How I Accidently Became a Paid Speaker

Kaizen Snapshot

Setting: EPA Continuous Improvement Conference in San Francisco
Challenge: Transitioning from practitioner to professional speaker
Stakes: Personal credibility, brand growth, new opportunities
Approach: Coaching, preparation, value-driven content
Outcome: Paid keynote, workshops, expanded visibility
Key Lesson: Growth happens when you say yes before you feel ready

The Situation

I’ve spent decades in continuous improvement and nearly eight years as a business owner.

I’m known for Kaizen Ninja Facilitation and the Wheel of Sustainability, not for public speaking.

So when the EPA emailed me about speaking at their conference, I assumed it was a mistake.

What Was Getting in the Way

They found me through Google and the Gemba Academy podcast.

I was skeptical. They thought I spoke on sustainability. I don’t do environmental sustainability.

But curiosity won.

What We Did

I spoke with a professional speaker friend who coached me on pricing, scope, and positioning.

He gave me one piece of advice that stuck:

“Whatever price you set will feel too high to them.”

I proposed a fee. They negotiated. We agreed.

I also offered workshops and they accepted immediately.

The Moment on Stage

I prepared obsessively.

I opened with:

“I just read on the plane that the best speeches are 20 minutes or less—so I’ll be quiet for 70 minutes, then we’ll get started.”

They laughed. I relaxed.

The talk landed. Workshops were full. Conversations flowed.

What Changed

I realized something important:

People valued my perspective enough to pay for it.

And I enjoyed it.

The Takeaway

You don’t have to feel ready to take the next step.

You just have to be willing to step forward.

Why This Matters

Leaders often wait for perfect confidence before acting.

But confidence usually follows action, not the other way around.

Want Me to Speak or Work With Your Team?

If you’re looking for a speaker or facilitator who brings real-world Kaizen stories and practical frameworks: