Patricia Fripp is a true American success story–except that she is British, born in a small English town. “Probably the best thing that happened to me,” says Fripp, “was growing up with an absolutely brilliant younger brother. I assumed I wasn’t as smart as others, which made me work twice as hard. That’s where my […]

I never dreamed of writing a book. Of course, I was born in England during a time when no one expected much of girls. The focus was on the boys. My brother was brilliant and good grades came easily to him. I, on the other hand, worked quite diligently just to bring home average marks. […]

by Joanna Slan, Reprinted From Professional Speaker Magazine When you think of NSA legends, you think of Patricia Fripp. For Fripp’s story is the sort of stuff legends are made of, the story of an twenty-year-old who took a boat to New York and a Trailways bus to California seeking fame and fortune. It is the […]

On February 15, 2001, I woke up for the first time in 26 years without a full-time personal assistant. How did I feel about it? It was exhilarating! Of course, now and then I miss having someone to do what I am not crazy about doing, but it was time for me to take charge […]

“Why don’t I get booked more often?” “How can I get booked more often?” Both are burning questions in today’s difficult economy. I talked to Mark French, President of Leading Authorities, Inc. about his solutions. Mark French was pragmatic. “In difficult economic times, there is always an excess supply of speakers. At the same time, […]

When you’re a professional speaker your video is your most important selling tool. It’s hard to imagine any speaker who wouldn’t be even more successful with a “best-selling” video. I talked to Mark French, President of Leading Authorities, Inc., for his inside insights into what makes a great video. Here’s what he told me. What […]

As a keynote speaker, sometimes people ask me, “Do you ever bomb?” Yes, once in a while. But even the worst experience, with a little time lapse, can become funny, and always a learning experience. Once I spoke for a group of men who worked in a gravel quarry. I told the organizers, “No, I […]

An Article for Professional Speakers and Consultants on the Origins of The Odd Couple® Seminar and the Value of Collaboration Would you go into partnership on the spur of the moment with someone you barely knew? I did. And it was one of the best business decisions I ever made. Of course, we’d met and […]