In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie welcomes Kelly Schuknecht, Chief Elevation Officer and personal brand expert. Kelly shares her remarkable transition from being the 'person behind the person' to becoming a thought leader and entrepreneur. Kelly gives insights insights into overcoming fear of public speaking, the importance of betting on oneself, and how fostering productive joy can lead to a fulfilling career.
She discusses how she established her company, Two Mile High Marketing, which helps business owners elevate their thought leadership through strategic public speaking, podcast appearances, and LinkedIn management. Dr. Christie and Kelly emphasize listening to your inner calling and taking actionable steps toward achieving your goals
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Welcome to Productive Joy
00:16 Introducing Kelly Schuknecht
01:15 Kelly's Journey: From Behind the Scenes to Center Stage
03:31 Starting a Business: Challenges and Triumphs
05:56 Building a Thought Leadership Platform
13:19 Overcoming Fears and Embracing Public Speaking
17:26 Defining Productive Joy
19:46 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Leaders
23:07 Hiring and Building a Remote Team
27:49 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion
A Deeper Dive:
Today, we're spotlighting Kelly Schuknecht, a Chief Elevation Officer, personal brand expert, and innovative entrepreneur with a powerful journey to share.
Kelly's story is one of transformation from being "the person behind the person" to stepping into her own spotlight. For 20 years, she supported entrepreneurs and thought leaders, helping them achieve their goals behind the scenes. But when she was laid off last October, she seized the moment. Within days, Kelly decided to start her own business, and just under a year later, she has a flourishing company with a team of ten.
Her transition was not merely about business, but about personal growth. Kelly emphasizes betting on oneself, encouraging others to embrace their potential. Her journey illustrates how the seeds of fertile experiences often lie dormant until the right moment catalyzes growth.
Kelly attributes much of her success to her ability to create tactical steps for achieving goals—what she calls her "authority X factor." This approach now drives her company, Two Mile High Marketing, where she helps thought leaders establish their platforms through targeted strategies such as securing speaking engagements and managing their online presence.
What stands out about Kelly is her acute understanding of her target market. She recognizes that while strategy is vital, many smaller companies lack the resources for overarching plans and crave tangible steps to guide them forward. Her Speaker Elevation Plan is a testament to this insight, addressing the exact needs of busy professionals looking to elevate their visibility.
A crucial aspect of Kelly's personal transformation was overcoming a deep-seated fear of public speaking. By confronting her anxieties head-on, she turned them into strengths. She began by publishing short videos on TikTok and appearing on podcasts, creating content to overcome her fears and align with her business values.
Her message to those considering taking risks is clear: push past fears, actively seek opportunities, and listen to your inner calling. Her advice is particularly resonant for those wanting to pivot their careers or embark on entrepreneurial ventures.
Kelly’s approach to building her team offers valuable insight into finding the right people to support your vision. She emphasizes leveraging relationships and hiring those who complement your skills. This strategy ensures a good cultural fit and helps the organization thrive, particularly in the early stages.
Her advice is clear: assess your strengths and weaknesses, and trust others with responsibilities that align with their skills to enhance the overall capability of your team.