In affiliation with Ann Arbor.s New Enterprise Forum (NEF), Eleni is presenting a special "Be Here and Be Heard!" workshop especially for entrepreneurs who want to improve their presentation skills. N.E.F..s mission is to "link entrepreneurs with management, expertise, join venture partners, business services, capital and other critical resources." (www.newenterpriseforum.org). In addition, The Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest (GLEQ) and SPARK, Ann Arbor, are each sponsoring as workshop attendees the winners of the SPARK Boot Camp and GLEQ business plan competitions. GLEQ.s mission is to "encourage and education entrepreneurs on the creation, start-up and early growth stages of high growth business within the state of Michigan" (www.gleq.org). SPARK (www.annarborspark.org) focuses on advancing "...the economic development of innovation-based business in the Ann Arbor region by offering programs, resources and proactive support to businesses at every stage." The workshop will occur on Thursday, June 19th from 8am . 1pm, at the SPEEK offices in Ann Arbor. For more information, or to register for this workshop, write to eleni@s-p-e-e-k.com or call 734-622-0522.

Don't miss out on Eleni dynamic and interactive one-day workshop, BE HERE AND BE HEARD: A Public Workshop on Public Speaking. From 10-4 pm on Saturday, March 29th in Ann Arbor, MI. $150 early-bird registration deadline by March 7th . Snacks and a lite lunch included. For detailed information and a registration form click here! Or write to booking@elenispeaks.com.

Eleni will perform an evening of her music:

• Time: The concert will begin at 8, with doors opening at 7:30. on Friday, November 9th.
• Location: at the BlackCrystalCafe in Ann Arbor
• The BlackCrystalCafe is an extraordinary private venue-elegant and beautiful, with a great sound system, stage and lighting-perfect for an intimate concert experience. Suggested donation is $15. Wine and other beverages provided and included, plus some fabulous munchies. For reservations and more information the Black Crystal Cafe visit . To learn more about Eleni's history as a singer and songwriter, buy her CDs, read her lyrics or listen to her songs, visit the "Concert" link on elenkspeaks.com!

Eleni will present a brief version of her TOUCH THE SKY presentation at a special brunch for women hosted by Comerica Bank:

• Time: 10:00am - Noon on Saturday, September 29th
• Location: 1969 W. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor, MI.
• Robin Black, owner of Curves for Women, and Cheryl O'Brien, from the Ann Arbor Chamber, are also part of the lineup.
• For more information call 734-930-2441 or write to dlbennett@comerica.com.

Eleni will be presenting "TOUCH THE SKY: Staying on the Path to Wellness, with Passion and Purpose" as part of a special event at Chelsea Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center's honoring National Women's Fitness Day.

• Time: The event runs from 6:pm - 8:30pm, on Wednesday, September 26th. Eleni will present twice, at 6:15 and at 7:30. Pre-registration is open to the first 100 women. To pre-register, call 734-475-4100.
• Location: Chelsea Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Chelsea, MI
• For more info, visit www.chelseawellness.org.

Eleni will present her TOUCH THE SKY! musical motivational keynote at the 10th Annual Flint Journal Women's Expo.

• Time: 4pm on Friday, September 7
• Location: Perani Event Center, Flint, MI
• Contact Info: Call 810-766-6275 or email to expo@flintjournal.com, or visit www.flintjournal.com/expo.

Back by popular demand, Eleni presents "BE HERE AND BE HEARD, a Public Workshop on Public Speaking."

• Time: 10-4pm on Saturday, September 15th
• Location: Ann Arbor
• Fees: Early-Bird Registration (by August 24th) is $150; Regular Registration Fee is $175 (by September 3rd).
• Contact Info: call 734-622-0522 or write to booking@elenispeaks.com.
• Snacks and lite lunch included. Details TBA.

Eleni featured in an article entitled "Silly Solutions For A Troubled Economy" in Michigan News section of the Michigan Radio. Click here to read the article.

This public workshop is geared in particular towards Eleni’s past and current clients—along with a small number of new clients—so as to allow them to practice in a group setting the tools they are learning in individual coaching. 

The workshop will be divided into two sections:  In the first half, participants will do group exercise work and practice with one another some of the basic SPEEK techniques in order to develop trust as well as proper breathing, vocal and listening skills; Eleni will also share what she knows about making a presentation truly memorable. In the second half, participants will each have the opportunity to present a short speech, using workshop participants as an audience.

