In this episode, we converse with Will Greenblatt, an acclaimed author and public speaking coach who has aided founders in raising over $350 million.

The discussion tackles the ever-present issue of stage fright and offers strategies to manage it effectively. Greenblatt shares his upbringing rooted in acting, his experiences as a child star, and overcoming various life challenges that shaped his approach to public speaking and entrepreneurship.

Emphasizing the importance of founder market fit and personal connection to business problems, Greenblatt provides insights into what investors look for, such as credibility and effective communication. He underscores the emotional aspects of pitching and stresses authenticity and passion in delivering compelling pitches.

The episode is filled with actionable advice on improving public speaking skills, building strong investor relationships, and mastering the art of compelling business pitches.

00:00 Overcoming Stage Fright

00:37 Introduction to the Podcast

01:00 Meet Will Greenblatt

02:06 Will's Acting Journey

02:57 Family Legacy and Early Acting Career

06:40 Challenges of Child Acting

14:58 Coping with Grief and Mental Health

30:30 Therapy and Personal Growth

37:17 The Fear of Public Speaking

38:19 Understanding Anxiety and Its Lies

39:58 Personal Experiences with Stage Fright

43:37 Overcoming Stage Fright: Practical Tips

55:18 The Five Acts Framework for Public Speaking

01:02:52 The Importance of Emotional Connection in Pitching

01:10:20 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

References

• Watch this interview on YouTube
• Transform Your Speaking Skills: Gain Confidence, Captivate Audiences and Advance Your Career by Will Greenblatt

For more of Will

• LinkedIn: Will Greenblatt
• YouTube: Your Public Speaking Coach

This episode features educator and high-performance coach Dr. Shelly-Ann Gajadhar. Dr. Shelly is the founder and Mentor of a women’s mentorship online community of 200+ women called the Go Bravely Mentorship Community and the Author of a daily inspirational book for women entitled Go Bravely: Building Confidence Daily. Having shifted careers from law to business and academia, she blends academic principles with effective management and mindful leadership, delivering rapid results.

In this episode, Dr. Shelly talks about her PhD journey and challenges as a black woman pursuing a PhD. in the UK. She imparts her insights on performance management, a crucial skill for entrepreneurs seeking to excel in their endeavours. Moreover, she also dropped a lot of tips on various topics spanning brand identity, task management, and product launches.

Get ready to delve into a wealth of knowledge in this episode as we kickstart our journey toward high performance together.

Highlights:

• 00:00 Unlocking Self-Leadership and High Performance
• 00:57 Podcast Introduction: High-Performing Entrepreneurs
• 02:32 Journey of Transformation: From Law to Leadership
• 04:48 Navigating Challenges as a Caribbean Academic in the UK
• 07:05 Activism and Advocacy: Championing Diversity in Academia
• 19:25 The Genesis of 'Go Bravely': Turning Mantra into Movement
• 23:20 Mentorship and Building a Community of Empowered Women
• 33:02 High Performance Coaching: Legacy, Vision, and Systems
• 39:04 The Power of Staying in Your Lane
• 39:45 The Impact of Focusing on Your Audience
• 40:22 Leveraging Influence Over Imitation
• 40:51 Redefining Success Through Discipline and Inspiration
• 41:26 Task Management vs. Time Management: A New Approach
• 45:16 Planning Your Week for Maximum Productivity
• 51:48 The Magic of Writing Things Down
• 56:02 Strategies for Successful Product Launches
• 01:04:39 From Message to Movement: Upcoming Leadership Bootcamp
• 01:04:51 Vision and Growth: The Future of Alphastute
• 01:09:38 Innovative Ideas and Personal Projects
• 01:12:17 Final Thoughts: The Dream Chose You

References:

• Episode Video
• Go Bravely - Londrelle, Shelly-Ann Gajadhar | Spotify
• Energy Focussed Weekly Planner
• Go Bravely Mentorship Community
• Go Bravely: Building Confidence Daily by Dr Shelly-Ann Gajadhar

For More of Dr. Shelly:

• Website: www.alphastute.com
• YouTube: Dr. Shelly-Ann Gajadhar

In this episode, we are with the Managing Director of The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB), Nicholas Higgs. Nicholas was also the Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he led the business development department. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with deep expertise in development finance, research, and capital raising.

Here we delve into investing and raising funds in the Bahamas. Nicholas discusses his journey as a managing director, sharing insights gained along the way. He also emphasizes the importance of networking, tenacity, and expanding one’s horizons. Join us as we look deeper into the Bahamian economy and explore its investment opportunities.

Highlights:

• [02:08] Taking on the role of Managing Director at the age of 31
• [05:27] The value of networking and controlling your narrative
• [12:36] Overcoming fears and getting out of the box
• [19:00] The power of tenacity
• [24:43] The art of valuation
• [29:23] Nicholas’ insights on raising funds and securing deals
• [36:07] The Bahamian economy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• [40:43] The Bahamas Development Bank and its rebranding
• [43:05] The Sleeping Giant: Bahamas’ Potential and Opportunities
• [48:11] Investing and raising capital in the Bahamas
• [51:38] Crowdfunding in the Caribbean
• [53:45] The BDB’s vision and goals
• [59:22] BDB’s fund allocation
• [01:00:39] How do you present your business for financing
• [01:05:19] Common misconceptions about investing in the Caribbean
• [01:10:57] Nicholas’ upcoming podcast: Mastering Finance

Resources

Episode Video

Mastering Finance: The Podcast