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

Wanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Although I enjoyed my time teaching elementary school, I quickly realized I had an entrepreneurial spirit. This led me to retire from teaching and venture into the direct sales industry. As an independent consultant, I achieved significant success, leading nationwide teams, securing top sales, and earning numerous awards for my team-building skills.

My leadership abilities soon caught attention, and I was invited to train at team meetings and district/regional conferences. Event directors and meeting planners also sought me out to speak to various groups of girls and women at retreats, sales training sessions, community gatherings, and corporate events.

In my journey toward personal and professional fulfillment, I leveraged my education, training skills, and positive outlook across various endeavors. These experiences ultimately inspired me to leave direct sales and launch my speaking business. What drives me every day is the opportunity to speak to audiences, fueled by my altruistic nature and desire to help others and bring them advantages.

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?

I am a Women’s Positivity Coach & Speaker with over 20 years of experience. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I bring a wealth of knowledge in diversity and multiculturalism to my presentations. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a focus on Human Development from California State University, East Bay. My passion for learning has led me to continuously research self-development, human dynamics, mental health, relationships, and mindset.

Since 2000, I have dedicated myself to uplifting women of all ages by teaching, inspiring, motivating, and empowering them to enhance their well-being, personal relationships, and professional lives.

I firmly believe that a positive approach to challenges helps individuals navigate difficulties and achieve deeper satisfaction with their outcomes, leading to more fulfilling lives and relationships. My talks are fun, interactive, and filled with dynamic energy, ensuring participants enjoy the experience while learning how to enrich their lives.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the world of speaking. With social distancing recommendations and travel bans in place, I had to shift from conducting in-person talks to virtual talks. Adapting to teleconferencing was a new experience, but I embraced the mantra, “the show must go on!”

While virtual platforms offered a viable alternative, they came with their own set of pros and cons.

Challenges:

1. Engagement: Keeping participants engaged was more challenging in a virtual setting.
2.Technical Issues: Connectivity problems and technical glitches often disrupted the flow of the talk.

Advantages:

1. Time Savings: Eliminating the need for travel saved time and reduced scheduling conflicts.
2. Flexibility: Virtual meetings provided greater flexibility, allowing me to enjoy convenience without the constraints of physical presence.
3. Cost Efficiency: Reduced costs associated with travel and accommodation.

Over the years, I’ve honed my teleconferencing skills, and the success of my virtual talks has largely depended on careful planning and management. My virtual presentations are engaging and enjoyable, filled with vibrant energy. Like any new endeavor, it took some trial and error to perfect, but the payoff has been worth it.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Navigating life’s challenges can be tough. What has helped me build my reputation in my market is my genuine talent for connecting with audiences and my ability to help people develop a positive outlook, paving the way for a more rewarding life.

One of my favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” I have consistently been praised as a source of encouragement by participants, meeting planners, and event organizers. As a charismatic speaker and facilitator, my love for connecting with people fills my talks with laughter and energy. I provide insight, inspiration, and actionable steps, and attendees find great value in learning how to improve their lives through my presentations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wandalarussa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandalarussa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/info.wandalarussa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandalarussa
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wanda_larussa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wandalarussa8811

Image Credits

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