Daily Inspiration: Meet Carla Howard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Howard

Hi Carla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Yes, thank you so much for having me! I started out as a “Reluctant Entrepreneur”, because even though I fantasized about leaving my corporate career and owing my own business… I never REALLY planned on making it a reality.

Then, I got laid off.

And I was terrified that I wouldn’t find another role that I loved with the salary that would provide the income I needed to support our lifestyle.

My husband looked at me one morning about 3 weeks after my layoff and said, “You are always telling everyone else to follow their dreams, maybe it’s time you give entrepreneurship a chance”. Sooo… I sat down and wrote a list of all the things I loved doing and built my business around those pillars.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Gosh… I WISH my journey into entrepreneurship and launching my speaking career was easy or smooth! Then again… maybe it is a good thing that it was challenging because I’ve learned soooo much in the process.

Breaking into the world of being a paid speaker is lonely and frustrating! It is hard to know what to do first, what you should charge, and how to stand out in the very crowded market of professional speakers.

It took years of beating my head against the wall to get to where I am today in my speaking career! A few years ago, I was working with Jen Smollett (an amazing coach for professional women) and she said, “Carla, you should program to show others what you’ve learned about how to get paid for the value they deliver from the stage! There are so many speakers and entrepreneurs who would gladly pay to fast path past years of figuring it out on their own!”.

So, I sat down and made a huge list of all of the mistakes I made in early speaking career and crated guides, templates, and examples of what I’m doing today based of of those learnings.

I’m very proud of the “Get Paid From The STAGE!!!” 6-week program. AND… if it was an easy or smooth journey to become a paid speaker, there would be no need for the program.

There is a lot of truth in the saying “If it was easy, everyone would do it”.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve made mistakes in my speaker journey that have cost me more time and money than I care to think about. It is super frustrating to sit at home by yourself and try to figure out how to go from “speaking for exposure” to making real money for the value you are delivering as a speaker / workshop facilitator. I’ve cracked the code on how to get paid for the value I deliver and I love helping speakers avoid the years of frustration I experienced.

In the “Get Paid From The STAGE!!!” program, the thing I want people to know is that I am an open book! I answer any questions participants have and will often create bonus material if they need support the program doesn’t offer yet.

One example of recent bonus content is a workshop I’m doing for all of my past GPFTS participants on how to build a similar program to “Get Paid From The STAGE!!!” in their area of expertise. I’m always looking for ways to add more value for our GPFTS Community and I LOVE seeing them take action and achieve their dreams.

I get sooo freaking excited when my GPFTS Speakers book paid gigs!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Thank you for asking! Here are a few ways:

1) If you are looking for a keynote speaker or facilitator for a corporate event, I’d love to learn how I can support you.
My areas of expertise are:

* Leadership Competency Workshops
* Change Leadership / Change Management
* Supporting Kind & Ambitious Women to Dream Bigger & Reach Further

2) If you are emerging speaker who is interested in learning more about the “Get Paid From The STAGE!!!” 6-week program, email me and let’s schedule time to chat. Listeners can also click this link to sign up or learn more about the program: https://thespeakersconnection.com/speakers-program/

3) Connect with me on LinkedIn! This is the link to my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changestrategist/

4) Contact me at Carla@TheSpeakersConnection.com

Pricing:

• Get Paid From The STAGE!!! – Current pricing is $3,200 (will increase in 2025)
• Keynotes – $15K (This is a day rate – I’ll bet here all day, so let’s talk about additional value I can bring to your event!)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thespeakersconnection.com/speakers-program/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesisters/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/changestrategist/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carlahoward