Full Transcript for Betting on Yourself After Layoffs | Dana Duckworth on Reinvention & Career Growth

and having your own business. 00:03:09.991 --> 00:03:24.692 Not having that job right at the same time, and I know there's always that balance between, well, do I go back and try to do this part-time or do I just fully focus on what your passion is, or you know, the thing that's keeping you up at night 00:03:25.146 --> 00:03:25.437 Yeah. 00:03:25.951 --> 00:03:26.401 of the time. 00:03:26.401 --> 00:03:28.711 It sounds amazing, but everybody can't do that. 00:03:29.757 --> 00:03:30.606 It is scary. 00:03:30.616 --> 00:03:31.366 It's scary. 00:03:31.967 --> 00:03:33.822 for me, I'm a single woman. 00:03:33.901 --> 00:03:34.562 I'm a mother. 00:03:34.581 --> 00:03:36.102 I have, twin boys. 00:03:36.102 --> 00:03:36.852 They're 17. 00:03:36.852 --> 00:03:38.262 One is going to college. 00:03:38.562 --> 00:03:41.222 So for me, it is like, girl, what you gonna do? 00:03:41.681 --> 00:03:51.961 and granted, like their father takes care of them as well, but still as a parent, you just wanna be able to contribute in a way and make sure that your children have not just what they need, but access. 00:03:52.701 --> 00:03:55.372 and then also me, I, I like a lifestyle luxury. 00:03:55.461 --> 00:03:56.727 I'm a big. 00:03:57.537 --> 00:03:59.247 I'm a very soft life type girl. 00:03:59.247 --> 00:04:02.576 I like, I like my spa days, I like my nails, my lashes, my hair. 00:04:02.847 --> 00:04:04.206 I love things. 00:04:04.287 --> 00:04:11.507 So having to, work hard to make sure that I'm able to sustain my lifestyle for them, of course, and also me. 00:04:12.736 --> 00:04:13.667 Yeah, that's honest. 00:04:14.026 --> 00:04:14.866 That's real talk. 00:04:14.866 --> 00:04:19.096 So talk, you talked, you touched on three years ago. 00:04:19.937 --> 00:04:22.776 you made the decision to start, speak up 00:04:23.987 --> 00:04:24.547 Mm-hmm. 00:04:25.151 --> 00:04:29.221 were you, what were you doing before taking that gamble? 00:04:29.252 --> 00:04:30.422 Give us, set the stage for us. 00:04:31.096 --> 00:04:31.447 Yeah. 00:04:31.507 --> 00:04:34.872 So, this is kind of the, the reason my podcast started. 00:04:35.172 --> 00:04:37.791 So I was working inside of a startup. 00:04:38.672 --> 00:04:42.771 they do digital advertising for multi-family apartment communities. 00:04:43.711 --> 00:04:46.122 and I was laid off from them. 00:04:46.122 --> 00:04:53.336 So I was doing their culture engagement strategy and diversity, equity and inclusion work, and I was laid off. 00:04:54.521 --> 00:05:04.992 So from there, like I had already been speaking inside of the organization into some of our partners different events and they, they were very supportive of that. 00:05:05.411 --> 00:05:13.002 And my friends were literally like, everything you do for them you could do on your own for yourself, for not just their business but for anybody's business. 00:05:13.002 --> 00:05:15.732 And of course, you know, your friends have that belief in you. 00:05:17.141 --> 00:05:23.021 At

the time I was like, nah, but the transition from there, so I was told I was being laid off. 00:05:23.711 --> 00:05:36.862 March 31st, 2023 and then I was actually laid off'cause they asked me to stay on to help with the culture and morale, the organization, which is wild. 00:05:37.232 --> 00:05:39.416 But I stayed on until the end of June. 00:05:40.781 --> 00:05:42.701 And that was just a very weird space for me. 00:05:43.062 --> 00:05:48.052 I was like, every day I'm like, I don't feel like I need to wake up and go to this meeting or send this or send that. 00:05:48.942 --> 00:05:50.021 what do y'all want me to do? 00:05:50.021 --> 00:05:52.512 You wanted me to come back to work the next day after you just told me. 00:05:52.901 --> 00:05:54.521 So it was a very weird space for me. 00:05:54.521 --> 00:05:57.732 And in that I just knew that other people had to be dealing with. 00:05:58.497 --> 00:05:59.997 Things like this. 00:06:00.057 --> 00:06:05.216 And I wanted to figure out how can I help people going through this crazy transition? 00:06:05.456 --> 00:06:10.497 Because your job is such a huge part of your identity for most of us. 00:06:11.127 --> 00:06:15.416 And when I lost that piece, I was just, I was so lost completely. 00:06:16.107 --> 00:06:21.687 So I wanted to figure out how I could kind of turn that life lesson into lemonade. 00:06:21.956 --> 00:06:27.122 So that is what birthed hilariously unemployed, and I started doing my podcast and then. 00:06:28.257 --> 00:06:32.127 Of course, speaking had been a passion of mine, so I started doing that. 00:06:32.127 --> 00:06:37.526 I started executive coaching, doing cultural engagement, doing fractional consulting. 00:06:37.526 --> 00:06:41.492 So I just started doing anything to pay the bills and I really good at it. 00:06:43.291 --> 00:06:48.512 I love that, that I heard that buzzword in there, that acronym, DEI, 00:06:49.072 --> 00:06:49.422 Uhhuh. 00:06:49.862 --> 00:06:53.701 that happening to you, what you said three years ago, four years ago. 00:06:54.291 --> 00:06:54.492 Mm-hmm. 00:06:54.661 --> 00:06:56.911 Like we see where that space is now. 00:06:57.572 --> 00:07:04.711 Like, what is, like when you hear the word or you hear the acronym, DEI, like, what does it mean for you in the current space we're in? 00:07:05.312 --> 00:07:05.732 Or there, 00:07:05.786 --> 00:07:06.117 Mm-hmm. 00:07:06.182 --> 00:07:12.841 like there's like a, the word is loaded with like, there's some politicalness, if that's a 00:07:13.016 --> 00:07:13.286 Yeah. 00:07:13.562 --> 00:07:13.651 there. 00:07:13.651 --> 00:07:17.672 There's some, some heaviness that comes when, when people say that DEI 00:07:17.851 --> 00:07:18.141 Yeah. 00:07:18.656 --> 00:07:21.557 So, I think it definitely is a buzz word. 00:07:21.896 --> 00:07:25.677 they almost try to make it a curse word or something that is super offensive. 00:07:25.857 --> 00:07:28.317 Offensive when it literally is just the facts. 00:07:28.677 --> 00:07:30.836 Diversity, equity, and inclusion. 