1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,450 Carol Cox: How can you get selected as a speaker or a 2 00:00:02,450 --> 00:00:04,670 panelist by event organizers? 3 00:00:04,670 --> 00:00:06,680 That's what I talk about with my guest, Jo 4 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:08,840 Murillo, on this episode of the Speaking 5 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:10,130 Your Brand podcast. 6 00:00:14,570 --> 00:00:17,270 More and more women are making an impact by 7 00:00:17,270 --> 00:00:20,000 starting businesses, running for office and 8 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:21,980 speaking up for what matters. 9 00:00:22,010 --> 00:00:24,260 With my background as a TV political 10 00:00:24,260 --> 00:00:27,140 analyst, entrepreneur, and speaker, I 11 00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:29,570 interview and coach purpose driven women to 12 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:32,060 shape their brands, grow their companies, 13 00:00:32,060 --> 00:00:34,730 and become recognized as influencers in 14 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:38,060 their field. This is speaking your brand, 15 00:00:38,090 --> 00:00:40,610 your place to learn how to persuasively 16 00:00:40,610 --> 00:00:44,000 communicate your message to your audience. 17 00:00:45,020 --> 00:00:46,610 Hi there and welcome to the Speaking Your 18 00:00:46,610 --> 00:00:48,800 Brand podcast. I'm your host, Carol Cox. 19 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:51,080 Today we are talking about how to get 20 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:54,170 selected as a speaker and as a panelist by 21 00:00:54,170 --> 00:00:56,600 event producers and event organizers. 22 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:58,940 I know that so many of you are out there. 23 00:00:58,940 --> 00:01:01,250 You are involved in your local community, 24 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:03,740 your networking locally as well as online, 25 00:01:03,740 --> 00:01:05,330 and perhaps you're going to events and 26 00:01:05,330 --> 00:01:07,310 conferences and you're wondering how do they 27 00:01:07,340 --> 00:01:09,080 select their speakers? How do those speakers 28 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,600 get the opportunity to talk to that 29 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:13,100 membership or to that audience? 30 00:01:13,130 --> 00:01:15,320 Well, I'm very happy to have with us as a 31 00:01:15,350 --> 00:01:18,440 guest today, Jo Johanna Murillo, who is here 32 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,660 in Orlando, Florida, where I live, we met 33 00:01:20,690 --> 00:01:23,840 out locally in person at an event probably 34 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:26,420 sometime last year, and since then I've 35 00:01:26,450 --> 00:01:29,120 attended a couple of her events and she does 36 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:32,330 an amazing job putting on events. 37 00:01:32,330 --> 00:01:35,150 So many of the nice touches that really wow 38 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:38,000 you, plus the venues, the locations that she 39 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:40,340 chooses, and of course the quality of the 40 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:41,600 speakers and the panelists. 41 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,940 So after I attended a recent event, I knew I 42 00:01:43,940 --> 00:01:46,520 had to have Jo on the podcast to share with 43 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,860 us all those inside secrets of what she 44 00:01:48,860 --> 00:01:51,110 looks for when she's putting on events as 45 00:01:51,110 --> 00:01:53,390 far as who to bring on with her. 46 00:01:53,420 --> 00:01:55,370 Jo, welcome to the podcast. 47 00:01:55,520 --> 00:01:58,880 Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. Carol, I'm so glad to finally be 48 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:00,830 here. It's my pleasure. 49 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:02,960 Carol Cox: Well, let's dive into a little bit about the 50 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,450 kinds of events that you put on and how they 51 00:02:05,450 --> 00:02:06,530 relate to your business. 52 00:02:06,530 --> 00:02:08,510 So tell us about Wow Brand Studios, your 53 00:02:08,510 --> 00:02:10,940 business and how you got started putting on 54 00:02:10,940 --> 00:02:12,260 events and why. 55 00:02:12,770 --> 00:02:14,720 Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. That's a great question actually, 56 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:18,590 because I think events oftentimes it's one 57 00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:21,170 thing when we attend to them because we are 58 00:02:21,170 --> 00:02:22,880 from that perspective that we're enjoying 59 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:24,830 them. Correct. 60 00:02:25,130 --> 00:02:27,110 You can relate to this, but when you have to 61 00:02:27,140 --> 00:02:29,720 organize events, oh my, how different it is. 62 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:31,190 It's a whole other beast. 63 00:02:31,190 --> 00:02:34,250 So for those people that said, oh, I should 64 00:02:34,250 --> 00:02:36,560 organize an event, yes, I encourage you, but 65 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,750 take in mind that it's tough. 66 00:02:38,750 --> 00:02:42,890 But also what I can identify is that events, 67 00:02:42,890 --> 00:02:45,500 especially when you organize and organize 68 00:02:45,500 --> 00:02:47,690 them and bring that value to the world, it's 69 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:50,870 a perfect way to create brand awareness of 70 00:02:50,870 --> 00:02:53,150 your brand and speaking your brand. 71 00:02:53,180 --> 00:02:55,790 It's a great way for your audience to see, 72 00:02:55,820 --> 00:02:58,010 okay, what do you bring to the table? 73 00:02:58,010 --> 00:03:00,260 What is? How can I connect with you that 74 00:03:00,260 --> 00:03:02,570 that was our first and pretty much the 75 00:03:02,570 --> 00:03:04,400 reason why we started creating events, 76 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,760 especially in the category of helping other 77 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:11,660 entrepreneurs, women, not only, but it's our 78 00:03:11,660 --> 00:03:13,670 main focus. Men are always invited because 79 00:03:13,670 --> 00:03:15,410 we believe that they're agents of change, 80 00:03:15,410 --> 00:03:17,840 and we have to bring them on as allies. 81 00:03:18,290 --> 00:03:19,850 So that's the way that we started in the 82 00:03:19,850 --> 00:03:23,180 entrepreneurship, business ownership, brand 83 00:03:23,180 --> 00:03:26,870 marketing, finance, sales, all those things 84 00:03:26,900 --> 00:03:29,090 that nobody talks about when you have your 85 00:03:29,090 --> 00:03:30,590 business up and running. 86 00:03:30,590 --> 00:03:32,120 So that's how we started. 87 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:33,950 And through Wildbrain Studios, which is a 88 00:03:33,950 --> 00:03:36,860 full on agency that takes care of event 89 00:03:36,860 --> 00:03:39,620 production, social media and everything that 90 00:03:39,620 --> 00:03:41,870 has to do with AV production. 91 00:03:41,870 --> 00:03:44,030 That's where we started because we wanted to 92 00:03:44,030 --> 00:03:46,850 be able to provide that value to other 93 00:03:46,850 --> 00:03:49,220 business owners that oftentimes don't even 94 00:03:49,220 --> 00:03:51,590 know which questions to ask, right? 95 00:03:51,620 --> 00:03:53,180 I mean, we've all been there. 