Meet Mark Brown | International Keynoter & Executive Speaking Coach

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

Hi Mark, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process was unique because my situation was a bit unique. I’m highly risk-averse, and solopreneurship was not even remotely on my radar. I had a full-time job as a professional speaker in a company that created the position for me. I was doing meaningful work, helping improve the culture in middle/high school communities across North America, and I enjoyed the consistency of a solid bi-weekly paycheck. The company decided to eliminate the position in 2015…for budgetary reasons, I believe…and I found myself unemployed virtually overnight. I didn’t know of, nor could I find, a company that had a similar position anywhere. I did some consulting and collaborated with a couple of other speakers on a few projects, but it was extremely difficult. It was the darkest season of my adult life. My CPA advised me of the tax benefits of establishing my own company and within a year I formed Mark L. Brown & Associates, Inc., an S-Corporation registered in my current home state of Georgia. I now deliver keynote presentations and educational workshops on site and online, and coach presenters on the skills that I have been using for almost 30 years. So what WAS my thought process in a nutshell? I had no choice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being Jamaican certainly makes me a unique professional communicator and communication coach. I’m thankful for having spoken to almost 2 million people on five continents. My presentation to teenagers earned me an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Educational/Instructional Program and it’s gratifying to have clients remember me and invite me back after five and ten years.

My journey began with winning the Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking in 1995, out-speaking 25,000 international contestants. Most of my work was in the educational market as a corporate employee, and I transitioned to solopreneurship in 2015, delivering keynotes, facilitating workshops, and coaching presenters. I earned the coveted Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association in 2019. The CSP designation is the speaking industry’s international measure of professional platform skill.

Challenges abound: Marketing, Sales, Program Development and Social Media are all challenging. The biggest challenge has been solopreneurship itself. I didn’t want it. I didn’t choose it, and I still haven’t grown to love it. Have I overcome it? No. But I’m working through it with the guidance of coaches and mentors. If I don’t know, I ask. I meet with key collaborators and a mastermind regularly. Accountability is key.

The most important lessons for me have been: learn continually, build myself, love and serve my clients.

My story goes back to migrating to the USA from Jamaica at age 18 with $40 in my pocket and a dream for a better life. After recovering from a life-threatening illness in 1993, I made a commitment to excel as a communicator with Toastmasters International as the vehicle to develop my skills. My presentations are inspirational and entertaining, and I’ve been effective with both adult and youth audiences. My presentations focus on EXCELLENCE in LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION and PERFORMANCE, often speaking to the beauty and value of family, with stories from over 60 years of life experience, good bad, and everything in between.

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.
Macon is a quiet Middle-Georgia city, and I don’t get out much 😁, but here are a few ideas.

Starting off the day, I’d stop at Tommy’s Bakery, home of the AMAZING Maple Bacon Donut, cheese grits, and biscuits & gravy. Fewer than 2 miles away is Johnny V’s. The drive-thru line is always long, and the traditional breakfasts sell like ‘hot cakes.’

At lunch we would head downtown to the legendary H&H Soul Food Restaurant which was founded in 1959. There we would enjoy ‘stick-to-ya-ribs’ soul food like southern fried chicken, fries green tomatoes, soul rolls, peach cobbler and the best lemonade in Macon.

Dinner would be best during November 7-13 which is Macon Burger Week! 26 restaurants with unique burgers to delight every palate! Spots like Macon Beer Company, Ocmulgee Brewpub and The Rookery are well known.
For fine dining, Christian’s, Downtown Grill and Brasserie Circa would be my choices, in that order.

A bit of history is important, and a slow walk through the Tubman Museum of African American Art, History & Culture provides just that. We would also experience Free Percussion Masters Workshops, Interactive Sessions With Drum Masters, and seasonal concerts.

At Christmas, it’s the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza, the brainchild of my friend Bryan Nichols, a spectacular sound and light show on the streets of downtown Macon.

For sports enthusiasts there’s the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, a 43,000 square-foot facility which is one of the country’s largest state sports museums.

Additional options are The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House and Mercer Music at Capricorn for the history of the SOUTHERN ROCK music genre.

Then there’s First Fridays in Downtown Macon when each first Friday of the month, Downtown Macon celebrates its unique culture with art, music, food and entertainment, with activities that are fun for the entire family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Andrea, my wife of 40 years for being my rock for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health

My children Andrene, Joel & David for being my biggest fans and cheerleaders

David Brooks, ‘The Master Mentor’ who started me on my speaking journey

Willie Jolley, CSP, CPAE who inspired me to become a professional keynote speaker

** The questionnaire says ‘A person, group, organization…’ but I couldn’t pick just one. **

Website: markbrownspeaks.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-brown-speaker/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkLeoBrown

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkBrownSpeaks/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/marklbrown

Image Credits
Laurent Qy Jerry Metellus