00:07:30.836 --> 00:07:32.307 That is what it means. 00:07:32.516 --> 00:07:41.666 So having diversity in organization doesn't just mean black people get to do things right, but we want black people to be able to do things and all the other people. 00:07:42.072 --> 00:07:43.572 There to be able to do things. 00:07:43.632 --> 00:07:55.302 Equity, we want our employees to have equal access, but also we need to meet them where they are and make sure that they have equitable stake inside of our organization, because that's really what's gonna drive culture. 00:07:55.601 --> 00:08:05.802 That's what makes people so loyal to a brand, so loyal to a company that even if they quit or get fired, they're still gonna talk about how much they enjoy working there and tell people good things. 00:08:06.161 --> 00:08:07.091 And then inclusion. 00:08:07.091 --> 00:08:09.502 This is gonna be your driver for people to get up every day and feel like. 00:08:10.081 --> 00:08:12.331 I'm ready to get to work because I feel included. 00:08:12.541 --> 00:08:14.552 I feel like I have a good team around me. 00:08:14.552 --> 00:08:19.141 I feel like the organization is in support of me and I just feel good inside of my workspace. 00:08:19.141 --> 00:08:21.062 So I'm going to give my best. 00:08:21.451 --> 00:08:28.951 And when you take that away, you literally are telling people, we don't want you to perform at your best because we don't like those words. 00:08:28.982 --> 00:08:33.601 We feel like those words, you know, they give some other people the upper hand. 00:08:33.902 --> 00:08:36.392 So it really was a slight to businesses themselves. 00:08:37.557 --> 00:08:42.506 And then for people like me who are so passionate about it, it was like I wanted'em to stand 10 toes down. 00:08:42.687 --> 00:08:44.787 Like, I don't care what's going on in the field. 00:08:44.907 --> 00:08:47.517 Like y'all said, y'all were doing it, stand 10 toes down. 00:08:47.606 --> 00:08:58.586 But as a businesswoman, understanding the ramifications for them if they didn't, which some companies did, some others didn't, and you see how that's working out for them currently. 00:09:00.106 --> 00:09:06.356 but I think that with every administration, there's gonna be a change and you can't continue to ride every single wave. 00:09:06.927 --> 00:09:10.947 Every single trend that happens because it's not a sustainable business model. 00:09:11.897 --> 00:09:12.947 Yeah, that's the, there. 00:09:12.947 --> 00:09:14.177 I appreciate you sharing that. 00:09:14.177 --> 00:09:19.037 There, there, there's certainly, like you said, some people have tried to make it a curse word. 00:09:19.846 --> 00:09:21.767 it's interesting that you said it that way. 00:09:21.767 --> 00:09:24.557 I think that the, the big takeaway for me. 00:09:25.547 --> 00:09:28.756 Especially with like the bigger brands that are here in the states, 00:09:29.402 --> 00:09:29.822 Mm-hmm.

00:09:30.226 --> 00:09:39.136 it is amazing how they remove, they remove some of the emotional. 00:09:41.312 --> 00:09:43.111 The emotion from the decisions. 00:09:43.111 --> 00:09:45.631 A lot of it, they, they, they remove that. 00:09:45.631 --> 00:09:50.701 And I guess that's what makes them like Diabol Diabolically successful. 00:09:50.761 --> 00:09:51.211 Like we think 00:09:51.447 --> 00:09:51.746 Yeah. 00:09:51.871 --> 00:09:53.761 brands in America, no matter 00:09:53.787 --> 00:09:53.966 Mm-hmm. 00:09:53.971 --> 00:09:58.511 got elected, they were gonna figure out a way they had game plans in place. 00:09:59.682 --> 00:10:05.522 and so that's, that was really a big takeaway for me because I think if. 00:10:06.797 --> 00:10:08.147 In an alternate universe. 00:10:08.147 --> 00:10:15.076 Some another person, from the other party got elected, like in, in, in the form of Harris, right? 00:10:15.076 --> 00:10:22.787 I think we'd be having different conversations, but the companies, no matter what would, would still be successful, if that makes sense. 00:10:22.787 --> 00:10:31.067 So it's like they figured out a way to balance that, and I took that as a takeaway to myself in certain. 00:10:31.922 --> 00:10:40.142 Certain cases outside of the extremes, try to make sure I can make decisions that aren't necessarily charged. 00:10:40.351 --> 00:10:40.621 But it's 00:10:40.782 --> 00:10:41.172 Yeah. 00:10:41.341 --> 00:10:43.322 right, like you said, because we 00:10:43.481 --> 00:10:43.902 Mm-hmm. 00:10:43.951 --> 00:10:47.881 brands to allow us to show up the way we, we we want to. 00:10:48.331 --> 00:10:53.522 And when that doesn't happen, it's natural to have emotional reactions. 00:10:53.912 --> 00:10:54.331 But they 00:10:54.522 --> 00:10:54.822 Yeah. 00:10:54.932 --> 00:10:58.532 necessarily, don't wear that hat, they don't wear that emotion. 00:10:58.532 --> 00:11:01.052 They, they, they move really strategically. 00:11:02.022 --> 00:11:10.572 Yeah, I mean, we live in a capitalistic society where big business is gonna continue to be big business for much longer than you or I are going to be here. 00:11:10.572 --> 00:11:13.101 And they're very strategic about the way in which they do. 00:11:13.451 --> 00:11:13.961 Things. 00:11:14.261 --> 00:11:19.961 I think that with any administration, it definitely would've been some type of change that they had to become accustomed to. 00:11:20.292 --> 00:11:26.341 And like you said, as a business owner myself, like a lot of what I do is emotion because my brand is completely me. 00:11:27.312 --> 00:11:29.111 but I also have to be strategic. 00:11:29.111 --> 00:11:34.961 So when they started with the, oh no, DEI, no, DEI as a DEI, practitioner. 00:11:35.336 --> 00:11:39.986 How am I to market myself when people are literally scared to work with me? 00:11:40.226 --> 00:11:46.167 So what's at the core of DEI and the core for me and everything I have always done is employee wellness. 00:11:46.376 --> 00:11:47.907 How do people feel at work? 00:11:47.966 --> 00:11:50.187 What is the culture of the organization? 