96 00:03:53,180 --> 00:03:56,330 So that's that was how we started all this 97 00:03:56,330 --> 00:03:58,550 crazy race. And we are loving it. 98 00:03:58,820 --> 00:04:00,980 Carol Cox: I agree, Jo, that putting on events 99 00:04:00,980 --> 00:04:03,050 definitely gives you a lot of visibility and 100 00:04:03,050 --> 00:04:05,180 exposure in the community because obviously 101 00:04:05,180 --> 00:04:07,160 you're promoting the event so people see it, 102 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:09,110 people come and attend or they hear about it 103 00:04:09,110 --> 00:04:11,630 from other people who've attended the the 104 00:04:11,630 --> 00:04:14,330 event that I attended that you ran a few 105 00:04:14,330 --> 00:04:16,760 months ago was actually at a TV studio, 106 00:04:16,790 --> 00:04:19,310 which was really cool because we got to be 107 00:04:19,340 --> 00:04:22,310 on kind of the set, you know, the soundstage 108 00:04:22,310 --> 00:04:24,110 where they film news. 109 00:04:24,140 --> 00:04:25,610 And so can you tell us a little bit about 110 00:04:25,610 --> 00:04:27,800 what inspired you to have it at that 111 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,480 location? And tell us a little bit about 112 00:04:29,510 --> 00:04:32,150 kind of like how you go about thinking about 113 00:04:32,150 --> 00:04:34,340 the set and setting for your events. 114 00:04:34,460 --> 00:04:36,950 Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, that event was fire, right? 115 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:39,080 And not because we organized it, because it 116 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:42,290 really was. It's to create that unique 117 00:04:42,290 --> 00:04:46,340 element. Now that we talk about events and 118 00:04:46,340 --> 00:04:48,680 me also as an attendee, I can see like, oh, 119 00:04:48,710 --> 00:04:50,690 it's more of the same. 120 00:04:50,690 --> 00:04:52,370 We want something different. 121 00:04:52,370 --> 00:04:54,830 And that's why we always aim for to every 122 00:04:54,830 --> 00:04:57,590 single event that we do, the one that was 123 00:04:57,590 --> 00:05:00,110 prior to the one that you attended was in a 124 00:05:00,110 --> 00:05:04,640 theater full on big LED screen theater 125 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:08,420 style, and we had two series of panelists. 126 00:05:08,450 --> 00:05:11,900 The one that you attended had that TV studio 127 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:15,770 flow, and also allows people to be in spaces 128 00:05:15,770 --> 00:05:19,700 where they can be relaxed, because sometimes 129 00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:21,230 to break that barrier like, okay, I'm an 130 00:05:21,230 --> 00:05:23,210 event and I don't know anyone know it allows 131 00:05:23,210 --> 00:05:24,680 you to connect a little more. 132 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:26,600 So you have to talk to the person that you 133 00:05:26,630 --> 00:05:27,980 are next to you, kind of when you get into a 134 00:05:27,980 --> 00:05:30,230 plane sort of thing, because, okay, you're 135 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:31,850 stuck with this person next to you for the 136 00:05:31,850 --> 00:05:33,620 next three hours. I better start a 137 00:05:33,620 --> 00:05:36,800 conversation and makes the whole event flow 138 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,560 and also provides a different atmosphere 139 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,080 which is more conducive to learning. 140 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,300 So those are the little details and nuances 141 00:05:44,300 --> 00:05:46,580 that we always take in consideration when 142 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:49,790 organizing any type of event, or planning 143 00:05:49,790 --> 00:05:51,350 them or even producing them. 144 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:54,230 So how can it be different from all that 145 00:05:54,230 --> 00:05:58,190 I've done or seen or attended out there for 146 00:05:58,190 --> 00:06:01,070 our anniversary night, which was last year. 147 00:06:01,070 --> 00:06:04,130 We, for instance, brought an opera singer, 148 00:06:04,130 --> 00:06:06,050 which that was like, what? 149 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,180 What is that? Where is that coming from? 150 00:06:08,180 --> 00:06:10,280 And it made such a great impact because we 151 00:06:10,310 --> 00:06:13,340 were able to bridge that gap between culture 152 00:06:13,340 --> 00:06:15,500 and the concept that we were producing out 153 00:06:15,500 --> 00:06:17,990 there. So that's how we think of it. 154 00:06:17,990 --> 00:06:19,940 Let's find a way to make it different that 155 00:06:19,940 --> 00:06:22,640 it's not the same old event that I attend, 156 00:06:22,670 --> 00:06:24,200 the same old networking event. 157 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,240 When I see the same people over and over, 158 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:28,400 how can we make it different? 159 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:30,710 And that's what inspires us every single 160 00:06:30,710 --> 00:06:32,630 time to push it a little further. 161 00:06:33,410 --> 00:06:35,210 Carol Cox: Well, you definitely do make them unique and 162 00:06:35,210 --> 00:06:36,470 different and that's why they're so 163 00:06:36,500 --> 00:06:38,690 memorable to me. So, Jo, let's talk about 164 00:06:38,690 --> 00:06:41,450 how you go about selecting the speakers in 165 00:06:41,450 --> 00:06:43,790 the panelists for your various events. 166 00:06:43,790 --> 00:06:45,860 So I imagine you decide this is going to be 167 00:06:45,860 --> 00:06:47,900 the topic of the event, the content that you 168 00:06:47,900 --> 00:06:49,640 want to put on, and then you start thinking 169 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:52,220 about speakers, panels and so on. 170 00:06:52,220 --> 00:06:55,520 So then how who comes up for you as speakers 171 00:06:55,550 --> 00:06:56,870 and panelists, and what are the qualities 172 00:06:56,870 --> 00:06:58,100 that you're looking for? 173 00:06:58,190 --> 00:07:03,770 Jo Johanna Murillo: I am looking for people that have visibility 174 00:07:03,770 --> 00:07:05,180 that are out there. 175 00:07:05,210 --> 00:07:08,990 Not necessarily 100% social media, but the 176 00:07:08,990 --> 00:07:10,490 people that are in the field. 177 00:07:10,490 --> 00:07:13,130 I believe that you can learn more from 178 00:07:13,130 --> 00:07:14,840 someone that has been doing what they're 179 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,780 doing with excellence for a while, that 180 00:07:17,780 --> 00:07:20,000 someone that just, you know, do this in a 181 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:21,380 camera. This this helps. 182 00:07:21,380 --> 00:07:24,560 Of course, I'm not taking that away, but 183 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,380 what other people think or say about the 184 00:07:27,380 --> 00:07:28,640 speaker as well. 185 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,300 I look for inspiration for someone that can 186 00:07:32,300 --> 00:07:34,190 give you a message that is going to leave 187 00:07:34,190 --> 00:07:36,440 you better than when you get there. 188 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,680 Someone that is also willing to share 189 00:07:39,710 --> 00:07:42,110 knowledge. That's really important because 190 00:07:42,140 --> 00:07:44,720 God forbid for you to know something and 191 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,210 hold the keys to unlock someone else's 192 00:07:47,210 --> 00:07:49,520 future, and you just do not do it or open 193 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,330 it. Especially as women, we are not allowed 194 00:07:53,330 --> 00:07:55,400 to do that. We need to be able to share that 195 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,980 knowledge, and also that it's humble enough 196 00:07:57,980 --> 00:08:01,640 to say, I know all of this, but I also do 197 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:02,930 not know what I do not know. 198 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,180 That's I think it's really toughest one, 199 00:08:05,180 --> 00:08:07,460 because once you're there at the top and you 200 00:08:07,460 --> 00:08:10,010 think, oh, okay, I know it all, that's when 201 00:08:10,010 --> 00:08:11,570 you stop growing and learning. 