Three years ago, when we went live with Women Speakers Association, we did so with one intention…to stir up dialogue and see if anyone was the least bit interested in what we were talking about other than ourselves. At the time, we had been keenly aware of the fundamental shift occurring universally, across all industries on every continent. Bottom line, we knew that the predominant mind-set, models and methodologies that we had been operating inside of for the past several decades…had expired. It had become so apparent that the “old model” for how we had been doing business, how we had been marketing ourselves, every aspect really of how we were getting our message out into the world, which was a highly masculine model, steeped in competition, scarcity and greed…just wasn’t working anymore. For so many, the commitment to delivering value had somehow gone out the window and with it, many speakers’ morals and integrity.
Fortunately, with the evolution of the industry and its seeming demise we were also witnessing a shift in the market. Those who had been “following the leader” started to wake up and realize that they weren’t getting fed nor were they being served the way that they once experienced. As a result, they no longer were showing up in droves at events the way that they used to, they stopped dropping tens of thousands of dollars and second mortgaging their home to buy products being hocked (and that’s not just because of the economy) and…they started demanding value.
This, in our eyes, was great news! More and more we observed as the masses began seeking to hear a more authentic message, looking for a more even playing field and stepping outside the limiting role of the “sheeple” to find their own voice.
It had become clear that while one era was coming to a close, another was also being born. We knew, in our hearts and in our minds that something new was wanting to emerge. And that while we couldn’t yet paint an exact picture of what that new model would look like, we were certain that it was grounded in contribution, collaboration and…had women at the forefront.
The premise of WSA, and what literally shot me up out of a dead sleep at 3am on October 17, 2009, is that since we knew this new model was emerging, rather than us sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, waiting for somebody else to create the new model and once again having to fit into somebody else’s box…why not be at the forefront of actually defining the new paradigm?
So, back in January 2011, when we went live seeking to stir up dialogue, we really had no idea what the response would be. It was our very pleasant surprise to find, however, that with no traditional marketing, no social media even at that time; truly just a handful of women talking, by day two of our launch, we had landed on 6 of the 7 continents, and by week three…we had surpassed our six-month goal of reaching 500 members. The response was overwhelming from women all over the globe calling, emailing, asking how they could be part of what they were saying was becoming “a new and powerful movement.”
We saw ourselves as a think tank, a place for women to convene and support one another, to collectively create new industry standards for getting booked, marketing yourself, building strategic alliances, every aspect to support you in getting you and your message out into the world.
Today, just three years later, we are so grateful to now be serving 1000s of women in 120 countries on 6 continents. Our members are a beautiful blend of innovative leaders, change agents and women with a message. Their platforms range from the classroom to the boardroom; from the floor of the U.N. to social media; and everything in between. We reach women from all walks of life, from the fortune 500 CEO to the President appointed government official, from the teacher, lawyer and doctor to the actress, professional speaker and best-selling author. You name it…we got it!
Thank you to each and every one of our members. For your courage to step into and own the leader that you are and for using your voice to powerfully inspire and educate others. We know that you are truly causing lives to change, businesses to thrive, communities to flourish, and the world to be a better place for all.
Together we, the trailblazers…the mapmakers…we are paving the way for this new era that empowers the voice of ALL women! Together, we are going to shake things up and cause serious transformation on this planet!