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My Honest Review of Alexia Vernon's, The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator

Darlene Hawley

 

As a long time friend of Alexia Vernon and a graduate of the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator coaching program in 2019/2020, I get a lot of emails and messages asking about Alexia Vernons Spotlight Speaker Accelerator program so here’s my honest review of the program.

 

Alexia Vernon, Spotlight Speaker Accelerator (SSA) Darlene Hawley

Working with Alexia and improving my speaking was the best investment I could make in growing my business. I’ve been using speaking as a marketing strategy for years and was having trouble sharing my message in a clear, compelling way that really spoke to my audience and pulled them in from the stage.  After working with Alexia and watching her work her word magic, I was able to outline my presentation in a way that really spoke to my ideal audience, and now know how to ask powerful provocative questions that really connect with my audience and tie my story together. Not only has my confidence increased when presenting but I’ve been able to close more sales and make more money in my business. 

I'm sharing what Spotlight Speaker Accelerator (SSA) is, who I think will get the most out of the program and how to know if it’s the right investment for you and your business. I’m also going to tell you how you can score my New Course  Be You! AMPLIFY Your Personal Brand,  you can get it if you sign up for SSA using  my affiliate link.  so if you're contemplating enrolling, read right to the bottom to learn how you can get even more value for your investment!


What exactly is the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator?


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator  is a 90 day coaching and training experience for entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, healers and change makers who want to transform stage fright into unshakeable stage presence, create high impact speaking content and get booked to speak, all lead by transformational speaking and women’s leadership expert, coach and author Alexia Vernon.


It is not just another online course.


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator Coaching Program is much more personalized, with real 1:1 support and attention from Alexia — it's the perfect blend of business and speaking coaching in a group setting but specific to you and your business, nothing is cookie cutter around here.


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator helps business owners & thought leaders get a steady stream of new clients coming in the door by using speaking as a power packed marketing tool.  It’s designed to give you the information, tools  AND support you need, so you can step up and do what it takes to make your speaking make a huge impact in the world and in your business.


Who is Alexia Vernon?


Alexia Vernon is the author of Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Branded a “Moxie Maven” by President Obama’s White House Office of Public Engagement for her unique and effective approach to female empowerment, Alexia’s equal parts practical, poetic and playful delivery style make her a sought-after speaking and leadership coach, consultant and trainer. Alexia is the creator of The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator and Your Spotlight Workshop virtual coaching and training programs and leads the Spotlight Speakers Collective, a premier mastermind experience for female entrepreneurs who want to use speaking and live events to scale their businesses and advance their thought leadership.


Alexia has presented transformational keynotes and corporate training for Fortune 500 companies and professional associations, spoken at the United Nations and delivered a TEDx talk. She has gotten her gab on with media including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, Forbes.com, Inc.com, European Business Review and Women’s Health Magazine. Alexia holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in women’s studies and began her career teaching women’s studies at several universities. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her partner in business and life, Stephen, and their precocious, wide-eyed, preschool aged daughter.


My 100% Honest Review of the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator.


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator took my business to a whole new level with getting speaking opportunities in my local community, invited to do webinars, training, podcast interviews as well as virtual summits.


Before I had enrolled into SSA I had been invited to speak locally at networking events and at virtual events but if I’m being honest I wasn't making any money from my presentations as they were not leading to clients like  I saw so many other online business coaches do.


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator helped me know how to create the right spotlight talk and engage in the right outreach to book myself on the most appropriate stages that aligned with my business and speaking goals, and really use speaking as a powerful marketing tool. 


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator coaching program's strategic, step-by-step outline helped me shift my mindset, gave me the toolbox of tips i needed to keep calm before I present, helped me discover what my secret sauce as a speaker is, uncover what my big idea worth spreading was about and allowed me the ability outline my talk so that I could draw my audience in and get them to take massive action. The support of the other women  and men in the program and the personalized guidance to map out how I wanted to use speaking in my business was EXACTLY what I needed to truly make my speaking work as a strong marketing tool in my business.


You might be wondering, Is this program for me?


How the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator works.


Every week for the 90 days of the program, you get a new, laser-focused lesson that teaches you how to create and present yourself to grow your speaking career. You receive access to the lesson and then complete a very targeted assignment that takes all the guesswork out of what you’re doing.


Then, you hop onto the weekly group coaching calls where you get personalized feedback and support from not only Alexia but from your peers too, so you can be confident you’re creating your best spotlight talk.