202 00:08:11,570 --> 00:08:13,880 So I believe those three are really 203 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,820 important people that are in the field doing 204 00:08:16,820 --> 00:08:20,360 the work and showing and leading by example, 205 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:21,740 not by preach. 206 00:08:21,770 --> 00:08:23,840 Second of all, that are willing to share 207 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:27,710 knowledge. And third, it's that they are 208 00:08:27,710 --> 00:08:30,860 humble enough to be able to keep growing and 209 00:08:30,860 --> 00:08:34,010 evolving. I always love to see the journey 210 00:08:34,010 --> 00:08:36,680 of maybe one year we invited a speaker, and 211 00:08:36,680 --> 00:08:38,810 then we bring him back the next year and to 212 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:40,820 see, oh my God, I've achieved all of these 213 00:08:40,820 --> 00:08:42,560 things because we all keep changing and 214 00:08:42,560 --> 00:08:43,370 evolving. 215 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,220 Carol Cox: Oh, I love those. And so think, thinking 216 00:08:46,220 --> 00:08:48,230 about these speakers and panelists are these 217 00:08:48,230 --> 00:08:50,030 people you already know, so people you've 218 00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:52,520 already met at other events that you go to 219 00:08:52,550 --> 00:08:54,730 in the community, are you asking for 220 00:08:54,730 --> 00:08:56,740 recommendations and referrals from other 221 00:08:56,740 --> 00:08:58,510 event people that you know? 222 00:08:58,540 --> 00:09:01,090 Are you? Do people do speakers ever pitch 223 00:09:01,090 --> 00:09:02,800 you like send you emails or LinkedIn 224 00:09:02,830 --> 00:09:03,850 messages? Like how? 225 00:09:03,850 --> 00:09:05,500 Where do these speakers come from? 226 00:09:05,530 --> 00:09:06,400 A little bit. 227 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,260 Jo Johanna Murillo: Of everything, actually. 228 00:09:08,530 --> 00:09:10,630 I guess the first is like people that I 229 00:09:10,630 --> 00:09:12,760 admire, people that I look up and say like, 230 00:09:12,790 --> 00:09:14,170 oh my God, I want to be like them when I 231 00:09:14,170 --> 00:09:20,080 grow up. And then I kind of like, get rid of 232 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:21,370 the imposter syndrome. 233 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,380 I was like, what would happen if I would 234 00:09:23,380 --> 00:09:26,110 just reach out to them via LinkedIn or send 235 00:09:26,110 --> 00:09:28,840 them an Instagram message and and tell them, 236 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:30,370 hey, I love what you do. 237 00:09:30,370 --> 00:09:32,530 I would love to pick on your brain because I 238 00:09:32,530 --> 00:09:34,990 believe in and I and I am honest about it. 239 00:09:34,990 --> 00:09:37,060 It's not me just being like, oh, that's nice 240 00:09:37,060 --> 00:09:39,370 and sugar coating. No, it's that sometimes 241 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,020 have have been successful. 242 00:09:41,050 --> 00:09:44,320 Others I have got crickets but but it 243 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:45,460 happens like that. 244 00:09:45,460 --> 00:09:48,910 Also people that I see that are out there 245 00:09:48,910 --> 00:09:50,920 spreading a positive message or something 246 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,950 that can uplift. 247 00:09:53,950 --> 00:09:55,240 And I think that the main it's also word of 248 00:09:55,270 --> 00:09:58,000 mouth when I share like, hey, I am thinking 249 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:00,160 of doing and putting this event together. 250 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:03,130 Who do you think would be a person that can 251 00:10:03,130 --> 00:10:06,370 provide value that could be perfect for this 252 00:10:06,370 --> 00:10:08,470 gig, for a lack of a better word? 253 00:10:08,470 --> 00:10:10,570 And of course you get recommendations. 254 00:10:10,570 --> 00:10:12,250 That's the first stage. 255 00:10:12,310 --> 00:10:15,550 Then we go to sitting down and have that one 256 00:10:15,580 --> 00:10:18,280 on one. It can even be virtually on or 257 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:21,250 onsite and see if there's there's a match, 258 00:10:21,250 --> 00:10:24,730 because sometimes depending on the audience 259 00:10:24,730 --> 00:10:27,070 that will attend the events, this might be 260 00:10:27,100 --> 00:10:29,170 like to pro or it could be like a little 261 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:30,820 okay, you need to be a little bit more 262 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:33,280 seasoned. And that happens. 263 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:35,890 And when you get to meet that person, funny 264 00:10:35,890 --> 00:10:39,190 story in the Impact Summit that we did in 265 00:10:39,190 --> 00:10:42,280 February to kickstart Women's History Month, 266 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:46,330 I was suggested as a host on Kia malone. 267 00:10:46,330 --> 00:10:47,620 Hi, Kia. 268 00:10:48,310 --> 00:10:51,700 Yes, she's amazing and you know her to for 269 00:10:51,700 --> 00:10:54,730 her to be the host of the event, given her 270 00:10:54,730 --> 00:10:56,440 experience in TV and. 271 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:57,670 Et cetera, et cetera. 272 00:10:57,700 --> 00:11:00,010 And then when I started to talk to her, I 273 00:11:00,010 --> 00:11:02,290 was like, Kia, you are amazing, which you 274 00:11:02,290 --> 00:11:05,200 already knew. But all those nuggets and 275 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,060 pearls of wisdom, you need to be in the 276 00:11:07,060 --> 00:11:11,320 panel. And it was great and amazing because 277 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,350 people left so inspired by her, which I 278 00:11:14,350 --> 00:11:16,180 think probably she would have done a 279 00:11:16,180 --> 00:11:18,970 phenomenal job as a host, by the way, but as 280 00:11:18,970 --> 00:11:21,070 a panelist, it just brought that extra 281 00:11:21,070 --> 00:11:23,350 layer. So that's something that you also 282 00:11:23,350 --> 00:11:26,020 have to give yourself some room to maybe 283 00:11:26,020 --> 00:11:28,330 pivot or change some things, depending on 284 00:11:28,330 --> 00:11:30,880 the concept that you have of of your event. 285 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:32,140 That's in our experience. 286 00:11:32,140 --> 00:11:34,000 What has worked so far? 287 00:11:35,020 --> 00:11:36,910 Carol Cox: Oh well, I'm such a big fan of Kia's. 288 00:11:36,940 --> 00:11:39,310 We actually met in January of this year at 289 00:11:39,310 --> 00:11:41,470 an event, of course, because that was my 290 00:11:41,470 --> 00:11:43,690 commitment at the beginning of this year was 291 00:11:43,690 --> 00:11:45,880 to make sure that I went to many, many more 292 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:47,890 events. I went to so many before the 293 00:11:47,890 --> 00:11:50,740 pandemic started and then obviously stopped 294 00:11:50,740 --> 00:11:52,120 right, like a cold stop. 295 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:53,830 Like we all did. And then it took me a while 296 00:11:53,860 --> 00:11:55,960 to kind of get back into it, but I I've been 297 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,300 doing it all of this year, and I have met so 298 00:11:58,300 --> 00:12:00,340 many amazing women like Kia and like you. 299 00:12:00,340 --> 00:12:02,800 So for all of you who are listening, get 300 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,230 involved in your local community, your city. 301 00:12:05,260 --> 00:12:07,840 Find those events, show up, go to them. 302 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:09,250 Make a commitment to do that because you're 303 00:12:09,250 --> 00:12:10,570 going to meet amazing people. 