2026 is the year I become a professional speaker. In a flurry of self reflection and ‘what do I want to be when I grow up’ conversations, I’ve decided to give professional speaking a red hot go and dedicate the next 12 months to pursuing, exploring and upskilling in this area. This certainly doesn’t mean I’m winding back The Design Dept or the Ballarat Tech School - in fact both of these careers will benefit greatly from this additional input.
The first thing I’ve done is get tickets to the Globe Speakers Summit (GSS) which is held every second year and happens to land in tropical Cairns this year. I’ve never been to Cairns before so I’m particularly excited about the trip which I booked flights for this week. It also fits snuggly between Tech School work (just) which is handy.
GSS is a four day event that features a series of workshops run by professional speakers on how to be an excellent professional speaker. Everyone is at the top of their game and wants to share their experience and wisdom to help others improve theirs. It’s perfect for an enthusiastic amateur like myself - especially someone who has the super power of making mentors out of everyone I meet.
After going to a few PSA events last year, I felt really encouraged to give this spark some fuel. Professional speaking is something that I didn’t even really know was a job until I went to my first event in October and the PSA community has been super welcoming and supportive every time I rock up. I’m the kiwi who comes in all the way from Ballarat which always impresses everybody.
I noticed after my first event that the GSS was spoken about as a highlight for all the PSA members. A lot of fun and interesting looking friendships were forged there and it feels like the right thing to do if I want to level up my game. What I’m most excited about is watching awesome speakers talk. These guys are professionals for a reason and every time I watch them hone their craft on stage it becomes a learning opportunity for me.
All the speakers I’ve met welcome my hundred questions about what they do and why they do it. Everyone has a different back story how they came to be in this particular room and why they chose to share their story with others. Most of them are based in service - sharing their expertise to help educate or inspire. Whatever their topic of choice may be, I can guarantee that they’re passionate about it. Getting up in front of an audience takes a level of conviction and belief in yourself which I really resonate with. Speakers are always interesting people.
I'm an interesting person or at least I try to live an interesting life. Being a professional speaker will give me the opportunity to make some money from this interesting life I’ve invested so greatly in. I know there are a few of you thinking doh, of course Jess - this path makes total sense for you and I agree but my realisation this year is that I have to go get it myself. I can’t wait for anyone to think this is a great idea and hand me a fully formed, lucrative career on a silver plate (not that I’ve been handed anything on a silver plate before). I have to go get this myself. I’ve got to work hard and fight for it like I want it.
I really want it.
I want it so much that I said yes to MC’ing the Ballarat Begonia Festival in March this year. A week before the GSS I’ll be on stage introducing bands and making sure the 45,000 odd people who attend the festival are having a good time. My beautiful friend who is organising the festival asked if I wanted the gig and at first I said no. I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m not sure if I’d be any good. Luckily another friend looked at me and said, Jess isn’t this exactly what you want to be doing?
Oh, yeah.
I had to quickly retract my ‘no’ and say ‘yes please’ because this is what I want to be doing, or at least it comes under the criteria of becoming a professional speaker. I have no idea what it's going to be like or if I’ll be any good but I’m lucky enough to have a whole bunch of people around me who are drowning out any self doubt with their encouragement. Whatever the outcome it’s going to be either good news or a good story so it’s a win either way!
