0:00

Carol Cox: How can you get selected as a speaker or a

0:02

panelist by event organizers?

0:04

That's what I talk about with my guest, Jo

0:06

Murillo, on this episode of the Speaking

0:08

Your Brand podcast. More and more women are making an impact by

0:17

starting businesses, running for office and

0:20

speaking up for what matters. With my background as a TV political

0:24

analyst, entrepreneur, and speaker, I

0:27

interview and coach purpose driven women to

0:29

shape their brands, grow their companies,

0:32

and become recognized as influencers in

0:34

their field. This is speaking your brand,

0:38

your place to learn how to persuasively

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communicate your message to your audience.

0:45

Hi there and welcome to the Speaking Your Brand podcast. I'm your host, Carol Cox.

0:48

Today we are talking about how to get

0:51

selected as a speaker and as a panelist by

0:54

event producers and event organizers.

0:56

I know that so many of you are out there.

0:58

You are involved in your local community,

1:01

your networking locally as well as online,

1:03

and perhaps you're going to events and conferences and you're wondering how do they

1:07

select their speakers? How do those speakers get the opportunity to talk to that

1:11

membership or to that audience? Well, I'm very happy to have with us as a

1:15

guest today, Jo Johanna Murillo, who is here

1:18

in Orlando, Florida, where I live, we met

1:20

out locally in person at an event probably

1:23

sometime last year, and since then I've

1:26

attended a couple of her events and she does

1:29

an amazing job putting on events.

1:32

So many of the nice touches that really wow

1:35

you, plus the venues, the locations that she

1:38

chooses, and of course the quality of the

1:40

speakers and the panelists. So after I attended a recent event, I knew I

1:43

had to have Jo on the podcast to share with

1:46

us all those inside secrets of what she

1:48

looks for when she's putting on events as

1:51

far as who to bring on with her.

1:53

Jo, welcome to the podcast. Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. Carol, I'm so glad to finally be

1:58

here. It's my pleasure. Carol Cox: Well, let's dive into a little bit about the

2:02

kinds of events that you put on and how they

2:05

relate to your business. So tell us about Wow Brand Studios, your

2:08

business and how you got started putting on

2:10

events and why. Jo Johanna Murillo: Thank you. That's a great question actually,

2:14

because I think events oftentimes it's one

2:18

thing when we attend to them because we are

2:21

from that perspective that we're enjoying them. Correct.

2:25

You can relate to this, but when you have to organize events, oh my, how different it is.

2:29

It's a whole other beast. So for those people that said, oh, I should

2:34

organize an event, yes, I encourage you, but

2:36

take in mind that it's tough.

2:38

But also what I can identify is that events,

2:42

especially when you organize and organize

2:45

them and bring that value to the world, it's

2:47

a perfect way to create brand awareness of

2:50

your brand and speaking your brand.

2:53

It's a great way for your audience to see,

2:55

okay, what do you bring to the table?

2:58

What is? How can I connect with you that

3:00

that was our first and pretty much the

3:02

reason why we started creating events, especially in the category of helping other

3:07

entrepreneurs, women, not only, but it's our

3:11

main focus. Men are always invited because

3:13

we believe that they're agents of change, and we have to bring them on as allies.

3:18

So that's the way that we started in the entrepreneurship, business ownership, brand

3:23

marketing, finance, sales, all those things

3:26

that nobody talks about when you have your

3:29

business up and running. So that's how we started.

3:32

And through Wildbrain Studios, which is a full on agency that takes care of event

3:36

production, social media and everything that

3:39

has to do with AV production.

3:41

That's where we started because we wanted to

3:44

be able to provide that value to other

3:46

business owners that oftentimes don't even

3:49

know which questions to ask, right?

3:51

I mean, we've all been there. So that's that was how we started all this

3:56

crazy race. And we are loving it.

