Tickle your funny bone … visit the C.B.L. Presentations website to learn more about the work/pleasure I have been doing since 1986 as a motivational … ooops I mean moodivational speaker.

How C.B.L. Presentations began …

I've never won a speech contest. Truthfully as a child I hated the annual speech competition, although I do still remember my years of topics including John Quincy Adams (can it get more
boring?), Babe Diderikson (I was inspired) to Fads (now, that was fun.)

In high school I had numerous opportunities to speak at assemblies, elections and pep rallies but was never comfortable and basically felt I'd lost consciousness doing it. When I would later hear how great it was, I was baffled because I had no clue what I had even said. Truly, they were out of (my) mind experiences.

In university, I often did oral presentations in rhyme knowing I could cover the content, get their attention and express myself in a fun and creative way. It worked. It was there I also honed my skills as a 'people watcher' and paired it with a newfound interest in Body language. That first presentation earned me an A. I was getting better and enjoying it more.

I then went on to speak free of charge to anyone interested in hearing me. At the end of each presentation, they felt good and so did I. This mutual satisfaction arrangement with over 200
groups lasted 12 years. I really had no clue that people earned money doing what I was doing.

Someone urged me to attend a Humour seminar, but I was left so disappointed. The leader wasn't even funny. This then motivated me to pursue this new topic, one that was natural for me. I was onto something.

One evening, spring 1985, I spoke to a sales group from Mary Kay Cosmetics. It went well and they responded with both boisterous applause and appreciation. I was thanked and handed a book and then tossed an empty cosmetic case.

Really? (If she had filled it with product, she may have earned a new customer.) As I packed up and prepared to leave there was a line of people waiting to speak to me. The last person
extended her hand and said: "Wow, I hear a lot of speakers and you're one of the best I've heard. Is that all they gave you?" "Yes. Sometimes it's the half empty bottle of wine; sometimes the plant off the table; or a copy of their latest annual report." She was not amused and stated "well, I think you're being taken advantage of. You should be charging."

She got me thinking. Although I was doing what I enjoyed. as did my audiences, I did sometimes wonder about the whole 'getting paid thing' (even though I knew I'd feel fraudulent). Nevertheless I decided by that September I would charge a fee.

The first call came from The Salvation Army, a group I had spoken to for the previous 3 years. The caller assured me of how much I was enjoyed and how the girls looked forward to
hearing me again. As I listened, my little voice whispered "Honey. You promised. Be true to yourself and remember your word. Here's your chance to charge."

I took a deep breath and nervously responded: "I'm so sorry, but I charge now." She quickly replied: "That's fine Carole. We can certainly give you an honorarium of $15."

Overjoyed, I blurted "I'll take it." ... and that was the humble beginning of C.B.L. Presentations (1986). However, my rates have increased slightly since then ~!!~