00:11:51.027 --> 00:11:51.402 So for me. 00:11:52.511 --> 00:12:01.481 You can call it whatever you want to, but I'm focused on employee engagement and the culture of organizations now through my lens of knowing how things work in this world. 00:12:01.631 --> 00:12:16.177 There's always gonna be some aspect of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything I do, because how could you not if you're talking about employees, the drivers of your organization, but really how I position myself as, okay, I know you thought all I did was DEI, but. 00:12:16.976 --> 00:12:25.677 My skillset is elite and I can do many, many things, whatever you wanna call it, today or tomorrow, whenever the verbiage changes. 00:12:26.111 --> 00:12:26.892 Hmm. 00:12:27.251 --> 00:12:28.481 That's a bar right there. 00:12:28.662 --> 00:12:29.052 Dana. 00:12:29.981 --> 00:12:32.836 you, you said something in their culture, like the 00:12:32.846 --> 00:12:33.086 Mm-hmm. 00:12:33.456 --> 00:12:37.751 the, the idea that culture magnifies results doesn't go away. 00:12:37.751 --> 00:12:40.152 Now that DEI is shunned I think 00:12:40.346 --> 00:12:40.496 It. 00:12:40.662 --> 00:12:41.201 powerful. 00:12:41.201 --> 00:12:41.572 So it's. 00:12:42.302 --> 00:12:49.532 It's really cool to hear you say like you have a skillset that is adaptable to different markets, right? 00:12:49.532 --> 00:12:56.221 Whether you're doing it internally within a corporation or you're doing it on your own, that doesn't change the value of your 00:12:56.412 --> 00:12:56.802 Yeah. 00:12:56.822 --> 00:12:57.542 in this market. 00:12:58.451 --> 00:13:05.052 Yeah, it's, it's, at the end of the day, the people are gonna be the highest cost and tool in an organization, like they're the driver of your product. 00:13:05.052 --> 00:13:07.782 They're gonna determine if your product does well or your product does poorly. 00:13:08.022 --> 00:13:14.381 So at the end of the day, the basic understanding needs to be, I need employees that are engaged, and how do I do that? 00:13:14.532 --> 00:13:19.692 By creating a culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. 00:13:20.111 --> 00:13:21.642 It literally is the same. 00:13:22.091 --> 00:13:24.552 It's the same formula, just reworked. 00:13:24.572 --> 00:13:27.272 Yeah, you just don't lead with that word, but that 00:13:27.402 --> 00:13:27.621 Hmm. 00:13:27.961 --> 00:13:29.822 still gets thrown in there, to your point. 00:13:30.481 --> 00:13:30.902 Mm-hmm. 00:13:31.042 --> 00:13:31.461 Mm-hmm. 00:13:32.162 --> 00:13:36.841 so let's talk a little bit about, hilariously unemployed. 00:13:38.537 --> 00:13:41.386 I follow the, I, I binge watched it, right? 00:13:41.386 --> 00:13:44.206 I binge watched the episodes once we connected, 00:13:45.062 --> 00:13:45.567 Oh, wow. 00:13:47.496 --> 00:13:50.116 every stream counts, for those listening in. 00:13:50.116 -->

00:13:51.106 Every stream counts. 00:13:51.106 --> 00:13:56.057 Make sure you stream every episode of our content, whether there's video on YouTube or audio. 00:13:56.417 --> 00:13:58.517 Spotify, apple, you get the drift, right? 00:13:58.517 --> 00:13:59.386 Every stream counts. 00:13:59.386 --> 00:14:02.081 I'm gonna say that a thousand times in my lifetime, but. 00:14:03.631 --> 00:14:12.032 I feel like there was, it felt like there were some proofs of concepts that you were able to pick from those 00:14:12.341 --> 00:14:14.111 Mm-hmm. 00:14:14.282 --> 00:14:19.172 if you've leveraged any insights or what insights you have leveraged. 00:14:19.172 --> 00:14:19.381 Right. 00:14:19.381 --> 00:14:26.971 'cause we've had conversations from the, the podcast to position your business the right way, if that makes sense. 00:14:27.731 --> 00:14:32.611 Oh, it's been so many instances of me being like, aha. 00:14:33.231 --> 00:14:33.912 because you gotta think. 00:14:34.032 --> 00:14:36.491 I'm talking to so many different people. 00:14:36.491 --> 00:14:37.567 I'm talking to people that are. 00:14:38.481 --> 00:14:43.101 Currently in organizations, a part of the process of layoffs. 00:14:43.312 --> 00:14:47.331 I'm talking to people who, who, I've been through it maybe a year ago, and they've come out the other side. 00:14:47.572 --> 00:14:50.032 I'm talking to executives, I'm talking to authors. 00:14:50.211 --> 00:14:52.341 So of course it's like, I wanna write a book. 00:14:52.731 --> 00:14:54.772 I, I wanna have that product. 00:14:54.802 --> 00:15:05.871 Because the lessons of each episode, it's so pertinent, not just to people who are unemployed, but when you think about your whole career life cycle, some of the things people are sharing, it is like, oh. 00:15:06.466 --> 00:15:07.606 I didn't even think about that. 00:15:07.907 --> 00:15:17.147 I know for me, one instance was, somebody reached out to me and they were like, I had no idea I could ask my company to keep my laptop. 00:15:17.177 --> 00:15:17.687 I did. 00:15:17.687 --> 00:15:18.767 And they said yes. 00:15:19.697 --> 00:15:21.437 And I was like, yeah. 00:15:21.466 --> 00:15:24.106 Like if somebody hadn't told me that, I wouldn't have that knowledge. 00:15:24.437 --> 00:15:30.101 I had no idea that I could negotiate, my, my healthcare once I was let out. 00:15:31.062 --> 00:15:37.091 Nobody would've known because nobody's talking about it because there's so much stigma around the fact that you don't have a job. 00:15:37.392 --> 00:15:43.991 So there have been so many instances where I've realized like I'm not just helping myself through what I thought was my process. 00:15:44.322 --> 00:15:46.792 I literally am helping people and having other people. 00:15:47.697 --> 00:15:48.657 Help people. 00:15:48.807 --> 00:15:51.897 So I'm a resource, okay, I'm a resource. 00:15:51.897 --> 00:15:53.006 Now what do I do with that? 00:15:53.246 --> 00:15:55.767 I want to talk to early career professionals. 00:15:56.067 --> 00:15:59.427 So like, how can I get in front of them and talk to them about early career? 00:15:59.427 --> 00:16:02.366 Because these are the things they're gonna have to prepare for this. 00:16:02.427 --> 00:16:03.986 This is going to be their lives. 