A career-changing moment or experience
A Positive outlook
Everyone’s heard the expression “When life gives you
lemons, make lemonade,”
which encourages people
to look at the bright side
when something goes awry.
Suzie Humphreys, CPAE, has built her
speaking platform on that adage, sharing her own personal experiences with
audiences to illustrate that every cloud
has a silver living.
Humphreys’s talent for speaking was
evident when she joined clubs in high
school and later, when she interviewed
for jobs. She had a Dallas TV talk show
for five years and, when she was let
go, she began a career in radio. Every
club in the area wanted
Humphreys to speak,
and she happily complied at no charge.
She didn’t even consider charging for her
speeches until 1981,
when IBM contacted
her. She quoted a $300
fee, which IBM quickly
accepted. “They said
I could have gotten
more—but not that time!” Humphreys
recalls. This started a wave of call backs
which, to Humphreys, is a true measure
of success.
Her main speech was “Life is What
Happens to You When You’re Making
Other Plans”—a line credited to John
Lennon—about finding the positives
in life. This statement hit home for
Humphreys, who was terrified at the
prospect of becoming a first-time
mother at age 40. “Why would God
give me a baby now?” she wondered.
“But what a blessing it was!”
is “to help people look for the good in
life.” Stephanie Angelo, SPHR, interviewed Humphreys about the positive
turning points in her speaking career.
Stephanie Angelo: What significantly
changed or increased your business?
Suzie Humphreys: The invitation to
speak at the 1991 NSA Convention
Luncheon in Palm Springs, Calif.
that I had vomited, and would have
heaved on the first three people in
the front row if I hadn’t stepped
out. They howled with laughter! As
Rembrandt said, “That which is most
personal is most universal.”
did you realize your turning point when
it happened?
I knew the audience and I were in
the “zone” and totally connected. As
I was leaving the NSA stage, a man
approached me and said, “We want
you to come to New
Zealand.” At that
moment, I realized I
could go out into the
world and speak.
Today isn’t any
different than any
other time. If you’re
authentic, you
will connect with
attendees on a
personal level.
How did you feel when you realized
you had achieved success?
If you are doing what you love, that
is success. Speakers have the best of
all worlds: We’re natural show-
offs who can encourage and inspire
people wherever we go. We receive
applause, laughter, tears and instant
appreciation. As an NSA member, my
purpose is to serve others. If I fulfill
that purpose, the money will follow.
How does this differ for
speakers today?
Few speakers get asked
to present at a meeting
where so many bureaus
are in attendance. An
uplifting presentation is a speaker’s best
advertisement!
As a motivational and
inspirational humorist, Suzie
Humphreys, CPAE, has
hobnobbed with movie stars
and politicians, interviewed
the great and the “near” great, and enjoyed
20 years in radio. She has made hundreds
of commercials, done musical comedy and
motion pictures. For more information,
visit suziehumphreys.com.
in today’s world, would you go about it
differently?
Today isn’t any different than any
other time. If you’re authentic, you
will connect with attendees on a per-
sonal level. Speakers have to follow
through with their speaking obliga-
tions. Recently, I felt sick while speak-
ing in the second of two back-to-back
programs. I told the group that I’d be
right back, and I ran off stage. Twelve
minutes later, I returned and confessed
Stephanie Angelo, SPHR, is
an award-winning business
consultant and specialist in
resolving employee issues
that impact the bottom line.
Clients report changed and improved lives
of employees and their families; and
enhanced employee relationships, morale
and culture within the organization.
Contact her at www.hressential.com or
(480) 726-9833.
