In today’s episode, Jeff interviews Gail Davis of GDA Speakers. Gail started out working for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) after college. She had many different jobs over her 20 year career at EDS. The last job she had was as an events manager. On the final night of an inner circle event, the chairman of EDS asked for a new speaker as he was tired of hearing the same speakers over and over. On a friday night, Gail watched a movie with her husband and the rest is history. Today Gail enjoys what she does and is living her freedom day!
Gail and Jeff discuss:
- Graduated from the University of Oklahoma and went to work immediately for Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
- She did a variety of things at EDS and really enjoyed the experience.
- Her last job she had at EDS was manager of corporate events. Which included a sales incentive program where they recognized the top performers.
- She loved it; she got to pick the location, the entertainment, the gifts, the excursions and the speakers.
- In 1994 on the final night of the inner circle event, the chairman of the company asked who next year's speaker would be and requested someone new and different.
- On a friday night, Gail went to a video store (like Blockbuster) and she chose the movie Alive.
- 10 mins into the movie her husband said this would be perfect for inner circle and after 2 hours of watching the movie she was sold.
- After pitching the idea to the chairman of EDS and getting his approval Gail went to work to find Nando Parrado.
- There was no google at the time so she reached out to her network and received some discouraging feedback.
- Gail persevered anyway and was able to find Nando and talk him into being the speaker for the next year.
- As Nando was leaving he invited her to Uruguay and she took a trip with her entire family and they became great friends.
- 4 years later the chairman of EDS left, her boss/mentor died and she decided to take a risk and leave EDS.
- Gail started with 1 speaker in 1999 and now has close to 5,000.
- Anything new in your world? Close to the 50th year of the plane crash and a prime time special will be filmed next month and a retelling of the movie/book Alive will be coming out.
Fast Five Questions:
- If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “This may surprise you but I think I might try to become a speaker.”
- What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I think I put an appropriate emphasis on "You have to keep the client happy." I had the appropriate amount of focus on clients and the appropriate amount of focus on speakers but I realized I can't do it without a team.”
- What is a book that you would recommend? “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael Gerber.”
- What is a tool that you use everyday that you would recommend? “Personal tool: Captio and business tool: she developed a custom system for her back office.”
- What is your definition of freedom day? “The ability to do what you love.”
- What is the best way to contact you? “Website: GDAspeakers.com on the home page you'll find their social sites, follow them there.”
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