Our founder, Claudia Tinnirello, provides our public speaking services. Today, she is the Immediate Past President of Toastmasters International ‘Basingstoke Speakers Club’, and yet public speaking hasn't always come naturally to her.

At the tender age of 23, Claudia left her family in Sicily for a new life in the UK. "I still remember waving goodbye to my parents at the airport - leaving them for the first time."

Having arrived in England, Claudia soon realised her English wasn't good enough. "For the first three months, I couldn't understand English and people couldn't understand me. It was a big struggle. My confidence was low. I'd rather die than stand up in front of my team and present."

Despite the self-doubt, Claudia had goals, dreams and hopes. She knew what she wanted to achieve. So when she reached a career crossroads - choosing between a corporate 9-to-5 role or starting her own company - she took charge of her own destiny and took an online confidence workshop.

The next step outside her comfort zone was the decision to confront her biggest fear: public speaking. "I was petrified of even saying my name in front of a crowd." So when someone recommended Claudia attend a Toastmaster meeting she was intrigued.

"I went to a meeting and loved the safe environment. No one judges you. You learn. They teach. I had this positive energy coming towards me. I loved standing up in front of people!"

Within seven months of her first meeting, Claudia was elected Vice President. Today, she is the President. "Of an English speaker's club!"

Claudia's inspirational story is symbolic of taking that first step. "Gain the confidence to put one foot in front of the other to get you wherever you want to be, and the world is your oyster."

Want to take your first step to finding your voice with public speaking?

Go for it. Make it happen. Take action today.