Defied Odds to Stay True to Their Dream...
...and Created Major Multi-Million Dollar Business
Canadian Event Perspective - August 2, 2008
Speakers' Spotlight founders Farah and Martin Perelmuter have been named finalists for the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, beating the odds stacked against them. Their story is one of sheer ambition amidst skepticism and roadblocks. Both gave up lucrative careers at a young age to go for their dreams. With no money, they had no choice but to be innovative - this forced them to create a way of doing business that was new, different, and got noticed.
During the last thirteen years, and a veritable rollercoaster of risk, determination, and creativity, the Perelmuter's business (www.speakers.ca) has emerged as Canada's largest, and most highly acclaimed speakers bureau with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa. Their business philosophy catapulted them beyond their competitors to a business competing on the world stage.
In June of 1995, Farah and Martin got married, quit their jobs and started Speakers' Spotlight - an agency that represents the highest-acclaimed and best-selling authors, business visionaries, athletes, politicians, comedians, adventurers and the most inspiring individuals. Speakers include; The Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, Justin Trudeau, Margaret Trudeau, Alexandre "Sacha" Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, The Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, David Suzuki, Michael "Pinball" Clemons, Ron MacLean, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Erin Brockovich, Stephen Lewis, Jessica Holmes, Jeanne Beker, Valerie Pringle, Pamela Wallin, Wendy Mesley, Ron MacLean, Jay Manuel, Shaun Majumder, Cheryl Hickey, Evan Solomon, Ben Mulroney, Darryl Sittler, Ron James, and many more. They have also worked with Jane Fonda, Robert Kennedy Jr., Gloria Steinem, the late Christopher Reeve and many others.
Corporations, associations and organizations worldwide contact Speakers' Spotlight to book these speakers for their events.an agency the represents the most extraordinary speakers, leading thinkers, and inspiring individuals.
Although they were a young couple with minimal business experience, no contacts, no staff and no office, they poured their meagre savings into their business and pursued their vision with intense drive. While their friends were succeeding in large organizations, and they struggled to pay the rent, they did not allow themselves to be swayed by the judgements of family and friends. They cut costs by using their spare bedroom in their apartment as their first office, initially sharing a telephone and bestowing upon Martin the title of "company courier".
Since 1997, they have invited their clients to experience, learn from, and be inspired by North America's most extraordinary speakers at their annual national fundraisers. 100% of the proceeds from these events have helped better lives across Canada and around the world. From purchasing medical supplies for Canadian hospitals, to taking 100 kids affected with cancer to the theatrical production of The Lion King and a Toronto Raptors game, to adopting a village in the Maasai Mara region of rural Kenya - and building a schoolhouse there, paying a teacher's wages for a year, purchasing all textbooks needed, building a well to provide "their kids" in the village access to fresh water and to sending them $200,000.00 worth of medical supplies in 2007, this young couple places a huge amount of importance on "giving back". This year, Speakers' Spotlight will be providing 1,000 loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world through Kiva.org.
"I think that as entrepreneurs it is our opportunity to make a difference... somehow. At the beginning, when one doesn't have a lot of money, maybe that's the time to volunteer. Later on, as the bottom line grows, just a small financial donation can really change someone entire life. I truly believe that helping others is the most inspirational thing you can do for yourself and your team. I'm so proud of how much the business has grown - can't believe it actually! - but I'm most proud everything else we have accomplished." Farah says.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Ontario award winners will be announced on October 16th, and the overall winner will represent the region at the national banquet in November.
The Lawyer’s Weekly - June 17, 2009
Lawyer of the Week
The Toronto Star - March 16, 2009
Presidents don't always subscribe to free speech
Vancouver Sun - March 2, 2009
Football flash Rudy still drawing them in
Financial Post - February 21, 2009
Dubya's coming to Cowtown
MeetingsCanada.com - December 11, 2008
Speakers’ Spotlight CEO Named a Most Powerful Women in 2008
Press Release - November 27 2008
CEO of Speakers’ Spotlight One of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2008
MeetingsCanada.com - November 27, 2008
Speakers' Spotlight Wins Workplace Award
Press Release - November 2008
Speakers' Spotlight: More Than Just Talk
MSN Small Business - October 2008
Profile: Speakers' Spotlight
Millionairemom.com - October 2008
Millionaire Moms Audio Interview with Farah Perelmuter
Canadian Event Perspective - August 2, 2008
Defied Odds to Stay True to Their Dream...
