Episode 1

Embracing Your Energy with Niki Spears

Welcome, Niki Spears to Saturday Soundbites! This amazing inspirational speaker, book author, and entrepreneur has leveraged media, podcast appearances, live in-person and virtual events, and now the pandemic to grow her brand and establish a phenomenal following.

Niki is going to share her story and offer tips on how she pivoted her business during 2020 and is more popular than she has ever been. Niki is also going to give away two of her books to two lucky listeners! Be sure to visit her website at www.nikispears.com and order your book today.

Transcript

Veronica: [00:00:00] Hello. Hello. We are so excited to have you all here for our very first episode of Saturday soundbites. I just am thrilled and excited to be here with all of you and. Introduce the show and not only, share our expertise, but share all the wonderful, amazing experts that we have lined up for you. So we're going to go ahead and take care of a little bit of housekeeping.

[00:00:27] First. If you're listening on our podcast, please subscribe. Okay. So that you can get notifications on all of the episodes that we have and have access to all of our guests. We do take questions. So if you have any comments, be sure to log on. So we know that you're watching share with us where you're watching from, and then be sure to pose any questions that you have if you're watching on the replay hashtag replay so that we can follow up with you as well.

[00:00:52]I'm so excited to have an amazing guest, and I'm going to introduce you to this phenomenal woman. And she's going to share her story and share with you how she has pivoted since the pandemic, and has used this as an opportunity. yet again, throughout her life, she creates opportunities and give you some inspiration so that you can do the same and take your business to the next level.

[00:01:15] So I'm going to introduce you to my mentor, my source of inspiration and the person who really put me on the track too. Where it is and I'm going and supporting entrepreneurs. So without further ado, let me please introduce the amazing Nicky Spears to the show, Nikki. Hello, Veronica. Thank you for being here.

[00:01:35] We're so excited. 

[00:01:37] Niki: [00:01:37] I am so honored to be your first guest. 

[00:01:41] Veronica: [00:01:41] Amazing that we even got here. So I, I, you know, when I invited you on the show, one of the things I wanted to share with people was the, the journey of how we started working together and really. Sheer how it is. You got to where you are so that others who are not sure what to do, maybe they've gotten laid off.

[00:02:00] Maybe their job has changed. Their circumstances have changed how you have used this as an opportunity to really create an empire. 

[00:02:10] Niki: [00:02:10] Well, let me share with the listeners, our relationship first. And as you know, I left my job in 2016, to start my own, you know, I guess I say to quit my job and to start my adventure, I've always been passionate about culture.

[00:02:29] And so school culture has really, Ben Matt thing for me, that I felt if people were, if we could have more positive learning environments, then we would have more success in schools, not only with students, but with adults, and passion. My passion for culture. Didn't start when I became an administrator or when I was an educator, but it was when I was a young girl growing up in my home.

[00:02:52]so anyway, I left my job in 2016 to do just that. And I was going around certifying schools to become energy bus schools. I worked alongside, John Borton with the energy bus. And after four years of doing that now, Veronica, I think you and I met about a year ago. And I wanted to go out and do more speaking engagements.

[00:03:15] So I was already training when I went out to do energy bus. but I had this desire to go out and speak to audiences more about my message and never in a million years that I think I would stand up in front of hundreds. Sometimes thousands of people. To share my message of what it means to be positive, what it means to take 100% responsibility and building culture, your, your personal culture first, so that you can enjoy organizational culture.

[00:03:47] And that's when you and I met. And I'm telling you, and I've said this to you before that I prayed for you before you answered my life. And, you were the one who really put me out there, pushed me out there to the public so that I would have those opportunities. And, it's just been amazing. So since you know, you and I met, I now have written, I've written a book.

[00:04:09] I've written a couple of books and now on my third book, my children's book, but that's something I desired to do. And COVID-19 presented me with that opportunity. I wanted to write, but never thought I would have the time. And so here I was during COVID, I couldn't travel and I had been riding a little bit.

[00:04:27] And so what happened was I was able to bring all of that together in a powerful message, so that I could help people use their gifts and talents to transform what was happening now so that they could use their gifts and talents to change the world and to walk purpose. 

[00:04:47] Veronica: [00:04:47] That's amazing. And for all the listeners who are unsure of whether or not they can do that, how did you do it?

[00:04:55] How did you find the time, the energy, and really the, the grit to just sit down and write these books, because we've got a lot of entrepreneurs who are watching and listening who have a great book idea. They just don't know how to put it on paper. 

