Danielle LaPorte
business development and communicatons strategist, speaker, entrepreneurial Fire Starter

www.whitehottruth.com

Websites:

• http://www.whitehottruth.com

For freedom fighting and love... for conscious business... for ruthless compassion, everyday life as art, and in praise of simplicity! for affluence (all forms of it) and passion that persuades.

I'm here to evoke the truth - my version of it, and your version of it, the precious pursuit of meaning. I'm interested in raw reality, and grace. I'm curious about common ground and velocity. I think feminine power and conscious commerce will revolutionize how we live - that, and forgiveness. In my experience, if you steer clear of dogma and muster up more love than you thought you had to give, then your vitality increases, satisfaction sets in, sweetness surfaces. I believe in the creative power of pleasurable feelings. I'm convinced that the desire to be real is everyone's divine imperative.

Professionally speaking, I do three things:

1. I write. At www.whitehottruth.com, and on other sites and magazines. I'm working on my second book called, White Hot Truth.
2. I jam with entrepreneurs and creative types - all types and levels - on rocking their careers.
3. I speak to audiences about liberating their authentic power in life and work.

A few relevant facts

• Wrote and co-created the book, Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design (2008). Body & Soul Magazine said it, "redefine[s] the concept of style." The Globe & Mail deemed it, "Haute Minded." The book was an Amazon bestseller the week it was released and Oprah producers called to find out more (that was cool.) My Style Statement is Sacred Dramatic.
• Co-founded carrieanddanielle.com, and went solo in 2008 to launch WhiteHotTruth.com. C&D continues to be an on-line resource for personal development.
• Nominated for the RBC Women of Influence, and Business in Vancouver's 40 Under 40 awards.
• Executive director of The Arlington Institute, a Washington, DC-based think tank for future studies. I managed incredibly bright futurists to develop scenarios and information that helped the likes of The Navy, The World Bank and IBM to think more systemically about major world events. (Yes, it was a total trip.)
• I never went to university. For this, I am very grateful.
• I ran my own communications and business development agency for ten years, "promoting visionary people and projects," including a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, a philosopher-physicist, a rogue economist, the Pulitzer-winning co-founder of Greenpeace, and a few old pop stars.
• Lived in: Windsor, Ontario (born and raised thereabouts), Toronto, Santa Fe, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and now, Vancouver BC - a city I adore.
• Started at The Body Shop Canada, stacking green apple soap, ended up co-running their Department of Social Inventions campaigning for rainforest preservation, recycling awareness, animal rights, trade-not-aid, and to rock the vote.
• Indelible moments: Leonard Cohen in concert, in Santa Fe, under the stars. Recently, when my four-year-old son asked me, "Mama, when we re-incarnate, can you have the same face again so I can find you?" Walking into Random House in NYC to meet about a book deal. That summer at the orphanage in Romania. Meeting my man at the airport for the first time. Reading this from Krishnamurti: "Discipline is a tool that numbs the mind."

FIRE STARTERS SESSIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS Acumen, innovation, and intuition focused on you and your work in the world. $300 (+tax). On the phone. Inspiration and how-to guaranteed. And you can even invite your friends on the call. The conversation usually runs an hour, more if need be. I spend about an hour in advance reviewing your site, footage, etc... I work on a structured, go-with-the-flow policy.

I know a few things that could help you make quantum leaps in your creative and entrepreneurial output, branding, marketing, and financial freedom. Our jam sessions are think-tanking conversations for surfacing genuine opportunities and zooming in on strategies. Whether you're living your dream, longing for re-invention, or stuck between circumstance and potential, there is always a next level to get to - and getting there usually brings more fulfillment, good times, and prosperity.

Your fire starter session will include:

1. The Burning Questions - a meaningful inquiry into your work life. I will email it to you when you book your session. This brief Q&A is an immensely valuable process on it's own, and it will inform our actual think-tanking.
2. Advance research and assessment. I will review any relevant websites, resources, or printed materials on your work or industry in advance of our session. [NOTE: I can't review entire book manuscripts within this framework, but I will consider reviewing non-fiction manuscripts as a separate consulting project.]
3. A sixty-minute+ consulting session for you and your business. And here's the bonus: you are welcome to invite other people in on the call. Make a gift of it, let your friends or team in on the action, or share the cost with a fellow entrepreneur. They can learn from our experience, and it will help them to support you on your journey. (That said, think carefully about this - Fire Starter sessions can be quite personal and evocative.)
4. An MP3 file of the recorded session emailed to you.
5. 5% of your fee donated the charity of your choice: Women for Women International, or Kiva.

