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Finding My Voice on Stage (and Why I’m Leaning Into It More)
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Not that long ago, I wrote about not feeling like I belonged in certain rooms.
I shared how it took me months after joining the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade just to attend my first event. I didn’t know anyone. Conversations were already flowing.
And there I was… wondering if I even fit in.
That feeling hasn’t completely gone away.
But what I've found is that the more I show up, the more I realize most people in those rooms are figuring it out too.
And over time, those rooms started to feel a little more familiar, even to the point where I found myself being asked to speak in them.
In fact, I recently spoke at a panel for entrepreneurship students at Durham College.
And, as the questions started coming in, I noticed a theme.
They weren’t just asking about business structures or funding. They were asking about uncertainty.
It was there fear... Fear of getting it wrong.
Fear of starting without a roadmap.
Fear of what happens after you put something out into the world.
And as I answered, I could see heads nodding across the screen.
Speaking isn’t about having the perfect answer.
It’s about saying the thing others are already feeling but haven’t said out loud yet.
What I’ve Learned About Speaking
In fact, I’ve learned that as a speaker, my role isn’t to be the smartest person in the room.
It’s to be a bridge.
A bridge between experience and uncertainty. Between what people think they should know and what they’re actually working through.
Sometimes that means saying, “I don’t know.” Sometimes it means sharing something that didn’t work.
And those are the moments people connect with the most.
From Panels to Real-World Conversations
Over the last year and a half, I’ve had opportunities to speak in different settings
There was a moment at the Connecting GTA 2025 Business Expo when I had just returned from a trip (jet-lagged) and, before I even had time to settle into my seat, I was asked to step on stage and speak to attendees.
No prep. No script. Just go.
A few years ago, that would’ve thrown me off completely. I'd more than likely tried to talk my way out of it.
But this time, I leaned in.
I spoke about small business, collaboration, and what I’ve learned... It wasn't just about the wins; I shared my mistakes and challenges, too.
It was also interesting that afterward, as people approached me, I found they wanted to know more about my mistakes and challenges than my wins.
I’ve also had the chance to share my thoughts through conversations like my appearance on Joab Ogato’s podcast, The Couch Connect, where we talked about credibility, personal branding, and why showing up consistently matters.
And through Headshots Matter, a global network of photographers across 150 countries, I’ve spoken about networking, relationships, and building trust in business. Speaking to them about the importance of networking in their business.
Different audiences. The same takeaway.
People don’t need perfection. They need perspective.
Showing Up Builds Credibility
And a big part of this journey comes back to something simple.
Showing up.
That’s how I went from being unsure if I belonged at a Board of Trade event… to now serving as President of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.
Not because I had all the answers.
But because I kept showing up, having conversations, and building relationships over time.
What this tells me is that even with preparation — and preparation matters — being a good speaker isn’t about memorizing lines.
It’s about being ready with your story.
The real one.
The one that includes uncertainty, missteps, and the moments where you didn’t feel ready but showed up anyway.
And that’s where I’m starting to get more comfortable.
Not because the nerves are gone (they’re not), but because I’ve stopped trying to be something I’m not when I’m up there.
I’m a photographer. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m the President of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.
And I’m still learning every single day.
That’s the version of me people respond to.
Why I Want to Do More Speaking
So I’ll say it out loud.
I want to do more of this.
More panels. More speaking opportunities. More conversations in rooms where people are trying to figure things out — just like I am.
Living into what I shared last month about the “authenticity recession” (a term from Ogilvy), I’m realizing that’s a big part of what’s driving me to lean more into speaking engagements.
If we really are in a moment where people are craving something real, then we all need to think about how we show up in the world — not just online, but in rooms, on stages, and in conversations.
For me, this is one way I’m choosing to do that.
So, if you’re looking for someone to speak on entrepreneurship, business growth, networking, or building something real in today’s environment, I’d love to be part of it.
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