00:16:04.287 --> 00:16:06.397 So, so many realizations have come from it. 00:16:06.856 --> 00:16:10.797 at the end of the day, I think that for me. 00:16:11.292 --> 00:16:16.392 Whatever I do, it's always gonna involve my voice because that's the way that I best connect. 00:16:16.631 --> 00:16:21.042 Having conversations with people and leading them through telling their story. 00:16:21.072 --> 00:16:28.451 'cause everybody's not a storyteller and everybody wants to be a podcaster, but not everybody is equipped to podcast in that way. 00:16:28.721 --> 00:16:36.971 Not everybody's gonna doing interviews, but being able to figure out how to connect to the guest and how to make the guest connect to the audience. 00:16:37.272 --> 00:16:38.802 I'm like, oh yeah, I could do anything. 00:16:38.802 --> 00:16:39.731 Just gimme a microphone. 00:16:40.216 --> 00:16:40.907 Mm. 00:16:41.552 --> 00:16:42.642 I love, I love that. 00:16:44.361 --> 00:16:54.182 I definitely think podcasting is like a, a great proving ground for somebody who like, wants to take a gamble on themselves, wants to get into more, like selling their own. 00:16:54.241 --> 00:17:01.292 'cause like you said, like you're having conversations with people, you're pulling out, you know, insights from the conversations. 00:17:02.371 --> 00:17:05.311 Your broader audience can use, like 00:17:05.696 --> 00:17:05.987 Yeah. 00:17:06.001 --> 00:17:09.662 providing value past that one-on-one conversation that you're having. 00:17:09.902 --> 00:17:22.892 You're still providing value in that situation, but then you're making this much more of about a community, and just, I don't think people think about podcasting that way, or all the hurdles that they 00:17:22.912 --> 00:17:23.201 Yeah. 00:17:23.251 --> 00:17:28.561 in front of themselves kind of takes away from them having that experience, taking that experience from podcasting. 00:17:28.561 --> 00:17:29.446 But once you get into it. 00:17:30.287 --> 00:17:32.686 For me, this is like a itch that has to be scratched. 00:17:32.686 --> 00:17:33.017 Right? 00:17:33.076 --> 00:17:35.747 Like, I'm not gonna stop doing this. 00:17:36.106 --> 00:17:37.876 I guess that's why we're on season eight. 00:17:38.326 --> 00:17:43.757 But you brought up really great points around, just starting with the basics. 00:17:43.757 --> 00:17:46.517 I actually saw you out at Black Men in Tech. 00:17:47.261 --> 00:17:47.771 Mm-hmm. 00:17:47.777 --> 00:17:52.037 were out just like with your phone and your microphones, right? 00:17:52.037 --> 00:17:54.557 And you were just having conversations with people. 00:17:54.826 --> 00:17:56.626 That's the value in the space. 00:17:57.342 --> 00:17:57.882

Mm-hmm. 00:17:57.961 --> 00:18:03.362 Like that's the value in having the connection with people and allowing them to share their value. 00:18:04.051 --> 00:18:05.281 it's completely underrated. 00:18:05.281 --> 00:18:07.592 You don't necessarily need the biggest production 00:18:08.501 --> 00:18:09.162 Yeah. 00:18:09.541 --> 00:18:12.932 to, know, find your niche in this space, and I think 00:18:12.971 --> 00:18:13.182 Yeah. 00:18:13.182 --> 00:18:13.362 My 00:18:13.442 --> 00:18:14.432 definitely found your niche. 00:18:14.892 --> 00:18:15.672 low over here. 00:18:15.672 --> 00:18:16.092 Okay. 00:18:16.301 --> 00:18:17.501 It's just me in this math book. 00:18:19.682 --> 00:18:20.761 Ain't nothing wrong with that. 00:18:21.211 --> 00:18:21.662 That'll do. 00:18:22.561 --> 00:18:25.801 That'll definitely do the start, and I'm glad that you're. 00:18:26.221 --> 00:18:28.142 What, how, what season are you on? 00:18:28.172 --> 00:18:28.652 Are you on? 00:18:28.652 --> 00:18:29.521 I can't remember. 00:18:29.862 --> 00:18:32.261 I am on season three of my show. 00:18:32.997 --> 00:18:33.287 Yeah. 00:18:33.291 --> 00:18:33.662 yeah, yeah. 00:18:33.662 --> 00:18:43.571 So it is definitely growing and then let, let's pivot a little bit to your speaking engagements, because I feel like that's take, that takes a lot of your time now. 00:18:43.791 --> 00:18:48.122 I actually saw you on a panel at Black Men in Texas Thrive 2025. 00:18:48.541 --> 00:18:48.692 And 00:18:48.882 --> 00:18:49.271 Mm-hmm. 00:18:49.321 --> 00:18:55.321 little bit around, you know, how you're using those speaking and engagements to. 00:18:56.402 --> 00:19:00.271 Pay the bills and just, you know, your brand out further. 00:19:01.122 --> 00:19:05.051 Yeah, so I truly love speaking. 00:19:05.442 --> 00:19:08.561 It is the thing that I love to do the most. 00:19:08.632 --> 00:19:17.622 of course I love my podcast as well, but there's something about giving me a mic and there being a stage that is just like I almost black out in. 00:19:18.176 --> 00:19:22.196 It's, it's, it's like, it's like autopilot for me. 00:19:22.196 --> 00:19:30.747 I feel that something ignite in me when I get that microphone and it's time to go and really convey my message to a larger audience for me. 00:19:30.946 --> 00:19:34.166 I, I started doing it inside of an organization. 00:19:34.196 --> 00:19:35.757 Really didn't think anything of it. 00:19:36.297 --> 00:19:40.336 Told you I'm an introvert, so previous to that, like you could never really get me this. 00:19:40.586 --> 00:19:46.527 Speak previous to George Floyd happening, you could never get me to speak up anywhere. 00:19:46.557 --> 00:19:47.846 I'm like, I'm just doing my job. 00:19:47.846 --> 00:19:48.987 I don't care about all of that. 00:19:50.846 --> 00:19:56.067 and that definitely changed something into me, in me to where I was like, okay, you have this voice, you can use it. 00:19:56.067 --> 00:19:58.106 You have these thoughts, you're not sharing them. 00:19:58.406 --> 00:20:04.646 So from there, I just, once I got in front of a microphone, I was like, oh, I really enjoyed this. 00:20:04.646 --> 00:20:10.166 I remember my first big paid speaking engagement was in Baltimore, Maryland. 00:20:10.557 --> 00:20:21.446 I went to this leadership conference and they had the stage, they had my name on the, the door and everything, and I was just like so nervous and I was like, Ooh, there's a lot of people in here. 00:20:21.686 --> 00:20:23.156 And then I got on stage and it was like. 00:20:23.757 --> 00:20:26.876 Everything left my body that I was feeling was not great. 