"A Fire Starter session is one of the coolest things I have ever done for myself. I felt re-energized with a boldness and daring that I have not felt in quite some time. Your motivation mantras bring out the best and push the edge just a little bit further than my current comfort zone. A bit of tough love I needed to get back in the game. I am grateful for someone who is an adventurous advocate and wholeheartedly for my soulful success." - Alisa Barry, CEO, Bella Cucina, Atlanta

"I can't recommend Danielle highly enough. She's brilliant, radiant, generous and results oriented. I'd trust her to consult on any aspect of taking your vision to the next level. Site design, savvy marketing, and homing in on your heart's true desires are just a few of her many talents. Book that consult RIGHT NOW." - Rebecca Walker, author of One Big Happy Family, Baby Love, To Be Real, Maui

"I brought to you my half formed ideas and my dreams. All never spoken to anyone before. But you breathed life into them...all of them. I know which road to take and I see it so clearly now. You gave me extraordinary ideas in the first sentence you spoke. I know now what my first step will be. I feel so fortified.

You bring the fire that's for sure, but you also bring the sun. You know exactly where to part the clouds so that I'm standing in so much sunlight." - Trudy, Fashion Designer, New York

"I had decided not to keep publishing an online magazine I founded and edited for the past four years. I changed to a blog format and started writing. Something didn't feel right though. But even though I felt overwhelmed and stuck, I knew this was the work I was here to do.

I had the privilege of having a Fire Starter session with Danielle. I honestly feel like I've been revived after flat lining. Danielle was able to pull out bits and pieces of my answers to her burning questions, and help me find what is true for me. I consider myself to be extremely intuitive, but I didn't see my way until then. A Fire Starter session is freeing. Danielle makes it easy to let go and trust the process even if you don't see out outcome at the moment.

Because the session was so focused, I didn't see all the subtleties and ideas that rose to the surface during the session. By the time I finished listening to the recording of our session, I had completely written my action plan. I haven't stopped since." - L'Tanya Durante, magazine publisher, North Carolina

"You're one of the most highly intuitive, creative souls I've ever worked with. Each time we speak, you open my mind and heart to career possibilities I've never thought of. Really, you're a true creative visionary/genius." - Linda Siversten, Writing Consultant, author of Harmonic Wealth with James A. Ray, and Generation Green, Los Angeles

"Thanks for giving me the gift of fiery communion. You have a gift that turns watery thoughts into deep, sweet wine." - Lianne Raymond, Life Coach

"F. Scott Fitzgerald held that the mark of a good mind was the ability to hold two thoughts at the same time without them colliding. Danielle LaPorte has that ability to an awesome degree: the ability to be both a tough professional and a sensitive human being, to talk a mile-a-minute and then really listen, to value her own time highly and the use it generously on behalf of her clients, and finally, to emphasize both grassroots publicity opportunities and national media priorities." - Dan Simon, Publisher, Seven Stories Press, New York

"Thank you so much for the awesome, completely inspiring Fire Starter session! You gave me the best idea in the first five minutes!" - Jenny Levison, Restaurateur and author of Souper Jenny Cooks, Atlanta

"An excited, thankful update: my blog readership went up 60% last month, just scheduled my first "stress relief at work" workshop, scored a couple new teaching gigs, and am looooving life! So THANK YOU, THANK YOU a million times over for all of your practical inspiration. I really feel blessed." - Lindsey Lewis, Yoga teacher, and Writer, Vancouver

"I love the way you home in on what's most important to me, helping me see more unfolding possibilities than I'd seen on my own. But you don't stop there. Your brilliance extends to drawing a treasure map on the unfolded possibilities, marking my path so clearly that the possible has already become real." - Grace Kerina, HighlySensitivePower.com, Vancouver

"When you told me you were naming your sessions "fire starters" everything just clicked for me. That is exactly what you did for me when I called you in an overwhelming panic about my work, my vision for my work and what I wanted to accomplish. I had so many ideas buzzing around in my head and it wasn't until we connected on the phone that the sparks started to fly! You were able to take my broad, big and numerous dreams and bring some clarity and very tactical actions to it. I got off the phone motivated and clear on the potential of my ideas and what I could DO with them. Now I'm always craving a "fire starter" with you!" - Romana Mirza, Branding strategist, Toronto

"My Fire Starter Session is already the best investment I have ever made. Ever." - Sarah Bray, Creative Director, S.Joy Studios, Virginia Beach

"I recently had the great privilege of a Fire Starter session with Danielle. I adore this woman. It truly was sacred time and I felt completely heard, seen and understood. I have felt stuck in my career for many years now and have been unable to find the right place to make a difference and express my self. The time with Danielle has blown my mind and been a huge leap in clarity.