3:58

Carol Cox: I agree, Jo, that putting on events

4:00

definitely gives you a lot of visibility and

4:03

exposure in the community because obviously

4:05

you're promoting the event so people see it, people come and attend or they hear about it

4:09

from other people who've attended the the

4:11

event that I attended that you ran a few

4:14

months ago was actually at a TV studio,

4:16

which was really cool because we got to be

4:19

on kind of the set, you know, the soundstage

4:22

where they film news. And so can you tell us a little bit about

4:25

what inspired you to have it at that

4:27

location? And tell us a little bit about kind of like how you go about thinking about

4:32

the set and setting for your events.

4:34

Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, that event was fire, right?

4:37

And not because we organized it, because it really was. It's to create that unique

4:42

element. Now that we talk about events and

4:46

me also as an attendee, I can see like, oh,

4:48

it's more of the same. We want something different.

4:52

And that's why we always aim for to every

4:54

single event that we do, the one that was

4:57

prior to the one that you attended was in a

5:00

theater full on big LED screen theater

5:04

style, and we had two series of panelists.

5:08

The one that you attended had that TV studio

5:11

flow, and also allows people to be in spaces

5:15

where they can be relaxed, because sometimes

5:19

to break that barrier like, okay, I'm an event and I don't know anyone know it allows

5:23

you to connect a little more. So you have to talk to the person that you

5:26

are next to you, kind of when you get into a plane sort of thing, because, okay, you're

5:30

stuck with this person next to you for the next three hours. I better start a

5:33

conversation and makes the whole event flow

5:36

and also provides a different atmosphere

5:39

which is more conducive to learning.

5:42

So those are the little details and nuances

5:44

that we always take in consideration when

5:46

organizing any type of event, or planning

5:49

them or even producing them. So how can it be different from all that

5:54

I've done or seen or attended out there for

5:58

our anniversary night, which was last year.

6:01

We, for instance, brought an opera singer,

6:04

which that was like, what? What is that? Where is that coming from?

6:08

And it made such a great impact because we

6:10

were able to bridge that gap between culture

6:13

and the concept that we were producing out

6:15

there. So that's how we think of it.

6:17

Let's find a way to make it different that it's not the same old event that I attend,

6:22

the same old networking event. When I see the same people over and over,

6:26

how can we make it different?

6:28

And that's what inspires us every single

6:30

time to push it a little further. Carol Cox: Well, you definitely do make them unique and

6:35

different and that's why they're so memorable to me. So, Jo, let's talk about

6:38

how you go about selecting the speakers in

6:41

the panelists for your various events.

6:43

So I imagine you decide this is going to be

6:45

the topic of the event, the content that you

6:47

want to put on, and then you start thinking about speakers, panels and so on.

6:52

So then how who comes up for you as speakers

6:55

and panelists, and what are the qualities that you're looking for?

6:58

Jo Johanna Murillo: I am looking for people that have visibility

7:03

that are out there. Not necessarily 100% social media, but the

7:08

people that are in the field. I believe that you can learn more from

7:13

someone that has been doing what they're doing with excellence for a while, that

7:17

someone that just, you know, do this in a

7:20

camera. This this helps. Of course, I'm not taking that away, but

7:24

what other people think or say about the

7:27

speaker as well. I look for inspiration for someone that can

7:32

give you a message that is going to leave you better than when you get there.

7:37

Someone that is also willing to share

7:39

knowledge. That's really important because

7:42

God forbid for you to know something and

7:44

hold the keys to unlock someone else's

7:47

future, and you just do not do it or open

7:49

it. Especially as women, we are not allowed

7:53

to do that. We need to be able to share that

7:55

knowledge, and also that it's humble enough

7:57

to say, I know all of this, but I also do

8:01

not know what I do not know. That's I think it's really toughest one,

8:05

because once you're there at the top and you

8:07

think, oh, okay, I know it all, that's when

8:10

you stop growing and learning. So I believe those three are really

8:13

important people that are in the field doing

8:16

the work and showing and leading by example,

8:20

not by preach. Second of all, that are willing to share

8:23

knowledge. And third, it's that they are

8:27

humble enough to be able to keep growing and

8:30

evolving. I always love to see the journey

8:34

of maybe one year we invited a speaker, and

8:36

then we bring him back the next year and to

8:38

see, oh my God, I've achieved all of these things because we all keep changing and