[00:05:12] Niki: [00:05:12] Well, I. I talked to a friend who had written a book and she said, Nikki, write an outline first.

[00:05:19] And you know, they teach you that in high school and you never think that's the way you write a book, but really it is you, you treat it as a big lesson plan. And so for all the educators out there, you think about what do you want people to know and be able to do. Once they've read your book. And that's exactly what I started thinking.

[00:05:38] I wanted people to be able to look at this moment and turn it into an opportunity rather than seeing it as a challenge. So the title of the book is, the beauty underneath the struggle. Creating your bus story. so I wanted them to use this moment to create their best bus story. So starting with that outline and then going through and just filling it in, you know, as you, as you go in and see, I had written bits and pieces, so it was almost like putting together a puzzle.

[00:06:08] So the things that I had already written, I said, Oh, This will be great in this chapter. This will be great in this chapter. so it's just being, having the time and COVID gave me that time because we were quarantined. I couldn't travel and it gave me the time to get up early in the mornings. And you just find the space to put something down.

[00:06:28] Another tip for me, came from my husband who said, stop going back and changing it every single time. Because every time I start riding again, I would reread what I read is, ah, nah, let's change. That's not what I meant to say. He said, just write it. Don't even go back and read it yet. Just couldn't on paper.

[00:06:47] And before I knew it, I had pages and pages of information that I wanted to share because I just thought about when I go out and speak. What are those parts that resonate with people? Things about my story that I wanted to share. What are those stories from others that I could share? And it came together like magic and I was just so proud.

[00:07:12] I'm so proud of it. No, you 

[00:07:14] Veronica: [00:07:14] should be it's phenomenal. It really is. And you've also written two children's books, but one is currently available. and, and I've got my copies of your books, of course. So I'm, I'm a proud, book carrier, and, networker for, for all of your books. But I want to talk a little bit about, the hand hug and how that can really.

[00:07:35]inspire people to do more of what you're doing because taking a big book project like that does take a lot of effort, but a children's book really could open the door for someone who's got a concept. Tell us about that. 

[00:07:51] Niki: [00:07:51] Well, th the children's books, I find that it's so easy for me to write. Okay. I can write a children's book and probably a couple of hours.

[00:07:59] Of course, you have to go back and make some revisions and modifications, but I'm saying the premise of it, the cool thing is as a little girl, I always loved to tell stories. To my, cousins. And they would come when they come over and spend the weekend with us, I was always the storyteller. Okay. And I would make up these stories and they be glued to, to me and they'd be like, Oh, what's happening next?

[00:08:23] When I write these children's books, I never know what the ending is going to be. What get what drives me is starting out and thinking, okay, so what is going on right now? What, what is it could that can help. Kids right in this, in this moment. And in this moment, I think kids just like adults need to learn to transform their negative, negative thoughts, worrisome thoughts.

[00:08:48] And so a lot of our kids are worried in this moment about school, about their parents, about a lot of things. And so in this book, the hand hug, it's about how do we transform? What are strategies that we can use to transform those worrisome thoughts so that we can have a better experience. And one thing that I do, Veronica is when I'm feeling worried or anxious.

[00:09:12] As I look around at the good things in my life, and I'm reminded of all the good things and it kind of brings me a little bit of peace. And so in this book, that's exactly what I teach kids is what is it that you know, what look at, look for the good, the good things around you, because we get more of what we focus on.

[00:09:33] And so if we can teach our kids early on to focus on the good to have, a heart of gratitude, I think they will be better prepared to deal with the challenges like this that we're faced with, with COVID-19 they will be better prepared to deal with those kinds of things. 

[00:09:52] Veronica: [00:09:52] Absolutely. And you know, that brings me to a question.

[00:09:56] How did you deal with COVID-19? I mean, I know for a fact that you had bookings a live event scheduled for. 1314, 16 months out. I mean, your calendar was booked. w how, how did you cope? What were some of the 

[00:10:12] Niki: [00:10:12] strategies you used? I turned to, you know, what are the opportunities. Where are the opportunities and there was the book.

[00:10:21]and so now with the book I go in and I talk to teens, not in person, but I have a lot of virtual sessions. I've moved a lot of my events to 2021, which I hope can take place. But now I've learned how to bring that energy in a virtual format so that, I can still continue to inspire and help people transform, you know, those worrisome thoughts or, reach those goals that they've desired to do.

[00:10:51] I always say that, you know, my goals never changed. But the way I get there, those things had to change. so, COVID-19, didn't slow me down. As a matter of fact, it just made me become more innovative and how I got my message out there and use the use of social media has really helped. And so, getting in there and being able to do it virtually, it's, it's really cool because I can have several events in one day.

