What Clients Say

“One of the many challenges of a command officer is to persuade the public to get organized, get involved and take action to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods. Duane Smith's ‘Practical Platforming Skills for Successful Communication’ workshop was valuable in assisting our command officers in meeting this challenge. I extend my heartfelt thanks for a job well done.”

-- Mark A. Kroeker: former Deputy Chief,
LAPD, and Chief of the Portland Police Department
Currently Vice President of crisis management for Walt Disney Co.

"The Los Angeles City Fire Department is one of the most desired job positions in the country. There are thousands of extremely qualified applicants with minimal available positions. The oral interview is the most important part of the hiring process. Excellent public speaking skills are essential to standing above the rest. Duane Smith, Empowering Speech helped me achieve a perfect score on my oral interview.

-- Brandon Smith: Los Angeles City Fire Department

"Every preacher should spend time developing and perfecting his public speaking skills. I have attended every major seminar but none have given me the personal attention that Empowering Speech provides. Duane Smith catered to my specific public speaking goals and has given me the tools to communicate effectively with my ministry, parenting, coaching and my marriage. The word of God remains as powerful as ever but its the messengers who have failed to sharpen their craft."

-- Tony Jaime, Masters Seminary Graduate

“I was gripped with fear and trepidation over being presented with a new challenge of preparing a weekly lecture. Duane Smith quickly helped me overcome these fears by teaching me to assemble my thoughts into a clear outline structure. I particularly liked the way he assisted me in creating a cohesive flow between lecture points through the use of transitional elements so important in successful public speaking. He emphasized the importance of ‘carrying’ an audience through the lecture. Duane relates very well and connects very personally with his audience. Thank you, Duane, for helping me to calm my fears of public speaking and, instead, turning it into a joy.”

-- Jeff Voorheis, President Voorheis & Voorheis Inc. Land Surveyors

"Thanks to your class I got a speaking role in Pirates of the Caribbean 4. Your public speaking course set me apart in the audition. I was selected from over 6000 aspiring actors. Thanks to Empowering Speech I became a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) over night. Everything you taught me, worked like magic. What you taught me about persuasive and informative speaking, and performance were key in my successful script auditioning. Now, I will be filming August 9 - December 9, 2010. I have no words to say how happy I am to have taken your public speaking course."

-- Salomon S Passariello, Actor, Screen Actors Guild

"Duane Smith's public speaking class has made an enormous impact on our junior high (home school) class. He's brought professionalism, expertise, and quality character to every class session. Duane Smith has exceeded my expectations as a teacher in every way."

-- Lisa Sullivan, PSP Director, Grace Community School

"Duane Smith's public speaking workshop empowered our staff to deliver effective presentations about our organization with ease, clarity and passion."

-- Maggie Torres, MEND Program Director

"Duane's Empowering Speech presentation was very captivating. Students were blown away by his success stories of how public speaking was a huge milestone that transformed every aspect of his and his colleagues' lives."

-- Diana Ismail, Business Honors Association, California State University Northridge