8:42

evolving. Carol Cox: Oh, I love those. And so think, thinking

8:46

about these speakers and panelists are these

8:48

people you already know, so people you've already met at other events that you go to

8:52

in the community, are you asking for

8:54

recommendations and referrals from other

8:56

event people that you know? Are you? Do people do speakers ever pitch

9:01

you like send you emails or LinkedIn messages? Like how?

9:03

Where do these speakers come from? A little bit.

9:06

Jo Johanna Murillo: Of everything, actually. I guess the first is like people that I

9:10

admire, people that I look up and say like,

9:12

oh my God, I want to be like them when I grow up. And then I kind of like, get rid of

9:20

the imposter syndrome. I was like, what would happen if I would

9:23

just reach out to them via LinkedIn or send

9:26

them an Instagram message and and tell them,

9:28

hey, I love what you do. I would love to pick on your brain because I

9:32

believe in and I and I am honest about it.

9:34

It's not me just being like, oh, that's nice

9:37

and sugar coating. No, it's that sometimes

9:39

have have been successful. Others I have got crickets but but it

9:44

happens like that. Also people that I see that are out there

9:48

spreading a positive message or something

9:50

that can uplift.

9:53

And I think that the main it's also word of mouth when I share like, hey, I am thinking

9:58

of doing and putting this event together.

10:00

Who do you think would be a person that can

10:03

provide value that could be perfect for this

10:06

gig, for a lack of a better word?

10:08

And of course you get recommendations.

10:10

That's the first stage. Then we go to sitting down and have that one

10:15

on one. It can even be virtually on or

10:18

onsite and see if there's there's a match,

10:21

because sometimes depending on the audience

10:24

that will attend the events, this might be

10:27

like to pro or it could be like a little

10:29

okay, you need to be a little bit more seasoned. And that happens.

10:33

And when you get to meet that person, funny

10:35

story in the Impact Summit that we did in

10:39

February to kickstart Women's History Month,

10:42

I was suggested as a host on Kia malone.

10:46

Hi, Kia. Yes, she's amazing and you know her to for

10:51

her to be the host of the event, given her

10:54

experience in TV and. Et cetera, et cetera.

10:57

And then when I started to talk to her, I

11:00

was like, Kia, you are amazing, which you

11:02

already knew. But all those nuggets and

11:05

pearls of wisdom, you need to be in the panel. And it was great and amazing because

11:11

people left so inspired by her, which I

11:14

think probably she would have done a phenomenal job as a host, by the way, but as

11:18

a panelist, it just brought that extra

11:21

layer. So that's something that you also

11:23

have to give yourself some room to maybe

11:26

pivot or change some things, depending on

11:28

the concept that you have of of your event.

11:30

That's in our experience. What has worked so far?

11:35

Carol Cox: Oh well, I'm such a big fan of Kia's. We actually met in January of this year at

11:39

an event, of course, because that was my

11:41

commitment at the beginning of this year was

11:43

to make sure that I went to many, many more

11:45

events. I went to so many before the

11:47

pandemic started and then obviously stopped

11:50

right, like a cold stop. Like we all did. And then it took me a while

11:53

to kind of get back into it, but I I've been

11:55

doing it all of this year, and I have met so

11:58

many amazing women like Kia and like you.

12:00

So for all of you who are listening, get

12:02

involved in your local community, your city.

12:05

Find those events, show up, go to them.

12:07

Make a commitment to do that because you're going to meet amazing people.