304 00:12:10,570 --> 00:12:12,790 And that's how then more opportunities will 305 00:12:12,790 --> 00:12:14,950 come to you, like being a speaker or being a 306 00:12:14,950 --> 00:12:16,570 panelist. So, Jo, when you think about 307 00:12:16,570 --> 00:12:19,000 putting together your panels and the 308 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,180 speakers for an event, how what role does 309 00:12:22,180 --> 00:12:24,430 diversity and inclusion play when you're 310 00:12:24,430 --> 00:12:27,160 thinking about the curating the speakers and 311 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:28,240 the panelists? 312 00:12:28,660 --> 00:12:32,050 Jo Johanna Murillo: It's the main goal, to be honest. 313 00:12:32,050 --> 00:12:35,710 It's that's something that I would I'm not 314 00:12:35,710 --> 00:12:37,390 thinking of changing anytime soon. 315 00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:39,880 It's something that I go headfirst with 316 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:41,920 because I believe that when we have 317 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,010 diversity, equity and inclusion in all the 318 00:12:45,010 --> 00:12:48,340 activities that we perform, the conversation 319 00:12:48,340 --> 00:12:51,220 becomes richer because we have different 320 00:12:51,220 --> 00:12:53,050 avenues and different perspectives and 321 00:12:53,050 --> 00:12:55,210 points of views that we probably didn't 322 00:12:55,210 --> 00:12:57,880 invite or even considered prior. 323 00:12:57,970 --> 00:13:00,850 We were exposed to this, and that's for me. 324 00:13:00,850 --> 00:13:02,170 It's it's key. 325 00:13:02,170 --> 00:13:05,920 I and I will not stop doing that, because I 326 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,440 also am very confident that that brings an 327 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,230 extra added layer of value, hence why the 328 00:13:11,230 --> 00:13:14,200 events are successful, because it invites 329 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:17,020 people to reflect and to change some 330 00:13:17,020 --> 00:13:19,060 perspectives. And even if you don't change 331 00:13:19,060 --> 00:13:21,160 it, okay, at least now you know and you 332 00:13:21,160 --> 00:13:23,800 understand a different perspective that 333 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,290 prior you didn't even think that existed. 334 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:30,490 So yes, that's that's my, my my goal. 335 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:32,710 Carol Cox: And I do see that reflected in your events, 336 00:13:32,710 --> 00:13:34,450 which is why I wanted to bring this up. 337 00:13:34,450 --> 00:13:36,550 And I agree, every we all have such 338 00:13:36,550 --> 00:13:38,110 different lived experiences. 339 00:13:38,110 --> 00:13:40,420 And if we're only going to events or we're 340 00:13:40,420 --> 00:13:42,460 only seeing speakers and panelists that look 341 00:13:42,490 --> 00:13:44,590 like us or have very similar backgrounds to 342 00:13:44,620 --> 00:13:46,600 what we have, we're really shortchanging 343 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,520 ourselves because we're not learning as 344 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,310 much. I know that my policy now is if I get 345 00:13:51,310 --> 00:13:54,010 invited to be on a panel, I will ask who the 346 00:13:54,010 --> 00:13:55,780 other panelists are and if they're all 347 00:13:55,780 --> 00:13:58,180 white. If they're all white women like me, I 348 00:13:58,180 --> 00:14:00,580 will very kindly suggest to the person 349 00:14:00,580 --> 00:14:01,960 putting the panel together like, I would 350 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:03,670 love to see more diversity if I have to give 351 00:14:03,670 --> 00:14:05,380 up my spot to someone else. 352 00:14:05,410 --> 00:14:06,820 Like, here are some other women that I know 353 00:14:06,820 --> 00:14:07,840 who I think would be a great fit. 354 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,330 I'm happy to do that because I just I don't 355 00:14:10,330 --> 00:14:12,640 want to sit on a panel that is not diverse 356 00:14:12,670 --> 00:14:14,200 because it just it doesn't make me feel 357 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:15,550 good. And it's not going to be a great 358 00:14:15,550 --> 00:14:17,500 experience either for the audience. 359 00:14:17,620 --> 00:14:20,440 Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, yes. And there's only tangibility in the 360 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,330 representation if you don't see it. 361 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:24,100 How do you think it's possible? 362 00:14:24,130 --> 00:14:25,570 How can you believe it? 363 00:14:25,570 --> 00:14:27,760 And you never know how other personal 364 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:29,920 experiences that probably do not look like 365 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:32,740 you do not talk like you can help you shape 366 00:14:32,740 --> 00:14:34,720 and make it think like, oh my God, you know 367 00:14:34,720 --> 00:14:36,700 what? If this person can do it with all the 368 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:39,190 limitations and also with all the 369 00:14:39,190 --> 00:14:42,040 advantages, why can I not do it as well? 370 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,170 So I believe it just enriches the 371 00:14:44,170 --> 00:14:45,790 conversation. It doesn't limit it. 372 00:14:45,790 --> 00:14:48,340 It makes you expand your knowledge and it's 373 00:14:48,340 --> 00:14:49,930 just a no brainer for me. 374 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:52,090 Carol Cox: Absolutely. So, Jo, can you share? 375 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,310 Do you have a memorable story of a speaker 376 00:14:54,310 --> 00:14:56,470 or a panelist who exceeded your 377 00:14:56,470 --> 00:14:58,120 expectations? You knew they were going to be 378 00:14:58,120 --> 00:14:59,830 great, but something that they did at the 379 00:14:59,830 --> 00:15:01,300 event just really made them stand out. 380 00:15:01,540 --> 00:15:03,610 You already mentioned Kia, so we're gonna 381 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:05,020 we're gonna put her aside as that. 382 00:15:05,020 --> 00:15:06,880 But is there anyone else who comes to mind? 383 00:15:06,910 --> 00:15:08,200 Jo Johanna Murillo: Sorry, Kia. 384 00:15:09,790 --> 00:15:11,290 Sorry, Kia. You're out. 385 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:17,980 Well, all the panelists were phenomenal, but 386 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:20,650 one of them that stand out. 387 00:15:20,650 --> 00:15:23,050 And maybe because it was on the recent event 388 00:15:23,050 --> 00:15:25,180 actually two one of the recent and one of 389 00:15:25,180 --> 00:15:26,950 the other ones. So that way I can have a 390 00:15:26,950 --> 00:15:30,130 little bit of both was Brianna Anderson, 391 00:15:30,130 --> 00:15:32,140 which I believe you were at that event where 392 00:15:32,140 --> 00:15:33,670 she she spoke. 393 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:37,540 It was that when you see her, she since 394 00:15:37,540 --> 00:15:40,570 she's so put together like she has all her 395 00:15:40,570 --> 00:15:44,290 ducks in a row, successful, Uber brilliant. 396 00:15:44,380 --> 00:15:47,050 You would not imagine that she went through 397 00:15:47,050 --> 00:15:50,650 all the struggles that she did to become the 398 00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:53,050 woman that she is right now. 399 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:57,460 And I believe her testimony was the the 400 00:15:57,460 --> 00:15:59,920 proof that there's a test in the testimony. 