Path To The Main Stage Podcast
Sep 28, 2026 · 46 min · 12 segments
**Unlock the power of saying no and scaling your speaking business!** Learn how to define your worth, build sought-after expertise, and create systems that streamline your path to main stage success…
Crystal WashingtonGuest
Li HayesHost
When do you say no to opportunities or how does saying no advance your career? Do you just say yes to everybody and
Really having really good no's is one of the keys to success and happiness in life for me.
But yeah, I said no to my boss originally when he was like, you know, being condescending.
I said no to that organization where I was finally like, I have to draw some boundaries here.
I remember at one point when I was charging, I think, okay, I want to get this right.
And I remember my husband walking by because we used to have an apartment and my office in the living room.
And he heard me saying no to an organization where I was like, I'm so sorry, I can't do it for this amount.
And I remember him looking at me like, because it sounds crazy to people outside of the business.
If you say I'm not going to speak for an hour for $3,000, it sounds insane.
And so my husband's the type, he's never going to, insert himself in a negative way of discourage me, but he's famous for, are you sure? And so there were times during my career where I was raising my feet and I would have to say no.
When do you say no to opportunities or how does saying no advance your career? Do you just say yes to everybody and
Really having really good no's is one of the keys to success and happiness in life for me.
But yeah, I said no to my boss originally when he was like, you know, being condescending.
I said no to that organization where I was finally like, I have to draw some boundaries here.
I remember at one point when I was charging, I think, okay, I want to get this right.
And I remember my husband walking by because we used to have an apartment and my office in the living room.
And he heard me saying no to an organization where I was like, I'm so sorry, I can't do it for this amount.
And I remember him looking at me like, because it sounds crazy to people outside of the business.
If you say I'm not going to speak for an hour for $3,000, it sounds insane.
And so my husband's the type, he's never going to, insert himself in a negative way of discourage me, but he's famous for, are you sure? And so there were times during my career where I was raising my feet and I would have to say no.
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