Women's Post - July 11, 2008
Woman of the day
Bizbash.com - June 12, 2008
M.C.s Gone Wild - How to keep talent from going off-book and out-of-bounds
by Mimi O'Connor
Workopolis.com - April 28, 2008
4 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills
By Alan Kearns
CareerJoy.com - April 28, 2008
3 keys to a great speech Podcast
Montreal Gazette - April 07, 2008
Bill Clinton raking it in from Canadian public appearances
By Elizabeth Thompson
Alberta Venture - March, 2008
The Star Treatment
By Shannon Sutherland
AOL Canada - February 13, 2008
Couple Q&A:
Romance is....Notes on the Windshield, Bum Squeezes and Kids
By Sarah Treleaven
National Post - December, 2007
Gabbing with gracious gurus
By Shinan Govani,
Woman's Post - December, 2007
Farah Perelmuter: change to happiness
By Angela Trimmer
Midtown Town Crier - November, 2007
Midtown couple dreams their way to success
By Kelly Gadzala
National Post - September 29, 2007
Business owner by age nine, CEO proves an early start helps
By Libby Znaimer
Emprendedores
Speakers Spotlight, por hablar que no quede
Contemporary Business Communication
Business Presentations
By Scot Ober & Brad Quiring
Speaking Of Impact - Summer, 2007
Racing for ROI
By Michelle Ray, CSP
Progressive Choices - Winter/Spring, 2007
Making A Difference
By Cathy Watters
Progressive Choices
National Post - January 15, 2007
Confessions of Dynamic Duos
Running a business with your spouse
By Deena Waisberg
globeandmail.com - May 30, 2006
Married to the Job
By Sasha Nagy
Esteem Magazine - Spring 2006
Balancing Success
By Kevin Craig
The Globe and Mail - Sept. 29, 2004
Speakers' circuit not just talk
By Wallace Immen
WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING (July 2004)
Let’s
Talk Business Interview
with Farah Perelmuter
INNOVATIVE PROGRESS (May 2004)
BUILD
BUZZ: 8 Keys to Entrepreneurial Success
by Martin Perelmuter, LL B.
SPEAKING OF IMPACT (Spring 2004)
A Tale
of Two Countries
by Martin Perelmuter, LL B.
In Conference
Supplement in The Globe and Mail - Spring 2004
Speaking Out Conferences Energized
by Successful Speakers
PROFITguide.com (October/November 2003)
How to fire your customers - Cutting
off paying customers sounds counterproductive, but it can actually
help you grow
THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS (Nov 13, 2002)
At Bridges to Business symposium - Don't quit
entrepreneurs told
MPI Newsbytes (Volume 9, Issue 27 02 July 2002)
Canadian Speakers Circuit Flying High
by
Funmi Okunbolade
Profit Magazine (June, 2002)
Heroes for Hard Times:Canada's Fastest-Growing
Companies point the way to survival and success
Profit Magazine (June, 2002)
Trends: How to Introduce a Speaker
The Globe and Mail: In Conference Magazine (Spring, 2002)
Talking About Success: The Speaking Industry
The National Post (Monday March 19, 2001)
Site helps track down celebrity speakers
by Marjo Johne
Canadian Jewish News (August 3rd, 2000)
Young Couple's Speakers' Agency Thrives
by Sheldon Kirshner
The Calgary Herald (April 22, 2000)
Mount Everest Climb Shared on Internet
by Michelle Simick
The Generator (November, 1999)
Focus
on Success
by Amy Harder
Royal Bank - Today's Entrepreneur (First Aired: March 29,
1999)
Partners in business and life
Home Business Report (Summer, 1999)
Speakers, Service and Spousal Partners:
Couple brings celebrities to Canadian events
by E.T. (Mitch) Lenko
Globe and Mail (Monday, January 11, 1999)
Couple Builds Agency on Soapbox,
by Jeff Brooke
The National Post (Monday, December 21, 1998)
When Your Partner is Your Business,
by Laura Fowlie
The Western Alumni Magazine (September, 1998)
"Well Spoken",
by Jeff Brooke
The Toronto Star (May 25, 1998)
Thinking Big - Agency puts speakers in spotlight
by Michael Schultz
Association - Canada's Association Management Magazine
(December/January, 1997/1998)
Best Speaker Bets: 1998 Forecast
The Meeting Professional (December, 1997)
"Beyond Boundaries: Speaking Across Cultural Boundaries",
by Martin Perelmuter
The Financial Post Magazine (January, 1997)
"Power Talks",
by John Greenwood
The Toronto Sun (August 18, 1996)
"Two by Two: Lessons for Couples Living and Working
Together",
by Sandy Naiman
Association Magazine (June/July, 1996)
"Helpful Hints on Booking a Speaker",
by Farah Perelmuter
The Toronto Star (November 27, 1995)
"'Canadian' the New Word in Public Speaking",
by Oscar Rojo
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