About Circle of Influence Masterminds

I'm Deb Sturgess, Facilitator for Circle of Influence Masterminds.

As founder and president of Influential Expression, I teach entrepreneurs and small business owners to discover and express their ideas authentically, so they enchant customers and attract business opportunities. I help my clients discover the power of personal voice to influence others through their writing and speaking. By facilitating mastermind groups, I open access to the immense potential of collaboration.

I’ve been coaching since 1st Grade, when I crafted a one-page story about a fish, then whispered writing advice to a classmate. My teacher, Mrs. Frampton, enjoyed my story, but still took away my recess because I talked in class. Since then, my passion for ideas and expression has propelled me through over 20 years as an educator of students ages 12 to 86, inspired me to write the script and lyrics for a musical, Mary’s Song, brought me small-town fame as a country music DJ, and helped me persuade a Secret Service agent and more than one gangsta’ to see things my way.

I speak and present in person and online training and coaching programs. I have written the study guide for the forthcoming online social media course, Social Media from Scratch, which is designed for small business owners and social media novices.

With an MA in English and a BS in English and Drama, I approach presentations as participatory theater. Audiences may find themselves communicating through pantomime or literally shaking their maracas. I’m determined to figure out how to distribute virtual tambourines to my online classes, so I can direct musical numbers to reinforce learning.

I’ve been a Mac devotee since 1984. On my iPhone and iPad 2, my favorite apps are Pulp, Scrabble and I am a Dalek. I’m a compulsive book buyer who appreciates both the feel of hardbacks and the fact I don’t have to dust the books on my Kindle. I support Pluto as a planet, chocolate as a food group, and Househunters International as educational television.

Circle of Influence Masterminds is a service of Influential Expression Consulting, LLC.