00:20:27.267 --> 00:20:32.067 And I literally feel like I floated and I said, okay, now how do we duplicate this? 00:20:32.067 --> 00:20:34.227 How do we do this a million more times? 00:20:34.586 --> 00:20:40.227 And I think it's like it's truly passion and drive that's like, oh no, we gotta get more of that. 00:20:40.287 --> 00:20:41.457 Like, I gotta do this again. 00:20:41.487 --> 00:20:42.297 I gotta do it again. 00:20:42.297 --> 00:20:43.196 I gotta do it again. 00:20:43.676 --> 00:20:44.186 Um. 00:20:44.886 --> 00:20:47.856 Is is actually deep in my DNA. 00:20:48.416 --> 00:20:55.987 So, as much as I was an introvert and said I never wanted to talk or speak or even have my voice recorded during a podcast, for me was crazy. 00:20:55.987 --> 00:20:58.846 'cause I'm like, I never wanna listen back to anything I had to say. 00:21:00.507 --> 00:21:07.826 But my grandfather was one of the first, and this is the, what the article says, Negroes on radio in Virginia. 00:21:08.247 --> 00:21:11.237 So he was one of the first Negroes on radio in Virginia. 00:21:11.567 --> 00:21:17.936 My, my father was on radio, my uncle was on radio, so they had those big personalities. 00:21:17.967 --> 00:21:24.777 My grandmother was the first black choral teacher in the city of Virginia Beach and has her own day. 00:21:25.076 --> 00:21:25.951 So people who have. 00:21:26.352 --> 00:21:28.971 Big voices and something to share with the masses. 00:21:29.832 --> 00:21:34.001 I, I come from, and I never thought that it would hit me, but it did. 00:21:34.767 --> 00:21:35.987 That's dope. 00:21:36.436 --> 00:21:36.567 That's dope. 00:21:36.977 --> 00:21:38.977 so I'm taking it your. 00:21:39.751 --> 00:21:43.382 Your family that were on the radio, they had like radio voices? 00:21:44.082 --> 00:21:44.622 Yes. 00:21:44.942 --> 00:21:45.332 Okay. 00:21:45.481 --> 00:21:46.832 I get that sometimes. 00:21:46.971 --> 00:21:49.422 are you on radio now? 00:21:49.711 --> 00:21:50.402 Not really. 00:21:50.487 --> 00:21:51.207 Yeah. 00:21:51.207 --> 00:21:51.626 Yeah. 00:21:51.626 --> 00:21:55.467 For guys, like, guys like you can hear really well for women. 00:21:55.676 --> 00:21:57.326 It's me and one other woman I was talking to. 00:21:57.326 --> 00:22:05.396 I think the, the last lady that was on my podcast, Suzette, she's an author and we have a deeper

register to our voice and I was like, that's why people can. 00:22:05.817 --> 00:22:11.186 Can listen to us because our voices are a little bit deeper or have a little more depth. 00:22:11.487 --> 00:22:13.707 So that's why it's easier to listen to us. 00:22:13.707 --> 00:22:23.517 'cause I know I'll listen to some podcasts and I'll hear a woman's voice that's a little more high pitch and I'll be like, it's hard for me to continue to listen to it, although I love women and support you all. 00:22:23.727 --> 00:22:26.826 If the voice is not right for me, it hurts. 00:22:27.307 --> 00:22:28.406 and same with guys. 00:22:28.406 --> 00:22:33.856 Some if they have like super vocal drag or a certain accent or. 00:22:34.856 --> 00:22:35.906 their voice is lighter. 00:22:35.967 --> 00:22:37.047 I can't listen to it either. 00:22:38.416 --> 00:22:44.376 and the great thing about podcasts is that there's millions and millions of podcasts, so you would definitely find one that 00:22:44.517 --> 00:22:45.057 Yes. 00:22:46.856 --> 00:22:53.727 My favorite of all time is Dateline Podcast because Keith Morrison has the best voice. 00:22:53.936 --> 00:22:58.737 I have listened to every single episode of the Dateline podcast specifically for his voice. 00:23:00.017 --> 00:23:01.217 Hmm. 00:23:02.297 --> 00:23:03.737 I'm trying to picture his voice. 00:23:03.737 --> 00:23:05.477 now, but I know it's clear and 00:23:05.531 --> 00:23:05.991 You know 00:23:06.592 --> 00:23:08.446 Yeah, yeah, for sure. 00:23:09.346 --> 00:23:10.517 I think that way. 00:23:10.547 --> 00:23:15.106 There were a couple things you said there, but just real quickly, I like the voice thing. 00:23:15.946 --> 00:23:16.366 For me. 00:23:16.366 --> 00:23:17.416 I'm glad you brought that up. 00:23:17.446 --> 00:23:17.747 It's, it. 00:23:17.747 --> 00:23:19.426 is really comparable for me. 00:23:19.426 --> 00:23:26.116 I compare it to artists like rappers, singers, like, there's just certain voices we like and there's just certain voices. 00:23:26.116 --> 00:23:29.836 We don't, it still translates sonically, like 00:23:30.207 --> 00:23:30.537 Yeah. 00:23:30.856 --> 00:23:31.307 to us. 00:23:31.307 --> 00:23:34.967 There's a rapper now, her name is Che Noir. 00:23:36.386 --> 00:23:36.866 Mm-hmm. 00:23:37.041 --> 00:23:41.237 voice is like so incredible me. 00:23:41.267 --> 00:23:43.217 Like even if she wasn't rapping. 00:23:44.217 --> 00:23:44.636 Yeah. 00:23:44.701 --> 00:23:52.231 listen to her like, know, read like kid books or whatever, like it doesn't even matter, like announce at a sports game. 00:23:52.231 --> 00:23:55.172 It's just certain voices to your point, like once 00:23:55.196 --> 00:23:55.557 Yeah, 00:23:55.592 --> 00:23:57.541 those voices you want to hear more and more of them. 00:23:58.467 --> 00:23:59.247 absolutely. 00:23:59.336 --> 00:24:00.207 It definitely is a gift, 00:24:00.481 --> 00:24:01.471 yeah, it definitely is a give. 00:24:01.471 --> 00:24:04.021 And you also mentioned something in there that I heard. 00:24:04.021 --> 00:24:05.731 You still get the nerves. 00:24:06.061 --> 00:24:07.451 You still get nerves and the. 00:24:08.162 --> 00:24:10.862 The butterflies and all that stuff going on stage. 00:24:10.862 --> 00:24:12.182 Can you talk a little bit about that? 00:24:12.182 --> 00:24:19.622 Because I think people have the perception that you're on stage all the time, it means like you figured this thing out and you can 00:24:19.646 --> 00:24:20.067 right? 00:24:20.132 --> 00:24:23.071 up there, no feelings and just knock things out all the time. 00:24:24.221 --> 00:24:26.082 Yeah, so it really depends. 