401 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:03,760 And once you are willing to expand yourself 402 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,760 and put yourself out of your comfort zone 403 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:10,480 and go through the mess, and after that, the 404 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,450 message that you can help spread, it's it's 405 00:16:13,450 --> 00:16:16,390 amazing. So I believe that that was one of 406 00:16:16,390 --> 00:16:19,810 the key moments that when we had the 407 00:16:19,810 --> 00:16:21,460 speakers, because people. 408 00:16:25,780 --> 00:16:28,000 Know that she has everything put together. 409 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,640 But no, when she started sharing her story, 410 00:16:31,030 --> 00:16:32,830 she was going to kill it anyway. 411 00:16:32,860 --> 00:16:37,240 But I don't think people knew as much until 412 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:38,290 they saw it. 413 00:16:38,710 --> 00:16:41,230 People saw taking out their notebooks and, 414 00:16:41,260 --> 00:16:44,110 you know, they were just writing, you know, 415 00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:45,700 Pearl after Pearl after Pearl. 416 00:16:45,700 --> 00:16:47,500 And it was a mic drop moment. 417 00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:50,440 So Briana, thank you so much for sharing all 418 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:51,610 those things you did. 419 00:16:51,700 --> 00:16:54,610 And second, but not because it's the last 420 00:16:54,610 --> 00:16:57,970 one. It's Kay Rollins, the founder of 421 00:16:57,970 --> 00:17:01,810 Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride when 422 00:17:01,810 --> 00:17:03,040 she was in the panel. 423 00:17:03,070 --> 00:17:04,450 She's very seasoned. 424 00:17:04,450 --> 00:17:05,680 She knows what she's doing. 425 00:17:05,710 --> 00:17:09,460 I mean, but the part that made everyone wow 426 00:17:09,490 --> 00:17:14,050 was when she shared that when us as women 427 00:17:14,050 --> 00:17:17,710 want to excel in a male dominated world, we 428 00:17:17,710 --> 00:17:21,160 need to befriend and make men our allies as 429 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:24,580 well, because no war has been won if the 430 00:17:24,580 --> 00:17:26,710 allies are not a part of it. 431 00:17:26,710 --> 00:17:29,770 So that was also one of those micro moments 432 00:17:29,770 --> 00:17:32,290 where I think that that at that time 433 00:17:32,290 --> 00:17:34,660 everybody went like, whoa, like crazy. 434 00:17:34,660 --> 00:17:37,750 So yes, those are the few little moments 435 00:17:37,750 --> 00:17:40,300 that have lit up my heart and made me okay, 436 00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:42,610 this is great. This is speakers. 437 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,310 Yeah. Can can take it and make it fire. 438 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:46,870 Carol Cox: I love those examples. 439 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:48,890 And we are very fortunate here in the 440 00:17:48,890 --> 00:17:50,780 Orlando, Central Florida area to have 441 00:17:50,780 --> 00:17:53,450 amazing women like Brianna and Kay Rollins 442 00:17:53,450 --> 00:17:55,010 to for these events. 443 00:17:55,460 --> 00:17:56,870 Jo, let me ask you this. 444 00:17:56,900 --> 00:17:59,390 So we talked about kind of what what great 445 00:17:59,390 --> 00:18:00,620 speakers and panelists do. 446 00:18:00,620 --> 00:18:03,350 Now. What are some red flags that make you 447 00:18:03,380 --> 00:18:06,110 hesitant to choose a speaker or panelist, 448 00:18:06,140 --> 00:18:08,270 either beforehand or after you've had an 449 00:18:08,270 --> 00:18:10,460 initial conversation with them, some red 450 00:18:10,460 --> 00:18:12,440 flags? And also, what are things that you 451 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:14,570 wish more speakers or panelists understood 452 00:18:14,570 --> 00:18:17,510 about working with event producers like, you 453 00:18:17,510 --> 00:18:19,910 know, red flags? Plus, what do you wish we 454 00:18:19,910 --> 00:18:21,950 all knew to make your life as an event 455 00:18:21,950 --> 00:18:23,390 producer easier? 456 00:18:25,130 --> 00:18:26,390 Jo Johanna Murillo: Oh, how many times? 457 00:18:26,420 --> 00:18:27,740 How much time do we have? 458 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:32,210 Well, a big, big, big red flag. 459 00:18:32,210 --> 00:18:39,110 It's when they show up late to conversations 460 00:18:39,110 --> 00:18:42,620 to interviews, unprepared guys. 461 00:18:42,620 --> 00:18:43,790 That's a red flag. 462 00:18:43,790 --> 00:18:45,800 And I know that life can happen. 463 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,490 We've all been there when we have had to 464 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,040 arrive a minute or two late, but when you 465 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,100 already see that, there's a bigger chance 466 00:18:54,130 --> 00:18:56,560 it's a 99.999%. 467 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,590 And I tell you this from experience, that 468 00:18:59,590 --> 00:19:00,850 they're going to do that to you at your 469 00:19:00,850 --> 00:19:03,490 event, which is going to add an extra layer 470 00:19:03,490 --> 00:19:07,000 of stress to an already stressful situation, 471 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,920 which is producing and putting an event 472 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:12,610 together. Another one, it's when, 473 00:19:12,730 --> 00:19:17,320 unfortunately, you don't see a flow in the 474 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,800 way that they present that there's not a 475 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,860 structure which can also bring a little bit 476 00:19:23,860 --> 00:19:26,200 of complication when you come to your event. 477 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:28,570 Because when it comes to speaking and you 478 00:19:28,570 --> 00:19:31,510 know this better than anyone, preparation is 479 00:19:31,510 --> 00:19:33,850 key. It's gold. 480 00:19:33,850 --> 00:19:35,590 You need to be prepared. 481 00:19:35,620 --> 00:19:38,170 You don't get ready. 482 00:19:38,170 --> 00:19:39,400 You stay ready. 483 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:41,680 So even if you get a phone call, which has 484 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:42,910 happened to me and I'm sure that has 485 00:19:42,910 --> 00:19:45,610 happened to you, like, hey, Joe, I had a 486 00:19:45,610 --> 00:19:47,260 speaker that cancelled. Can you please help 487 00:19:47,260 --> 00:19:48,850 me? Okay, good. When is the event? 488 00:19:48,850 --> 00:19:50,260 In an hour. Whoa. 489 00:19:50,290 --> 00:19:51,970 Okay. Don't worry. 490 00:19:51,970 --> 00:19:54,580 I got you because I already have my speech 491 00:19:54,580 --> 00:19:56,740 ready. If you. I can put a presentation. 492 00:19:56,740 --> 00:19:58,870 I already have it ready, so I'm game. 493 00:19:58,870 --> 00:20:00,610 I'm ready to go. So that's why it's 494 00:20:00,610 --> 00:20:03,580 important for you to see how prepared and 495 00:20:03,580 --> 00:20:04,690 ready the person is. 496 00:20:04,690 --> 00:20:06,190 Because there will be moments that you will 497 00:20:06,190 --> 00:20:08,800 have to pivot. Then, okay, you know that you 498 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:10,600 can count on that person. 499 00:20:10,810 --> 00:20:13,450 Um, another red flag and not I don't want to 500 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:14,830 just go with red flags. I'll go with the 501 00:20:14,830 --> 00:20:15,850 good stuff later. 