We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsay Rider a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lindsay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Overture Institute was formally established in 2017, but was in formation about six years before that. Originally, I started my company to provide tools and support for Creatives navigating inflection points in their lives. The idea stemmed (as most do) from experiencing my own life pain points. After embarking on the beginning of a very successful singing career, I had a professional experience with the music industry that forced me to re-evaluate whether it was an industry I wanted to be a part of. Indeed, at the very start of my career, I was already considering whether it was ultimately for me. This was a devastating revelation and deeply difficult period of time for me. It forced me to rediscover who I was as a musician and human being and led me on what ended up being an amazing path of self discovery. This experience and the growth that followed, both professionally and personally, led me to establish my company – seeking to offer the guidance and tools to others that I was never given, but had to develop myself over time.
That original idea carried my company for a few years but I soon found that there would be other ways that I could offer my unique perspective and background to clients. As I developed a successful career outside of music, I was increasingly in conversations and around leadership discussions that were frustrating to me.
Having studied music and more specifically, vocal artistry for more than two decades, I knew intimately the nuances of vocal sound production and the psychological and physiological beliefs and actions that inform it. Increasingly, I saw all around me the devastating impacts of lack of connection. In board rooms, national stages, media, international relations and even around dinner tables, I was witnessing the deep and serious issues that come about when people do not know how to communicate, relate to one another and connect. Moreover, I could see that there was also a deep fissure in our relationship to ourselves – made even worse by the current social climate, political climate, social media boom and global pandemic. We were distancing ourselves from ourselves and each other, with devastating effects.
I know from being a musician that every change begins with one act – one being, one breath, one choice. I knew from being a certified Life Coach and working with clients that all growth starts with awareness and the ability to know your Self better in order to make better choices. I knew that I had to create something that would help people connect with themselves again and in so doing, connect to each other again.
As a singer, I knew that communication can be our greatest superpower and each of us has a voice unique our own to harness in service of our collective greater good.
It was from this set of experiences and subsequent personal revelations that I developed SPEAK. SPEAK is a framework that combines what I know from my musicianship with what I know from life coaching. Through individualized work, I help people communicate more effectively and confidently, increase business opportunities and develop stronger relationships.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor the first time I saw the change in a client. This person had never previously given themselves the opportunity to slow down, learn who they were and listen to themselves. When they realized that they could make a different choice and felt what it was like to really use their voice to connect with themselves, they were overcome with emotion. That’s the power of the voice that we all have within us.
The reason I became a musician was to connect with people. To use the immense power of music and in particular, vocal arts, to connect on a deep soul level with people. Though in a different form, I still do that each day with my clients and I find it incredibly gratifying and energizing! I can do it all day!
More and more my company continues to evolve and the requests for my time and expertise are as varied as people are. I am working with individuals and companies who are curious and brave and excited to contribute to the world.
I am so grateful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Sure! I am a musician first. I come from a musical family. My mother was my first piano teacher at age 5. I decided to pursue a musical career and earned two degrees in vocal performance. I still am active in the field in a performing capacity! I produce my own concerts on a regular basis (so fun!), I sing on recordings and contribute to concerts regularly as my schedule allows. I still even teach the occasional voice lesson!
My company, The Overture Institute, offers two main services at the moment:
– communication coaching with SPEAK
– life coaching
My clients range from individuals from all walks of life, to companies ranging from Wellness institutions to Tech companies and everywhere in between. I have created bespoke programs and presentations for companies all over the US.
What sets me apart from others is my unique background and all the other wonderful nuances of who I am! There is no one else who will show up in conversation and growth the way I will. There is no one else who will connect with people the same way I do. In fact, that very difference is what makes each and every one of us fabulous and unique. I embrace my individuality and know that in so doing, I am doing my best and most honest work. We can all do that.
What are you most proud of?
Probably that I have been courageous enough to seek self awareness and continue to prioritize that curiosity and embrace where it leads. That practice has led me to be the person I am and create all the beautiful offerings and connections I’ve made. I’m really proud to be using my life as fully as I know how to and every day trying to truly honor the opportunity of this life. I know it sounds “woo woo”, but I’m genuinely serious about it. It’s made my life so rich – how could I be anything but immensely grateful?
What do folks need to know about you?
That I’m a good time! Working with me is fun (I think). Working with me may also challenge you (which is good). That working with me will help you grow in ways you probably don’t even know right now.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Relationships. Personal relationships, networking and word of mouth has been the best source so far. In my experience, the strongest referrals have come through the enthusiasm and trust of those I am in connection with, even through a few degrees of separation. I just love the energy of a referral! It helps the client feel more secure and relaxed about finding the answer they seek and it helps the source feel helpful and connected, because they are! Win win win!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Though I have a social media presence on all major platforms and LinkedIn and I see the value in each, none of them are the most important way I connect with clients. They are a meaningful tool I use to authentically engage with my audience in bite sized bits, but are always in service of helping to foster the closer and more meaningful connections of both email and of course in-person relationships. I am a firm believer that of all the ways we connect (besides in person), email is the one that will not go away or be compromised, so I put most of my marketing efforts in that basket. Even more than that, however, I spend my time on real live relationships. I talk to people in person and on the phone. I network and show up in person or virtually when I can. I really prioritize showing up as authentically as I can – always a work in progress.
Of the social media platforms I’m on, I’m really most active on instagram. There, I have been deliberate about presenting content consistently and as authentically as I can. It’s been a real journey from putting out content that I “think” my audience wants, to putting out content that is really and truly me and not influenced by anything else.
Full disclosure that’s really important here as well – two years ago I hired a person to manage my social media presence. I know that my strengths are and where my time is most valuable and I delegate the rest! At first I was unsure, but I found someone I trust (through a personal relationship!) and have been incredibly happy with the result!
My advice to others would be:
– prioritize connection over quantity
– pick the platform that is most relevant to your audience and the one where you can show up most authentically
– seek collaboration where required
– never underestimate the power of the email list
– Remember that your value ultimately has very little to do with social media presence. Remember that the life you live is the one you’re in – it’s not present in a cloud or on a device
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theovertureinstitute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theovertureinstitute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/overtureinstitute
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-overture-institute/about/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Ftheovertureins1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn61J0QjCiGFLgfpt1Dyn6w
Image Credits
Photo 1,2,3,4,6 are Eric Michael Pearson : http://ericmichaelpearson.com Photo 7 & 8 are Detroit Opera House Photo 5 is Green Room 42 c/o Michael Mott