00:24:26.082 --> 00:24:31.241 Now, smaller stages or, panels I don't have any nerves about. 00:24:32.261 --> 00:24:37.422 but if I'm on a bigger stage, then I'm like, oh, this is my first time here. 00:24:37.422 --> 00:24:38.592 I need to feel this out. 00:24:38.592 --> 00:24:39.852 I don't really know how it's going. 00:24:39.852 --> 00:24:45.132 Like we all struggle a bit with imposter syndrome and, and, and questioning like, should I be here? 00:24:45.132 --> 00:24:46.182 Should I be doing this? 00:24:46.582 --> 00:24:48.432 are they sure they booked me? 00:24:48.507 --> 00:24:51.027 Are they sure this is who they wanted? 00:24:51.027 --> 00:24:52.497 Like, do they read the website? 00:24:52.557 --> 00:24:53.576 Do they know it's me? 00:24:53.936 --> 00:25:00.086 So we all struggle a bit with that, but mine, I've been able to control a lot better. 00:25:00.477 --> 00:25:03.176 At first, I was like, nervous wreck, like, oh my gosh. 00:25:03.207 --> 00:25:06.686 And then finally I get on stage and it'll start going. 00:25:07.346 --> 00:25:10.257 But for me, I try to just remind myself like, you are here. 00:25:10.257 --> 00:25:10.916 You deserve to be. 00:25:10.916 --> 00:25:11.817 Here you are. 00:25:11.876 --> 00:25:13.586 Dana Duckworth, AKA, the big speaker. 00:25:13.926 --> 00:25:17.936 And there's nobody that can do it better than you right now, in this moment where you are. 00:25:18.477 --> 00:25:20.247 So get out there and do it. 00:25:20.757 --> 00:25:28.047 And it's, I I'm telling you, as soon as I'm like, hi, I'm Dana Duckworth, AKA, the vga, the show starts. 00:25:30.866 --> 00:25:33.422 I feel like it came out just now a little bit 00:25:33.902 --> 00:25:34.321 Mm-hmm. 00:25:34.451 --> 00:25:37.471 just talking the, the last minute or so. 00:25:38.176 --> 00:25:44.836 almost felt like I was on the Hilariously Unemployed podcast, and I was about to say, is Dana about to interview me? 00:25:45.856 --> 00:25:50.717 It came out that the, the, the, the show must go on that came outta you just 00:25:50.747 --> 00:25:51.037 Yeah. 00:25:51.227 --> 00:25:53.747 I'm glad that you, on that. 00:25:53.747 --> 00:26:01.846 Talk a little bit about, most of our, well, a large portion of our listeners, they're like business owners. 00:26:01.846 --> 00:26:02.866 They're founders, 00:26:03.567 -->

00:26:03.987 Mm-hmm. 00:26:04.247 --> 00:26:06.366 that people, especially in our community. 00:26:07.656 --> 00:26:11.372 like the questions we have around pricing and things like 00:26:11.622 --> 00:26:11.862 Yeah. 00:26:11.971 --> 00:26:13.321 how to price what we offer. 00:26:13.321 --> 00:26:21.422 Talk a little bit about first, like how did you go about pricing yourself into the speaking engagement market, 00:26:22.301 --> 00:26:22.721 Mm-hmm. 00:26:22.862 --> 00:26:24.392 pricing evolved over time? 00:26:24.392 --> 00:26:26.612 Not necessarily specifics if you want to. 00:26:26.612 --> 00:26:26.971 Cool. 00:26:26.971 --> 00:26:27.271 But 00:26:27.807 --> 00:26:28.096 Okay. 00:26:28.172 --> 00:26:30.152 about how that process has been for you. 00:26:31.092 --> 00:26:46.991 Okay, so my first paid speaking engagement, I was working inside the organization and one of the nonprofit partners were like, Hey, could you come and talk to, some of our staff about some of the themes that you talk about, when you meet with us and what you all are doing inside the organization? 00:26:46.991 --> 00:26:47.682 I'm like, okay. 00:26:47.892 --> 00:26:52.001 They paid me$250 when I told I was so excited that somebody was paying to hear my voice. 00:26:52.001 --> 00:26:52.932 I couldn't believe it. 00:26:54.686 --> 00:27:00.297 I literally could not believe it, and then flash forward to my first big engagement on a big stage. 00:27:00.297 --> 00:27:03.311 Outside of that, we jump up to$2,800. 00:27:03.442 --> 00:27:03.791 Right. 00:27:04.856 --> 00:27:12.596 So from there I'm like, oh, I don't even know the value of my voice because this is two 50 over here. 00:27:12.836 --> 00:27:14.247 This is 2,800 over here. 00:27:14.247 --> 00:27:17.696 Granted, it was nonprofit to like a, a for-profit business. 00:27:18.027 --> 00:27:22.767 So it was, it was hard to figure out what the, the strategy was gonna be and what the business model was. 00:27:23.037 --> 00:27:27.777 And then as a new speaker, your job is to become visible so that people can see you. 00:27:27.777 --> 00:27:33.031 So what are you willing to give for free in order to build that brand? 00:27:34.721 --> 00:27:39.192 So that was a constant struggle of like, oh, it'll be good for exposure. 00:27:39.521 --> 00:27:44.261 And like you have a good window of when exposure is good before you need to start getting to the money. 00:27:44.261 --> 00:27:48.672 Because there's so many other ways in which you can expose yourself that are free for you. 00:27:48.672 --> 00:27:49.692 Like, I got a podcast. 00:27:49.741 --> 00:27:50.801 Okay, I got exposure. 00:27:51.471 --> 00:27:54.731 I'm at these conferences, I'm meeting these people, I'm doing these things. 00:27:54.912 --> 00:27:56.142 So I have the exposure. 00:27:56.142 --> 00:27:58.332 Now it's time for me to claim my value. 00:27:58.781 --> 00:28:01.692 And for me it was a little easier because. 00:28:02.047 --> 00:28:18.876 My background is in multifamily housing, so I spent over 14 years supporting multifamily housing, everything from a property manager to then on the sales side I work for apartments.com, to then more in-house roles inside of those organizations and supporting the employees. 00:28:19.237 --> 00:28:26.436 So that's my background and I have a lot of friends in that space who also wanted to be speakers at the time. 00:28:26.676 --> 00:28:30.936 So we had to figure out how are we gonna price ourselves and not outprice. 00:28:31.676 --> 00:28:34.047 Or water down anybody else's value. 00:28:34.317 --> 00:28:36.207 So we came up with a system in that first year. 00:28:36.207 --> 00:28:38.211 It's like, all right, nobody's doing anything for under 2,500. 