We recently had the chance to connect with Leslie Jespersen and have shared our conversation below.
Leslie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think one of the biggest things people are secretly struggling with—but don’t say out loud—is patience and humility in the speaking industry. A lot of people have what I call delulu confidence—and honestly, that’s amazing, because belief in yourself is the first step. But the problem is they’re skipping about 20 steps in the process.
They want to call themselves a speaker, step on stage with their charming personality, and immediately be fully booked and paid thousands of dollars. And when it doesn’t happen, they start feeling defeated, comparing themselves, and burning out on cold pitches and endless applications.
What they don’t realize is that the speakers they admire—the ones who are household names—weren’t just lucky. They went through training, they learned the business side, they understood how to craft a talk that sells, and they built credibility.
So the real struggle I see is twofold: the ego that says ‘I don’t need help,’ and the impatience that makes them skip the foundation. And just like in business, you can fumble through, but if you actually want to reach your potential, you can’t skip those steps.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Leslie Jespersen, the founder of Center Stage Speaker School and the Everyday Celebrity brand. My world revolves around stages and live events—I help entrepreneurs, coaches, and thought-leaders step into their power as speakers and media personalities so they can grow their brand, income, and influence.
What makes my approach unique is that I’ve lived both sides of the stage: I started performing at age 9, worked in entertainment PR, and produced events for household names and major brands. I saw how the industry was full of gatekeeping, and I wanted to pull back the curtain and give everyday entrepreneurs the same level of positioning, training, and opportunities that celebrities and big companies get.
Now I blend that insider experience with a holistic approach—energetic and somatic work, stage performance training, and the business strategies to actually get booked and paid. It’s not just about giving a talk; it’s about creating a powerful presence that moves people to action.
Right now, I’m scaling the Center Stage Speaker School and producing the Everyday Celebrity Conference, as well as speaking on and emcee’ing stages nationwide. My mission is simple: to put more women where they belong—center stage.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was 9 years old and stepped onto a stage as a professional actor for the very first time. I can still remember the lights, the hush before the curtain rose, and that rush of knowing—‘I belong here.’ The feeling of being fully alive and connected to something bigger than me, with the lights on me, the sound of my voice filling the theater.
That moment shaped everything. I carried that little girl’s confidence into every chapter of my life—through entertainment PR, event production, even the messy personal seasons. But somewhere along the way, the world tried to tell me who I had to be—smaller, quieter, more palatable.
The reason I do what I do now is because I want other women to reclaim that same kind of power. To remember that they don’t need permission to take up space on stage or in business. That 9-year-old me who knew she belonged on stage? She’s still here, and she’s the one who shows up every time I help another woman step into her spotlight.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—I actually did give up during the pandemic. I took a job at an agency making $20 an hour. On paper, it made sense. I loved the actual work—social media and PR have always been my strengths. But the reality of working a 9–5 hit hard: my kids were struggling with me being gone, I’d come home to the stress of running a household, and I was constantly drained.
The hardest part? Answering to people I knew I had more experience than. That was the wake-up call. I lasted four weeks before I realized I wasn’t built to shrink myself like that. That job was actually the reminder I needed—that my power comes from building my own table, not sitting at someone else’s. So I quit, relaunched my business, went bigger and bolder than ever, and I haven’t looked back since.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s such a powerful question, because in personal branding we hear a lot about ‘authenticity’ and ‘transparency’—be yourself, show up as you are. And yes, I believe in that 100%. But the truth is, as a public figure, you still create personas.
When I’m on stage or in an interview, I’m still Leslie Jespersen—professional, eloquent, bold, with a little spice. That’s real. But it’s not the same Leslie who’s in pajamas doing a grocery order or being mom. Both versions are me, and both are true.
The difference is that when you step into the spotlight, you tap into what I call your alter ego—the most powerful version of yourself. That’s not fake. It’s performance, it’s energy work. It’s choosing to embody your highest self even on days when you don’t feel powerful. And honestly, my acting background makes that second nature for me. I’m still myself—I’m just stepping into the version of me that can hold the stage.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
The first thing that came to mind—honestly—was doom scrolling. I’ve caught myself so many times picking up my phone for the quick dopamine hit, and then suddenly 30 minutes are gone. Yes, social media is a huge part of my business and it’s how I connect with friends all over the world, and that’s a gift. But there’s also so much mindless scrolling, so much noise, and even weaponized media that can drain your energy and spirit.
If I only had 10 years left, I would stop giving so much of my time to a screen. I’d eliminate anything that doesn’t contribute to my legacy or to quality time with the people I love. Even just answering this question makes me want to hold myself accountable to that—because my last 10 years wouldn’t be measured in posts or likes, they’d be measured in moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lesliejespersen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliejespersen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliejill
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslie_jespersen
Image Credits
Ashley Abarr, Lauren Giordano
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