12:10

And that's how then more opportunities will

12:12

come to you, like being a speaker or being a

12:14

panelist. So, Jo, when you think about putting together your panels and the

12:19

speakers for an event, how what role does

12:22

diversity and inclusion play when you're

12:24

thinking about the curating the speakers and

12:27

the panelists? Jo Johanna Murillo: It's the main goal, to be honest.

12:32

It's that's something that I would I'm not

12:35

thinking of changing anytime soon. It's something that I go headfirst with

12:39

because I believe that when we have

12:41

diversity, equity and inclusion in all the

12:45

activities that we perform, the conversation

12:48

becomes richer because we have different

12:51

avenues and different perspectives and points of views that we probably didn't

12:55

invite or even considered prior.

12:57

We were exposed to this, and that's for me.

13:00

It's it's key. I and I will not stop doing that, because I

13:05

also am very confident that that brings an

13:08

extra added layer of value, hence why the

13:11

events are successful, because it invites

13:14

people to reflect and to change some

13:17

perspectives. And even if you don't change

13:19

it, okay, at least now you know and you

13:21

understand a different perspective that

13:23

prior you didn't even think that existed.

13:26

So yes, that's that's my, my my goal.

13:30

Carol Cox: And I do see that reflected in your events, which is why I wanted to bring this up.

13:34

And I agree, every we all have such

13:36

different lived experiences. And if we're only going to events or we're

13:40

only seeing speakers and panelists that look

13:42

like us or have very similar backgrounds to

13:44

what we have, we're really shortchanging ourselves because we're not learning as

13:48

much. I know that my policy now is if I get

13:51

invited to be on a panel, I will ask who the

13:54

other panelists are and if they're all white. If they're all white women like me, I

13:58

will very kindly suggest to the person

14:00

putting the panel together like, I would love to see more diversity if I have to give

14:03

up my spot to someone else. Like, here are some other women that I know

14:06

who I think would be a great fit. I'm happy to do that because I just I don't

14:10

want to sit on a panel that is not diverse

14:12

because it just it doesn't make me feel good. And it's not going to be a great

14:15

experience either for the audience. Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, yes. And there's only tangibility in the

14:20

representation if you don't see it. How do you think it's possible?

14:24

How can you believe it? And you never know how other personal

14:27

experiences that probably do not look like

14:29

you do not talk like you can help you shape

14:32

and make it think like, oh my God, you know what? If this person can do it with all the

14:36

limitations and also with all the

14:39

advantages, why can I not do it as well?

14:42

So I believe it just enriches the

14:44

conversation. It doesn't limit it. It makes you expand your knowledge and it's

14:48

just a no brainer for me. Carol Cox: Absolutely. So, Jo, can you share?

14:52

Do you have a memorable story of a speaker

14:54

or a panelist who exceeded your

14:56

expectations? You knew they were going to be great, but something that they did at the

14:59

event just really made them stand out. You already mentioned Kia, so we're gonna

15:03

we're gonna put her aside as that. But is there anyone else who comes to mind?

15:06

Jo Johanna Murillo: Sorry, Kia. Sorry, Kia. You're out.

15:13

Well, all the panelists were phenomenal, but

15:17

one of them that stand out.

15:20

And maybe because it was on the recent event

15:23

actually two one of the recent and one of

15:25

the other ones. So that way I can have a little bit of both was Brianna Anderson,

15:30

which I believe you were at that event where

15:32

she she spoke. It was that when you see her, she since

15:37

she's so put together like she has all her

15:40

ducks in a row, successful, Uber brilliant.

15:44

You would not imagine that she went through

15:47

all the struggles that she did to become the

15:50

woman that she is right now.

15:53

And I believe her testimony was the the

15:57

proof that there's a test in the testimony.

15:59

And once you are willing to expand yourself

16:03

and put yourself out of your comfort zone

16:06

and go through the mess, and after that, the

16:10

message that you can help spread, it's it's

16:13

amazing. So I believe that that was one of

16:16

the key moments that when we had the

16:19

speakers, because people. Know that she has everything put together.

