To many, public speaking is a means to an end, a method to communicate an ulterior message. In a world where cutting-edge, industry-leading knowledge is accessible from the comfort of an armchair, the experts of tomorrow are often drawn to the fastest route to information. But what if a salient, universally valuable skill has been lost amid the virtual rat race? Could the key to future prosperity lie not with the knowledge itself but with how knowledge is spread to others?
Enter Elaine Powell. Public speaking coach of 12 years and founder of MindSpeak Academy. Elaine believes the world is transformed and the future crafted by those who can spread their message. Elaine’s message is that successful entrepreneurship stems from successful speaking, and she is dedicated to sharing her insight with others who have a message to spread.
Elaine Powell’s present pursuits are a vivid illustration of her philosophy in business. Even today, with 600 workshops and 30,000 trainees behind her, Elaine implores those under her tutelage to carve out their niche, or as she puts it: “Don’t be everything to everybody – be a big fish in a small pond.”
Therefore, with MindSpeak Academy, Elaine endeavors to set herself apart from the vast pool of run-of-the-mill public speaking coaches. The academy’s clientele and focus are curated with entrepreneurs, authors, and experts in mind. Teaching the importance of speaking as a standalone skill and delivering the bespoke training required, Elaine believes, is why MindSpeak Academy stands out in the wider realm of public oration.
While her academy provides the right people with the toolkit to propagate their message, Elaine Powell is personally compelled by a perceived oversight of what she describes as the ‘art’ of public speaking. It’s a common misconception that those in possession of expertise, and the ability to speak, are primed public speakers on demand. Elaine, however, is eager to challenge this presumption, as she believes speaking is comparable to singing, dancing, or acting in the time and dedication required for its mastery.
“Delivering presentations is about creating an epic experience,” she says. “It takes skill; it takes training; it takes practice.” If individuals can become proficient public speakers with assistance from MindSpeak Academy, Elaine is convinced of the endless benefits that are unlocked. Visibility, impact, and the potential for speaking engagements of their own are among the rewards to be reaped by entrepreneurs willing to learn the craft and continue a chain that Elaine began.
Before MindSpeak Academy, there was Elaine Powell. Still an entrepreneur and trainer in her own right, she relied upon freelance work for a public speaking charity to pay the bills. Upon realizing that such an arrangement can be unstable, especially when one is reliant upon a sole source of business, Elaine did what many entrepreneurially-minded contemporaries would do in her position and took full responsibility for her life and work.
Employing her ‘find your niche’ philosophy, Elaine shifted into the corporate and government space, delivering workshops for professionals in those areas. Before long, however, one opportunity led to another, as participants began to inquire about their potential to attain paid speaking engagements. These inquiries highlighted a gap in the market that Elaine was perfectly placed to fill: supporting entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the world.
The past year and a half have not been without their obstacles for the public speaking industry. The initial cancellation of many anticipated speaking events followed by a gradual transition into online presentations led to the current destination of hybrid, part in-person, part virtual events. Elaine believes this has led expert speakers to learn their worth, i.e., by being paid for their insight rather than their time, as the profession returns to prosperity following its pandemic-induced adjustment.
Via her website, Elaine Powell continues to provide the service that led her to this point: the delivery of workshops and presentations to the corporate and government sectors. Elaine’s distinguished reputation in the sector has led to speaking appearances at over 120 events, the three-year curation of a TEDx event in London, and a prestigious position as a TEDx speaker coach. What differentiates Elaine as a professional is her willingness to listen to those who could most benefit from her services, primarily through the social audio platform Clubhouse, to tailor her workshops to her ideal clientele. Overwhelmingly, she has detected a hunger from entrepreneurs to perform their own transformative presentations through the likes of TEDx.
Elaine Powell’s story is as noble as any and yet keeps the notion of success at its core. Once a means of getting by, her expertise now inspires and leads a new generation of influential people. But, as Elaine would contend, people can only influence if somebody teaches them how.
