As the hands of the clock pull their way toward the opening, my steady heart begins to race. Perspiration slightly forms on my forehead at the edge of my hairline. This liquid anxiety seems to be pulling the moisture away from my throat which is drying like the dessert. Equipment tested, microphone on, notes in order, projector lit, my mind quickly walks the steps of preparation as if they were the stairs at my house.

A gumbo of conversations blends as I peer over the restless crowd. A full house sits, waiting in anticipation for the unknown nuggets of gold that will inspire them to do more, be more, with a chance to achieve the goals that were once thought impossible. The boiling conversations simmer as the host makes their way to the microphone.

Rubbing my clammy hands together creates the proper friction needed to start my internal engine, it’s go-time! The mic is mine, hundreds of eyes glued to my every move, following me like a cat to a red laser pointer, awaiting the pounce. Quickly faces relax as the dance begins, as the speaker I lead, but a lead is only as good as their partners. Engaging open-ended questions penetrate the room, a sea of hands raised in hopeful anticipation, the spark of knowledge is spreading. Figurative light bulbs begin to shine above the heads of those who understand. The sudden shift in facial expressions from confusion to clarity is my sign that everyone is on board and we can keep moving forward.

Adrenaline courses through my body, excitement builds, and eyes sparkle as each member of the audience affirms that they’ve gotten what they came for today. The roar of applause rings in my ears, hope renews once weary minds, weeks of preparation asserted, what a rush! 

 Changing the look, taste, sound, and texture of breakfast forever!

In the wee hours of the morning, when the dew is fresh and the air crisp, lonely slices hug one another closely, wondering silently, is today the day? A door creaks open slowly, breaking the silence of a once still kitchen. Nimbly the small tie is twisted and turned, a breath of fresh bread fills the air as the bag quickly spins open. Two magnificent slices are chosen, glistening in the morning sunlight that peeks through the bay windows. The spongy delicate texture of each slice caresses the steel grid as it slides gently into a standing position, half exposed.

The mirrored exterior fogs at the softest touch of warm fingertips. As the plastic black lever is pushed forcefully to the bottom, the slices descend into their individual metamorphosis chambers. The once shiny coils click softly as the electricity bursts from one end to the other, transforming them into bright red and equally hot ministers of instant mutation.     

The heat from the coils reacts with the spongy exterior quickly changing the once delicate exterior into a brown brittle texture. As the seconds pass, an all-encompassing change sweeps across the entire exterior surface of both slices. Remnants of the fresh bread scent are overtaken by the sweet smell of baking. Soft edges crisp and brown once the heat expands its final touch.

As the metamorphosis completes, the slices are sprung from their isolation chambers still hot to the touch, which is the best time to lather them with fresh salted butter. The cool butter spreads across the now coarse surface of each slice, slightly melting as the heat from the toast dissipates. Crumb fragments fall to the plate-like golden brown dust as the first bite culminates in a delicate crunchy tone.

Toast, it’s the metamorphosis that’s changing breakfast tables all across Covington.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved leading others. Never for glory or power, rather I’ve always enjoyed seeing people reach their full potential, or at least help them see the potential that I saw in them.

Being a spiritual man, I believe that every person was given talents, some that are realized early in life, and others that have to be found and developed. We each develop our skills differently and the influences in our lives from birth help shape the discovery, development, and usage of those talents. Some of my talents are seeing the potential in others, helping them to see it in themselves, and motivating them to take action on developing their talents.  

One of the duties that Enterprise Corporate Sales Managers had each month was providing a presentation at the monthly manager’s meetings. Having recently been promoted to this position over Southwest Louisiana, my two counterparts in the East and Central parts of the state were eager to usher me into the way that presentations had always been done. After listening carefully to their long dialogues and spreadsheet-filled PowerPoint slides, my mind wandered back to my school-age years, which for me was filled with boring presentations, disinterested facilitators, and disengaged students. I remember thinking to myself, if I’m ever teaching others, I will never be boring. Little did I know that those were the seeds of my training and professional speaking style. When they had finished, I asked a simple question, can I do my presentation my way? They reluctantly agreed, but with the warning that I was on my own.

This first professional speaking experience was exhilarating. I used a balanced mix of humor, high-energy, storytelling, audience interaction, colorful clipart, pictures over words, and FUN! The room erupted, everyone was highly engaged, motivated, and ready to sell. As a result of my calculated gamble, corporate sales increased across the state, and everyone knew my name, including the Vice President.

Since that day in December 2000, I’ve seized every opportunity available to speak, train, motivate and develop others. My talents had aligned; I was able to lead others from the front of the room regardless of whether their title was below or above my own.

Making complex topics simple to understand and easy to take action on has been my standard for many years. Providing each audience with humor, fast-paced interactions, gently-forced engagement, positive intensity, and inspirational empowerment have become the ingredients that my brand of professional speaking and training is known for.

Over the last 22 years, I’ve added many more ingredients and methods of delivery to my style and brand of speaking. I work diligently to stay on top of the latest changes in technology, strategy, employee learning and talent development, emerging styles and principles, cultural advancements, and generational uniqueness. I believe in meeting people where they are regardless of their age, gender, socio-economic status, intelligence, specialties, cultural or political differences, and speaking directly to them in a way that they can understand, remember and take action on immediately.

I’ve provided unique learning experiences for non-profits, industry associations, company meetings, conventions, entrepreneur groups, faith-based institutions, youth groups, high schools, colleges, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and the red-hat club. Each experience is customized for the entity that hires me and its target audience. 

My standard for every event that I facilitate is that every person in the room gets at least one nugget of information that they can take back and use that day, and if they don’t I work with them for free until they do!