July Topic: What is something early on in your business that scared you but does not now?
By Jill Vater with Jianna Studio Designs
Something that scared me early on in my business was how I talked and how people would react to my voice because I now talk with an electro Larynx. Would they understand me? Or would they just walk away because they didn’t want to take the extra time to listen?
I can remember the many times that I was turned away just because of the way I talked.
It scared me to the point where I wouldn’t make any phone calls for fear of being hung up on. I would also shy away from talking to people unless I knew them because of all the stares I got from everyone. So, I mostly communicated via email to avoid these situations.
Then one day something clicked. While I was shopping, I was talking with my friend and a little boy asked his mom, why does that lady sound so funny? She told him it wasn’t polite to stare at people and just wanted to move on.
I told her that was ok and asked if I could explain to him what had happened to me and why my voice was different. She wasn’t sure what to expect but agreed to let me talk to him. (He was about 6 years old.) I explained to him how my vocal cords were removed due to cancer and that the only way I could talk now was by using a machine that sounded like a robot. He was intrigued and wanted to know how it worked and if it hurt when I used it. So, I explained it to him – how it worked – and I even let him push the button to make the sound. We had a few laughs and then they left.
I didn’t realize, until that moment, that there were people who didn’t understand WHY I talked that way. I realized I could educate them.
The same thing has happened to me over and over again while out in public. So, now I take the time to educate them on the subject. Yes, I still get stared at and some people even laugh but it’s ok.
I realized that just because my voice is different from everyone else I still have a voice and opinions and shouldn’t be ashamed or afraid to talk to people.
After all, communication is the key to having a successful business, and even if I talk differently, it shouldn’t hold me back.
Now, when I go out and meet new people, I hold myself accountable. I go up to them and initiate conversations to speak openly about my business.
I have successfully been a leader of a Woman’s Networking group for 8 years. And I find ways around how to communicate with people in larger groups through technology. I do this by using a voice amplifier (so my voice is louder), using a projection screen to display my presentations, and helping others in the group utilize similar technology. I also use Zoom meetings for one-on-one interactions.
So what if I am different from others! It just makes me unique and the people that I meet remember me by the way I talk, which helps me stand out and be remembered. Ultimately, it helps people identify me and my products.
I try to make it a memorable experience for everyone, and I am no longer shy or ashamed of speaking in public anymore. I am who I am, and I speak up when I have something to say.