16:28

But no, when she started sharing her story,

16:31

she was going to kill it anyway. But I don't think people knew as much until

16:37

they saw it. People saw taking out their notebooks and,

16:41

you know, they were just writing, you know,

16:44

Pearl after Pearl after Pearl. And it was a mic drop moment.

16:47

So Briana, thank you so much for sharing all

16:50

those things you did. And second, but not because it's the last

16:54

one. It's Kay Rollins, the founder of

16:57

Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride when

17:01

she was in the panel. She's very seasoned.

17:04

She knows what she's doing. I mean, but the part that made everyone wow

17:09

was when she shared that when us as women

17:14

want to excel in a male dominated world, we

17:17

need to befriend and make men our allies as

17:21

well, because no war has been won if the

17:24

allies are not a part of it.

17:26

So that was also one of those micro moments

17:29

where I think that that at that time

17:32

everybody went like, whoa, like crazy.

17:34

So yes, those are the few little moments

17:37

that have lit up my heart and made me okay,

17:40

this is great. This is speakers.

17:42

Yeah. Can can take it and make it fire.

17:45

Carol Cox: I love those examples. And we are very fortunate here in the

17:48

Orlando, Central Florida area to have amazing women like Brianna and Kay Rollins

17:53

to for these events. Jo, let me ask you this.

17:56

So we talked about kind of what what great

17:59

speakers and panelists do. Now. What are some red flags that make you

18:03

hesitant to choose a speaker or panelist,

18:06

either beforehand or after you've had an

18:08

initial conversation with them, some red

18:10

flags? And also, what are things that you wish more speakers or panelists understood

18:14

about working with event producers like, you

18:17

know, red flags? Plus, what do you wish we

18:19

all knew to make your life as an event

18:21

producer easier? Jo Johanna Murillo: Oh, how many times?

18:26

How much time do we have? Well, a big, big, big red flag.

18:32

It's when they show up late to conversations

18:39

to interviews, unprepared guys.

18:42

That's a red flag. And I know that life can happen.

18:45

We've all been there when we have had to

18:48

arrive a minute or two late, but when you

18:51

already see that, there's a bigger chance

18:54

it's a 99.999%.

18:56

And I tell you this from experience, that

18:59

they're going to do that to you at your event, which is going to add an extra layer

19:03

of stress to an already stressful situation,

19:07

which is producing and putting an event together. Another one, it's when,

19:12

unfortunately, you don't see a flow in the

19:17

way that they present that there's not a

19:20

structure which can also bring a little bit

19:23

of complication when you come to your event.

19:26

Because when it comes to speaking and you

19:28

know this better than anyone, preparation is

19:31

key. It's gold.

19:33

You need to be prepared. You don't get ready.

19:38

You stay ready. So even if you get a phone call, which has

19:41

happened to me and I'm sure that has happened to you, like, hey, Joe, I had a

19:45

speaker that cancelled. Can you please help me? Okay, good. When is the event?

19:48

In an hour. Whoa. Okay. Don't worry.

19:51

I got you because I already have my speech

19:54

ready. If you. I can put a presentation.

19:56

I already have it ready, so I'm game.

19:58

I'm ready to go. So that's why it's important for you to see how prepared and

20:03

ready the person is. Because there will be moments that you will

20:06

have to pivot. Then, okay, you know that you

20:08

can count on that person. Um, another red flag and not I don't want to

20:13

just go with red flags. I'll go with the good stuff later.

20:16

Um, it's when you see that the speaker is not

20:20

as engaged into getting to know the event as

20:25

well. You know, it's just like, hey, I can speak at your event.

20:29

I mean, like, okay, so what do you think?

20:31

No, whatever. Wherever you put me, that can

20:34

also be another thing. Okay. Are you really willing to share

20:38

knowledge, make some improvement?

