FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For motivational speaking and/or group facilitation, I charge a base appearance fee of $1100, plus travel/lodging/expenses just about anywhere in the world. My base fee adjusts depending on the number of planning meetings needed and how much preparation time is required for the topic/deliverable. I may be willing to negotiate a lower rate for some non-profits/causes that align with my values. I specialize in facilitating feminist/humanist forums and conversations, with a focus on intersectionality (adopted meaning), equity, and inclusion. Producing and directing/co-directing a storytelling show or multi-speaker event would likely fall in the range of $2500 to 5000. But this could be negotiated depending on mission, topic, resources, scope and location. For wedding officiating (or vow renewal, equality recommitment, etc. - please be aware that I don't perform services that require one partner to surrender their autonomy or subjugate themselves to another), my base appearance fee is $500 within a half hour of my location (Benton Harbor, Michigan area). This includes a questionnaire emailed to each partner, as well as one meeting with the couple or one meeting with each partner (virtual or in person), if needed. From there, I build a script. If the distance is more than a half hour, if assistance is needed writing vows, or if my presence is needed at the rehearsal, mileage and/or lodging may be negotiated. The Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area is becoming very much a destination wedding location and my husband of twenty-five years is an accomplished photographer. It made a lot of sense for me to use my storytelling skills to officiate weddings, particularly if I want to see more of him. And I still do. Life or professional coaching is generally $100 per 1-hour session, with discounts offered for payment up front (such as six sessions for $500, twelve sessions for $1000). Our initial goal alignment/Getting to Know You session is 30 minutes offered at no charge. If we connect and we're doing good work, I will ask you at the 30-minute mark if you wish to continue with a full session and be charged then (this means that I set aside one hour for each Getting to Know You session; please respect my time and I will respect yours). I specialize in growing forward from sexual trauma, abortion shame and the stigma relating to both, as well as single parenting and other life circumstances and events (such as being a child of divorced parents, etc.). Business Consulting is the most difficult to price out because needs can vary so greatly. Areas of expertise include diversity, equity, and inclusion, group dynamics facilitation, real estate, marketing, branding, social media, copywriting, photography, Human Resources, including workplace violence, security (physical, cyber, and government regulation compliance), risk assessment management, disaster management, business continuity, business planning (including budgeting and forecasting), quality assurance, restaurant/food truck management, startups. I offer the same free 30-minute Getting to Know You session, wherein I will ask you at the 30-minute mark if you wish to continue and be charged for an initial 1-hour session ($100 to 500, depending on scope), after which I will send you a written assessment of our conversation with a recommendation/proposal of services.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
This varies greatly, depending on the service. I played Anna in 'The King and I,' so Getting to Know You is the first step, regardless. This includes goal setting & goal alignment. What are your goals vs. what might my goals be for you: do they mesh? Can we meet somewhere in the middle and still achieve something satisfying for both of us? Can I contribute something meaningful to your development or event? Does our work together align with your values, do your goals and desires align with mine? My superpower is connecting the dots from where you are to where you want to be. That isn't always an easy process. So most important for life-coaching (or Life Story Coaching), are you coachable?
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In a word: experience. I believe in lifelong education and have never met a webinar or a book I haven't taken something away from in my areas of interest. I am currently enrolled in an in-person 10-month Leadership Accelerator program and I'm a Certified Effective Facilitator. I have done and continue deep anti-racism work, and I learned about intersectionality and activism on the Leadership Council for Planned Parenthood's inaugural storytellers bureau (2018) and continue to support similar initiatives, especially in the areas of healthcare, educational, and socioeconomic equity. My formal work experience covers everything from administrative/office management, to sales (real estate), to banking, to restaurant ownership, to marketing and social media. But nothing compares with the experience I've gained through a 27-year partnership with my husband (including learning to co-parent, starting businesses together, healing our infertility naturally, and very much growing together through some pretty significant losses and changes), motherhood and volunteerism. Producing and co-directing a local version of the national live storytelling show, Listen to Your Mother for three seasons (as well as initially being cast in a nearby show), marked the most significant personal and professional growth and development for me.