3 Career Moves That Helped Me Become a Public Speaker & Entrepreneur

Social media often highlights the shiny moments—the big stages, exciting events, and success stories. But what you don’t always see are the years of learning, setbacks, and persistence that made those moments possible.

Last year, I had the honor of hosting the first-ever The National AI Awards, a milestone I couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. But it wasn’t luck. It was years of intentional growth, saying yes to opportunities, and consistently showing up, even when it felt uncomfortable.

If you’re looking to break into public speaking, grow your career, or build a business, here are three career moves that shaped my journey.

1. Being Intentional About Technology

Tech isn’t just my industry, it’s a lifelong learning journey. Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in digital transformation, innovation, and emerging trends to stay ahead.

I started my career as a technology consultant, leading digital projects for major clients. I made a habit of staying informed, reading books, listening to podcasts, and keeping up with industry news. When I wasn’t working, I was experimenting, starting a side hustle, testing new tools, and actively applying what I learned. I even immersed myself in tech and tech communities, attending events & networking with experts

Being intentional about technology allowed me to future-proof my career. Whether you work in tech or not, the ability to adapt, stay curious, and upskill is invaluable in today’s world.

2. Saying Yes to Opportunities

A lot of my growth came from saying yes—before I even felt ready. Early on, I:

• Presented to clients & sat in on meetings

• Attended networking events & built relationships from scratch

• Delivered workshops pro bono to gain experience & credibility

• Skill-swapped to learn from others & turn rejection into redirection

• Practiced my talk, walk, and interview skills until I mastered them

At first, it was intimidating. But with every event, meeting, and opportunity, I built confidence, credibility, and resilience. Growth happens outside your comfort zone—even when it feels messy and uncertain.

Pro tip: If an opportunity scares you, say yes and figure it out as you go.

3. Sharing My Experience

In today’s digital world, your personal brand is your credibility. I made it a priority to share my journey, insights, and expertise, because if you don’t tell your story, how will people know what you’re capable of?

From writing LinkedIn posts to creating content that educates and engages, I built my personal branding by consistently showing up. I developed my critical thinking skills, commissioned a showreel to showcase my speaking work, started a YouTube channel and learned how to edit & produce content using AI tools.

But most importantly, I stayed visible in the right spaces—replying to press requests, speaking at events, and building my network both online and offline.

Pro tip: If you want to attract opportunities, don’t just wait for them. Put yourself out there.

Takeaway

Success isn’t one big break—it’s consistent action over time. For 10+ years, I’ve invested in myself, taken risks, and adapted to change. Every new opportunity built on the last.

Key Piece of Advice

Don’t wait until you feel ready. Start now. Share your work, put yourself out there and onto new environments, and build your skills through experience.

So What? Why Does This Matter?

• If you want to break into tech—start immersing yourself in industry knowledge.

• If you want to be a public speaker—begin practicing, even in small settings.

• If you want to grow your career—network, experiment, and share your journey.

It all starts with one step forward. The only question is—what’s your next step?

Want to Build Your Own Networking & Career Growth Strategy?

• Grab my book Unprepared to Entrepreneur for insights on networking & career success.

• Join the LMF Network app for mentorship, resources, and a like-minded community: https://lnkd.in/eAUUtdBj

• Want me to speak at your event? Let’s collaborate—contact my team here: harry.gibson@rivamedia.co.uk

Sonya Barlow is an award-winning entrepreneur, presenter and author with over 100K followers. She hosts her self-titled YouTube show "The Sonya Barlow Show", authored the business book "Unprepared to Entrepreneur" and runs a business inclusion consultancy and networking app the "LMF Network". You can work with Sonya for campaigns, content and conversation. Connect via email - Hello@SonyaBarlow.Co.Uk.