From the Boardroom to the Podium: My Journey as a NAPPS Speaker
I’ve spent a decade in the corporate world and countless hours teaching Pet CPR and First Aid. You’d think I’d be a pro at public speaking by now, right?
Well, standing in Raleigh last week, preparing to step onto the stage at the NAPPS 2026 Conference, I realized this was a whole different beast. To be honest? I was incredibly nervous. Despite my professional background, the weight of speaking to a national audience of my peers felt heavy. Add to that a stubborn sinus infection that had been trying to take me down all week, and I wasn't sure if my voice, or my nerves would hold up.
The Secret Weapon: Toastmasters & of course kristin!
If I hadn’t prepared the way I did, I might have let those nerves win. Over the past year, I joined Toastmasters specifically to prepare for this very moment. My home club, the Tech Talkers, has been my backbone. Their constant encouragement and feedback gave me the tools to stand tall, even when my sinuses were screaming and my heart was racing to go home and hide. Knowing I had a whole group of "Tech Talkers" cheering me on from afar was the boost I needed to walk toward that microphone.
But the real "calm in the storm" was having Kristin, my best friend and business partner, right there in the front row. Having her cheering me on didn't just give me confidence; it reminded me why we do this work in the first place. We’ve built this business together, and having her by my side as I shared our vision with the world made the moment truly special.
Bringing Corporate Strategy to the Pet World
My mission was to bridge the gap between my corporate past and our pet-sitting present. I wanted to show my fellow business owners that Strategic Planning isn't just a buzzword for Fortune 500 companies, it’s the secret sauce for a sustainable, professional pet-care business.
We dove deep into:
Crafting a Mission: Defining why we do what we do.
Defining a Vision: Mapping out where the ship is actually sailing.
Living Your Values: Setting the "non-negotiables" for how we treat clients and pets.
Establishing Goals: Understanding how our vision shapes our goals.
Assessing Our Plan: Learning new tools like the SWOT analysis and Start, Stop, Keep framework to assess our needs.
The "Aha!" Moments
The most eye-opening part of the experience wasn't the talk itself, but what happened after. I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback. Seeing so many talented sitters feel motivated to "architect" their businesses, rather than just reacting to the next booking request was incredibly moving and I felt so proud to have helped light that fire.
It reminded me that while I was worried about my voice holding up, the message was what really mattered.
Lessons Learned (Besides "Bring Extra Tissues or Mucinex")
Preparation Pays Off: My year in Toastmasters was the best investment I could have made.
Community is Everything: The NAPPS crowd is one of the kindest, most encouraging groups of professionals I’ve ever met and have chosen to speak in front of for a first time speaker.
Growth Happens in Discomfort: If I hadn't pushed through the nerves and the sinus pressure, I would have missed the chance to help dozens of businesses find their "North Star."
A huge thank you to the Tech Talkers for the prep, and to everyone who sat in on my session. Your energy helped me forget my cold and focus on our shared future.
Now, who’s ready to start drafting their 2026 Strategic Plan?