00:28:40.001 --> 00:28:40.991 If they want you, they want me. 00:28:41.082 --> 00:28:43.932 And this is at a time where DEI is still doing well. 00:28:43.932 --> 00:28:45.731 So it's like if they want a black girl, they gotta play. 00:28:45.731 --> 00:28:47.321 The black girl reads, right? 00:28:47.981 --> 00:28:51.672 They can't be like, oh, we just need somebody to fit that mold and then go over here. 00:28:51.672 --> 00:28:53.682 And she's like, I'll do it for$800. 00:28:53.741 --> 00:28:55.001 No, we're not doing that. 00:28:55.422 --> 00:28:58.382 So we kind of set a standard for ourself and that really worked. 00:28:58.761 --> 00:29:03.912 And then, most of them have full-time day jobs still inside of that industry. 00:29:04.211 --> 00:29:06.942 So their situation is always gonna be different from mine because. 00:29:07.632 --> 00:29:08.862 I'm full time in this. 00:29:09.162 --> 00:29:12.402 So then it became like, what is the value that I'm adding? 00:29:12.642 --> 00:29:13.511 What am I sharing? 00:29:13.511 --> 00:29:15.311 How much time is it taking me? 00:29:15.791 --> 00:29:25.632 And as a speaker, you cannot underestimate the amount of time it takes you to put together these presentations and be prepared to speak to people. 00:29:26.136 --> 00:29:27.757 It's not just like thought leadership. 00:29:27.757 --> 00:29:32.676 It's not just knowledge I have inside of my head that I'm just standing there and talking to you about 60 minutes up. 00:29:32.946 --> 00:29:34.267 I'm creating frameworks. 00:29:34.326 --> 00:29:35.646 I'm creating timelines. 00:29:35.946 --> 00:29:40.176 I'm creating processes because I want you to have something actionable when you leave me. 00:29:41.136 --> 00:29:50.916 And the time that it takes to create that, I, I said, oh yeah, 2,500 is kind of, oh, it's taking me eight to 10 hours minimum to create. 00:29:53.061 --> 00:29:53.281 Mm. 00:29:53.471 --> 00:29:58.632 So that's when the price went up and it's been up and up and up since then. 00:29:58.811 --> 00:30:02.981 Like my goal is to do, be able to do a, a keynote at 10 K. 00:30:03.281 --> 00:30:13.632 Now keynotes get paid anywhere from 20 5K, 30 K, 30 5K, but I feel like once I do that first one for 10 K, the sky is really the limit for me, and

it is a proof of concept to myself that. 00:30:15.717 --> 00:30:18.777 Your value is 10 k plus. 00:30:19.136 --> 00:30:26.487 So that's kind of how I figured out how to package in and charge for my services. 00:30:26.862 --> 00:30:27.142 Yeah. 00:30:27.142 --> 00:30:27.811 I love that. 00:30:28.132 --> 00:30:29.771 you said a lot in there. 00:30:30.632 --> 00:30:39.692 One thing I heard was, it's interesting you heard the difference between, I heard the difference between a nonprofit and a for-profit. 00:30:39.692 --> 00:30:41.551 Those rates definitely change. 00:30:41.791 --> 00:30:42.211 Mm-hmm. 00:30:42.271 --> 00:30:53.642 but within that, I think the, the, the broader story is like the, you know, and I've said this for quite some time now, just the, the idea of focusing on like B2B. 00:30:53.652 --> 00:30:54.781 Relationships. 00:30:55.201 --> 00:30:55.301 it 00:30:55.477 --> 00:30:55.767 Yeah. 00:30:55.906 --> 00:31:03.196 definitely comes with a premi but then there's gonna be various, various, markets you can serve like for B2B, right? 00:31:03.196 --> 00:31:06.436 Is it a nonprofit versus a for-profit business? 00:31:06.737 --> 00:31:07.037 But it's 00:31:07.152 --> 00:31:07.571 Yeah. 00:31:07.787 --> 00:31:08.356 either way. 00:31:08.356 --> 00:31:16.217 Like, like you said, if you're somebody who's used to corporate America, a steady check and then somebody pays you two 50 for one hour of your time 00:31:17.156 --> 00:31:17.727 Nobody can. 00:31:20.626 --> 00:31:22.201 I'm just saying in that example, right, 00:31:22.451 --> 00:31:22.741 Yeah. 00:31:22.951 --> 00:31:23.971 opener, right? 00:31:23.971 --> 00:31:30.301 Because it's like the average American makes nowhere near two 50 for an hour, Right. 00:31:30.301 --> 00:31:31.922 And so that's where it starts to click. 00:31:32.221 --> 00:31:36.092 And I'm hoping we see more people at least take gambles on themselves. 00:31:36.092 --> 00:31:42.422 Whether you still have a, you know, a nine to five, or you take the, the full, you know, jump off the cliff moment. 00:31:42.422 --> 00:31:45.721 There's nothing wrong with how you manage it, but taking 00:31:45.852 --> 00:31:46.241 Right. 00:31:46.291 --> 00:31:47.221 on yourself is. 00:31:47.642 --> 00:31:53.932 I think right now is, especially in the markets we're in, it's so important to do, you know, what you've done. 00:31:54.561 --> 00:31:54.592 and 00:31:55.092 --> 00:31:55.632 Yeah. 00:31:55.892 --> 00:32:00.211 to hear like, like you said, the price is definitely not staying stagnant or going down. 00:32:00.211 --> 00:32:00.271 The 00:32:00.521 --> 00:32:00.731 Yes, 00:32:00.751 --> 00:32:01.501 going up, 00:32:02.352 --> 00:32:04.811 yesterday's price is not today's price. 00:32:05.281 --> 00:32:18.491 yeah, so I've had the pleasure of coaching two students on speaking this year, and that for me is truly a gift to be able to be like people see you and be like, oh wow, she does this, and she does as well. 00:32:18.701 --> 00:32:21.221 I want her to be able to teach me how she does that. 00:32:21.612 --> 00:32:31.241 So I think there's so many ways in which just using my voice has provided me opportunities for revenue, because I never positioned myself as I'm a speaker coach. 00:32:32.021 --> 00:32:36.642 No, I do this, I do it well, and people came to me and asked me to assist with that. 00:32:36.642 --> 00:32:40.662 So there you have another stream of revenue that is attached to that. 00:32:40.961 --> 00:32:44.711 Also, when people hear me talk, they're like, oh, she probably could help us think through some of these things. 00:32:44.741 --> 00:32:46.211 Okay, so now I'm consulting. 00:32:46.571 --> 00:32:54.971 So now we come back to an hourly rate where I'm sitting on a Zoom and supporting people who are trying to put certain things together inside of their organization. 