Note: This article was initially published in the Mississauga News in July 2022. The Mississauga News is a reputable local publication that provides insightful coverage of events, issues, and developments in the Mississauga area.

Stand Up and Speak Celebrates 20 Years in Mississauga!

What started as a passion project has blossomed into a 20-year career for Founder Lori-Ann Jakel. Her mission? To knock public speaking down from being the #1 fear in the world to #2!

Empowering Public Speaking Confidence

Stand Up and Speak specializes in teaching public speaking skills, interview training, building confidence, and creating champions in communication. Based in Mississauga, Jakel and her team of educators host a variety of workshops. Their flagship program runs for ten months, from October to May, and highlights a wide array of public speaking skills—from eliminating signs of nervousness to mastering job interviews, skill talks, debates, storytelling, monologues, and essay assignments.

Students have also had the opportunity to compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking. Ankit Gehari, a gold medalist and provincial champion, is one such student. He’s heading to St. Louis, Missouri, in August to participate in the World Oratorical Championships. Reflecting on his experience, Ankit shared, "I’m so honored and grateful to Lori-Ann for being my coach and mentor. She is so inspiring and always motivates me to be my best." Best of luck, Ankit!

A Community-Driven Mission

Stand Up and Speak has partnered with the City of Mississauga, the Town of Oakville, and local schools to deliver workshops emphasizing the importance of communication and building confidence. Jakel has worked with a diverse range of individuals, including motivational speakers, authors, artists, teachers, Olympians, Mississauga Fire Fighters, and international athletes.

Anu Jacob, CEO of her own recruitment firm in India, shared, "Public speaking is a vital skill. You can be the smartest person in the world, but you have to be able to articulate your ideas. The translation is communication."

Thriving Through Challenges

During the pandemic, communication became even more crucial, particularly for students. With many public speaking networks canceled, Jakel took the initiative to create contests in areas like prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, essays, storytelling, and video creation. These competitions raised over $10,000 and involved sponsors like Top Quality Recruitment, ANVO Pharma Group, ICAN Realty Inc., H. Jaggi Investments, Kids Solutions, and Brillyent. Jakel’s efforts ensured students stayed active and engaged.

Vice-Principal Miss Natty from Stand Up and Speak noted, "Many parents thanked us for keeping their kids active during the pandemic. And we are glad to give students something positive to look forward to. It truly takes a village to raise confident children!"

Global Reach and Future Goals

Stand Up and Speak has expanded its influence globally, teaching in Canada, the U.S., India, Malaysia, and internationally through its online academy. The organization is now gearing up to launch a global e-learning model, offering workshops on-demand through platforms like Google Play and the App Store.

Upcoming Programs and Opportunities

Currently, Stand Up and Speak is hosting half and full-day summer camps. It is preparing for its 10-week Confidence Builder program in September and its 8-month Competitive Program starting in October. With generous donations like the $2,000 from Top Quality Recruitment, it raises funds to provide more book donations for speakers.

For those looking to compete, the "Facing Hope" public speaking contest is now open to everyone. It’s a free-entry contest, and one-on-one mentoring sessions are available. Email info@standupandspeak.com with "Facing Hope" in the subject line for more details.

A Vision for the Future

When asked about the future, Jakel confidently shared, "There’s no doubt in my mind that Stand Up and Speak will be on the global stage, teaching children everywhere how to be confident and articulate." With their programs growing and schools worldwide eager to participate, Jakel’s dream of making Stand Up and Speak the world’s top teaching company for public speaking and leadership is within reach. In Jakel’s words, "The beauty of confidence, it’s a dream come true."