Assignments include creating a vision board with your speaking goals, shifting your mindset for speaking success, daily gratitude mirror work, EFT, developing your spotlight talk, determining your best stories to use on stage, how to ask provocative questions, draw your audience in with a strong opening and how to craft a call to action that helps you sell from the stage, book a call or get them to sign up for your newsletter.


On top of all this, Alexia Vernon is in the private Facebook group answering questions, giving feedback and cheering you on. (It really is like having your own private speaking coach and copywriter on call – for the fraction of the cost.)



Who I think the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is perfect for?


The Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is designed to support new and experienced female and male speakers to transform stage fright into unshakeable stage presence, create high impact (and high converting) speaking content, and get booked to speak!


If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to step onto stage and know you’re ready to own the stage, call in your ideal audience and start making more money in your business then the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is perfect for you.

If you’re tired of watching everyone else step out on stages delivering keynotes, TedX Talks or killing it delivering virtual training then you’ll want to learn from Alexia Vernon now!  What are you waiting for?


Who I think the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is not for


If you’re not ready to do the hard work to determine how you can overcome your fears of speaking on stage or really dig into what your spotlight talk could look like, or what stories you can share to really pull your audience in when you’re on stage, then this program is not for you.  You’ll need about 5 hours per week to really do the work and make the most of the program, it’s worth the time investment.


Why the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator 


I’m a huge fan of Alexia Vernon and the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator. Alexia’s ability to speak quickly on her feet, craft clear messages and identify exactly how and what you should share on stage has made a huge impact on my business and my ability to own the stages I step out on.


A successful speaking career isn’t built overnight, but with Alexia’s guidance you’ll be set up for success to keep putting yourself out there and building deeper relationships one stage at a time.


Once you’ve crafted your spotlight talk in the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator you’ll be ready to up level your business which is why I’m offering my New Course Be You! AMPLIFY Your Personal Brand to anyone who enrolls in the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator with my affiliate link  being released late Spring 2021. You’ll have everything you need to build a strong personal brand foundation so that you can build an online brand that attracts your ideal audience and has you standing out in your industry.


Frequently Asked Questions about the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator


Here are a few of the most frequent questions asked about the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator. If you don’t see yours or are still wondering about your unique situation, feel free to email me (darlene@darlenehawley.com) – I’ll get back to you with my honest thoughts within 48 hours.


When does enrollment open?


Applications for the 2021 class of the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator will open Tuesday, November 17th 

9am - 10:30am PST AND 2.00pm - 3:30pm PST 


Alexia hosts her LIVE, 90-minute virtual workshop, Discover Your “Secret Sauce” as a Speaker, two times (early bird enrollment opens) (More details here.)


November 23, 2020 10am - 11:00am PST

Alexia hosts an encore LIVE, 60-minute virtual workshop, How to Create an Amazeballs Speaking Pitch More details here.

and doors will close Tuesday, November 24th at 5pm PT.


How much does the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator cost?


The investment into the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is $2997 if paid in full.  (A 10-month payment plan of $327/month is available.)  Details here


How can I get a bonus when I enroll in the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator?


I’m not only a proud Spotlight Speaker Accelerator graduate, but I’m also a program affiliate. That means I receive a commission for every person who enrolls at my referral. If you know me, then you know that I only share things that I truly know will improve your business and life, and Alexia Vernon’s Spotlight Speaker Accelerator is one of the few things I share about other than my own business.  I'd shout from the rooftops about how the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator has changed my business regardless (and have!) but my affiliation doesn’t increase the cost of the program AND it allows me to offer you a thank you bonus!


Darlene Hawley’s Spotlight Speaker Accelerator BONUS: I’m offering my brand new course Be You! AMPLIFY Your Personal  Brand to anyone who enrolls in the Spotlight Speaker Accelerator with my affiliate link. being released late Spring 2021. You’ll have everything you need to build a strong personal brand foundation so that you can build an online brand that attracts your ideal audience and has you standing out in your industry. (Valued at $997)


✨Ready to Own Your Story and Attract Your Dream Clients?✨

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your message and start using storytelling as a powerful tool to connect, inspire, and sell—then I’d love to invite you to my It’s Time to Own Your Story: Mini-Course.

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Identify the key moments in your story that captivate your audience.
✔️ Share your story in a way that builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert.
✔️ Use storytelling across your website, social media, and sales conversations to attract and convert more clients.


Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step workbook and personal feedback on your brand story—so you can start sharing with confidence.

Get Instant Access for just $47

10 Effective Communication Tips
Darlene Hawley, Personal Branding & Business Coach for service based entrepreneurs

Hey There!

I'm Darlene



As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.


My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.


Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.


Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.


Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.

By Darlene Hawley October 27, 2025
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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