Danielle's presence and compassion and intuition as well as her powerful questions, have really helped me to get a heartfelt sense of who I am and what I stand for. Quite simply I walked away with a clear sense of me and what I need. I summarized it all in a few lines and could not believe how clear it was - it was magical. The beauty is that my new clarity is manifesting in the outer world and all without the effort and burden that the old way required. I am feeling great and attracting people and ideas that resonate. I truly believe that my new venture is being born and all from this clarity and understanding. I would highly recommend a fire-starter with Danielle so you can ignite your own flame." - RC, Think tank executive, Ottawa

"Thanks so much for your inspiration, expertise and enthusiasm. I'm excited and motivated, which is what I was looking for." - Tanya Schoenroth, Interior Designer, Vancouver

"They call them blind spots for a reason. None of us, no matter how tuned in we are, can see the back of our own head. Our Fire Starter session introduced me to the back of my own head. You reach into one's soul, find the compass, and correct the course. Suddenly, that small shift in meaning, merely a few degrees perhaps, placed me onto the open highway of my purpose. Not only was I suddenly exactly on path, I was driving a Turbo Porsche." - Dr. Cheryl Fraser, Passion Coach and Media Psychologist

"Thanks for everything. My head is really full now thinking about just how much revamping we must do, but it's SO good to have some actual direction. Getting your insight will help so much and already gives me that needed distance to know some great ways to proceed." - EL, Book designer, Boonville, North Carolina

I am not a business coach. I'm an opinionated, highly intuitive, pragmatic maven of inspiration and information. I'm not going to help you identify your deliverables or stick to goals (that's what business coaches do.) Fire Starter sessions are one-off, sacred brainstorms packed with practicality. I will give you all I've got to give in our time together.

I'm going to help you see what's possible - and laser in on the wisest course of action. Wise = meaningfulness and efficiency; doing what brings you joy and considering what the market will respond to. Jam sessions could generate a new product or service, your next book plot, insight into repeating lessons, a decision about what you need to stop doing, a better tagline, or a gazillion dollar idea. We may deepen your connection to your truest vocation, overhaul your website, or rev up your mojo to take action.

hungry entrepreneurs in search of straight up advice on everything from branding and social media to life balance and intellectual property. Email me at d@daniellelaporte.com

16 things I've accomplished that could translate into very useful information + wisdom for you:

1. Raised three million+ dollars for non-profits and start-ups - from government grants to venture capital.
2. Worked with the three largest US publishing houses on publicity campaigns.
3. Ran a think tank in Washington, DC and organized a network of world class futurists to compose scenarios on global trends.
4. Learned to say, "no, thank you," more than I say yes. {Focus. Know your worth.}
5. Developed an original personal development concept - Style Statement - that became a flourishing consulting service, critically praised book, and led to a viable website business - carrieanddanielle.com - within three years.
6. Learned the fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization - the dark side and light side...may the SEO force be with you.
7. Helped numerous authors self-publish their books, from concept to distribution - and advised hundreds of others to not self publish. I can give you the brutal facts on both self-publishing and getting a book deal. {Creatively prioritize. Have a three year plan for any book project.}
8. Pitched a television show concept to execs at NBC, ABC, CBS and the Discovery Network.
9. Had a private meeting with the Dalai Lama in which he told me, "Technology is good, but you need to educate your society in values...women are the ones to do this, they are the leaders of the future." Indeed.
10. Hired and fired literally dozens of staff and freelancers - analysts, managers, fundraisers, web designers, graphic artists and other geeks, and mentored a few of them to greatness.
11. Scored countless magazine and web-based feature articles, TV and radio interviews - pitched everyone from CNN to Oprah.
12. Gone through first-rate media training, and have presented everywhere from home décor shows and the noon news hour.{Know your core message. Own the interview. Never wear stripes on camera.}
13. For better and for worse, I've worked closely with entertainment, employment, business, and intellectual property lawyers. {Always get a second legal opinion.}
14. Built a relationship with one of the most powerful literary agents in the business, and landed a six figure book deal.
15. Spent hours in psychoanalysis, business coaching, and watching countless documentaries about everything from Cleopatra to the Mandelbrot Set.
16. Bartended.