From Google Exec to Speaker: A Story of Courage and Perseverance with Jenny Wood

“If you are thinking about doing something long term, test it internally, be an intrapreneur, right? Go create something amazing for your company and see if you enjoy doing it.”

Jenny Wood's transition from a high-flying Google executive to an influential public speaker is nothing short of inspiring. After spending eighteen years at Google, Jenny chose to follow her passion for public speaking, resulting in a story of passion, relentless improvement, and the power of authenticity. She joins us today to share her experiences, the nitty-gritty of making it as a speaker, and the wisdom she’s garnered along the way.

One crucial element of Jenny’s approach is her dedication to constantly improving her craft. By working with a keynote consultant and continuously analyzing her presentations, she shows that learning and adapting are key to success in speaking. Jenny is also candid about dealing with imposter syndrome and the challenges of leaving a secure job, demonstrating that courage is essential when facing the unknown.

Furthermore, a significant part of Jenny’s strategy has been leveraging her book, Wild Courage, as a tool to establish her voice in the market. She uses it not just as a revenue source, but as a means to spark meaningful conversations and draw connections with her audience. Understanding the business side of speaking, from setting fees to engaging with speaker bureaus, is another area where Jenny offers valuable insights.

Jenny’s journey highlights the importance of embracing one's unique voice. Her story teaches us that success is about being true to oneself, learning from failures, and continually striving for excellence. For those starting out in speaking, Jenny’s experience is a beacon, showing that with dedication and strategic planning, a fulfilling speaking career is within reach.

You’ll learn:

• Jenny’s speaker pricing strategy
• About Jenny’s book launch
• Multiple revenue streams and book profitability
• If books are necessary for personal branding
• Jenny’s transition from corporate to speaking
• Challenges of entrepreneurship
• Overcoming fear and uncertainty
• Combating imposter syndrome
• And much, much more!

“There was some level of high net freedom that was appealing to me of just being on my own.”

Episode Resources

• Jenny’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.