Meet Kelly, the visionary co-founder of Speakers Society—a global platform built to empower individuals to own their voice and amplify their influence. Kelly is the heartbeat of the community: She sparks interest, builds trust, and creates the safe, welcoming spaces where speakers feel encouraged to show up fully.
Her role complements her co-founder, Sabrina ‘Princessa’ Wang, who leads the professional training, speaker development, and placements. Together, they form a powerful tag team—Kelly driving the connections that make people want to belong, and Sabrina providing the systems, expertise, and guidance to help speakers rise and monetise their voice.
What inspired you to co-found Speakers Society, and how did the idea of creating an entire ecosystem for speakers come about?
Speakers Society started quite organically. I’d say 2023 was the lowest point in my life—many things happened that caused me a great deal of stress. I was trying to build my wellness business and investing a lot of time into it. I’d started this journey because when I was working in corporate, specifically banking and financial services, the long hours eventually took a toll on my health.
Then one day, while I was dealing with a work issue, my daughter said something that really struck me—she said I loved my boss more than I loved them. That was the turning point. I realised it wasn’t just my health that was affected—I was impacting my family.
Thankfully, I found a programme and began my wellness journey and became a health coach. I was so committed to spreading the message on wellness I even wrote a book. But even with the book, the message wasn’t reaching as many people as I wanted.
I thought, if I get on stage and speak, I could reach more people at once. That’s when I joined a speaking programme—where I met Sabrina—and I realised the challenge wasn’t so much about crafting your speech; it was about finding the right audience.
One day, over coffee with Sabrina and some friends, we were brainstorming how aspiring speakers like us—who weren’t influencers or didn’t have many followers—could even get on stage in the first place.
It wasn’t just about practising speeches—it became about addressing speaker gaps: visibility, getting paid, finding gigs, building an audience. That’s when the idea of creating a whole ecosystem came about.
Speakers Society doesn’t just teach people how to speak—it also teaches them how to build a speaking business. Can you walk us through the different parts of your ecosystem and how they work together?
Unlike creator platforms that focus on influencers, or freelancing platform that focus on side hustlers, Speakers Society is built around one clear niche: Speakers. We don’t just teach people how to speak—we show them how to build an actual speaking business.
Our ecosystem starts with the Speakers Playground. Think of it as a live simulation of the speaking world. You arrive, mingle, and build connections before the session—just like at a real conference. Then you step on stage in front of a live audience, most of whom you’re meeting for the first time, and deliver your three-minute message.
You receive feedback directly from the audience, and afterwards, you get the chance to deepen connections with those who resonated. It’s a safe, supportive space that trains both your stage presence and your networking muscle memory.
From there, if you want to monetise your voice, you move into the Speakers Society Accelerator. This is where we help you create the foundations and materials of your speaking business. Like any business, the real jewel lies in the marketing and the offer—and we give you the frameworks to get that right.
Finally, we have the Speakers Society Membership. This is your long-term runway. It is a network that guides your journey, supports you, and opens doors to opportunities. We teach you how to fish, and we’ll fish with you until you’re confident to cast your own line.
The biggest mindset shift is moving from ‘Everyone is looking at me’ to ‘How can I serve my audience with this message?’ Instead of worrying about how your hair looks or how polished you are, focus on the value you deliver.
What are the most common challenges or fears people face when it comes to public speaking, and how does your programme help them overcome these?
The most common fears I hear are: “I don’t have a story,” or “I’m afraid of being judged.” These are very real, and I’ve experienced them myself. One-on-one conversations—like this one—are easy for me. But standing in front of 50 pairs of eyes, waiting for you to speak, is intimidating. You start overthinking: Am I saying the right things? Am I giving the wrong impression?
Some people feel their lives are too mundane to offer value. They think they don’t have a story. Even seasoned speakers face this—what I call “speaker’s block.” Our programmes address this through structured storytelling practice and community support.
The more you share your story, the more natural it becomes. With feedback loops, you know what to improve. Ultimately, your lived experience is your most important story. Someone out there will relate—and your voice may help them through something they’re facing.
Beyond technique, what mindset shifts do you believe are critical for someone to become an impactful speaker?
The biggest mindset shift is moving from ‘Everyone is looking at me’ to ‘How can I serve my audience with this message?’ Instead of worrying about how your hair looks or how polished you are, focus on the value you deliver. Storytelling is important, but impact comes from outcome—what people actually take away, apply, and remember long after you leave the stage.
Ask yourself: What does my message represent? What can it do for others? Every stage is a chance to spark change, whether that’s shifting a perspective, inspiring action, or offering clarity.
What experience has shaped your approach to life?
2023, again, was a major turning point. I had started my wellness business and partnered with a friend to launch a spa, which involved skincare products from my distribution line.
Unfortunately, my friend became involved in a romance scam. It turned into a mess involving the police. I was trying to help, but in hindsight, I may not have helped in the right way.
Ironically, I’d left corporate life to spend more time with my kids, but during this ordeal, I spent even less time with them and was more stressed than ever. I lost the spa, my health deteriorated again, I lost connection with my kids.
My professional and personal life was in a whirlwind, again. It was heartbreaking. But I’ve come to see life as seasonal. Even in the coldest winters, spring will eventually come. Challenges often make way for better things.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who dreams of becoming a speaker but doesn’t know where to start, what would it be?
That’s exactly why I’m passionate about creating a space where people can be seen, heard, understood, and remembered. Every speaker starts small. No one goes from zero to paid five-figure gigs overnight.
Join a space like Speakers Playground, where you can test your story and share a simple three-minute message. It doesn’t need to be perfect—what matters is that someone out there will resonate with it.
I’ll be there to cheer you on and keep you motivated, while Sabrina provide the guidance and frameworks to help you grow stronger with every stage you step on.
What’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
Singapore may be small, but it’s poised to become a global hub for Asian voices. Asian speakers already shine on regional stages—the issue has never been talent, but visibility. While Western voices are often louder and better marketed, many Asian speakers have stayed quiet, not absent.
Today, tech lets any voice in Singapore reach the world instantly. It’s no longer about location—it’s about boldness and consistency. I see a future where Singaporeans speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose—and the world listens.
If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be and why?
I’m a very empathetic person. When people share their stories with me, I can deeply feel what they’re going through. If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to amplify empathy—so that when someone tells a story, listeners could truly feel the emotions behind it.
If we all understood each other on that deep level, a lot of walls would come down. There would be fewer conflicts, more compassion, and a mindset of shared solutions.
Connect with Kelly: Speakers Society and LinkedIn.
Kelly is a member of Rainmaker, a revolutionary movement that rallies like-minded people together based on the values of Love, Authenticity, Respect, Kindness and Youthfulness (LARKY).
