Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Fey.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have a history of going after opportunities. I worked to put myself through college and I I talked my way into a job with NBC Sports while attending UNC Chapel Hill. During my senior year, I talked my way into an on campus interview with The Coca-Cola Company and not having been pre selected to meet with them. I was one of 10 people hired nationally that year to be a Territory Sales Manager.. (This experience is the basis for my 2nd TedX talk, Dialing for a Dream).
Most people leave their first job out of college within the first two years; so much so that Coke had a training program lovingly nicknamed ‘Survivor’s School’ for the additional training investment that took place after you hit that milestone. My first promotion took me to Dallas, Texas and relocation for opportunities was my way of life for many years.
My path took me all over the US and the world – I moved 9 times, lived in all of the times zones in the lower 48, managed Alaska and Hawaii as well as leading international training deployments… During my 30-year tenure, I held leadership roles within customer management, marketing and capability building. My focus was on enhancing business performance and individuals engagement.
While at The Coca-Cola Company, I helped to found the women’s linc – the first and largest employee affinity group at the company – and served on the Diversity Advisory Council.
It was during my time at Coca-Cola that I began my speaking career. My initial target was women in male-dominated businesses and industries with a talk named “When There’s No Line at the Ladies Room… What they don’t tell you about getting ahead in Corporate America”. That has been expanded to “Shortcuts to the Corner Office’ for gender-neutral audiences.
Also, while at Coke, I studied improv at Whole World Theater. I realized that the things that made scenes go nowhere were the same ones that made meetings go nowhere. I began using the improv lessons at work and eventually did my first TEDx talk, The Power of Yes And.
Now I incorporate the learnings of improv into speeches and sessions that focus on driving collaboration and innovation through connections with comedy. This has become an extremely valuable session across groups of all kinds as it provides practical advice and simple tools that you can use immediately after you walk out of the session to have an impact.
I would say the hallmark of my time with an audience is that they will learn something that they can use immediately, try it out and will laugh in the process. The background of sales/marketing/training enables me to understand a multitude of business challenges and engage with a client in speaking/facilitating/coaching to enable them to accelerate team performance.
I am also able to bring my experiences from my significant travel history (73 countries and counting) to make the world smaller and talk about our similarities more than our differences. As an independent travel advisor – I help people experience the world beyond our borders.
Yes, the transition from corporate America to entrepreneur has been filled with a great deal of learnings, and the ability share my skills so others can learn from my experiences is what keeps me motivated to connect with leaders and drive performance.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. Struggles as a woman in a male-dominated business. (multiple items I discuss in my speech, more detail available). In the span of 18 months, I changed my entire life – with divorce, moving and leaving corporate America.
Brain surgery in 1999 for an aneurysm 2 weeks before I started business school while also working full time. Started on time and graduated with honors.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lisa Fey Speaks – what should we know?
Some items previously discussed:
-Speaker and Facilitator – known as a humorist with a message. No powerpoint, interactive with the audience, highly experiential sessions.
-Trained in improv and stand up comedy.
-The ability to transfer the learnings from a lifetime in corporate America into plain, actionable talk.
-No nonsense, no ‘talking about your head’, practical coaching.
-Proud of becoming President of National Speakers Association, Georgia Chapter 5 years into my business.
Transitioning from one industry to another and being recognized by a new group of peers.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Client Focus:
– Asking questions to understand what’s most important to the client – what are they looking for, what does success look like, and how will they know the session has been successful
– Research to learn about the client – I ask to attend sessions with attendees prior to my speaking to enable me to include relevant references, the context in their language – in my session.
Continual learning and skill development:
– Focused learning with National Speakers Assn (NSA)
– Learning from other speakers
– Study of improv and stand up comedy.
Business Background:
-Approachability and vulnerability.
Pricing:
- Speaking – $7500
- Individual Coaching $250 per session
Contact Info:
- Address: 1080 Peachtree St NE Unit 3402 Atlanta, GA 30309
- Website: https://lisafey.com
- Phone: 404-951-8401
- Email: lisa@lisafey.com
- Instagram: lisatarheel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisafeyspeaks/
- Other: linkedin.com/in/lisafeyatlanta
Image Credit:
Lorikay Stone
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