20:40

Leave people better than they arrive, or you

20:42

just want to be there for exposure, which is

20:45

okay. It's fair. It's fair for you to try to put yourself out

20:49

there, but also what's the value? Where is those things that reach to a

20:54

people's heart? Yeah, because we're in the business of doing

20:58

business with people. So we need to connect at some different

21:02

level. Those are the little red flags that I

21:05

will encourage to event organizers to take

21:09

into consideration before bringing someone

21:12

in. Because and also understand this is a

21:14

commitment, a two way street.

21:17

Also, as an event organizer, I do not

21:19

encourage those organizers that only reach

21:23

out to book the person and then okay, the

21:25

day before, yes. Like no, stay in contact, let them know what

21:30

you're doing, share with them the post the

21:33

social media tag them. So that way you can also warm up leading

21:37

towards the event. Ask them, hey, will you be willing to share

21:41

this on social media so you can help amplify, of course.

21:44

You know, share all the information that as much as you can. So that way you can also

21:49

prepare them and you help edify them as a

21:52

speaker. I think that's also very important

21:54

as event producers showcase the speakers in

21:58

such a way that they also feel pleased to be

22:01

part of the events that you are organizing.

22:04

What are your thoughts on that? Carol Cox: Oh, these are excellent.

22:08

Excellent points here, Jo. I agree, as a speaker, I always want to make

22:12

sure that whatever the event organizer needs, it is there on time, if not early, if

22:18

they need slide decks, if they need my bio,

22:20

they need my photo, whatever it is.

22:22

I mean, I send all that to them right away,

22:24

and I also make sure I stay in regular contact with them. And I'm promoting the

22:28

event as well because I want it to be a

22:31

successful event. And to your point, I want to show that I'm invested in the success of

22:35

that event along with the event team.

22:38

And but I love your point also about the the

22:40

people who are putting on the event. Yes. Keep in touch with us speakers because

22:44

we want to know how can we help you? Is everything going smoothly?

22:48

You know a request.

22:51

Do you need us to bring our laptop?

22:53

What kind of laptop do you have? What format do you need the slides in?

22:56

Like, we'll ask those questions as speakers,

22:58

but it's helpful for you all to have all that ready to go.

23:01

Because if you all are organized as the

23:04

event team, then we feel confident as a

23:06

speaker walking into that event that is

23:08

going to be as smooth as an experience as it

23:12

possibly can be. Setting aside the AV gremlins that no one

23:16

has any control over and who knows when

23:18

they're going to rear their ugly head. But that's okay. We know that happens.

23:21

Jo Johanna Murillo: I think that I always tries to pamper them

23:23

while they're there, you know, have a green room ready for them so they can unwind and

23:28

see the event before it's their turn.

23:30

Get them some water. If they have teeth like something,

23:33

appetizers so they feel comfortable because

23:36

getting on stage as soon as you could be,

23:40

it's always like a challenge, you know?

23:42

Okay. Let's go. So there is the inevitable to say like, ah,

23:46

I'm not nervous. Then if you're not nervous, you have a

23:49

problem. You have to be nervous, because

23:52

that means that and shows that you care.

23:54

So to try to make them as comfortable once

23:56

they are at the at the place of the venue so

24:00

they can give their best as well when

24:02

they're in front of their audience. Carol Cox: Yes, I love those extra touches that you do.

24:07

And again, that's why your events get raved

24:09

about so much by everyone that I talked to

24:11

here in the community. So let me share a little bit more about your background with

24:15

the listeners. So you are originally from Ecuador and you also you've lived in

24:19

Argentina as well as the Netherlands.

