“Running a speaking business is a strange kind of lonely. You're the only person who fully understands your own numbers, your own calendar, your own doubts. Village53 is the one room where that stops being true. I share what I am really doing, and challenges I'm really facing, and get real feedback and solutions from peers who actually get it, because they're living it too.”

David Burkus, Village53 Member

“In a business increasingly crowded with fakes and frauds, credibility matters.

Agents know Jenny. They trust Jenny. She was one of them, she understands what they need from speakers, and she is discerning about who gets into Village53.

That discernment is what makes the community so valuable. It is not just a network of speakers. It is a room full of peers who take the craft, the business, and our partnerships with agents seriously.

We learn from each other. We challenge each other. We share what is working, what is changing, and what great partnership actually looks like.

Jenny is the trusted bridge between both sides of the industry, and Village53 creates the kind of conversation that makes all of us better.”

Laura Gassner Otting, Village53 Member

“As a bureau agent, Village53 isn't just where I meet incredible keynote speakers - though I have, plenty. At its core, it's where the real work happens: honest conversations, bookings that turn into friendships, and spaces to workshop ideas that make our industry a little more connected. It's where relationships form that push all of us forward, elevating the quality of live events one keynote at at time.

Thank you, Jenny, for building something this rare. Yes, it takes a village, but it's even better when the village feels like home.”

Melissa Mann, SpeakInc

“There’s no single right way to become a successful keynote speaker. You have to find your own way. Nothing has contributed more to my growth than the diversity of mentors I’ve found at Village53. These are exceptional speakers and generous people, each building a successful speaking business in their own way. Learning from their different approaches helps me choose what works for me while staying authentic to who I am. I would not be the speaker I am today without the mentors, partners, and friends I’ve found at Village53.”

Dan Chuparkoff, Village53 Member

“Village53 is the place you come to in order to im-prove yourself, not prove yourself. I’ve learned more about the business of speaking on and off stage in six months here than in my previous 10 years combined.”

Amer Kaissi, Village53 Member

“I can't even begin to describe how much Village53 has impacted me. I have been a part of many speaker cohorts and trainings in the past, but this is something very different. It quite literally feels like I’m part of a village. Jenny’s approach in how she built this is so unique, and she does an incredible job facilitating everything, bringing in amazing guests and agents, and asking questions I never would’ve considered. She is clearly very passionate about this work and this industry, and she truly CARES about us.

Because v53 is so intimate, our conversations are so much deeper and more meaningful, and I feel comfortable being truly vulnerable. We share our wins with each other, as well as our struggles. I did not expect to develop such close relationships with other speakers, and didn’t realize how much I needed that.

And I haven’t even mentioned the profound amount of knowledge I’ve gained! I could go on and on about this… I am just so glad I decided to invest in joining. It has absolutely been worth it. Thank you Jenny & Betsy!”

Jon Carmichael, Village53 Member

“I think one of the things that feels so good about Villages53 is knowing I don’t just have friends scattered around this industry—I have people I’m actually journeying with. We have the consistency and structure to stay connected, share what we’re learning, ask for help, offer support, celebrate each other, and keep growing together. That’s a pretty rare gift.”

Shasta Nelson, Village53 Member

“Village53 has created something every speaker needs.... a safe, transparent space to celebrate, learn, grow, ask honest questions, and develop new ideas for business development. I love that I get to learn from speakers who have already been there and done it and are at a place I aspire to be, while growing alongside others navigating the same season I am.

Everyone is humble, honest, generous, and genuinely supportive. In a business that can sometimes feel lonely, Village53 reminds us that we are not alone. It proves what I have always believed, the right relationships do not just support your growth. They accelerate it.”

Barb Betts, Village53 Member

“It’s rare to find a room full of people who are genuinely willing to collaborate, think with an open mind, and imagine something bigger together. Jenny is a unique industry leader who knows how to build intentional community around the belief that someone else’s success does not diminish your own, and that we are stronger when we help create opportunity for one another.

