Author to Authority Kim Thompson-Pinder

Hersh Rephun is a trailblazer in the realm of personal branding through storytelling with a deep-seated background in commercial production and advertising. His perspective on personal branding is centered around the belief that every individual possesses a unique story that distinguishes them from others. This perspective has been shaped by his experiences as a representative for directors of TV commercials, where he developed his skill in crafting engaging bios and articles, and integrated his background in stand-up comedy and acting. Rephun stresses the importance of authenticity and highlighting the most distinctive aspects of one's story, rather than focusing on traditional accomplishments or credentials. He sees storytelling as a means to build trust, connect with audiences, and stand out in a competitive market, driving his belief that all branding is personal and should be delivered with sincerity and integrity.

Dave Sanderson is an accomplished author, celebrated leadership speaker, and survivor of the "Miracle on the Hudson" incident. With a rich background in sales and leadership, spanning 36 years at companies like ADP, Peoplesoft, and Oracle, he successfully established his own executive coaching and leadership firm, Dave Sanderson Speaks International, in 2014. Sanderson’s unique perspective on the Miracle on the Hudson experience is shaped by his direct involvement in the incident, and he stresses the invaluable contribution of first responders and various organizations from New York and New Jersey that collaboratively managed the crisis. His personal insights underline the significance of resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming uncertainty and transforming challenging situations into opportunities.

Brook Bishop is a business professional who brings over two decades of experience to the table. This includes his roles in personal development, human elevation, business consulting, practice management, coaching, live events, and product development. With his unique perspective, honed over 15 years as the executive director of business mastery for Tony Robbins, Bishop sees sales as a fundamental tool in achieving business success. He underscores the importance of a well-defined sales process as a stepping-stone to prosperity in business. Based on his teachings on the "six cylinders to success" and his advocacy for fostering reciprocal relationships and adding value, it is evident that Bishop's experiences have significantly shaped his views on sales. He believes that without a sound sales strategy, a business is reduced to a mere hobby, further emphasizing sales as mission-critical to long-term business success.

Dean Isaacs is a highly experienced sales consultant with a prolific 19-year career in the B2B sector, specializing in assisting experts and consultants in scaling their businesses via high ticket sales call strategies. He believes the secret to converting a discovery call into a high ticket sales call is not in immediate expertise demonstration, but in the art of asking insightful questions and listening. Drawing from his unique approach labeled the "eliminating the friction effect," which combines marketing and sales, Dean guides clients to ponder differently about their problems, thereby valuing services more, spending more, and making faster purchases. This collaboration-focused strategy, Dean asserts, allows clients to make well-informed decisions instead of pushing for a sale. With consistent results and the opportunity for continuous improvement based on feedback as the end goal, Dean encourages service providers, consultants, and coaches to formalize and document their sales process.

Joey Vaillancourt, a fervent advocate for personal development and success, uses his entrepreneurial background to help individuals harness the power of their mindsets. Vaillancourt sees the value in business partnerships, viewing them as an extension of a business's team. He has learned from his work, particularly from consulting on partnership programs at partnerprofits.com, that the key to successful collaboration often lies in the strength of these relationships. He encourages businesses to invest in nurturing these relationships, stressing the importance of clear communication, well-defined compensation models, and structured partnership programs. He also believes in the power of gratitude in fostering a positive business environment, suggesting that a grateful mindset can contribute significantly to better outcomes and smoother collaborations.

Conor Cunneen, originally hailing from Ireland and now a seasoned Chicago resident, is a renowned keynote speaker and business humorist with a background as a marketing vice president. Cunneen holds a strong belief in the power humor holds within professionalism, using it to establish connections with clients and audiences. With his comedic talents, he skillfully delivers presentations that not only entertain but also motivate audiences, emphasizing the significance of incorporating humor to build relationships. Furthermore, he suggests that humor, even in small doses, can effectively engage and connect with others during communication. This perspective has been shaped by his experiences in consulting, particularly in the food service industry, where he continues to spread laughter and provide insightful tips to enhance performance and productivity.