We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Jespersen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

We do things differently when it comes to speaking and media. A common misconception is that you can just “wing it” on stage or in media opportunities, but the truth is, to stand out, you need training. The best of the best in any field are highly skilled because they’ve invested in their craft, and speaking is no different.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We go beyond memorization and recitation. We incorporate energetics, nervous system regulation, and true audience connection. It’s about being fully present and authentic, not just following a script like a robot.

I’ve seen this difference firsthand. I once booked a speaker who was ‘classically’ trained and had paid a lot of money for that training, yet she was still terrified to get on stage. You could feel her anxiety, and it translated to the audience. But my most recent client who went through my signature framework? She remembered every moment, stayed fully present, brought humor and personality into her performance, and had people booking her before she even got off the stage.

Small businesses like ours are able to break away from the industry norm by offering this kind of transformative approach. It’s about empowering our clients to show up as their true selves, making deep, genuine connections, and leaving a lasting impact on their audience. That’s the magic we create.

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

I’m Leslie Jespersen, and my journey into the event and speaking industry has been anything but ordinary. From the age of six, I was immersed in the entertainment world as a child actor. I was on stages, behind the camera, and on TV sets, receiving professional training from such a young age that being in front of people and performing became a part of my DNA.

My parents ran a highly successful festival for 17 years, so producing events is literally in my blood. I grew up watching them craft experiences that brought communities together, and I quickly learned the intricacies of live events. This exposure became the foundation for what would later become my career in both event production and media.

After earning my degree in TV, Film, and Radio and diving into the world of PR, I founded my own communications agency. I worked in entertainment PR for live shows, events, and artists, even managing talent and influencers. All these experiences blended together to shape the work I do today—creating the Center Stage Portal, Everyday Celebrity, and more. I realized that many people had the “it” factor, but they lacked the training, guidance, and strategic support to turn that potential into a full-blown career. That’s where I came in.

What sets my work apart is a commitment to doing things differently, especially after seeing how much of the industry lacked integrity and authentic support. Through my own personal spiritual journey, I incorporated Reiki, Yoga, and Breathwork into my practices. These modalities helped me heal, grow, and expand in ways that traditional coaching couldn’t, and now I use them to help my clients build their careers holistically—mind, body, and business.

My work is about creating household names—helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders step into their power, take up space, and build careers that reflect their true potential. I believe in a blend of skill, authenticity, and energetic alignment that leads to real success.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been realizing that I didn’t need to push the boulder uphill with social media sales for so long. For years, I tried relying on social media to sell and attract clients, but it was exhausting and not the most efficient route. What I found is that the real magic happens when I get into the right rooms.

Once I started showing up in spaces where my ideal clients were already present—whether that’s live events, masterminds, or conferences—everything shifted. I stopped forcing the sales process and started focusing on building real connections. When I’m in the room, being myself and showing up authentically, the right people gravitate toward me. That’s where the true value lies.

These days, my marketing budget goes toward attending events that already have my ideal clients in attendance. Instead of spending energy on online selling tactics, I focus on the power of in-person connections. I’ve realized that when you show up as your true self and align with the right people, the growth and opportunities come naturally.

And it’s not just about being in the room as an attendee. I’ve also learned that I can convert from the stage, so I’ll sometimes invest in getting on other people’s stages. Speaking engagements allow me to connect with a larger audience, showcase my expertise, and build trust with potential clients who are ready to take the next step.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the hardest pivots I’ve had to make in my career was deciding to close my social media agency. For years, it had been my entire identity. I had built it from the ground up, and it was something I poured my heart and soul into. But over time, I realized it wasn’t paying my bills anymore. I was glued to my phone, constantly chasing clients, trying to make it work. I delayed making the decision for about two years because I was so terrified of failing my clients—letting them down and disappointing myself.

The truth is, I was failing my future self by holding onto something that wasn’t aligned with where I was headed. I had outgrown it, but I was too scared to admit it. The work wasn’t fulfilling me anymore, and I wasn’t living in my zone of genius. It was time to let go, but that didn’t make the decision any easier.

Eventually, I realized that making this pivot wasn’t about failure—it was about moving forward. I had to trust that by closing that chapter, I was opening up space for something more aligned, something that would truly light me up. So, I took the leap. And while it was terrifying at the time, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. It freed me up to focus on what truly mattered—helping women step into their power, teaching them how to use the stage as their marketing tool, and building a business that felt aligned with who I really am.

That pivot was a reminder that sometimes, in order to move forward, we need to make space by letting go of things that no longer serve us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thelesliejespersenexperience.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thelesliejespersenexperience
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lesliejill
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@leslie_jespersen

Image Credits

The Lure Group
Maverick Photo Studo