🌟 My Speaking Journey

              In my late 20s, I was afraid to speak during job interviews. I remember searching online: 

“How do I become more self-confident?” and that’s how I discovered Toastmasters.           

               I joined Toastmasters with one simple goal which is to become more confident when speaking to 

interviewers.  At the first club I visited, I was nervous and unsure. When I visited a second club, I immediately

felt welcomed. The members were kind, supportive, and made me feel like I belonged. I joined that club and

officially became a Toastmasters member.   

               At my very first meeting as a Toastmasters member, I was a nervous wreck. But by the time I delivered

my fifth speech, I felt different,  I had started to find my voice.

               Toastmasters helped me become more comfortable speaking to people. The encouraging environment

and positive feedback from members made a huge difference. One member even became my mentor, guiding

me as I improved. Over time, my communication and public speaking skills began to grow  and thankfully my

confidence grew a lot.

                 A few years later, I began developing my leadership skills by serving as Vice President of Education.

Then, as President, I learned how to lead a team effectively and help others grow through roles like General

Evaluator and Speaker.  It was incredibly rewarding to see others build their confidence just like I did.

                 In my speeches, I often talk about my journey with self-confidence and self-esteem, and how

Toastmasters made a lasting impact on my life.  I especially enjoy delivering humorous speeches.  In one of my

favorites speeches I did some humor titled “Build Self-Esteem, Lead with Strength.”

                   I participated in two Toastmasters International Speech Contests, competing at the club, area, and

division levels. I’ll be honest: in my first contest, I was so nervous I had long pauses during my speech. But by

the second contest, I was still nervous, fortunately I was calm, composed, and proud of my progress.

               Toastmasters has given me new friends, a mentor, and a community that has supported my growth

every step of the way. I’m deeply grateful for everything my club has helped me become.

After this speech, I received detailed feedback highlighting both my strengths and areas to improve.

 💼 Public Speaking Benefits for Women Entrepreneurs

            As I reflect on my speaking journey, I’ve come to realize how

valuable public speaking  is especially for women entrepreneurs.

Whether you're pitching your business, sharing your story, or

leading a team, the ability to speak clearly and confidently can

open doors for you. 

             For many women, stepping into the spotlight doesn’t always

come naturally. We often second-guess ourselves, downplay our

expertise, or struggle to be heard. Public speaking helps break through that.

It teaches us how to own our voice, command attention, and communicate our value with clarity and

conviction.

            When a woman speaks confidently about her business in a meeting, a networking event, or

on stage, she is representing her brand and  showing others what leadership looks like.  She becomes a role

model for others who are still finding their voice.    Toastmasters gave me a safe space to practice this. It

allowed me to be comfortable when making  mistakes, learn, and grow in front of a supportive audience.

             Throughout the past 8 years, I learned how to speak with confidence,  with purpose and impact.

For women entrepreneurs, public speaking is more than a skill,  it’s a business asset.  It helps you build

credibility, attract clients, connect with business partners, and inspire your audience.  Every time you

speak,  you’re sharing information and  building trust.

           My hope is that more women embrace the power of their voice. The world needs to hear from you.

Public speaking is a powerful way for you to be heard.

👉 Ready for Your Next Step?

 If my story resonated with you, then I invite you to take the next step.  

Visit the Confidence Corner to explore more tools, stories, and encouragement to help you build your own self-esteem.

 Start your journey today at Confidence Corner with the page: 

➡️ Your Confidence Journey: Follow my Confidence Corner Series.