Village 53 feels like a room full of unlit wicks, already filled with potential, with the leadership, direction, and environment needed to help them catch fire. It’s one of the most energizing communities I’ve experienced, where people come not simply to burn brighter as individuals, but to light one another up and ultimately set the world on fire together.”

Drew Sullivan, APB Speakers

“I love being a part of Village53! Jenny is amazing and it is wonderful to be in community with so many other speakers who are committed to growth, connection, generosity, and excellence.

I’ve been in the speaking business for more than 25 years, and it is exciting, humbling, and inspiring to learn from and be challenged by a diverse group of speakers who are operating at a high level. Being a part of Village53 has helped me enhance my marketing and positioning, as well as my bureau partnerships. It has and continues to have a positive impact on the success of my business, as well as on me as a speaker and human.”

Mike Robbins, Village53 Member

“Village53 belongs in a category of one. I've been part of many business networking groups and masterminds before, but this collective that Jenny has so thoughtfully curated has been one of the greatest gifts to come into my life and business. The people in the room are the real deal, sharing boots on the ground and up-to-the-minute insights and support, in a way that I would deem essential as part of surviving and thriving in a fast-changing and highly competitive industry.

Jenny is so well respected in the business that she's also able to attract the most sought-after bureaus, agents, meeting planners, and industry professionals who we've been able to connect with and nurture actual relationships with. I immediately started getting included on pitches from agents and meeting planners after connecting with them at the various Village53 events, saving myself years of cold outreach.

Being part of the Village clearly means something to the industry, and I couldn't be more grateful to be part of this group.”

Peter Katz, Village53 Member

“When I learn that a speaker is part of the Village53 community, it immediately gives me an added level of confidence. I know they’re surrounded by people who challenge each other, share best practices and are committed to continually getting better. As an agent, that matters. I know I’m working with speakers who are evolving their keynotes, are great to work with behind the scenes and, most importantly, consistently deliver on stage.”

Brittanny Kreutzer, Speaker Exchange Agency

“Village53 brings connection and community to an industry that often feels like you’re on an island. Jenny has created a space where speakers can learn and grow alongside one another and industry colleagues. Grateful to have a place where everyone understands the work, the challenges, and the opportunities that come with it.”

Rachel Mahoney, Village53 Member

“I spend much of my time helping others think about the future. Village53 gives me a community where I can also build that future for myself and alongside others. It’s a place to challenge my thinking, learn from peers who understand both the craft and the business of speaking, and contribute to their success.

I value the honest conversations, the generosity of fellow members, and the shared commitment to getting better. Those relationships also open doors, helping good work reach new audiences and creating opportunities to step onto new stages.”

Shawn DuBravac, Village53 Member

“Village53 has far exceeded my expectations. I have gained valuable insights in a wide array of areas of my business including marketing, use of AI, positioning, navigating bureau relationships, industry specific nuances, and becoming a better speaker.

The ultimate value however, has been in the people. It is a specifically curated group of amazing humans that all operate as an open book and are there to support one another personally and professionally. Everyone true embodies the idea that you have to be a villager to be a part of a village.”

Connor Fields, Village53 Member

“There is nothing like being in community with other highly motivated, deeply caring human beings who want to learn and grow together. I am forever grateful for Village53 and the opportunity to connect with brilliant minds - we can challenge each other, share best practices and continue to develop our craft and skills.

The gift of being a speaker is not taken for granted and having this community to lean on and receive support is nothing short of amazing! It is always a highlight of my week and something I look forward to.”

Jessica Janzen, Village53 Member

“There aren’t many places to learn the business of professional speaking, and for the first few years, I mostly just wandered my way through it.

What I love most about Village53 is how generous people are with what they’ve learned, what they’re trying, and even the mistakes they’ve made along the way. Speaking can be a pretty solo business, so having a place where there’s always someone to turn to, whether you’re sharing a win, a disappointment, or just trying to figure something out, is incredibly valuable.

I’ve built wonderful relationships here, but I’ve also come to appreciate just how much relationships matter in this business. And I love that this is a community of people who are trying to do good in the world and pour into others while also becoming better at what they do.”

DeDe Halfhill, Village53 Member