JOSH SHIPP ANSWERS FAQ

Q. We have a limited budget, how can we hire you to speak? 
A. We have many creative options for those who have a limited budget. I've put them on THIS PAGE for your convenience. My agent Chris Fisher will be happy to work out all the details with you. Don't worry, if you're willing to get creative…we can make it work.

Q. Do you charge travel expenses?
A. Nope. We just include that in the speaking fee. It's easier for everyone that way. Then you don't have to worry about getting stuck with random travel bills and I don't have to keep twenty receipts :)  

Q. How did you get started speaking?
A. I started speaking professionally when I was 17 years old through a student leadership organization called DECA. I joined DECA because I heard it was an easy class, you got out of school an hour early, and there were cookies. Easy to see why there are over 180,000 DECA members nationwide, huh? But little did I know that it would shift my path, teaching a class clown how to use the gift of laughter, to lead students to see their full potential. So I got into DECA, ran for chapter reporter, fell in love with it, and eventually became the DECA State President. This gave me the opportunity to begin to MC pep rallies, lead workshops at local conferences, and do what I loved to do…make people laugh and inspire them at the same time. Eventually, people started calling and asking if I would come to their schools. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q. Any advice for someone wanting to become a speaker?
A. Practice makes improvement. If you want to be a great speaker, start speaking! Whenever, wherever, to whomever you can. Volunteer to lead workshops at conferences in your area. Ask to do the morning announcements. Take a public speaking or drama class. Read… a lot. Figure out what you want to say to people, once you get the chance to say it. We all have a story to tell, what’s yours? And if you're REALLY REALLY serious about speaking as a career check out my course called YOUTH SPEAKER UNIVERSITY.

Q. What type of events do you normally speak at?
A. I speak at a range of different events: middle school assemblies, high school assemblies, college events, student leadership conferences, parenting seminars, foster care events and educator conferences. More in-depth info on the SPEAKING page.

Q. Do you do birthday parties?
A. Who is this?

Q. Are all you stories true?
A. Yes. My life is weird. And I keep getting new one’s every day.

Q. What books have inspired you?
A. Good to great, Purple Cow, Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Bible, The Four Hour Workweek, and Getting Real.

Q. What do you do for fun?
A. Surfing, Hang out with family and friends, competitive marathon running, racquetball, travel, watching movies, and yodling (kidding)

Q. What are your favorite movies?
A. Patch Adams, Dumb and Dumber, Avatar, Black Sheep (Anything with Chris Farley), Amelie, Bruce Almighty, Office Space, Finding Nemo, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite, and The Mighty Wind.

Q. What is on your play list?
A. Switchfoot, Silversun Pickups, U2, Dave Matthews, Grits, The Beatles, Stereophonics, Outkast, MGMT.

Q. Who has inspired you?
A. That is a hard question for me. Every one you meet adds to your life. My life is different because of sarah, my big brother, foster parents, and grandmother. 

Q. Where are your favorite places to visit?
A. Hawaii, NYC, San Diego, & London 

Q. How did you overcome the obstacles you faced?
A. Time, encouraging mentors, counseling, prayer, a shift in perspective, realizing that I could turn my problems into opportunities and use them to help other who have their own obstacles. We were all created for a purpose and I finally realized mine.

Q. Do you have a pet?
A. I am the proud father of a nine pound dog named Buddy. He is a brilliant pup who loves to chew on plastic and eat chicken soup.

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. P.F. Changs lettuce wraps all day long. If you haven’t experienced these you are depriving yourself of a life altering experience.