m living the life I live today.

When you hire me, you get a down-to-earth, humorous, caring, kind, professional, intelligent coach, trainer or speaker. I know people, and I see people. My workshops and sessions are fun. My keynotes (my favorite) are enlightening, entertaining and passionate.

Now that I’m a “little” older, I want to deliver keynotes all over the world about “Aging (Dis)gracefully.” There are so many opportunities available to us as we age that many of my contemporaries are fearful of.

In the last three years, I have written a book, directed a production of Macbeth (I’ve never directed before) been back on stage (one of my passions) joined a women’s organization in New Zealand where I interview and write articles about all the members, have joined a coalition with the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand (Dame Jenny Shipley) and a Maori friend to raise the platform for Maori women in the North of NZ, am a member of the Council for Global Relations to assist Afghanistan women and girls with online education, am on three committees in my Rotary Club, am a theater critic for Scene by Jenni Prisk on Facebook, and live six months in San Diego and six months in New Zealand in a home my husband and I built in 2018! Oh, and I swim every day.

I am also blessed to have friends who are 30 and 40 years my junior. They don’t see the age difference, they tell me they see my young heart. I so want to convey this message to all those my age, and older, and those who are nearing their 70s. This is not a dress rehearsal; it’s the only life available to us and there is joy in living it fully!

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being myself and letting others “in.”

Once I would have said “networking” and while that is still incredibly effective (and I teach workshops on this skill) I believe that strength comes from allowing potential clients to see who you are as a person; the ability to explain your business and the results in straightforward, comfortable language; and to laugh with this person. Shared experiences become shared opportunities! These experiences also become a safety net for upcoming business. Trust has been built, Clarity has been established. Communication is key.

Then, when I work successfully with one client for many years, they pass my name and strategies on to their colleagues, partners and friends. I’ve never had to advertise. My business has grown through word-of-mouth.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m pivoting right now! After 26 years as a secretary, and 33 years operating Prisk Communication, now it’s time to stand in my spotlight fully and utilize the same skills differently.

This realization came to me on my 74th birthday. That now is the time to share my story…that life has a new beginning in the 70s! It’s exhilarating to learn new ways of living, as I have done…

How to direct a play. How to write a book (with great support from my Publishing Partner.) How to profile other women so that the spotlight shines on them. How to collaborate with indigenous women and be sensitive to their needs. (I did learn a great deal in this arena in 2001 when I founded Voices of Women a non-profit organization three weeks after 9/11; it operated for 15 years, and is now a podcast – www.voicesofwomen.org)

How to deal with broken bones (i’ve just had a hip replacement and it’s remarkable) and fatigue (it’s OK to sit down and read, or just watch the world go by!) How and why to travel to more challenging places so we can get around while we still can!.

I want to show “older” folks how resilient they are; how much they know; how much they have to share; how much they can learn; how much they can love and laugh; how much life has to offer.

In the 1990s when my depression was at its deepest, I tried to take my life. I thank the universe that I didn’t because now I realize what a gift life is!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.prisk.com (but it’s not very current!)
• Instagram: jenniprisk (don’t post very often)
• Facebook: Jenni Prisk AND Scene by Jenni Prisk
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniprisk/
• Twitter: @jenniprisk
• Youtube: Jenni Prisk
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/STAND-YOUR-SPOTLIGHT-Living-Fully/dp/0578315211/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3SQDFFKWSHSNN&keywords=stand+in+your+spotlight&qid=1692575776&sprefix=stand+in+your+spotlight%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-3 https://globalwomen.org.nz/member/jenni-prisk/

Image Credits
Paul Nestor (Rotary)