[00:11:22] Veronica: [00:11:22] Yeah, no, that's fantastic. And we have a lot of, solo, preneurs and entrepreneurs in the group. what kind of supports do you have to help you with your social media? I mean, do you create all your own graphics? How, how hands on are you when it comes to getting your virtual message out? 

[00:11:40] Niki: [00:11:40] So I try with, I used to manage all my virtual accounts.

[00:11:45] Now I have a social media manager. Working with social media managers. You really have to work closely with them at first because they really don't know your brand. So I work closely with them to say, Hey, look, this is good. This is, this is not me. This is me. And sometimes they still get it wrong, but as long as, as long as they're willing to learn and continue to take that feedback.

[00:12:10] Then we started to work well together. but I've hired somebody to manage the social media part of that for me, because it gets really hard, but I'm one of those people that I like to tweet and, you know, get on Facebook and put my own stuff out there. So on top of what my social media manager does, I'm also a part of what's going on.

[00:12:32] I don't just allow them to take it solely. I also like to be engaged with. The people that follow me, my followers. So I'm constantly on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, all the social media sites. you'll see me on there. 

[00:12:50] Veronica: [00:12:50] Absolutely. I, and I love all of your content that you put out. It's always dynamic. Your graphics and photos are good.

[00:12:57] Share some, some other tips that from lessons learned, specifically with pivoting from in-person events to. To producing a books. You, I mean, I don't remember the exact dates, but if I remember correctly, it was in, within a matter of months, you just said, I wrote a book. I was like, great, a children's book.

[00:13:18] And you were like, Nope, I wrote a book and it's getting produced and it'll be on Amazon. And so for when, for those of us who are stuck at home, working from home, or for those of us, who've been laid off and we're not, you know, now we're starting to think, well, she could do it. I can do it. What are some of the tips that from lessons learned that you would share with our listeners?

[00:13:41] Niki: [00:13:41] One thing I knew in going out and speaking to people is that they wanted to hear my voice and my voice couldn't come across any less come across any louder than in a book. And like I said, I've been working on a book. I just didn't have the time to complete it. So I think if anybody out there is interested in writing, I would just say, stop thinking about it and do it.

[00:14:07] Put it on paper. As a matter of fact, you know, like I said, I put that outline together and I just started filling it in and with stories, with, with things, with tips that I've learned throughout the years with other readings, I have a lot of research in this book, which people tell me, I really like the research that you put in this book.

[00:14:26] It comes from, you know, other readings, that have really helped me and propel me to where, where I am. So I think the biggest thing is just. Knowing your voice. And the book gives me an opportunity to share with people who I am and what I'm about, and that strategies I've used to transform my negative thoughts and, Veronica, I think, you know this about me and I don't know if all the viewers know because people think because I go out and talk about positivity all the time.

[00:14:56] They think I'm the super positive person. And I haven't been, I was one of those, I was one of those people who was stuck. I said I was stuck in the mud and I didn't know how to get out. And, and that's where all my readings from all these inspirational spiritual leaders have helped me learn to transform this net, these negative thoughts and use that energy.

[00:15:22] To drive, whatever it is that that I want to do. And so instead of, you know, falling into a victim level, I use that energy that I have to propel me and to take chances and to move into wherever it is God needs me to be. And so I get that when I hear that voice and we all hear that voice, we hear that voice that tells us what we need to do.

[00:15:48] But when we hear it, some of us say, ah, I don't know about that. I don't do that. I know if that voice is telling me to move, I move and bad has helped me my entire career. Even when I was in education, when I was a teacher, I would hear a voice that would say, do I need you to do this? And I would do it. And, I knew it was what was supposed to be done because of what happened, you know, the results.

[00:16:14]that came about. I think those are the things we, we have those voices that tell us, and that will lead us, pay attention to where your attention goes. my attention would always go towards, I knew I was supposed to be an education every time I pass the school, like if I'm driving somewhere and I passed school and I saw, playground equipment, I mean, I'd get chills.

[00:16:38] I'm like, So you pay attention to where your, attention leads you and it definitely takes you towards your why, 

[00:16:48] Veronica: [00:16:48] for sure. For sure. and I'm very curious as to what you've got on your plate next, you know, I, in the introduction, I said, you're building an empire. And for those of you that don't know, or haven't had a chance to check out Nicki's website or any of her books, she's got other projects that she's working on.

