We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Trevor Perry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Trevor below.

Alright, Trevor thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

How did you learn to do what you do? I discovered programming when I was at university and it became my passion. From there, I started training at companies and that turned into volunteering to speak at conferences. After establishing a reputation as an award winning speaker, I was invited to more conferences. I was speaking on a wide range of technology subjects – from futures, IT directions, strategy to coding and design. After experiencing a life setback, I took a break for a couple of years. When I came back, I discovered I had a personal growth story to tell and it inspired audiences. I realized not every one of my fellow expert techies could speak well to an audience, so I started presenting personal and professional development sessions on Storytelling, Stagecraft, and Slide Building. I was also engaged with improv and acting, and performed street theater at Renaissance Festivals for several years. Recently, I have indulged in some public storytelling and standup open mics. Every time I stand on stage, I learn more about who I am, the messages I am delivering, and the craft of keynote speaking.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
I saw a motivational speaker once, and told him I wanted to do what he did. At the time, I was enjoying my world of technology, so I never took that claim seriously. If I had focused on changing careers at that point, I would have joined a speakers organization, taken more classes and workshops, and looked for more opportunities to speak. There is an axiom that says “If you want to be a writer, write”. This applies to so many things and it has become my standard – “if you want to be a speaker, speak”.

What skills do you think were most essential?
Stagecraft requires a speaker to be an entertainer, an educator, and a motivator. All three skills are key to being effective on stage and becoming a professional speaker. There is one essential skill that separates the excellent speaker from the crowded arena – that is improv. Certainly, a speaker must be a part-time techie, a writer, an instigator, an agitator, and more…, however, the ability to think on one’s feet and be able to handle any situation or any audience is a major asset for a speaker.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I am fortunate to be a natural storyteller and speaker, and teaching stagecraft and storytelling has taught me more than I could have imagined. Moving from being a technologist who speaks to become a keynote speaker has introduced two new challenges. First, setting up and running an actual business. Speakers are solopreneurs for the most part, and at the early stages, one is required to stretch beyond the standing on stages part and be a business owner. Second, I have experienced an identity crisis. My decades of technology are not lost, but I need to move beyond that to become a keynote speaker. Stepping into “I am a speaker” was a hurdle that I could not have imagined.

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

As a technologist, I became a teacher and then a speaker. Standing on stage seemed natural to me, as I was a bit of a nut and played the fool a lot when I was younger. A life setback was a major turning point for me, and I came back stronger with motivational sessions that were recognized with speaking awards. One of those new sessions was titled “Finding Your Passion”, during which I discovered my passion was storytelling. I also had several people tell me I had changed their life (I was just the catalyst they needed at that moment), so I decided I needed to become a speaker to have an impact on the world that is my sphere of influence. Now, I am working on improving my skills and expanding my sphere of influence.

I have discovered my audiences enjoy my street theater interactive approach to my presentations and when people tell me I have changed their life, it brings me joy.

I use the phrase “storyteller, instigator, agitator” to describe my approach. In telling stories that are relatable and connect with audiences, I challenge them to open their eyes, face their fears, and step up to finding and following their passion. I follow up this instigating with more stirring and agitating to keep people accountable to themselves for making their difference in their world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The impact I have on people. I spoke two days in my home town, and on the second day, an older gentleman approached me. He told me he had been to my session the day before and loved it so much that he brought his wife to this session. He said “I am 82 years old and need this kind of motivation in my life every day”. That defining moment is difficult to describe, but personally rewarding, and worth all the effort to be the best keynote speaker I can be.

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

As for many people, the pandemic started right when I had planned to move into full-time speaking. I had to pivot back to technology, and that was a good move. With the right time and finances, I was able to invest in more collateral and infrastructure for my speaking business and even get some remote speaking gigs. The one thing I needed more than anything else, was patience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trevorperry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trevorcxo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trevorstoryteller
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorperry/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/urxo