We recently connected with Lesley Everett and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lesley, thanks for joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

It was 2007 and my UK based business Walking TALL was doing nicely – it was based on my Personal Branding Methodology I had developed and written a book on in 2002. I was a professional speaker, trainer and coach. But I had long wanted to expand into the USA and live there in California too! In 2004 I met Angelo Paperelli, by chance, at a Speaker Convention in Phoenix. We connected because we were both first timers. Angelo happened to have been ranked the world’s top Immigration Lawyer at least twice. We got talking a little about my desire to move to the USA and kept in touch. In 2007 we most bizarrely and randomly met again, on the dance floor of a cruise ship out of New York where we were both speaking! We were shocked of course. He asked me if I was still interested in moving to USA as he wanted his 2 law firms trained in what I delivered and we could perhaps do a barter deal in parts. I was so excited! The rest is history albeit it took 5 years to get the green card and then another year to relocate, with husband and son. That was the start of Walking TALL USA….!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was 18 in the UK, and I had no clear career path. I knew I wanted to travel but had failed to get the exam grades I needed to do the course I was so set on at University so I had to rethink. I started in law in the Magistrates Courts and had plans to go to the Bar, but after 3 years decided this wasn’t for me, so I went into IT, as you do! I also had a little side business selling skincare and makeup and presenting on this topic too. I stayed in Criminal Justice however and soon became IT Manager for Suffolk Courts, implementing computer systems around Suffolk Courts Service. I kept the entrepreneurial piece going however. After 4 years I was poached by the large IT Company that supplied hardware and software to the criminal justice system to work on their support team . It was here I learned by training and corporate presenting skills, but I still continued down the creative route in my spare time and studied psychology, physiology, anatomy, massage and many non-verbal image related topics. I started to combine the 2 interests of corporate life and creative and realised there was a gap in the market for helping professionals to brand themselves and project themselves better with more impact, authentically. I took an opportunity eventually to leave my corporate role and set up on my own, study and practice intensively and eventually develop my training and coaching business and create the Walking TALL Methodology for Personal Branding. The Walking TALL followed shortly after, and the brand really started to become well-known due to the what I now know to be clever branding with a giraffe! I started to be called the giraffe lady although I’m only 5ft 1.5 inches tall! I went onto write 2 more books, become an award-winning speaker, a TV presenter and develop many high level executives, well-known organisations, politicians and celebrities as clients. I become President of the Global Speakers Federation in 2014 and this was a hugely proud moment for me – a girl from a little village in Suffolk, UK. My own story is very much a personal story in it’s own right – I realise looking back that I focused on what I was good at and even without a plan I got to where I am now .

I am most proud now to be able to work with the clients I really want to work with and have my own TV Show (Executive Success) and reap the rewards of 25+ years of connections and relationships.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Just over 2 years ago, Rob Nicklin, Chief Growth Officer at Compass Group Canada, contacted me and said these words “I remember some words you said on stage at our company conference 15 years ago and want you to work with me on this transformational growth journey I’m about to embark on with my new sales team”. Those words were “your brand is what people say about you behind your back”. We have just finished a record-breaking sales year! What a client.

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

By far, the solid relationships I have build through the years has reaped the biggest business rewards for me. I astound myself sometimes when I look at the connections I have and the business friendships I’ve make around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lesleyeverett.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesley_everett/
• Facebook: Only personal page
• Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/lesley_everett/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LesleyEverett
• Other: https://nowmedia.tv/ (show coming soon)

Image Credits

Baz Seal – photographer @bazarazzi (IG)