[00:17:06] And that's what I love most about, working with Nikki and, and watching her from afar and having her as a mentor. Number one, she's available to answer any questions I have and give me advice because she's been there. But number two, I love that her vision is not limited. So I, you know, I, I definitely know that you've got big plans.

[00:17:29] What can you share with us about what your empire looks like or what your goal is and how do you get there? How does, how do people just starting out create that vision and then get there? 

[00:17:39] Niki: [00:17:39] Well, you have to listen to your heart and you have to know what's for you. Not trying to be like anybody else, but you know, creating your own path to success because we get so distracted by other people's successes.

[00:17:55] And then we think, well, I want to do what they're doing. Well, we weren't created to do what they were doing. Figure out what you were created for. It's like everything starts to become so easy. It's kind of like the matrix at the end when Neo learns to do all these moves, that's the way I feel. Now, when I'm on a stage, it's almost like this is where I'm supposed to be.

[00:18:18] Even when things could, everything could go wrong. Like technology, everything goes wrong. It doesn't matter because I'm in my rights space. So knowing that you are doing what your heart is telling you to do, and you're taking those steps to actually make it happen. Then I think the universe will start to send people to you that will help your vision come to life.

[00:18:47] We'll give, we'll send opportunities to you. There's things that come up and I'm like, thank you so much. God, thank you so much. And I'm just like, wow. You know, so I think once everything is aligned because we're all made up of energy and when you put your energy in the right place, The right things will start to move towards you to move that vision forward.

[00:19:12] Veronica: [00:19:12] Absolutely. I'm a firm believer in that and I've seen it happen. And, I love now that I've surrounded myself with people who not only believe that, but live that. And, and so shifting gears just a little bit, we touched on social media. I definitely want to get your purse, your perspective. Of why visibility is important for anyone, whether you've got a book and you don't have a book, whether you're a speaker, not a speaker, maybe you sell Mary Kay or pampered chef, or, or maybe you have a, you know, a dog walking service.

[00:19:43] Why is visibility important? You're out there, you know, you see what happens? 

[00:19:48] Niki: [00:19:48] Well, I learned, I'm gonna tell you when I first learned this about branding, Veronica is when I became a principal. When I became a principal, I was in a school where we had a knot of negativity going out into the community.

[00:20:04] And I couldn't understand why it's like, why are people hearing all these negative stories? Well, it was because we are, I as leader in our, you know, our team, we weren't sharing our story. After that first year, I was, I remember where I was sitting. I remember what I was doing. And it was like, You have to become the brand for your school.

[00:20:28] At that moment, I shifted, I said, what do we offer? Let's, let's write it down. What are all the things that we offer, where we locate one of those good things that we want to put out into the community. I started to change everything about my attire. we were, I think red, white, and blue were our colors are red and white, but.

[00:20:44] Everything about me became my school. I had the red shoes. I had everything matters. You become your school. And so I think that was God's way of setting me up to do what I'm doing now, because I learned a lot of how putting your story out there and not allowing others to tell your story. How doing that really helps to transform the message that you're sending out.

[00:21:12] So after we started, after I started pushing brand and I'm the leader of this school. There was a lot of pride. I saw my teachers, they wanted to be a part of what the, what we were doing. This wanted to be a part of what we were doing. People were wearing their red shirts or their school shirts. And we had a lot of school pride.

[00:21:31] We had school song, you know, you make all of that. Is part of brand. And, so pushing that out. And then when I started doing energy bus, I had learned a lot about branding is important. It's just like, if you think about a song, if you hear a song one time, you might not like it. Right. But if you hear it over and over and over that song that you didn't like, you're like, Hey, I like the song now.

[00:21:56] You know? And so that's what we are. I mean, if you keep pushing your message out and you have to, because there's a lot of competition out there, it's a lot of messages being, you know, in, in this crowd of messages. What makes yours unique? And nobody knows that unless you continue to share who you are, what you're about and how do you help others.

[00:22:19] Cause it's all about service. How do we serve others? In what way do you do that? And, so that's why it's. So important. I don't know if I answered your question. I know 

[00:22:29] Veronica: [00:22:29] you did. That was perfect. And it's certainly something we talk a lot about in this group, the importance of branding being aligned. the other thing we talk about is when you have a brand, but you're not living it, how misaligned it is and how difficult it is for people to trust you because your brand is your promise.

[00:22:47] Right. And if you're not living your promise, they're not going to buy whatever product or service you're selling, whether it's a book or, or, you know, a car or whatever, whatever, if you're a realtor, you have got to be able to be aligned in your branding. And I think that's super important. And you're a great example of that.

