Using my life stories to help encourage others

I am currently enrolled at Lindenwood University LCIE program to obtain my B.A. degree in Communication. I have to say that I am really loving the program. You only attend class one evening a week and the class size is no more than 14 students per teacher. Right now I am finishing up my 12 weeks marketing cluster which I have learn so much. For our final assignment we had to write a marketing plan and then present it in class. We were strongly encourage to base our marketing plan on something that we really wanted to pursue.

What I decided to do my marketing plan on was a no brainier. Of course I did it on Styled by Larinda Image Consulting. I began writing out my vision for the company and my passion became words on paper. I was not so sure how I wanted to approach the presentation aspect of the marketing plan. I had so many ideas running through my mind. One of them was to bring in clothes and accessories on a clothing rack to showcase how I would style them on someone. The other idea I had was to come in like Olivia Pope's character in the hit TV series Scandal and just wow them. Gladiators in suits wearing my white hat and handled it. But as time went on and my head was filled with all sorts of creative ways to present my idea. It was not until the night before that the project was due that the idea of cutting out words and pasting them on a board to make a inspirational mood board came to me. These was just not any words but strong, encouraging, motivational words cut from fashion magazines. I wanted to show them how words can tell a story. Those same words can tell that same story in the way that we dress.

When it comes to public speaking I am not shy I actually enjoyed speaking to help encourage someone. Everyone in class presented their marketing plan and I have to say everyone did a great job. The shocking thing was that everyone was waiting on me to present. As they was up to start or even finishing their presentation they would say "we can not wait to hear what you are going say." I admit I was a little taken back by their response.I did not know whether to say thank you are ask if they was trying to say something like am I joke.

Now it became my time to present my marketing plan. I did not use note cards like everyone else. I spoke from the heart. I had confidence in what I was saying. I became the expert. I was able to speak clearly and informative on the subject. I was also able to answer question that they had quickly. My professor told me that I did a superb job and that her and the class believed that I would be a great motivational speaker and the class agreed. My professor also suggest that I market myself and I need to start speaking at school, churches, and for different groups. This was the second professor and class that suggest that I become a motivational/inspirational speaker.

When I got home and I had time to think about what they had said I was in shock. The reason being is because I  never really thought of myself as a speaker. Yes, I have a lot of life lessons that I can share to help encourage someone. When I was in middle school my 8th grade teacher Mrs. Ford I will never forget her told me that I was curt. Which means rudely brief in speech or abrupt manner. My best friend who I love dearly told me that I can come across harsh that what I am saying is the truth but my deliver is very straightforward. My old co-workers would say that I come off extra and over the top when I talk to them about something that I am passionate about and that my voice gets louder.

So to hear other people say that I inspire them and that they would love to hear more from me. Some have even suggest that I write a book. I am truly honored to be able to share my life stories with others. My journey have just begun.