Meet Leisa Reid

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leisa Reid and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
By my late 30’s I had a well established career as an executive leader for a university. I had rebuilt what I had lost in the 2009 economic turndown. Buttttttt, something still didn’t feel right. My soul was calling for something bigger, more meaningful, more….what was it?

Around that time, I was approached by a personal development company to be in charge of their business development. All I had to do was speak to as many groups as I could in the local area about the power of mindset and invite people to enroll in a weekend workshop. I decided to say, “Yes!” to the opportunity, and, at 40 years old, I changed my career path, took a huge leap of faith and became a professional speaker.

I had zero gigs, zero clients and zero email list. But the first speaking gig I had (with 10 people in attendance) led to thousands of dollars in sales.

That first year, I booked 83 speaking gigs in my local area. Then, I founded the OC Speakers Network (now The International Speaker Network) and started creating relationships with other speakers.

People kept asking me, how did you get all those speaking gigs?

I would turn them away saying, “I don’t have time to answer that question.”

By 2017, I opened the doors of my company, Get Speaking Gigs Now because I heard the message loud and clear that the skill of “getting booked and staying booked as a speaker” wasn’t easy for other people.

I’ve given over 600 talks, I am the CEO of the International Speaker Network which is an active and vibrant group for speakers all over the world, and I share all of my speaking strategies within my Speaker’s Training Academy.

What should our readers know about your business?
Get Speaking Gigs Now was founded in 2017 because I saw a clear gap in the entrepreneurial world. Entrepreneurs are a courageous and dynamic group—they work hard, innovate constantly, and often collaborate generously. But most of the entrepreneurs I meet are looking for ways to grow their business without resorting to “soul-sucking” strategies like cold outreach.

Public speaking offers a powerful alternative. It’s a way to educate a roomful of prospective clients, connect deeply (without being salesy), and do so in a way that actually feels soul-fulfilling. The only catch? You’ve got to know how to navigate the speaking world effectively—and that’s where I come in.

When I work with clients, we co-create a signature talk and design a customized plan to get them booked as a speaker for the lifetime of their career.

How did I get here? Consistency, Collaboration, and Connection.

Consistency:
Since 2013, the International Speaker Network (formerly the OC Speakers Network) has met on the first Tuesday of every month from 1–3 pm Pacific. Most people give up if things don’t work right away—but when you keep showing up, people notice. They learn to trust that you’ll be there.

Collaboration:
I wouldn’t be where I am without powerful partnerships. In fact, I teach a method called The Speaker Soulmate System—a collaborative referral strategy that helps speakers exponentially grow their opportunities through trusted connections.

Connection:
Whether it’s with audiences, clients, or fellow entrepreneurs—connection is everything. Speaking from the heart, treating people with respect, and genuinely caring goes a long way. It’s one of the most underrated business strategies out there.

Was entrepreneurship easy for me? Definitely not. I’ve faced setbacks, shifts, and surprises. But I keep evolving—thanks to a strong support system and a willingness to adapt and grow.

Here are a few of the most important lessons I’ve learned along the way:

1. Relationships are Everything:
Because of my full speaking schedule and the International Speaker Network, I’m constantly meeting new people. I show up with kindness, preparedness, and a real intention to bring value—and that’s helped me build trust quickly and grow a network of heart-centered professionals nationwide.

2. Stay Curious and Open:
Some of my best opportunities came from staying open, asking questions, and listening for win-win collaborations.

3. Intuition is a Superpower:
I use intuition daily—whether I’m helping a client craft their talk, deciding which speaking gigs to take, or following up on a new opportunity. It’s not just business savvy—it’s soul savvy.

Bottom line:
If you feel called to be a speaker—do it. Whether you’re just starting out or starting over, it’s not too late and it’s not too early. If you have something valuable to share and a dream to make an impact, public speaking can be your path.

Here’s a free gift to get you started: Get the “5 Top Tips to Get More Speaking Gigs” at https://GetSpeakingGigsNow.com/tips

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would go to:
The Gaslamp District
Coronado Island
Downtown Carlsbad
Downtown Encinitas

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Connect for Success – a mastermind for women run by Kara Horat. She attracts amazing women in Southern California who are strong, intelligent, business women who also believe in connection and collaboration.

Website: https://GetSpeakingGigsNow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getspeakinggigsnow/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisareid/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leisa.reid.2/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LeisaReid

Image Credits
Tricia Turpenoff, Marcy Browe