24:21

So you really do have this multicultural

24:23

perspective. And that's why I love living in

24:25

Orlando. I've lived here for 20 years, is

24:27

because I feel like it is such a diverse

24:30

community of so people from so many

24:32

different parts of the world, and kind of, I don't know if it's because of Walt Disney

24:36

World, even though we don't live anywhere near that, and I never go there, but I feel

24:39

like it attracts people from everywhere. And so I think that so can you tell us a

24:43

little bit more, Jo, about your background,

24:46

you know, living in these different countries and having these different

24:49

experiences, then what how that has led to

24:53

some of the the work that you do in your business.

24:56

Jo Johanna Murillo: Yes, I understand, and I love Orlando because

24:58

of that too. I'm going to make like a little story.

25:01

Long story short, I would if you would have

25:04

asked me five years ago, are you going to live in Orlando? It was like, hell no.

25:06

Why can we say that? Yeah. Can we say, hell? You're not going to

25:09

get rated. Okay. Um, why would I go there?

25:14

It's just Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse. But after a while, when I got stuck here

25:19

during the pandemic because we couldn't leave, I started to get to know the

25:23

communities. I realized that Downtown Disney

25:25

is not downtown Orlando. I realized that there's a mills district,

25:30

there's a Winter park, Baldwin Park.

25:33

There's, um, Bambi. Et cetera. All those smaller neck of the

25:37

woods that made the community amazing.

25:39

And I fell in love with the people, to be honest, people in Orlando, since I believe

25:44

they have that different multicultural

25:46

perspective and access, are more open to

25:51

integrate other people into the culture.

25:54

So that's the great thing about our

25:56

beautiful city. So with that being said, yes, I'm originally

26:00

from Ecuador, born and raised this little

26:03

country just to test the geography between

26:06

Colombia and Peru, which it's it's

26:10

beautiful. We have all different zones.

26:13

We have the beaches, we have the islands, we

26:15

have the Andes and the Amazons.

26:18

And for me, it was a gift to be able to to

26:22

be born and raised there, because it allows

26:24

us to have some extra layer of resilience,

26:28

of enduring difficulties and still be able

26:32

to offer kindness to people because we are

26:36

all in the struggle. Bus, like I say. So after a while, you know, studying,

26:41

growing, working, being a teacher.

26:43

Yes, I was a university teacher back in the

26:46

day. I decided to move to Argentina to

26:49

pursue my master's studies, and it was a

26:51

place that I also fell in love with. It was supposed to be just a year and a half

26:55

deal. It turned into a five year long five

26:59

seasons episode. And I loved it too, especially because it

27:04

was so different, even if it's in South America. Argentina is considered the Europe

27:08

of South America and also a hub as well,

27:11

where a lot of people from different parts

27:13

of the world, you know, Australia, England,

27:17

the US, even within South America will come

27:20

and have experiences there.

27:23

And it was a great learning process as well,

27:25

because that allowed me and enabled me to

27:28

see that, not because we come from different

27:30

backgrounds. We all are different.

27:33

There are things that are similar regardless

27:36

of your language or where you're born or

27:38

where you were brought up. I never met anyone that doesn't want to feel

27:42

good, that doesn't want to learn, that

27:45

doesn't want to expand, that doesn't want to

27:47

be loved. So I believe those are things that

27:50

regardless of where you come from, stay.

27:53

And of course, the cherry on top. Netherlands. It was less than a year, but I

27:57

count it. I mean, it's still good, but it

28:01

allowed me also to see it from the other side of the pond. How it is, you know.

28:05

And what I loved is that Netherlands is

28:08

actually the beacon of diversity, equity and

28:11

inclusion. You see everything and everywhere, and it's kind of like Orlando in

28:16

a country, pretty much. I think it's the same size the country, like

28:20

with Florida. But you, you get to see that.

28:23

And that also brought me so much inspiration. So but when I made the decision

28:28

of staying in Orlando, it's like, okay, this

28:30

this is also I can see it. I can see that this is a city, that it's

28:35

evolving. It's growing towards the right

28:38

side. It's and it's not going to stop.

