Stop Waiting, Start Speaking: Sha Nacino’s Journey to Global Stages
I recently spoke with Sha Nacino on the Speaking Business podcast. If you’ve not come across her before, she’s a speaker, author of 15 books, and the founder of the HR Summit Global. What struck me about our conversation was how much she’s achieved, without waiting for permission, perfect timing, or perfect conditions.
She just got started. And there’s a lot to learn from that.
Here are some takeaways:
Start small but start
Sha didn’t launch her summit with a big production team or funding. She said, “When I did the first HR Summit Global, I didn’t have a big team. I didn’t have a budget. But I had a dream.” That dream was enough to begin. She emailed friends, reached out to speakers she admired, and built it step by step.
It’s a good reminder: you don’t need everything lined up. You need to begin.
Invest in yourself
Sha has never stopped learning. “I always invest in myself. Every year, I enrol in at least one big programme,” she told me. “Sometimes it’s even scary because of the price tag, but I know I’ll grow from it.”
That commitment to growth isn’t just admirable, it’s strategic. It’s what helps her stay relevant and ahead. (FYI mine was one of those programmes.)
Kindness is a business strategy
Sha’s core message is kindness, and she walks her talk. “For me, kindness is not a weakness. It’s a strength. And it can be your competitive advantage,” she said. She even uses kindness in her approach to cold outreach, something many speakers dread. Her mindset? “I just reached out with love.”
Growth means building a support system
Although she started out alone, that’s no longer the case. “Now I have a team. I have systems. I’ve learned to delegate,” she said. And she’s built that structure so she can focus on the things only she can do, speaking, writing, and serving her audience.
It’s an important lesson. You can start solo, but to grow, you need support.
Clarity + Confidence = Bookings
Sha’s confidence comes from clarity. “When you know your message, and you know who it’s for, it’s easier to show up,” she said. That shows in everything she does, from her summits to her emails to her on-stage presence.
If you’re not sure why you’re not getting booked, clarity is a good place to start.
Consistency beats perfection
Sha doesn’t wait until everything is perfect. She told me, “I just start. Clarity comes from action.” That applies to sending that first email, planning your first event, or saying yes to your first speaking opportunity.
We often overthink. But as Sha demonstrates, progress comes from movement, not waiting.
If you’re holding back because something isn’t ready, your website, your showreel, your confidence, I hope this encourages you to move anyway.
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