The Painful Truth About Keynote Speaking (And Why the Smartest Women Are Building Their OWN Stages)

Let’s talk about something few speakers are willing to say out loud: The keynote speaking industry is broken.

Watch this video to get the truth (and why the smartest women are building their OWN stages).

For years, women like us have been told that the pinnacle of success is getting paid to deliver a powerful keynote. And yes—I’ve been there. I’ve taken the stage at Microsoft Headquarters, HayHouse Summit, Emerging Women, Mindshare Summit, and dozens of others. I’ve been paid up to $25,000 to speak, and I’ve also paid to speak (and made offers off the back end). I’ve spoken for free and still walked away with $225,000 in client sales from ONE stage.

So believe me when I say this…

The real money in speaking is NOT in landing more keynotes.
It’s in building your own stage—and learning to sell your own offers with heart.

The Old Way Is Outdated (and Painful)

For decades, the only models available to speakers were:

• Hustle to get paid keynotes (only to realize you’re building someone else’s brand)
• Speak for free and hope you can sell something afterward
• Or pay-to-play, with no guarantee of ROI

Yes, these paths can work—but they often come with gatekeeping, tight time limits, and zero control over what you can say, offer, or promote.

Worse? They leave brilliant, mission-driven women dependent on someone else’s stage to grow their business.

The New Way: Build Your Own Stage

In today’s world, you don’t need permission to get booked—you need a microphone, a message, and a model that works.

Here’s the truth:

🔑 When you build your own stage, YOU control the mic, the message, and the money.

You get to invite your dream audience.
You get to teach with heart and authenticity.
You get to share your offer—without limits, without middlemen, and without compromising your mission.

I’ve taught hundreds of women to do exactly this—create a magnetic talk that inspires AND enrolls… without being pushy or salesy. Because the stage isn’t just a spotlight. It’s a sales funnel in disguise when done right.

3 Painful Truths About Keynote Speaking (And Why It’s Time to Pivot)

1 – Keynotes Don’t Build Your Business—They Build Someone Else’s.

Even the big ones. Sure, they stroke your ego. But unless you’re selling something after, the ROI is mostly exposure.

2 – You Have No Control Over What You Can Offer.

Ever tried to sell from a stage and been told “no pitching”? It’s common. And it kills your momentum (and your revenue).

3 – The Industry Is Saturated—But Your Own Stage Is Wide Open.

There are only so many keynote slots. But there’s no limit to the events, workshops, webinars, or retreats YOU can create. And with the right talk, your stage can convert strangers into soul-aligned clients.

You don’t need more credentials. You don’t need permission.

You need a talk that sells… and a stage of your own. .tick around and I’ll show you how it’s done.

Let’s build it—together.

With heart,

Sage