Member of the Week for January 16, 2023 Kelli Vrla, CSP

About Kelli Vrla, CSP NSA-North Texas Member of the Week for January 16, 2023

Kelli Vrla (Ver-lah), C S P, Engagement Specialist, has enlightened and "entertrained" thousands in the U.S., Europe, and Central America, Asia and beyond with one of her dynamic programs. Kelli shares over 30 years of lessons and experience as Founder of ENGAGE YOUniversity, which features on-site, virtual and on-demand skill building.

Her in-the-trenches scope of learning comes from first-hand experiences in handling change, effective marketing, creative promotions, bottom-line communications, dealing with difficult and demanding people—including the “Debbie Downers” lurking among us. All of this prepared her for the full throttle ways she now helps organizations Have More FUN & Get MORE DONE!

As the kick-off morning show host, Kelli energized listeners on the nation's first all-women talk radio show. Since her radio days with ABC & other broadcast entities, Kelli has successfully helped organizations and associations boost sales, morale and team cultural excellence.

She can usually be found giving festive seminars to unsuspecting passengers on one of her many delayed flights to a Leadership / Engagement Keynote or Workshop. [email protected]

What audiences you speak for?

I work with organizations to tap in, tune in and turn on their talent to create an amazing and engaging work culture to have more fun and get more done!   Healthcare, Pharma, Sales and Marketing, Associations.

What led you to this career?

As a child, my older sister and I would give variety shows in our garage and charge our relatives a cover charge to see us. Not sure if they got their money’s worth, but  what a captive audience. I was mesmerized by funny people: Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, etc.

Seriously, I began my career in radio on-air and advertising/promotion sales. I loved creating powerful and fun events and seeing my clients get results. Every day held a variety of challenges, which suited my Shiny Red Ball condition in a big way.

I was also hooked on motivational speakers. Every day I listened to cassettes (yes-Gen X-ers, there was no (Gasp!) digital music…not even an  iPod!) My heros: Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins, Stephen Covey, et al.

Using my chutzpah, I told my sales manager I wanted to attend a Brian Tracy retreat and I wanted him to pay for it.   He agreed if I would bring a synopsis back to train our sales team.  It worked,  and I caught the bug to instruct in a fun and festive way.   I skipped Toastmasters and went straight to NSA (Post-Toasties). When I arrived at my first NSA chapter meeting 22 years ago, I saw noisy chaos and a roomful of energetic people who wouldn’t stop talking.  I said “These people are crazy! Home @ Last: Sign. Me. Up!”

Sidebar: Some friends volunteered me to enter a Joke Contest early in my career and I  won drinks for my table. People laughed and we saved a ton of moolah—so I did a lot of open mics at comedy clubs—took a hiatus from radio and went on the comedy road for 3.5 years, which helped me learn to handle rejection early in my career. I know 101 heckler comebacks—and 100 of those heckles are from my own family!

What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?

Focus Pocus and Fantastic Continuous Connection: a monthly touch-base with my current all-star and prospective clients.

What’s your go-to productivity trick? 

Time Blocking: Like using a Pomodoro timer.  With A.D.D. I have to block tasks on my calendar on certain days, certain hour blocks. After my timer goes off, I reward myself with “fabulous prizes.”

(Chocolate, a walk around the block, doing a Wordle, etc.)

Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?

So many different people really. I have learned many things and have many role models to be thankful for: Karen Cortell Reisman (consistency and authenticity), Brian Walter (off-the-charts creative exciting presentations), Ruby Newell-Legner (encouragement and energy), Jack Canfield (Success and perseverance), Tony Robbins (Never say never), the list goes on and on!  I am still a self-improvement junkie.  I love my digital library card, Blinkist, MasterClass, and Audacity. I am in the middle of 5-7 books every month.

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it? 

Early in my stand-up touring, one night I cleared a room—seriously everyone but the 4 people I rode with just got up and left.  I was explaining the jokes—not pretty. So here’s some advice you can take to the bank: if you go up to perform and you come with friends---always keep the car keys on you!  😊

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of? 

My first year in comedy, I got to open for Phyllis Diller on her SW comedy tour. She saw my video and said I matched her criteria. She wanted an opener who was 1) female  2) had clean material and 3) not as funny as she!  Other cool accomplishment: I got to speak at Miami Heat Stadium—several thousand people, lots of echo-ing and feedback, but a real adrenalin rush in front of a huge crowd. (Note to self—always plan to videotape EVERYTHING, especially when you know it’ll be a big crowd)

Also- I hosted a comedy troupe at a sold-out  Majestic Theater here in Dallas. It’s a beautiful venue and it was such a blast!

What being a member of NSA-NT means to you (testimonial):

I attribute much of my success to being a member of NSA. When I walked in the door, 22 years ago, I knew zero about running a business in the speaking industry. I am thankful for Marcia Zeidel, who was incoming President of our chapter that saw me as a ball of crazy creative energy with very little structure. She targeted Gary Rifkin and I to be on the board in our first year.  We were scared but optimistic.   It was a blissful adventure.  I have learned so much from my networks and am still a work in progress. I do know I’ve had the most fun and enjoyment when I’ve plugged in.  It’s a challenge with all of us traveling and handling our respective family lives, yet I always feel more centered if I can plug in somehow.  The extensive programming and the virtual zooms help to catch me up on cool tools.

I am forever thankful for the amazing people who are supportive and are go-givers in every sense of the word. I feel like I have a real mastermind panel of experts who are generous with their wisdom. It’s a great environment to keep learning and growing. I shudder to think what weird job I’d have if I hadn’t found the N TX chapter many years ago. I imagine I might’ve been a tour guide on of those Hop On/Hop Off double-decker buses that make corny jokes as they badger you around the city sites. Perhaps I would’ve been that crazy announcer on the PA system at your local grocer, making bad jokes about the clean-up on aisle 9.

I’m lucky I found NSA when I did! When you need to plug in, volunteer for something!

Something personal you want us to know- can be about family, a vacation, favorite food- anything you care to share.

Some people have dysfunctional families, and I have a dis-funny family. I am lucky to come from a loving, supportive family. Many of my relatives would always have a humorous take on the most challenging situations. My parents and sister have always been performers in some way or another. My folks used to sing in the choir and my older sis is a voice coach and performed as a lead vocalist for her band, Shazam.  They have always asked me NOT to sing, so I ended up speaking.

In closing, I’d like to share some reflections I have about our role as speakers:

Be mindful that we, as speakers, carry a significant responsibility, as our words and actions have the potential to influence many people. It is also a privilege, as having a platform provides an opportunity to share our ideas and potentially make a positive impact on others. However, with this privilege comes the responsibility to use the platform ethically and thoughtfully.

We have the power of the platform to encourage people to expand their perspectives,  challenge their assumptions , and to build empathy and understanding.

Remember we can help individuals reach their full potential by encouraging them to learn and grow in every way and foster a culture of personal and professional development within a community or organization.

As my distant cousin, Aristotle, would say, “Does this toga make my calves look fat?” and more importantly, “Don’t just know more, do more!”

Let your light shine and we can all change the world for the better!

Contact info and Social Media info:

[email protected]

EngageYOUniversity.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellivrla

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu0Qv20ukuBICNMFETsooPA

https://www.facebook.com/TheOpaFactor/

To sign up for The KelliGram, text OPA to 66866.