00:32:54.971 --> 00:32:58.541 So another stream of revenue is built out of that. 00:32:58.842 --> 00:33:01.281 I build presentations and I ghost write. 00:33:01.311 --> 00:33:06.412 If you are a speaker and you like, girl, I am just drenched at work. 00:33:06.487 --> 00:33:09.382 I, I don't have time to put together a Canva presentation. 00:33:09.711 --> 00:33:10.852 This is my outline. 00:33:10.852 --> 00:33:11.872 These are my key thoughts. 00:33:11.872 --> 00:33:17.061 Can you give me some talking points and make something really beautiful that I can showcase? 00:33:17.932 --> 00:33:19.221 I can do that for you. 00:33:19.221 --> 00:33:23.781 So really figuring out the things that I'm already strong at, the things that I already do for myself. 00:33:23.781 --> 00:33:25.342 How can I do those for other people? 00:33:26.122 --> 00:33:26.342 Hmm. 00:33:27.571 --> 00:33:29.521 I like that ghost riding angle 00:33:30.342 --> 00:33:30.761 Mm-hmm. 00:33:32.092 --> 00:33:44.551 it makes me think of, you know, everybody tries that one time to, you know, go, they go to chat GPT and they're like, Hey, you know, write me a speech as though I'm like, Barack Obama or something like that. 00:33:44.551 --> 00:33:45.422 And it's just like, 00:33:45.461 --> 00:33:45.751 Yeah. 00:33:46.291 --> 00:33:47.612 that's not gonna cut it. 00:33:48.511 --> 00:33:48.872 But he 00:33:48.882 --> 00:33:49.102 Is 00:33:49.231 --> 00:33:50.882 to like tell you, that's not gonna, 00:33:51.281 --> 00:33:51.501 it. 00:33:51.632 --> 00:33:52.231 gonna cut it. 00:33:52.231 --> 00:33:59.612 And you truly need somebody who knows your voice, your tone, your inflections, to really craft something for you if you're not gonna yourself. 00:34:00.392 --> 00:34:01.922 comes, that comes at a premium. 00:34:02.906 --> 00:34:04.436 Yeah, it definitely does. 00:34:04.436 --> 00:34:09.056 The only thing that's hard about ghost writing is people don't know that I ghostwriting. 00:34:09.842 --> 00:34:09.931 Oh yeah. 00:34:11.487 --> 00:34:16.467 It's not as lucrative as it could be because I'm not going around saying I put that together.

00:34:16.532 --> 00:34:24.871 Well, I, I mean, I guess so we've had ghost writer, ghostwriters, people in that field on, as guests before. 00:34:25.706 --> 00:34:25.927 Hmm. 00:34:26.041 --> 00:34:37.862 they positioned it, I'll have to go back and, and check my exact notes, but if I recall, you still, you still get to say something along the lines of, you work with X brand right. 00:34:38.516 --> 00:34:38.806 Okay. 00:34:39.106 --> 00:34:41.117 And so I think that's how they position it a lot. 00:34:41.117 --> 00:34:43.186 And they've been doing ghost writing for years, right? 00:34:43.186 --> 00:34:50.567 So their, their Rolodex of at least logos when people see it is like, oh, I've written for this publication or this business. 00:34:51.177 --> 00:34:51.686 Okay. 00:34:51.706 --> 00:34:52.876 how they positioned it in the past. 00:34:52.876 --> 00:34:57.916 But to your point, you're not gonna be able to say, Hey, I wrote for Kenny Groom in 2022. 00:34:58.842 --> 00:34:59.132 This. 00:34:59.246 --> 00:35:07.077 Well he was on that stage doing that just like a rapper, like a, doesn't want anybody to say, oh yeah, she, she put a little sauce on the hook. 00:35:07.137 --> 00:35:08.246 Nobody wants to hear that. 00:35:08.306 --> 00:35:08.367 Um. 00:35:08.581 --> 00:35:14.192 But the thing about, the thing about music though is I'm a credit person type of person, right? 00:35:14.192 --> 00:35:17.371 And so credits, right in terms of like, I got vinyls. 00:35:17.371 --> 00:35:18.782 You see the vinyls in the background. 00:35:18.782 --> 00:35:18.902 I 00:35:18.972 --> 00:35:19.262 Yeah. 00:35:19.322 --> 00:35:20.822 back and say who wrote what? 00:35:21.501 --> 00:35:21.922 Mm-hmm. 00:35:22.052 --> 00:35:27.481 even for music, they have it there, but it's always hidden like a couple layers. 00:35:27.481 --> 00:35:29.311 Like who clicks the view credits button? 00:35:29.311 --> 00:35:30.722 Besides Kenny, raise your hand. 00:35:30.722 --> 00:35:32.371 Like probably nobody, right? 00:35:32.577 --> 00:35:32.936 Yeah. 00:35:35.086 --> 00:35:40.007 There still is some opportunities in this tech space to give people credit, 00:35:40.936 --> 00:35:41.356 Mm-hmm. 00:35:41.507 --> 00:35:45.496 are not the one performing it, still giving you credit for writing it. 00:35:46.157 --> 00:35:46.277 I'm 00:35:46.452 --> 00:35:46.961 Yeah. 00:35:47.922 --> 00:35:48.282 Yeah. 00:35:48.282 --> 00:35:53.461 I, I think I, I'll have to word in collaboration with, you know, or I think. 00:35:53.782 --> 00:35:55.751 Being that I do have the brand speak up, Dana. 00:35:55.751 --> 00:36:02.612 They could be like in collaboration with Speak Up Dana, and like people don't know if that means I'll put a period on the end of a sentence or I wrote the entire thing. 00:36:02.981 --> 00:36:07.632 So, I, I think I will figure out how to marketing brand that better next year. 00:36:08.092 --> 00:36:17.512 so now that we have gone down the path of discussing pricing and just the different ways that you're thinking about your business. 00:36:18.367 --> 00:36:29.527 I wanna make sure we close out by letting folks know how they can stay connected with your brand, all the things that you're doing, whether it's your podcast or your speaking engagements, like what's the best way? 00:36:30.628 --> 00:36:34.289 Yeah, so you can visit my website, speak up dana.com. 00:36:34.289 --> 00:36:38.639 You can follow me on LinkedIn, Dana Duckworth, the black one with the cornrows in her photo. 00:36:38.909 --> 00:36:42.329 You can follow my lifestyle shenanigans no days off. 00:36:42.329 --> 00:36:47.309 That's K-N-O-W-D-A-Y-Z-O-F-F on Instagram. 00:36:47.309 --> 00:36:50.518 You can follow the podcast, of course, anywhere you get your podcast on. 00:36:50.518 --> 00:36:52.228 Okay, we talking about Apple, YouTube. 00:36:52.418 --> 00:36:56.079 Spotify, anywhere you get your PO on, you can find hilariously unemployed. 00:36:56.228 --> 00:37:01.989 You can also find the Instagram at hilariously unemployed and speak up Dana on Instagram and Facebook as well.