Today, I want to take a moment to honor someone who shaped not only a business, but my life. Larry Ketelaars, founder of Inspiring Speakers Bureau, passed away on April 17th, 2026. He was my stepfather, my mentor, my business partner, and one of the most influential people I will ever know. Larry built Inspiring Speakers Bureau from the ground up in the late 1990s. Through sheer persistence, optimism, and (most crucially) his belief in people, he guided this business through some of the toughest periods in modern history. Inspiring Speakers survived and adapted through 9/11, SARS, the 2008 financial crisis, and COVID—times when many in the speaking industry didn’t make it. Larry never lost faith. He never lost purpose. He just kept moving forward. In 2017, Larry entrusted me with the business and passed the torch. But he never stepped away in spirit. Up until his final days, he remained a powerful and invaluable mentor, guiding me, challenging me, and continuing to shape the direction of Inspiring Speakers. Everything I know about this business (and much of what I know about life) came from him. He taught me the ins and outs of the professional speaking world, but more importantly, he taught me about people. About human connection. About branding and marketing with integrity. About building real client relationships. About conducting yourself ethically, even when it’s difficult. Larry was an incredible leader. He led with positivity. With optimism. With a mindset that no matter what was happening externally, there was always a way forward. That attitude became the backbone of this business. Throughout his career, Larry had the privilege of working with some of the greatest voices in the world—Les Brown, Robin Sharma, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Kiyosaki, Dr. Wayne Dyer, and many more. But what stood out most wasn’t just who he worked with—it was how he showed up. With humility. With consistency. With genuine care. Larry was legally blind. He had only about 5% of his vision. And yet, I’ve always said—he was the most observant man I’ve ever known. Because he paid attention. He listened. He noticed what others missed. He recognized people for who they truly were. Larry saw more than most people, in both a literal and metaphorical way.

Okay, first off, if you haven't subscribed to @Jerry Fletcher 's newsletter on LinkedIn, you are missing the boat. Secondly, Jerry recently posted in his newsletter about emotional hooks you should use in your posting. I took screenshots than threw the info into Claude (AI). Then since Claude and I are now buds, he asked if I wanted examples specific to my industry. The two attached documents are the result. Quit fearing AI! USE IT along with the guidance of the experienced ... like Jerry Fletcher. Thanks Jerry!!

Trust me, eventually the flower blooms.

I was spending some time in the community today and it hit me just how much heavy lifting our profiles do before we ever send a message or hop on a call. In a space like Skool, your profile isn’t just a bio—it’s your silent introduction. But it made me wonder: are we using that space to its full potential, or are we leaving opportunity on the table by being a bit too modest? I noticed a few common patterns that most of us (myself included!) fall into. If you look at your own profile right now through the eyes of a total stranger, here are a few things to consider: - Titles vs. Outcomes: Many of us lead with "International Speaker," "Author," or "CEO." Those are impressive, but they tell people what you are, not necessarily how you help them. What changes for the person who hires you? - Human Connection: We have an amazing mix of coaches, poets, and facilitators here. Adding a tiny bit of "why" or a human touch—like your mission to make the world better or your specific creative lens—helps you stand out in a sea of professional labels. It’s usually just a simple shift from sounding "qualified" to being "the solution." When was the last time you looked at your bio and asked: "If someone landed here with zero context, would they know exactly why they should reach out to me within five seconds?" @Regina Huber @E.g. Sebastian @Antoni Lacinai @Rosie Norman-neubauer

Hi folks, We're live with Inspiring Talks in just under one hour from now, at 1pm EDT! It's a great way to network and mastermind with your colleagues from this dynamic international community. Join us here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8622157820 See you soon! Drew and David Inspiring Speakers Bureau "Inspire the World"