THE ART OF MAKING (+ LEAVING) AN IMPACT

Known by her clients as “a gifted speaker and brilliant coach,” communication expert Robyn Hatcher teaches leaders how to connect with people in a way that has a lasting impact. Take a look at three confidence-boosting dresses she swears by.

The first time we met, you told us a story about a nickname you had growing up. Can you share your story with our readers?

Yes—I was super shy as a child! I wouldn’t speak to anyone who wasn’t in my immediate family. One of my uncles jokingly called me “Shy” one day and it STUCK! That became my name. (My mother even started signing Christmas cards using it!) By the time I got to high school, I was tired of being trapped in the “shy” role and realized that I had the opportunity to be whoever I wanted to be. One day, I heard an announcement over the loudspeaker that changed my life. The announcement was for an audition for a play, and I knew I had to try out! I unleashed every emotion I’d ever suppressed onto that stage…and I got a part. From what I now know about brain science, I realize that that play changed my life. Rehearsing and performing it actually rewired the neural connections in my brain. From then on, it got easier for me to express myself.

Walk us through the early days of your business. What inspired you to explore life as an entrepreneur?

My business actually started accidentally. After acting in high school, I decided to major in theatre in college and moved to NYC to become a professional actor after I graduated. Being an actor is so much like being an entrepreneur. You are totally on your own and running the business of “selling” yourself. I definitely learned a bit about entrepreneurship that way.

One of my “survival” jobs was as an ESL teacher at an NYC college. At one point, I decided to experiment with creating a public speaking class for my second language students. I quickly fell in love with teaching people how to fully express their true selves and opinions. The course earned high ratings, and I was soon tapped by the college to teach classes to native speakers. Then one day while sitting with a friend, we thought, “Hey, you should go out on your own!” I made up a business name and business cards right then and there. My next step was to join a women’s business entrepreneur group focused on helping women launch and grow their businesses. The rest is history! If we plant seeds everywhere we go, one day we look around and see a beautiful, healthy garden. I planted so many seeds that it would take an entire book to list them all, but I watered them and many bloomed (and are still blooming).

As a speaker, coach, and consultant, you certainly stay busy! What does a day in the life of Robyn look like

Gosh, it varies considerably! A typical day usually starts with an exercise class—I might take a Body Pump class—and then I like to head to the roof of my gym to meditate (depending on the weather). After that, I go back home or come here to the Norwood Club to start the workday; working on a PowerPoint presentation, writing an article to share, updating social media posts, reaching out to prospects, and coaching clients.

And sometimes there are not-so-ordinary days like yesterday! I 1) did a commercial for a new social platform I’m part of called WiseHer which focuses on women helping women, and then 2) ran off to Long Island City to deliver a keynote presentation to Con Edison (NY’s electric company) about listening skills before 3) finally ending the evening with a ZUMBA class!

Robyn is wearing our Siobhan dress in raspberry + navy.

Many people struggle with a fear of public speaking, and you’ve shared so many tips to help overcome this (like rehearsing powerful monologues or retraining your brain to recognize nerves as excitement). Are there ever times that you still feel nervous before an event? What are a few of your personal favorite tricks?

Yes, I do still get nervous—though I am usually pretty good at turning those nerves into excitement! The thing that really helps me is starting with what I have to give. I actually have a “Speaker’s Affirmation” that someone from the National Speakers Association shared with me. It’s all about how we are here to make a difference, how much the audience might need what we have to share, and how we can change lives. I read that out loud before I go on stage, and whenever I can, I have a great walk-on song that I like to play before I start. Hearing and moving to music that I love energizes me, relaxes me, and gets me in touch with my excitement.

You are certainly a woman on the go! Do you have any advice for other women who are required to travel for work? Are there any places you could revisit again and again?

I love traveling! So far, as long as the airlines cooperate, I haven’t suffered any ill effects. When I’m away, I try to eat healthy and drink lots of water. All the standard things. I always like to arrive at my destination early so I can unwind and get a feel for the city I’m in. I loved my recent trip to New Orleans and would love to go back there, and was pleasantly surprised by how interesting Detroit was. I had never been there before!

Tell us about a favorite piece of your business. Which part of the process do you find most exciting?

This may sound a bit trite, but my favorite part of the business is making a difference. When I see an audience nodding in agreement, or when they then approach me afterward to express how I inspired them to think or do something differently, or when I see a coachee deliver a presentation that is 180 degrees better than it was an hour earlier, it makes my heart swell. I get goosebumps when an audience member or a client shares a revelation that occurred to them based on something I shared. That’s my favorite part. All the other stuff can become overwhelming and exhausting and frustrating, but keeping my “why” in mind always gets me through it.

It seems like every entrepreneur has a set of unique tips and tricks that help them stay inspired, even when the going gets tough. What are a few of yours?

You may have already guessed based on some of the things I shared earlier! Working out and meditating are definitely two ways I stay sane. I also have an incredible network of speakers and entrepreneurs I see on a regular basis—people I can call on when I’m feeling frustrated, confused or down. I belong to several women’s networking groups, two mastermind groups for speakers, a powerful Facebook group for women speakers, and I am part of a book club that has been going strong for almost 20 years. I also read a lot and listen to some really amazing and inspirational podcasts (like Untangle, Hidden Brain, The Wealthy Speaker, Invisabilia and NSA’s Voices of Experience).

You must get to meet and work with so many inspiring women. Is there a client who stands out in your mind or an experience that you have carried with you over the years?

I have met some amazing people and had some very interesting experiences! There was a time when I had two different women come to me around the same time. They both were super successful but came to me because they were lacking in confidence. At the time, I remember thinking, “Gosh! If I had their experience, I would be rocking it! What is wrong with them?” It became clear that I was questioning my own value and wondered if I was up to the task of helping them. But as I started coaching both of these women, I discovered that both of them had similar issues. Without going into it here, they both had something in their past that they were ashamed of. Because they hadn’t dealt with or shared the story around that shame, it was affecting how they felt about all of their success. I coached them both to tell their stories in a way that was powerful and in a way that added to their credibility. One did it in a presentation she was preparing for, and the other did it in a conversation she had with her boss. It was amazing. Once they were able to do that, their confidence level soared! That experience stands out not only because of how much my clients grew, but because of what it taught me about myself. I assumed that because these women looked like they had it all, I wouldn’t be able to help them. I’m certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and there’s an expression or presupposition that says, “the map is not the territory”. I judged these women by their map of incredible experiences, degrees, and accolades, but did not realize that there was a territory that needed to be explored. I was also undervaluing my own talents and abilities. My experiences with those two clients, oddly happening within a week of each other, taught me a lot.

We love hearing about every woman’s personal Oprah Winfrey, Joan of Arc, or Wonder Woman. Tell us about a woman you admire.

There are lots of people whom I admire, but not one that is my particular “idol.” One person who comes to mind is Gloria Steinem. I love her commitment and her quiet power. I’ve seen her speak and read her book, and she is so down-to-earth and relatable.

I do have friends who are my personal Wonder Women. My dear friend, Amy Ferris, is a writer, writing mentor/coach, fierce thought leader, champion of women and, as she likes to say about others, a true “Shero.” Amy has championed me and so many other women with no expectations or strings attached. She has pulled me through many challenging times. And there are other women in my life too that I greatly admire who may not (Yet) be household names.