Q. We have a limited budget, how can we bring you to our event? 
A. We have many creative options for those who have a limited budget. My agent Chris Fisher will be happy to work out all the details with you. Here are a few ideas in the meantime. You can join with other schools or organizations to split the fee, or try booking me when I’m already in your area. If you have a budget for educational supplies, simply buy enough copies of my inspirational comedy CD, and I will speak at your event for free. In addition, many schools have covered the fee with grant money.

Q. What kind of travel expenses are we talking about?
A. The basics: Roundtrip coach airfare from California, ground transportation, airport parking, meals, and hotel. If you prefer to do an inclusive price, talk to my agent Chris about that, he’ll hook ya up. 

Q. How did you get started speaking?
A. I started 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, eh? 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 become 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 encourage 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? There are many more things that you can do, but this is just a start. You will find what works for you. 

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, churches, and educator conferences. 

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.

Q. What do you do for fun?
A. Hang out with family and friends, surf, racquetball, travel, watch movies, and running. 

Q. What are your favorite movies?
A. Patch Adams, Dumb and Dumber, Rudy, 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. John Mayer, U2, Dave Matthews, Grits, The Beatles, Stereophonics, Outkast, Maroon5.

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, Chicago, & 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 Shipp. 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.