502 00:20:16,120 --> 00:20:20,710 Um, it's when you see that the speaker is not 503 00:20:20,710 --> 00:20:25,720 as engaged into getting to know the event as 504 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:27,670 well. You know, it's just like, hey, I can 505 00:20:27,670 --> 00:20:29,050 speak at your event. 506 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,180 I mean, like, okay, so what do you think? 507 00:20:31,210 --> 00:20:34,510 No, whatever. Wherever you put me, that can 508 00:20:34,510 --> 00:20:35,950 also be another thing. 509 00:20:35,980 --> 00:20:38,500 Okay. Are you really willing to share 510 00:20:38,530 --> 00:20:40,570 knowledge, make some improvement? 511 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,820 Leave people better than they arrive, or you 512 00:20:42,820 --> 00:20:45,970 just want to be there for exposure, which is 513 00:20:45,970 --> 00:20:47,320 okay. It's fair. 514 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:49,780 It's fair for you to try to put yourself out 515 00:20:49,780 --> 00:20:51,310 there, but also what's the value? 516 00:20:51,340 --> 00:20:54,730 Where is those things that reach to a 517 00:20:54,730 --> 00:20:56,140 people's heart? 518 00:20:56,380 --> 00:20:58,390 Yeah, because we're in the business of doing 519 00:20:58,390 --> 00:20:59,710 business with people. 520 00:21:00,220 --> 00:21:02,380 So we need to connect at some different 521 00:21:02,380 --> 00:21:05,140 level. Those are the little red flags that I 522 00:21:05,140 --> 00:21:09,550 will encourage to event organizers to take 523 00:21:09,550 --> 00:21:12,040 into consideration before bringing someone 524 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:14,470 in. Because and also understand this is a 525 00:21:14,470 --> 00:21:17,110 commitment, a two way street. 526 00:21:17,110 --> 00:21:19,510 Also, as an event organizer, I do not 527 00:21:19,510 --> 00:21:23,470 encourage those organizers that only reach 528 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:25,900 out to book the person and then okay, the 529 00:21:25,900 --> 00:21:27,670 day before, yes. 530 00:21:27,670 --> 00:21:30,550 Like no, stay in contact, let them know what 531 00:21:30,550 --> 00:21:33,010 you're doing, share with them the post the 532 00:21:33,010 --> 00:21:34,810 social media tag them. 533 00:21:34,810 --> 00:21:37,720 So that way you can also warm up leading 534 00:21:37,750 --> 00:21:39,400 towards the event. 535 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:41,770 Ask them, hey, will you be willing to share 536 00:21:41,770 --> 00:21:43,450 this on social media so you can help 537 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:44,800 amplify, of course. 538 00:21:44,830 --> 00:21:46,810 You know, share all the information that as 539 00:21:46,810 --> 00:21:49,180 much as you can. So that way you can also 540 00:21:49,180 --> 00:21:52,120 prepare them and you help edify them as a 541 00:21:52,120 --> 00:21:54,340 speaker. I think that's also very important 542 00:21:54,340 --> 00:21:58,180 as event producers showcase the speakers in 543 00:21:58,180 --> 00:22:01,330 such a way that they also feel pleased to be 544 00:22:01,330 --> 00:22:04,510 part of the events that you are organizing. 545 00:22:04,510 --> 00:22:06,130 What are your thoughts on that? 546 00:22:07,570 --> 00:22:08,890 Carol Cox: Oh, these are excellent. 547 00:22:08,890 --> 00:22:10,240 Excellent points here, Jo. 548 00:22:10,270 --> 00:22:12,580 I agree, as a speaker, I always want to make 549 00:22:12,610 --> 00:22:14,590 sure that whatever the event organizer 550 00:22:14,590 --> 00:22:18,100 needs, it is there on time, if not early, if 551 00:22:18,100 --> 00:22:20,290 they need slide decks, if they need my bio, 552 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,630 they need my photo, whatever it is. 553 00:22:22,660 --> 00:22:24,850 I mean, I send all that to them right away, 554 00:22:24,850 --> 00:22:26,680 and I also make sure I stay in regular 555 00:22:26,680 --> 00:22:28,450 contact with them. And I'm promoting the 556 00:22:28,450 --> 00:22:31,060 event as well because I want it to be a 557 00:22:31,060 --> 00:22:32,890 successful event. And to your point, I want 558 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,860 to show that I'm invested in the success of 559 00:22:35,890 --> 00:22:38,350 that event along with the event team. 560 00:22:38,350 --> 00:22:40,780 And but I love your point also about the the 561 00:22:40,780 --> 00:22:42,460 people who are putting on the event. 562 00:22:42,460 --> 00:22:44,830 Yes. Keep in touch with us speakers because 563 00:22:44,830 --> 00:22:46,630 we want to know how can we help you? 564 00:22:46,660 --> 00:22:48,730 Is everything going smoothly? 565 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:50,980 You know a request. 566 00:22:51,010 --> 00:22:53,110 Do you need us to bring our laptop? 567 00:22:53,140 --> 00:22:54,370 What kind of laptop do you have? 568 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:55,990 What format do you need the slides in? 569 00:22:56,020 --> 00:22:58,270 Like, we'll ask those questions as speakers, 570 00:22:58,270 --> 00:23:00,220 but it's helpful for you all to have all 571 00:23:00,250 --> 00:23:01,330 that ready to go. 572 00:23:01,330 --> 00:23:04,000 Because if you all are organized as the 573 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,430 event team, then we feel confident as a 574 00:23:06,430 --> 00:23:08,950 speaker walking into that event that is 575 00:23:08,950 --> 00:23:12,160 going to be as smooth as an experience as it 576 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:13,240 possibly can be. 577 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,390 Setting aside the AV gremlins that no one 578 00:23:16,390 --> 00:23:18,670 has any control over and who knows when 579 00:23:18,670 --> 00:23:19,780 they're going to rear their ugly head. But 580 00:23:19,780 --> 00:23:21,400 that's okay. We know that happens. 581 00:23:21,460 --> 00:23:23,830 Jo Johanna Murillo: I think that I always tries to pamper them 582 00:23:23,830 --> 00:23:25,810 while they're there, you know, have a green 583 00:23:25,810 --> 00:23:28,390 room ready for them so they can unwind and 584 00:23:28,390 --> 00:23:30,850 see the event before it's their turn. 585 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:32,050 Get them some water. 586 00:23:32,050 --> 00:23:33,760 If they have teeth like something, 587 00:23:33,790 --> 00:23:36,640 appetizers so they feel comfortable because 588 00:23:36,670 --> 00:23:40,270 getting on stage as soon as you could be, 589 00:23:40,300 --> 00:23:42,490 it's always like a challenge, you know? 590 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:43,660 Okay. Let's go. 591 00:23:43,660 --> 00:23:46,720 So there is the inevitable to say like, ah, 592 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:47,920 I'm not nervous. 593 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:49,600 Then if you're not nervous, you have a 594 00:23:49,600 --> 00:23:52,090 problem. You have to be nervous, because 595 00:23:52,090 --> 00:23:54,220 that means that and shows that you care. 596 00:23:54,220 --> 00:23:56,350 So to try to make them as comfortable once 597 00:23:56,350 --> 00:24:00,130 they are at the at the place of the venue so 598 00:24:00,130 --> 00:24:02,470 they can give their best as well when 599 00:24:02,470 --> 00:24:04,240 they're in front of their audience. 600 00:24:04,900 --> 00:24:07,180 Carol Cox: Yes, I love those extra touches that you do. 601 00:24:07,180 --> 00:24:09,370 And again, that's why your events get raved 602 00:24:09,370 --> 00:24:11,920 about so much by everyone that I talked to 603 00:24:11,950 --> 00:24:13,690 here in the community. So let me share a 604 00:24:13,690 --> 00:24:15,280 little bit more about your background with 605 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,050 the listeners. So you are originally from 606 00:24:17,050 --> 00:24:19,360 Ecuador and you also you've lived in 607 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:21,700 Argentina as well as the Netherlands. 