NSA Success Stories

Welcome to the NSA success story page. What is your story? How did you come to NSA? How have you benefited from your investment? Please email your story to Diane Paradise at diane@nsaspeaker.org. Feel free to share the stories below with potential members.

Dan Poytner, CSP (The Book Guy from Santa Barbara) shares his NSA story.
Gordon Burgett, you can blame him. It was 1991 and I finally succumbed to Gordon's badgering. I've always been an introverted author. What could I hope to learn from a bunch of extroverted speakers? He told me there would be a winter workshop in San Diego; an easy four-hour drive from Santa Barbara-- if you slip through the Los Angeles traffic at three o'clock in the morning. He lured me to the meeting with a registration discount. He gained by admission with a yellow staff badge. Obviously I profited from, and enjoyed, the meeting. I joined NSA immediately and am still a member. My most unexpected experience at the winter workshop was that I discovered so many people that I knew. Of course none of them had ever mentioned NSA. Were they keeping it a secret from me? I am still writing books but I spend most of my time speaking. This profession allows me to tour five-six days a week and fly more than 4000 miles per week; I spend 30% of my time outside of the United States. I can't think of a more satisfying lifestyle than that of the professional speaker: self-employment, unlimited travel and audiences that love you.

Lynn Guiliani from Lynden, Washington shares her NSA story.
NSA has simply "put the polish" on my already successful speaking business. On three occasions I had heard of NSA from what I might refer to as individuals just starting in the business. Since mine was already doing well I thought "I don't really have the time." How wrong I was. Bonnie Dean and I met in Bellingham and she encouraged me to come to the Education Conference in Portland in 2002. It was exactly what I needed and loved every minute of the conference. I had met people who understood me and my life's passion of speaking! My mindset and business changed as a result-all for the better. I joined as soon as I returned home and went to work on my "to do" list. Since then I've enhanced my brand, created a new website, started an ezine, formed a Master Mind group, written two books, developed new materials, raised fees, and have essentially qualified for my CSP-I just need my 5 yers of membership and will receive it in NY 2008. I'm proud of my enhanced business and know I project a more successful and professional image. It's an honor to help others through my speaking and consulting business. Most of all I've developed wonderful new friends who I can call on anytime for support, new ideas or a good laugh.

Rebecca Staton-Reinstein from North Miami Beach, Florida shares her story.
A business group I was president of had a speaker for one of our meetings who was a member of NSA. In discussing my own work with her she told me, "You have to join NSA! You are already speaking so you need to learn the speaking business." Luckily the Florida Speakers Association, our local NSA chapter met close by so I attended. I was hooked from my first meeting. Since I travel a lot as part of my business, the chapter meetings on Saturdays were perfect for me. I soon joined as a Candidate and discovered the best business education any place. Even though I was an experienced speaker, I participated in our Emerging Speaker Program and 'graduated' to NSA membership. I've taken advantage of great NSA coaches to help grow my business and formed 2 successful Master Mind groups from among our chapter members. Since I joined, I've developed a greater Internet presence, developed a variety of products including e-books, CDs, a book and email mini-courses. These revenue streams have added to my bottom line and given me wider exposure and credibility with my target market. I've steadily increased my speaking fees and had many other successes as a direct result of the fabulous education I've received from the chapter and national organization. This year I became president of my chapter and have a chance to give back in many ways to the new and experienced speakers who come to our educational meetings and events. I encourage everyone I meet who has an interest in speaking professionally to come to a chapter meeting and get ready to grow their business as fast as they want!