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.

6 months in Inspiring Speakers Bureau. It was unexpected. But maybe that’s how progress works. You take one step—intentionally. And something bigger starts moving toward you. I didn’t get in a year ago. Got in October 2025. What changed? Not everything. But enough: • Direction became clearer • Learning became structured • The right people showed up Closer to where I want to be. Season 2 of Just As It Is soon. Grateful to @Drew Brania and @David Corsini . Thank you!!! Gopika!!!

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"

My story is being played at a museum in Washington D.C. Let that sink in. I came to America at 17 with nothing. I slept on cardboard in a basement. No money. Eating peanut butter and jelly just to survive. Took 17 years to finish college. Then one day, a manager at The Home Depot asked me how I was doing. I told him the truth: I was sleeping in a basement and didn't know how I'd make it. He didn't just listen. He gave me $600 dollars to buy a mattress. Then he took me on a journey. Showed me what leadership actually meant. Showed me that people matter. That your story matters. The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream selected my story among 10,000 Americans featured in their exhibit. Same room as Oprah Winfrey. Kevin O'Leary. Magic Johnson. And the late Bernie Marcus Co-Founder of The Home Depot. ( RIP). The company that believed in me when I was sleeping on cardboard. I didn't come from privilege. I came from a basement, sleeping on carboard. I came from nothing. And somehow, my story is now on a museum wall. Today I help leaders find their story, tell it with confidence, and use it to build authority and influence. Because what happened TO you is not the end. It's the beginning of someone else's breakthrough. I've watched leaders get promoted. I've watched them build movements. All because they stopped hiding their story and started owning it. This is why I speak and coach others to tell them this: Your story is your strategy. Not your setback —> your strategy. Don't you ever let anyone tell you your story doesn't matter. It belongs in rooms you never imagined. Who's the person who believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself?

Just when I thought I couldn't love this community more, I DO!! I needed a form. I had an idea of what I needed it to look like but I also knew other speakers/coaches in the group likely had a similar form, so I asked during yesterday's weekly Inspiring Talks meeting. AND I RECEIVED! They sent me their forms. I took their suggestions, added my spin to it and TAA DAAA! Form ready for use! CHI MIIGWETCH (BIG thank you) to @Jerry Fletcher and @Sunni Smith for your willingness to share and for the encouragement of everyone in this group. And remember, the best relationships are reciprocal so if YOU ever need anything, just ask! Love you all tons! HUGSSSSSSS Sandi