28:41

I mean, the growth that our city has had in

28:44

the last years has been exponential, and

28:46

it's because of its people. Carol Cox: Oh, I love that. Thank you for sharing that,

28:50

Jo. And tell us about your company.

28:52

Wow Brand Studios, who are your typical

28:55

clients and what do you do with them?

28:59

Jo Johanna Murillo: Well, Wow Brand Studios, like I was mentioning earlier, is a full on production

29:02

agency that we help entrepreneurs and

29:06

business owners become the rock stars that

29:08

they already are, with a beautiful visuals

29:10

and brands. I learned the tagline finally.

29:14

So what? We help them by offering them the

29:18

possibility of showing themselves as they

29:21

are. Because when you start a business, of course, sometimes the budget can be a

29:25

limitation, but not with us because we have

29:28

different standards or packages that can go

29:31

along with whatever you are in your road. We have the smaller package when you're

29:34

starting, and the whole idea is to take you to the bigger one once you are successful,

29:39

because success is just what you define from

29:41

it. So we are a full on team of marketers,

29:45

designers, photographers, videographers,

29:48

even stylists. Because why not?

29:50

You can get styled and and help you present

29:54

yourself in the best way possible.

29:57

Not because you don't have a budget. It doesn't mean that you cannot present

30:00

yourself as the rock star as you are.

30:02

So that's what we do. Of course, now we are here.

30:05

But when we started, we just hit a lot of

30:07

roadblocks because of course, coming from

30:10

another country, you think that you know

30:12

what you know and when you come here okay,

30:15

games and the rules are different.

30:17

So instead of getting better, uh, in my

30:20

case, I decided to learn how to play.

30:23

And that was what we've been doing ever

30:25

since. You know, try to help as much as we can be of service.

30:28

Sometimes it's been good. Sometimes it's just a lesson to be learned.

30:32

But like I said, it's a matter of how open

30:36

you are to learn, to grow, to learn from

30:40

your mistakes and take them as lessons and

30:43

put yourself out there as an agent of service. Because once you put yourself out

30:47

there as an agent of service, only good things will come.

30:50

Carol Cox: Well, absolutely. And I business is

30:52

definitely a roller coaster for sure.

30:55

Anyone who's been an entrepreneur knows that

30:57

there is the high highs where like if things

30:59

are amazing, you get to do this amazing work

31:01

that you choose to do with the clients that you choose to. And then there's definitely

31:05

the down parts of the roller coaster where you're like, okay, I tried that, that did

31:09

that totally failed, or I really wanted to do this and that didn't work out.

31:12

But I just feel like so much of it is just a

31:14

learning lesson. And when you get to meet amazing people along the way.

31:18

Jo, let me, uh, as we wrap up here.

31:21

So for everyone listening, check out Jo's

31:23

website. It's at Wow Brands Studios.com.

31:26

The link is also in the show notes for this podcast episode.

31:29

Also, make sure to connect with her on LinkedIn her.

31:32

The link to her profile is also in the show.

31:35

Notes, so make sure to connect with her there and say hi. Let her know that you

31:38

heard her here on the Speaking Your Brand podcast. Jo, thank you so much for coming on

31:42

and sharing your insights and your experiences to help our listeners land more

31:47

speaking opportunities and more panels for

31:49

them. I really appreciate your time.

31:51

Jo Johanna Murillo: No, thank you so much for having me. This has been in the works for a long time,

31:56

and I'm so happy that we're finally able to

31:58

make it. Thank you so much, Carol, and for all that you do, it doesn't go unnoticed.

32:02

Carol Cox: And for everyone listening. If you would like to develop your signature

32:06

talk so that you are ready in a moment's

32:08

notice, if someone calls you and they need a speaker, whether it's in a week, a day, or

32:12

even an hour, you can work with us on your

32:15

thought leadership, your signature talk, and

32:17

learn the business of speaking in our Thought Leader Academy.

32:20

You can get all the details and join us at

32:22

speaking your brand.com/academy.