Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Lovett.
Mark, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I entered the world of electronics and computers at the start of my career and spent the better part of three decades working in the field as a VP of Operations, CIO, CMO and CEO. Those were exciting times, as they represented the birth of the personal computer, the explosion of websites around the world.
The event which shifted my career in a big way was attending TEDxSanDiego in 2010. I become hooked on the format that was designed to bring thought leaders and subject matter experts to the stage for the purpose of sharing their ideas with a local and global audience.
I began to attend other TEDx events in subsequent years, and as of 2018 have attended over 60 TEDx events, in addition to a handful of TED events, allowing me to see 1,400+ speakers present their ideas from the stage.
Those experiences, in addition to speaking at 2 TEDx events, pulled me into the profession of speaker coaching and conducting storytelling workshops, which is what I do today in addition to organizing TEDx events.
Has it been a smooth road?
Looking back there have been many ups and downs, successes and failures, yet the road was relatively smooth for me as new opportunities magically presented themselves each time a chapter in my career came to a close.
The biggest challenge along the way has been walking into the unknown each time I made such a change, as each endeavor was something entirely new and required me to develop another skill set.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Storytelling with Impact – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m the founder of Storytelling with Impact, which is focused on personal speaker coaching and storytelling workshops, as well as the organizer of TEDxSanDiego, a series of annual events patterned after the TED Conference. So my world involves some facet of storytelling in every waking hour.
The greatest sense of pride comes from watching someone’s story evolve from idea to presentation on the stage, whether that be a TEDx stage, conference presentation or keynote. A special sense of satisfaction comes from my work with refugees, prison inmates, and special forces – individuals who rarely have a chance to tell their story, but who have rich life experiences and lessons that can benefit others. It’s a humbling experience to work with them.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart it’s the depth of story listening that I’ve engaged in over the years, as the essence of storytelling can only be derived from listening to others tell their story. In that respect, I have a unique perspective on the process of crafting a story that has the ability to impact the lives of others.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ve traveled to many parts of the world and have to say there’s no place quite like San Diego. From ocean to mountains and desert, from a thriving downtown to coastal communities, as well as proximity to Mexico, it’s a unique location and blends of cultures.
The art and music scene is thriving, and there’s no shortage of fabulous foods to enjoy. As to dislikes, the only one is traffic. Getting around town can be a challenge, and even with the continuous freeway construction, it doesn’t feel like that’s a problem we’ll solve any time soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.storytellingwithimpact.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StorytellingWithImpact/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/storywithimpact
Image Credit:
Natalia Robert
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