Meet Kassy LaBorie | Speaker, Author, Virtual Training Pioneer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kassy LaBorie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kassy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was January 2017 and I was serving on a speaker selection board for an international learning and development conference when of my fellow board members asked me if I would be interested in doing a webinar on the topic of presenting and training online, my area of expertise and a subject on which I had just published my first book. I decided to ask him, as I was genuinely curious, are you asking me because I work for a globally recognized brand or are you asking me because it is … me? His response? “I had no idea you worked for, [insert global brand here]! I am interested in having you present.”

Now there were many little things that had become what I’ll call signs, but the realization that I had to start working for myself happened right in that pivotal moment. All roads in my career up until that point had led right there and I decided it’s time to be my own brand, to focus on me, the work I love to do, in the way I want to do it. I no longer wanted to hide behind or be defined by a brand that was not me. I wanted the creative control and the decision making, and I was ready to accept the responsibility that come with all of that. I began working as a solopreneur in June of 2017. It has not been easy and I have had to shift my approaches and processes, but I have not looked back yet!

What should our readers know about your business?
I get to connect with people around the globe and help them love working online. Some days I pinch myself because I get to do this fun and fulfilling work almost every single day! While at university, I was a FedEx courier and I used to say it felt like I was Santa, delivering packages and bringing smiles. I still feel this way today because the smile that appears on people’s faces when they learn to be more effective and productive using technology in today’s digital world, but that they can also be truly fulfilled and deeply connected to one another too! This also feels like giving gifts to people. I was a technical trainer teaching people how to use web conferencing software who decided to launch a consulting business because as much as I am good at sharing where to click, and how to make to it all work, what I care most about and what lights me up is the people! The tech is cool, but the people are cooler. Working, training, meeting, and being online does not have to be a “less than” experience – 70% of what would otherwise be a 100% amazing time! I know it can great, and it is a joy to help others discover how they too can make this a reality for themselves.
In 2015, I decided to write a book detailing over 50 ways I had helped people make virtual training more interactive and thus, engaging. The book is aptly titled, Interact and Engage!, and was recently released as a 2nd edition with 75 of those ideas now! This book, and my conference speaking career created the foundation for my consulting business, and fueled the desire to want to work for myself. It was challenging in the beginning as prior to March of 2020, it was almost like I was calling on a street corner, hawking my message — “Online works, I promise! Come find out all about it!” And then it was a different type of challenge once the corporate world was “forced” online, because there was no longer enough of me to go around! I didn’t need to “hawk” any message as it seemed almost everyone was eager to learn. Today, people know how to be online and are seeking ways to make it better. New technologies seem to appear in our lives daily, and although they are cool, the focus needs to be on ourselves, building our skills, and adjusting our mindsets to accept and learn the multitude of new things we are faced with every single day. It’s the best way to keep up and make space for all that is to come! This focus on mindset was a key lesson for me and I found it by making the work I love, fun to do. When technology seems overwhelming or too hard to learn, I seek ways to rethink it and make it enjoyable. Take augmented reality, AR, for example, and how at first, I resisted learning it. But then, I had an idea and I found a way to build it into my brand’s messaging using a quiz called, What’s Your Virtual Training Superpower? Once you take the quiz, you are guided through how to use AR to take a “selfie” with your superpower that you can then share with colleagues and friends! Finding ways to use technology with purpose, and in ways that make me happy, is what helps to fuel a positive mindset to the constant changes in our world today. Find the fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Rochester, NY and I know the first thing that comes to mind is… snow and a ton of it. True! But, we also have so much excellent nature, food, wine, cocktails, music, and art as well! Oh, and we are only moments away from the Finger Lakes where glorious spa days await! We are the land of Kodak and the Eastman School of Music and it’s worth a trip to learn about the connections we have to the films of Hollywood and the long list of notable musicians, composers and more who have come from that incredible school.

A week here with me would include dinner and inspired cocktails at the following places:
Nosh, Roux, Vern’s, Rare3001, Velvet Belly, Cure, Luckys, and the Cub Room to name just a handful of my favorites!

We’d make a trip to the Finger Lakes to enjoy a spa day at Mirbeau in Skaneateles. Try pronouncing that!
The gardens are inspired by Monet’s Garden including a gorgeous bridge over a koi pond and it is also where I got married on a glorious summer day in July.

We’d do another spa day in the area the next day, because one is not enough! This time we’d head to the Spa at the Inns of Aurura. Everything about this place is amazing from the multiple temperature pools, to the all day snacks, and of course the excellent spa services!

We’d also make a point to take in the view of Lake Ontario from Durand Eastman beach, visit The High Falls waterfall on the Genesee River, and walk along trails on the historic Erie Canal.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m dedicating this shoutout to Tom Stone. He has been an inspiration, fulfilling the role of friend, coach, fan, and husband! He has provided unwavering support to me, available for late night brainstorms, long discussions about ideas, worries, concerns… anything, you name it! He sets an example every single day: he has a full-time job, but is also working on some big dreams of his own. He is working to create a product that showcases his life-long passion for baseball – a unique, daily newsletter for baseball enthusiasts. He is committed to sharing his ideas, and focused on never giving up on what he wants for his future.

Website: https://kassyspeaks.com/ and also https://kassyconsulting.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/

Image Credits
Thomas Brablec
Kimmie King
MohoCreative
The augmented reality was made by Betty Dannewitz