Eleni says, “This is an excellent opportunity to face your public speaking demons in front of a group of supportive and understanding people, while being encouraged by a skilled facilitator who is sensitive to your issues. You will learn not only from your time in front of the group, but from watching your colleagues give their presentations and work through their own public speaking issues.  It will be exhilarating and fun.”

To register, or for more information, write to eleni@s-p-e-e-k.com or call 734-622-0522 for details.

In an article entitled  “Um, Like Call in the Speech Coach,” that appeared in business section of the New York Times on Thursday, January 11, Eleni is mentioned in the context of a discussion on the importance of speech and presentation coaching.  To quote the article:  “Sharon McRill, founder of the Betty Brigade, a concierge company in Ann Arbor, MI, hired a coach, Eleni Kelakos, after agreeing to deliver a Chamber of Commerce breakfast speech in 2005.  Ms. McRill said that while she was comfortable one-on-one, she felt sick addressing a group. After learning breathing and relaxation techniques, her ums stopped, confidence soared, and she was able to stay on message.”

Click here to read the full article (pdf)

News Flash! Eleni is among a handful of Ann Arbor area business owners featured in the November Business Review, in an article written by Joel Seguine entitled "Close Relationships." 

The article examines the role of networking in the business community. "I like people, and I look for any opportunity for face-to-face contact… at numerous networking events." Eleni is quoted as saying, "Community is a vital and powerful concept.  As a performer, I’m used to an active community being a primary source of information… that same element is present in the Ann Arbor business community."

Eleni Kelakos guests as Ann Arbor Ad Club Creativity Seminar panelist, April 21st , joining seminar leader Lawrence R. Dolph (Managing Partner of RFD Insight), and his esteemed guests, sociologist Ron Westrum, PhD and Jerry Burton, Senior VP of Campbell-Ewald, in a spirited three-hour seminar on creativity and the hot topic of Globalization. 8-12 am on Friday, April 21. For registration or information, go to www.A2AC.org.

NACW Guest Speaker, April 19th. Eleni will be present "Practice, Pacing, Props: Acting Tips for a Punchier Presentation" at the National Association of Career Women's monthly luncheon on Wednesday, April 19th at Weber's Inn (3050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI). Drawing on her expertise from years as a professional actress, nationally touring performing songwriter, communication coach and motivational speaker, Eleni Kelakos will show you how to give your speech or presentation shape, focus and flair, and deliver it with passion and clarity. $15 for members, $20 for guests. For more information, write to JosephineN@nicholascity.com or call 734-531-0180.

Eleni Kelakos joins Lily Jarman-Reisch, director of SeaChange, and Chris Wucherer, founder of The Center for Work and Life, in delivering a Keynote presentation entitled "The Pear-shaped Life: Heeding the Heart in a Brain-bogged World," at the First Annual Ann Ann Arbor News "Head to Toe" Women's conference. The "pear-shaped heart" is the pathway to vitalizing our lives, navigating life's transitions, and crafting a just, humane society. Using rhythm, images, song, myth and metaphor, this dynamic presentation will encourage listeners to re-connect with their hearts for guidance and balance in lives too often driven by their hard-working brains. As part of her presentation, Eleni will perform an original song, "Heart Leaps," penned especially for the occasion. The Keynote is scheduled at 11 am, on Sunday, October 22, at the Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University (799 N. Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).

An interview with SPEEK founder, Eleni Kelakos, is featured on www.getacreativelife.com, a new venture/website/blog created by Alyse Parisi of Power Outcomes and Jayne Burch of Whole Solutions, both successful business coaches and creative strategists. The purpose of "Get A Creative Life" is to create and inspire strategies for authentic living and financial indepedence. The focus of the interview is on the choices Eleni has made throughout her life to honor and develop her artistic gifts, and how she has found a way to leverage what she loves into a life-path that is stimulating and also financially rewarding. On getting a creative life, Eleni says "Act now, on impulse, don't wait. Invite the muse. Ignite the muse. Creativity breeds creativity, so start in one area and move into another creative area... When you are truly in the flow of creating, it is divinity itself. It is the ultimate reason we are here. Just do it." Read the Article