As a professional public speaker, motivator, and consultant my thirty years in public education provide me with an abundance of stories and lessons learned. One that comes to mind is when I was principal of a middle school. I had two fifth grade boys who liked to mess up the boys’ bathroom in many different ways. Of course, doing that kind of thing is too good to keep to oneself so before long these two fellows were telling everyone about their antics. While having lunch with some students I was told the story of the unsanitary things these boys were doing. When I spoke with the boys separately, each replied when asked why they did it, “I don’t know”; at which time I replied, “well if you did know, what would the reason be?”. The truth came out! I called the parents to inform them what their children had been up to and asked the parents support and permission to keep their sons after school for two or three afternoons working with the custodians cleaning the bathrooms. One parent was very supportive and his son learned a valuable lesson about responsibility and public property. The other parent told me in no uncertain terms was I to have his son cleaning any bathrooms! Needless to say, different lessons learned. Our decisions and choices really do make us who we are!

Why do we do what we do when it comes to daily work in our jobs/careers? Are we modeling positive behaviors to colleagues? Are we assisting to build trust and team work? Are we seeking to be achievers and are we willing to challenge ourselves to keep raising the bar? Productivity in the workplace, any workplace, is the desired outcome. As an educational keynote and motivational business speaker, I know the challenges of the day to day need to produce. I have not written a “How To” book, I have no movie deal, I am still waiting for Oprah to call! But I will challenge you through humor and reflection to see why we do what we do and perhaps renew and reinvent ourselvels in relation to our work. We all want to succeed.
Whether it’s Asheville, Knoxville, Boston, Tampa, Chicago, San Antonio, Las Vegs, Denver, Seattle or San Francisco, geographic location makes no difference. I have a message and the message will travel.

As the Retail Wine Training Coordinator for Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina, not a day goes by that I don’t take a moment to realize my good fortune. The magnificent drive over the rolling hills we call Biltmore tends to erase the hectic pace we call life. Attendance at one of Biltmore’s Summer Evening Concerts in August each year is a must! Imagine the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains as they form the backdrop for the outdoor stage that sits on the south lawn of the Biltmore house. Wounderous surroundings, attention to detail and quality service await the thousands who visit us every day. Come, enjoy the near perfect beauty only nature can serve up. And then enjoy the near perfect amenities that only our trained staff can serve up. Don’t miss the winery…outstanding taste of French style wines!

Oftentimes, my experiences as a female motivational speaker bring me back to the days I spent in the world of competitive athletics where the old boys network was certainly alive even if not so well. But the skills I learned inside that world were skills of survival: emotional, psychological, physical and intellectual. These former coaching and teaching skills form the foundation from which I challenge, educate, motivate and inspire public and private corporate team members to achieve their very best, for themselves and, as a natural by-product, for their businesses. Whether the venue is Charlotte, New York, Atlanta or Asheville, the ultimate goal is the same…personal fullfillment and professional success. Tap into my experiences and let me tap your potential.

Being a motivational public speaker in the Western Mountains of North Carolina, and having spent a life time in the beautiful State of Maine, I am often told that my accent is a gift. As the wine training coordinator at Biltmore Winery ( the countrys most visited winerywww.biltmore.com) , I am reminded daily of that accent! The first time I heard of a Mamaw I thought it was something that lived in the woods and ate on the north side of trees only to find out it was the southern word for my Memere or my Grandmother! Visiting the southern cities of Asheville, Charleston and Atlanta I am reminded of the strength of folks who call the South home. My adventures and daily lessons continue to fuel my material used in corporate sales trainings, team leadership building and keynote presentations. Thank you to all who have laughed and learned along the way with me.