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Meet Trailblazer Angela Chee

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Chee.

Angela, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ever since I was little, I wanted to be like iconic TV Anchor Connie Chung. Who knew that one day I would be?

I know what it’s like to be in the “spotlight,” but I also know what it is like to struggle to own your voice and to break through barriers. Growing up a shy Asian girl in the suburbs of Los Angeles raised by Chinese immigrant parents, I was taught to play it safe and not rock the boat. They left their country, started a new life and at times they lost their voice, so I could find mine. Their sacrifice is my privilege and I will not take that for granted. Now I help others own their voice and their power as a media/on-camera and communication coach and keynote speaker.

As a kid, I remember being fascinated by television: it’s reach and ability to inform and influence. So after college at UC Santa Barbara, I set out to work on TV. From my early years in Hollywood, working behind the scenes at Paramount Pictures and launching Entertainment Tonight China. To my “pay your dues” years as a rookie reporter in small markets to my big break in Los Angeles, as a reporter for KCBS, KNBC and hosting shows for E! Entertainment and HGTV to being the morning anchor here in San Diego for Fox 5 and a station host at NBC7.

But after years of working non-stop in daily live news, it was time for a new chapter. I left news full-time after my first child was born and focused on speaking and entrepreneurship. My kids are now 10 and 11. This entrepreneurial path led me on a deeper personal development journey. To gain clarity, breakthrough my barriers, see who I truly am, know what I stand for and what I want to put out into the world. YOU, Amplified!® is a combination of my years of experience in the media, being on-camera, being a professional speaker and the process I went through to step into my leadership.

Now, I work with entrepreneur and corporate clients helping them step into the spotlight and amplify their message and mission through speaking, video and media. I also just launched a podcast, The Power Of The Only with Angela Chee. Have you ever felt like the only one? The only person in your company, industry, community, or the only one in the room, reaching for your unique dreams and vision?

I believe there’s power in that! But how do you turn it from an obstacle to a strength and what can you learn from “The Only’s” to help you thrive in your business and your life?

I’ve always been an Only-the only Asian girl growing up, the only woman speaker at a conference, the only one doing this, doing that and that is my strength. I know I’m not alone. Each week on The Power Of The Only you’ll hear the insider stories, insights, and strategies of leaders breaking barriers, defying the odds and creating positive change. I’ll also share advice and resources from my 20 plus years in the broadcasting, entertainment, and speaking industries to help you step up, speak up and make an impact.

It’s time for a new conversation. Call it innovation, disruption, diversity! It’s time for a new way of thinking, a new way of connecting and a new way of leading. It’s what our world needs, it’s what our businesses need and it’s what you need to step into your leadership. Being an only can be lonely at times, but you are not alone.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always struggles, but that’s part of the process. How you turn your obstacles into strengths, what you learn from your setbacks, and how you move forward is what counts. My advice would be to honor the stage of life you are in and always remember what matters to you. My priorities in my 20’s, when I was working in Hollywood and trying get my first on-air job as a TV reporter, are different then they are now, as an entrepreneur and mother of 2 on a mission to help leaders own their voice and power.

When I was younger, I worked hard and did whatever I could to gain the skills and credibility to achieve my goals. Now that I have that experience, it’s less about checking off all the achievement boxes and it’s more about fulfillment and making an impact on the world. It’s important to see it as journey and that each step, including the struggle, is part of the process. It’s not too late and you are not behind. If you know who you are, what you stand for and how you want show up in the world and are willing to grow and do the work, you will succeed.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a media/on-camera and communication coach, keynote speaker and host of The Power Of The Only with Angela Chee podcast. I help visionary leaders feel clear, confident and connected and be ready for any opportunity on-camera and off. I leverage my 20+ years working in the media and speaking industry, my personal development work and experience coaching corporate and entrepreneurial leaders to help people own their voice and their power, step into the spotlight and be YOU, Amplified!®

As a speaker, I inspire and empower my audience on topics ranging from women’s empowerment, diversity, leadership and media. As a coach, my mission is to bring out the best in my clients. I understand their needs and fears, connect with them on a very personal level and give them give them “real world” insights, strategies, and tools to amplify their “star power.”

YOU Amplified!® Speaker, Video and Media Training is not just about the basics of speaking or being on-camera. It is where soul meets strategy. It is about embodying you and your message and your mission. It’s personal development meets media training, speech coaching and leadership development.

It is transformation through personalized coaching and on-camera training. Many traditional trainings focus just on performance. Performance does matter and it is what most clients who first come to us want. Whether they want to prepare for an important speech or panel, have a media interview or need to make their own videos, we have the tools and resources to get them on-camera and stage-ready. But this is just one step. I know true growth and transformation isn’t just about working on the external, but the internal as well.

What sets us apart is our connection with our clients, our VIP service and our vision to create positive change in the world by elevating change-makers’ voices through power, presence and representation. Our core values are integrity, passion, expression, curiosity and joy.

“Some people believe in order to grow, you need to change. I believe you already have everything you need to shine, you just need to discover it and amplify it!” -Angela Chee

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
It may seem super simple, but you would be surprised by how many people say they want something, but never take action or ask. The three most important things to remember when you are networking, looking for a mentor or pitching anything are:

1. Do your research-take time to understand the company, person, or audience and their background, accomplishments, goals, needs, new projects, etc.
2. Ask-don’t be afraid to ask and trust in your skills.
3. Provide tremendous value-It’s not just about you. Ask what’s in it for them? Then provide tremendous value and help them achieve a goal or give them a solution to their problem.

In this age of more, more, more we sometimes forget about real connection and relationships. This is how I handle my business and my clients. More focused, more intimate. You may not always get exactly what you want, but if you don’t ask you won’t know. If I had never taken those extra steps, I would have missed out on many opportunities that paved my success.

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Image Credit:
Timothi-Jane Graham Photography
Personal photos

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