“Sometimes in today’s society, there’s a pressure to do entrepreneurship the right way. Others have the Instagram businesses that everybody makes look good, but I think everyone has their own particular situation and scenarios.”

Welcome to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! In this episode, host Grant Baldwin welcomes speaker and author Velera Wilson, a remarkable leader who candidly shares her journey from corporate executive to building a thriving full-time speaking business.

Velera opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion, from years of speaking in executive roles and nonprofit associations, to leaping into an unexpected corporate layoff. She discusses the behind-the-scenes reality: building her “off ramp” while juggling executive responsibilities, the importance of being selective with dream-sharing, and developing the grit to keep moving forward despite doubts and dry spells.

Through her story, Velera reveals practical strategies for anyone considering a similar path: how to parlay your existing skills and network into new opportunities, why having a book is helpful but not essential to get booked, and the necessity of treating speaking like a business. She also emphasizes the need for community, highlighting the crucial role The Speaker Lab played in providing mentorship, camaraderie, and real-world advice about the unpredictable cycles of this industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just contemplating your first paid gig, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on marketing yourself, managing your mindset, and designing a transition that fits your life and goals!

You’ll learn:

Managing hesitation from financial insecurity
Analyzing the value of writing a book versus focusing on speaking gigs
Financial considerations of books versus paid speaking engagements
How books are “nice to have” for credibility, but not a “must-have”
Business development tactics: LinkedIn and email outreach
The importance of daily effort versus waiting passively
Being intentional with “chunking” time to balance demands
Building a strategic off-ramp versus jumping into entrepreneurship
And much, much more!

“I work for a company, but I am my own brand. I’m an individual…I take that with me [when I leave].”

Episode Resources

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Building Your Off Ramp: From Corporate to Full-Time Speaking with Velera Wilson