608 00:24:21,700 --> 00:24:23,830 So you really do have this multicultural 609 00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:25,900 perspective. And that's why I love living in 610 00:24:25,900 --> 00:24:27,970 Orlando. I've lived here for 20 years, is 611 00:24:27,970 --> 00:24:30,760 because I feel like it is such a diverse 612 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:32,890 community of so people from so many 613 00:24:32,890 --> 00:24:34,750 different parts of the world, and kind of, I 614 00:24:34,750 --> 00:24:36,340 don't know if it's because of Walt Disney 615 00:24:36,370 --> 00:24:37,990 World, even though we don't live anywhere 616 00:24:37,990 --> 00:24:39,820 near that, and I never go there, but I feel 617 00:24:39,820 --> 00:24:41,790 like it attracts people from everywhere. 618 00:24:41,790 --> 00:24:43,680 And so I think that so can you tell us a 619 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:46,320 little bit more, Jo, about your background, 620 00:24:46,350 --> 00:24:47,700 you know, living in these different 621 00:24:47,700 --> 00:24:49,620 countries and having these different 622 00:24:49,620 --> 00:24:53,430 experiences, then what how that has led to 623 00:24:53,460 --> 00:24:55,320 some of the the work that you do in your 624 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:56,190 business. 625 00:24:56,250 --> 00:24:58,500 Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, I understand, and I love Orlando because 626 00:24:58,500 --> 00:24:59,640 of that too. 627 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:01,410 I'm going to make like a little story. 628 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:04,020 Long story short, I would if you would have 629 00:25:04,020 --> 00:25:05,250 asked me five years ago, are you going to 630 00:25:05,250 --> 00:25:06,600 live in Orlando? It was like, hell no. 631 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,310 Why can we say that? 632 00:25:08,340 --> 00:25:09,810 Yeah. Can we say, hell? You're not going to 633 00:25:09,810 --> 00:25:11,280 get rated. Okay. 634 00:25:12,390 --> 00:25:14,010 Um, why would I go there? 635 00:25:14,010 --> 00:25:15,990 It's just Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse. 636 00:25:16,620 --> 00:25:19,470 But after a while, when I got stuck here 637 00:25:19,470 --> 00:25:21,210 during the pandemic because we couldn't 638 00:25:21,210 --> 00:25:23,280 leave, I started to get to know the 639 00:25:23,280 --> 00:25:25,380 communities. I realized that Downtown Disney 640 00:25:25,410 --> 00:25:27,060 is not downtown Orlando. 641 00:25:27,090 --> 00:25:30,120 I realized that there's a mills district, 642 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:33,000 there's a Winter park, Baldwin Park. 643 00:25:33,030 --> 00:25:34,860 There's, um, Bambi. 644 00:25:34,890 --> 00:25:37,230 Et cetera. All those smaller neck of the 645 00:25:37,230 --> 00:25:39,840 woods that made the community amazing. 646 00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:41,340 And I fell in love with the people, to be 647 00:25:41,340 --> 00:25:44,370 honest, people in Orlando, since I believe 648 00:25:44,370 --> 00:25:46,980 they have that different multicultural 649 00:25:46,980 --> 00:25:51,540 perspective and access, are more open to 650 00:25:51,570 --> 00:25:54,120 integrate other people into the culture. 651 00:25:54,120 --> 00:25:56,520 So that's the great thing about our 652 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:57,660 beautiful city. 653 00:25:58,020 --> 00:26:00,630 So with that being said, yes, I'm originally 654 00:26:00,630 --> 00:26:03,750 from Ecuador, born and raised this little 655 00:26:03,750 --> 00:26:06,960 country just to test the geography between 656 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:10,200 Colombia and Peru, which it's it's 657 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,620 beautiful. We have all different zones. 658 00:26:13,620 --> 00:26:15,900 We have the beaches, we have the islands, we 659 00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:18,270 have the Andes and the Amazons. 660 00:26:18,270 --> 00:26:22,080 And for me, it was a gift to be able to to 661 00:26:22,110 --> 00:26:24,870 be born and raised there, because it allows 662 00:26:24,870 --> 00:26:28,470 us to have some extra layer of resilience, 663 00:26:28,500 --> 00:26:32,070 of enduring difficulties and still be able 664 00:26:32,070 --> 00:26:36,150 to offer kindness to people because we are 665 00:26:36,150 --> 00:26:38,100 all in the struggle. Bus, like I say. 666 00:26:38,100 --> 00:26:41,070 So after a while, you know, studying, 667 00:26:41,070 --> 00:26:43,440 growing, working, being a teacher. 668 00:26:43,470 --> 00:26:46,590 Yes, I was a university teacher back in the 669 00:26:46,590 --> 00:26:49,260 day. I decided to move to Argentina to 670 00:26:49,290 --> 00:26:51,900 pursue my master's studies, and it was a 671 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:53,730 place that I also fell in love with. 672 00:26:53,760 --> 00:26:55,890 It was supposed to be just a year and a half 673 00:26:55,890 --> 00:26:59,310 deal. It turned into a five year long five 674 00:26:59,340 --> 00:27:00,480 seasons episode. 675 00:27:01,590 --> 00:27:04,290 And I loved it too, especially because it 676 00:27:04,290 --> 00:27:06,060 was so different, even if it's in South 677 00:27:06,060 --> 00:27:08,490 America. Argentina is considered the Europe 678 00:27:08,490 --> 00:27:11,310 of South America and also a hub as well, 679 00:27:11,310 --> 00:27:13,500 where a lot of people from different parts 680 00:27:13,500 --> 00:27:17,370 of the world, you know, Australia, England, 681 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:20,880 the US, even within South America will come 682 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:23,340 and have experiences there. 683 00:27:23,340 --> 00:27:25,650 And it was a great learning process as well, 684 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:28,320 because that allowed me and enabled me to 685 00:27:28,350 --> 00:27:30,810 see that, not because we come from different 686 00:27:30,810 --> 00:27:33,270 backgrounds. We all are different. 687 00:27:33,270 --> 00:27:36,000 There are things that are similar regardless 688 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,310 of your language or where you're born or 689 00:27:38,310 --> 00:27:39,810 where you were brought up. 690 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:42,630 I never met anyone that doesn't want to feel 691 00:27:42,660 --> 00:27:45,000 good, that doesn't want to learn, that 692 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:47,100 doesn't want to expand, that doesn't want to 693 00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:50,610 be loved. So I believe those are things that 694 00:27:50,610 --> 00:27:53,730 regardless of where you come from, stay. 695 00:27:53,730 --> 00:27:55,620 And of course, the cherry on top. 696 00:27:55,620 --> 00:27:57,630 Netherlands. It was less than a year, but I 697 00:27:57,660 --> 00:28:01,500 count it. I mean, it's still good, but it 698 00:28:01,500 --> 00:28:03,330 allowed me also to see it from the other 699 00:28:03,330 --> 00:28:05,220 side of the pond. How it is, you know. 700 00:28:05,250 --> 00:28:08,220 And what I loved is that Netherlands is 701 00:28:08,220 --> 00:28:11,430 actually the beacon of diversity, equity and 702 00:28:11,430 --> 00:28:13,410 inclusion. You see everything and 703 00:28:13,410 --> 00:28:16,800 everywhere, and it's kind of like Orlando in 704 00:28:16,800 --> 00:28:18,690 a country, pretty much. 705 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:20,610 I think it's the same size the country, like 706 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,970 with Florida. But you, you get to see that. 707 00:28:23,970 --> 00:28:25,950 And that also brought me so much 708 00:28:25,980 --> 00:28:28,140 inspiration. So but when I made the decision 709 00:28:28,170 --> 00:28:30,690 of staying in Orlando, it's like, okay, this 710 00:28:30,690 --> 00:28:32,040 this is also I can see it. 711 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:35,400 I can see that this is a city, that it's 712 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,940 evolving. It's growing towards the right 713 00:28:38,940 --> 00:28:41,640 side. It's and it's not going to stop. 714 00:28:41,670 --> 00:28:44,130 I mean, the growth that our city has had in 715 00:28:44,130 --> 00:28:46,560 the last years has been exponential, and 716 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:48,150 it's because of its people. 