About Us

What sets us apart? We specialize in real-world business presentations—the kind that happen every day in conference rooms, boardrooms, and at industry conferences.

We know the communication challenges business professionals face because we’ve been there, in a variety of companies, in multiple industries.

We know what works – and what doesn’t.

We know how to turn complex information into easy-to-understand messages. We know how to design PowerPoint slides into compelling visuals that support your message, not compete with it. We know how to incorporate storytelling examples in ways that inform, persuade, and inspire. And we know how to handle the unexpected—whether that’s a tough question, a skeptical audience, or an interrupting CEO.

Our expertise comes from decades of hands-on experience. We’ve delivered high-stakes client presentations, written speeches for CEOs, led large-scale employee communication initiatives, developed marketing campaigns, and guided organizations through crisis communications.

In short, we don’t just teach public speaking. We teach business professionals how to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact when it matters most.

Paul Barton works with business professionals who are going places and don’t want public speaking to hold them back in their careers. Paul helps you gain the confidence to speak up and the skills to stand out so you can mesmerize an audience. Paul also is a sought-after speaker and a top-rated college instructor. He’s helped hundreds of people achieve their public speaking goals.

With a long history in the corporate world, Paul knows exactly what it takes to make a great business presentation. Before launching his own company, Paul had a successful 25-year career leading communication initiatives at seven fast-growing Fortune 500 corporations, including APS, America West Airlines, Avnet, Banner Health, Hawaiian Airlines, PetSmart, and Phelps Dodge Mining Company. Those experiences led him to write the No. 1 book on internal communication on Amazon.

Paul is accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a professional member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), and an eSpeakers Certified Virtual Presenter. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Iowa State University and a Master’s degree in Communication from Hawaii Pacific University.

Michele Trent is a speaking coach and entrepreneur who realizes first-hand how effective communication can grow your business and your credibility. Whether you’re making an internal corporate presentation or looking to generate sales for your own company, effective speaking is your key to getting noticed – in a good way!

As a communication and marketing professional for over 25 years, Michele has observed the ins and outs of mid-size companies to large Fortune 500 organizations. She also has experience in both non-profit and for-profit entities with a special emphasis on branding and brand training. Regardless of the size or structure, all organizations value strong communication skills.

In addition to speaking skills coaching, Michele is a certified life and mindset coach. She is able to help clients who are anxious about presenting understand their thought patterns and how to change them. She’s also a certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). NLP is a collection of techniques and strategies that use language to help people change their thoughts and behaviors. Michele recently completed a DISC behavioral assessment tool training and has added that to her bag of coaching tools as well.

Michele is extremely interested in storytelling and preserving stories. She is the author of “Wisdom is a Gift. A Guide to Preserving Family Stories.” Michele firmly believes everyone has a unique story, and she helps her clients use theirs to engage audiences and build meaningful relationships.