Build what Kevin built — without the 25-year detour.
The PAID to $PEAK program and 1-on-1 coaching for emerging speakers, leaders, and authors who want a real, sustainable career on stage.
Why I coach speakers.
I'm not a natural speaker.
I feared and avoided public speaking like most people do.
But after years of hiring speakers for my own campus events and hearing their powerful stories, I felt a desire to share my own — my struggles with depression, an eating disorder, being arrested, to name a few … but also my accomplishment of winning BIG on The Price Is Right!
A speaking mentor entered my life when I finally felt ready and helped me shape my experiences into a real message designed to empower and motivate others.
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
At the time, I had no plans to speak full-time. I already had a career in Student Affairs and delivered that single first talk only as a workshop for my own students, staff, and faculty — and occasionally at conferences tied to my job.
Then something unexpected happened. After hearing me speak at a conference, someone asked if I would present for their campus and what my fee was. I panicked and said $250 … including airfare! I lost money and had no idea what I was doing — but my heart was full, and I knew I wanted to reach more audiences.
For the next few years, I struggled trying to figure speaking out on my own. I had no process or systems to help me. I wasted so much time and money, got frustrated, and nearly quit more than once.
Everything changed when a student told me my speech saved her life. That single moment made it clear: speaking was no longer a hobby — it was a calling.
And the first thing I acknowledged was that I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. So I hired a speaker coach.
With guidance, structure, and accountability, I received PAID keynote speaking opportunities consistently. Eventually, I gained the confidence and momentum to resign from my "day job" as a Dean of Students and pursue professional speaking full-time — burning the boat, with no retreat.
Let me be clear: my speaking journey hasn't been easy. Most speakers don't make it when they try to do it alone. I wish I had hired a coach much sooner. I've doubted myself, chased shiny objects, and questioned whether I was good enough — but with passion, persistence, and continued coaching, I stayed the course.
"Most speakers don't make it when they try to do it alone. I wish I had hired a coach much sooner."
Today, I'm humbled to have spoken to over one million people through more than 1,500 audiences across all 50 states — and on multiple TEDx stages.
I'm honored to be one of only nine speakers worldwide to earn both the Accredited Speaker (AS) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designations. Now, I help my coaching clients pursue that same level of professionalism, credibility, and impact.
Keynote speaking is what I do. Speaker coaching is how I help others do it as well.
If you desire to share your story and message …
If your heart envisions inspiring audiences …
If you visualize speaking on the TEDx stage …
You don't have to figure it out alone and waste precious time and money. I've created clear pathways through my book, coaching programs, and resources to help speakers shorten the learning curve, avoid costly mistakes, and build credibility the right way.
Speaking is one of the only professions where speakers are not required to be certified. Speakers assume they don't need training. And that's the problem.
PAID to $PEAK®
This book chronicles how Kevin launched his speaking career — and more importantly, it outlines the exact system he used to:
- Landed 11 keynotes in 6 months
- Secured multiple state conferences
- Built a six-figure speaking business in less than one year
Which is why coaching guidance is essential to manifest your speaking vision and accelerate your success.
This is what coaching builds toward.
Different rooms. Different audiences. Same craft — taught, repped, and earned.
If any of these are you, we should talk.
- You've spoken a few times and people have started asking what you charge.
- You have a story, a framework, or a body of work — but no business behind it yet.
- You're tired of hearing 'figure it out' and want a real, sequenced playbook.
- You're an author, executive, or expert pivoting into paid speaking on purpose.
Honest is faster. Save us both the email.
- You want overnight viral fame more than craft.
- You're not willing to do the unglamorous reps — pre-event calls, follow-ups, post-mortems.
- You're looking for a guru. Kevin's a coach. Different job.
- You're not ready to invest time, energy, or resources into building a real speaking business.
Pick the level of fire you're ready for.
Two focused tracks — PAID to $PEAK™ and TEDx coaching — delivered three ways.
Serious speakers committed to paid stages and/or TEDx.
- Private sessions tailored to your voice
- PAID to $PEAK™ + TEDx framework, customized
- Very small client roster at any one time
Speakers seeking clarity through guided group coaching.
- Live cohort calls facilitated by Kevin
- Structured curriculum + templates
- Peer accountability and shared learning
Speakers exploring the path before committing to 1:1.
- Self-paced courses and templates
- Studio + stagecraft training
- Flexible — start anytime
"I had a story and zero business. Twelve weeks with Kevin and I'd booked three paid keynotes. The playbook is real."
Video testimonials from the planners who keep calling back.
Unedited reactions from conference chairs, deans, principals, and L&D leaders who hired Kevin — and what happened in the room.
What planners say when they pick up the phone to recommend Kevin.
Kevin didn't just speak — he changed the temperature in the room. We've already booked him for next year.
Easily the highest-rated keynote in our event's 22-year history. Three of our attendees emailed me about it the next morning.
I've hired hundreds of speakers. Kevin is in the top three. Period. The prep work alone tells you everything.
Our high schoolers gave him a standing ovation. Our high schoolers. That doesn't happen.
He delivered exactly what he promised — and then some. The follow-up resources made the impact last well past the event.
Kevin didn't just speak — he changed the temperature in the room. We've already booked him for next year.
Easily the highest-rated keynote in our event's 22-year history. Three of our attendees emailed me about it the next morning.
I've hired hundreds of speakers. Kevin is in the top three. Period. The prep work alone tells you everything.
Our high schoolers gave him a standing ovation. Our high schoolers. That doesn't happen.
He delivered exactly what he promised — and then some. The follow-up resources made the impact last well past the event.
Get speaker tips that actually move the needle — straight to your inbox.
Monthly insights on booking, stagecraft, and building a speaking business. No fluff, no spam.
Ready to apply?
The application is short. The follow-up call is the real conversation. Tell us about your work and we'll set it up.