717 00:28:49,110 --> 00:28:50,790 Carol Cox: Oh, I love that. Thank you for sharing that, 718 00:28:50,790 --> 00:28:52,890 Jo. And tell us about your company. 719 00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:55,740 Wow Brand Studios, who are your typical 720 00:28:55,740 --> 00:28:59,040 clients and what do you do with them? 721 00:28:59,070 --> 00:29:00,300 Jo Johanna Murillo: Well, Wow Brand Studios, like I was 722 00:29:00,300 --> 00:29:02,910 mentioning earlier, is a full on production 723 00:29:02,940 --> 00:29:06,060 agency that we help entrepreneurs and 724 00:29:06,060 --> 00:29:08,220 business owners become the rock stars that 725 00:29:08,220 --> 00:29:10,800 they already are, with a beautiful visuals 726 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:13,830 and brands. I learned the tagline finally. 727 00:29:14,340 --> 00:29:18,660 So what? We help them by offering them the 728 00:29:18,660 --> 00:29:21,900 possibility of showing themselves as they 729 00:29:21,900 --> 00:29:23,700 are. Because when you start a business, of 730 00:29:23,700 --> 00:29:25,980 course, sometimes the budget can be a 731 00:29:25,980 --> 00:29:28,170 limitation, but not with us because we have 732 00:29:28,170 --> 00:29:31,170 different standards or packages that can go 733 00:29:31,170 --> 00:29:33,030 along with whatever you are in your road. 734 00:29:33,030 --> 00:29:34,830 We have the smaller package when you're 735 00:29:34,830 --> 00:29:36,480 starting, and the whole idea is to take you 736 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,120 to the bigger one once you are successful, 737 00:29:39,150 --> 00:29:41,910 because success is just what you define from 738 00:29:41,910 --> 00:29:45,450 it. So we are a full on team of marketers, 739 00:29:45,450 --> 00:29:48,090 designers, photographers, videographers, 740 00:29:48,090 --> 00:29:49,260 even stylists. 741 00:29:49,260 --> 00:29:50,640 Because why not? 742 00:29:50,670 --> 00:29:54,660 You can get styled and and help you present 743 00:29:54,660 --> 00:29:57,030 yourself in the best way possible. 744 00:29:57,030 --> 00:29:58,560 Not because you don't have a budget. 745 00:29:58,560 --> 00:30:00,120 It doesn't mean that you cannot present 746 00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:02,340 yourself as the rock star as you are. 747 00:30:02,340 --> 00:30:03,720 So that's what we do. 748 00:30:03,750 --> 00:30:05,370 Of course, now we are here. 749 00:30:05,370 --> 00:30:07,710 But when we started, we just hit a lot of 750 00:30:07,710 --> 00:30:10,140 roadblocks because of course, coming from 751 00:30:10,140 --> 00:30:12,480 another country, you think that you know 752 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:15,300 what you know and when you come here okay, 753 00:30:15,330 --> 00:30:17,340 games and the rules are different. 754 00:30:17,340 --> 00:30:20,730 So instead of getting better, uh, in my 755 00:30:20,730 --> 00:30:23,010 case, I decided to learn how to play. 756 00:30:23,010 --> 00:30:25,800 And that was what we've been doing ever 757 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:27,540 since. You know, try to help as much as we 758 00:30:27,540 --> 00:30:28,890 can be of service. 759 00:30:28,890 --> 00:30:30,000 Sometimes it's been good. 760 00:30:30,030 --> 00:30:32,700 Sometimes it's just a lesson to be learned. 761 00:30:32,700 --> 00:30:36,690 But like I said, it's a matter of how open 762 00:30:36,720 --> 00:30:40,560 you are to learn, to grow, to learn from 763 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:43,230 your mistakes and take them as lessons and 764 00:30:43,230 --> 00:30:45,210 put yourself out there as an agent of 765 00:30:45,210 --> 00:30:47,610 service. Because once you put yourself out 766 00:30:47,610 --> 00:30:49,530 there as an agent of service, only good 767 00:30:49,530 --> 00:30:50,460 things will come. 768 00:30:50,490 --> 00:30:52,920 Carol Cox: Well, absolutely. And I business is 769 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:55,110 definitely a roller coaster for sure. 770 00:30:55,140 --> 00:30:57,390 Anyone who's been an entrepreneur knows that 771 00:30:57,390 --> 00:30:59,790 there is the high highs where like if things 772 00:30:59,790 --> 00:31:01,950 are amazing, you get to do this amazing work 773 00:31:01,980 --> 00:31:03,660 that you choose to do with the clients that 774 00:31:03,660 --> 00:31:05,580 you choose to. And then there's definitely 775 00:31:05,580 --> 00:31:07,140 the down parts of the roller coaster where 776 00:31:07,140 --> 00:31:09,000 you're like, okay, I tried that, that did 777 00:31:09,030 --> 00:31:10,950 that totally failed, or I really wanted to 778 00:31:10,950 --> 00:31:12,120 do this and that didn't work out. 779 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:14,340 But I just feel like so much of it is just a 780 00:31:14,340 --> 00:31:16,230 learning lesson. And when you get to meet 781 00:31:16,230 --> 00:31:18,210 amazing people along the way. 782 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:21,420 Jo, let me, uh, as we wrap up here. 783 00:31:21,420 --> 00:31:23,760 So for everyone listening, check out Jo's 784 00:31:23,790 --> 00:31:26,850 website. It's at Wow Brands Studios.com. 785 00:31:26,850 --> 00:31:28,470 The link is also in the show notes for this 786 00:31:28,470 --> 00:31:29,700 podcast episode. 787 00:31:29,730 --> 00:31:31,350 Also, make sure to connect with her on 788 00:31:31,350 --> 00:31:32,700 LinkedIn her. 789 00:31:32,730 --> 00:31:35,310 The link to her profile is also in the show. 790 00:31:35,340 --> 00:31:36,570 Notes, so make sure to connect with her 791 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:38,130 there and say hi. Let her know that you 792 00:31:38,130 --> 00:31:40,110 heard her here on the Speaking Your Brand 793 00:31:40,110 --> 00:31:42,390 podcast. Jo, thank you so much for coming on 794 00:31:42,390 --> 00:31:44,010 and sharing your insights and your 795 00:31:44,010 --> 00:31:47,040 experiences to help our listeners land more 796 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:49,440 speaking opportunities and more panels for 797 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:51,540 them. I really appreciate your time. 798 00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:53,790 Jo Johanna Murillo: No, thank you so much for having me. 799 00:31:53,790 --> 00:31:56,670 This has been in the works for a long time, 800 00:31:56,670 --> 00:31:58,800 and I'm so happy that we're finally able to 801 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:00,390 make it. Thank you so much, Carol, and for 802 00:32:00,390 --> 00:32:02,850 all that you do, it doesn't go unnoticed. 803 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:04,110 Carol Cox: And for everyone listening. 804 00:32:04,110 --> 00:32:06,270 If you would like to develop your signature 805 00:32:06,300 --> 00:32:08,520 talk so that you are ready in a moment's 806 00:32:08,550 --> 00:32:10,530 notice, if someone calls you and they need a 807 00:32:10,530 --> 00:32:12,930 speaker, whether it's in a week, a day, or 808 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:15,450 even an hour, you can work with us on your 809 00:32:15,480 --> 00:32:17,550 thought leadership, your signature talk, and 810 00:32:17,550 --> 00:32:19,050 learn the business of speaking in our 811 00:32:19,050 --> 00:32:20,100 Thought Leader Academy. 812 00:32:20,130 --> 00:32:22,380 You can get all the details and join us at 813 00:32:22,380 --> 00:32:25,530 speaking your brand.com/academy. 814 00:32:25,530 --> 00:32:27,990 Until next time, thanks for listening.