[00:23:06] And you've got several different brands, out there with the children's book. Tell us about the new children's book you've got coming out. I'm excited to hear 

[00:23:13] Niki: [00:23:13] about that one. Well that one, I wanted that book to come out first. Veronica, I think we talked about that this book is titled kindness is contagious to that title came to me in my sleep one night and I got up and wrote that book within a few hours.

[00:23:29]but it's all about the power of kindness and helping kids again, look for what they can do right now, rather than the things they can't. And it's about what are those things that I can do using my gifts and talents to serve others so that I'm not thinking about myself. I find that when we think solely about ourselves and we put so much emphasis on what it is, what our needs are, that's when we become anxious, we become depressed.

[00:23:59] We become all of these things because we're not using ourselves in the right way. We are able to serve. And, you know, I used to say this to my girls when they get upset or they'd be down about something. I say, look, go out and do something for somebody else. And so when kindness is contagious too, it's about when this pandemic first started and kids were getting ready to go home.

[00:24:22]and so the teacher challenges her students to come up with a kindness project and it's amazing what the students are able to do. And at the end of each of my books, I challenged the reader to do the same. So these books, these children's books that I write are not just for kids. They can take, we can take these books and we can even do things with, you know, middle school, high school, even adults books.

[00:24:50] Veronica: [00:24:50] Absolutely. And adults are looking for something they're looking for an outlet again. We've, we've been in this situation for months. And so we're trying to get re re. I don't know, inspired, I guess, and figure out ways to live life better. And sometimes the answers are in the children's book. And so I love that and I love that, that your next book is coming out is going to be super successful.

[00:25:12] I'm sure. Are there any parting tips you'd like to, offer to our listeners? You know, we've got a lot of just anxious people ready to start. Businesses are ready to sell. Scale their business, or they're not sure how to do it, or they want to change businesses. What tips do you have or what piece of advice do you want to offer to people right now?

[00:25:31] I 

[00:25:31] Niki: [00:25:31] think your heart tells you what it is you should be doing. And so stay focused on what it is that you can provide. I never, in a million years thought that I would be one, to be talking about positivity because I was not. a positive person and it, steel takes a lot of energy. I have to be on my best coach to coach myself up, but now I go out and I talk about being positive and, you know, sometimes we feel like we have to be experts in the field, but a lot of times it takes just being the opposite.

[00:26:07]I know what it's like to be negative. And so knowing that I also know the tools. To transform that so that I can live a more positive life. So that's what qualifies me to do what I do. I'm confident in what I do. I'm confident in the message, that, that I share with people. So I think just having that confidence, knowing that this is what you're called to do.

[00:26:34] And like I said, not following somebody else's path or what somebody told you, you shouldn't be doing. But doing what feels right for you, even if, you know, even if that means that you're, I don't know. I'm trying to think of something that you cause like what I'm doing, no one would have ever shared with me that Nikki, you're going to be talking about positivity, know, whatever that is for you.

[00:26:57] Be the best in it, whatever it is that you're called to do and not worry so much about making money. I, I find that when people focus more on making money, then that's not going to happen. The money comes when you're in flow. And everything is about being in flow with the energy and all of that. And so when you're in flow, everything seems to fall in place.

[00:27:23]Veronica: [00:27:23] and I think that is the best piece of advice. It's certainly the best piece of advice you've given me because you've said it to me in the past and just hearing it again. I know will resonate with our viewers. So Nikki, I'm so excited that you were able to join us. It was an honor to have you on our first episode.

[00:27:39]I'm gonna close out the show here, but I'm going to share your information on where to get your books and where you can find, Nikki on social media. So make sure you go and follow her and thank you so much. I appreciate 

[00:27:51] Niki: [00:27:51] it.

[00:27:56] Veronica: [00:27:56] Thank you so much to Nikki. That was phenomenal. She is quite an inspiration. If you haven't had a chance to see her, look, go to her website, she's got tons and tons of resources available, and I'm going to go ahead and close out now, but I want to thank everyone for tuning in. If you are listening on our podcast, make sure you hit subscribe so that you can get notifications.

[00:28:18] You can visit my website@veronicavisafor.com and you can follow me on Facebook. Book and I will be back next Saturday, 10:00 AM. Central time with another phenomenal guest who will inspire you, give you tips and make sure you are set to go out into the world and have your brand, and your visibility really work for you.

[00:28:38] So I'm sending everyone lots of positive, light, and energy and have a 

[00:28:41] Niki: [00:28:41] great one.