Case Study

From Overwhelmed Inbox to Confident Keynote: How a CEO Found the Perfect Opening Speaker in Minutes

Jared Burkhart
Meet Jared Burkhart

CEO, Big I Michigan

Jared oversees statewide operations for independent insurance agents, including organizing multiple events each year. His annual conference carries the highest stakes for members and requires speakers who deliver immediate, tangible value.

The Challenge:

What would have taken me 6 months, I did in 6 minutes.

Each year, Jared plans multiple events, but his annual conference for independent insurance agents carried the highest stakes. Every attendee weighed a simple trade-off: “I could be making calls and growing my book of business, or I could be listening to this speaker.” The content had to deliver more value than the calls left on the table.

Jared’s challenge:

  • Needed a kickoff keynote who could command respect and set the tone immediately
  • Wanted a built-from-nothing success story that agents would find relatable
  • Required practical storytelling with actionable takeaways
  • Faced an inundated inbox of look-alike pitches, impossible to screen efficiently
  • Could not afford the time to open dozens of tabs across LinkedIn, YouTube, Google, and websites just to piece together a reliable view
Became the Solution
How Talkadot Became the Solution

Jared gave his exact criteria to Talkadot. Instead of inbox noise, he received five tailored options, each delivered as a single, comprehensive Talkadot profile.

What Jared saw (all in one place):

  • Audience feedback: real survey responses, ratings, and outcomes
  • Proven fit: evidence of how similar audiences had responded
  • Videos and photos: unedited stage presence and engagement
  • Speech topics: clearly framed outcomes
  • Logistics: travel base and typical fees upfront

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The Results: The Speaker Selected

Jared chose Jess Ekstrom for the opening keynote Making It Without Losing It: The New Rules for Innovation and Motivation That Lasts.

Why Jess fit perfectly:

  • Her story of building Headbands of Hope from zero to a million-dollar business mirrored the entrepreneurial journey of insurance producers
  • Practical takeaways tied directly to daily selling and long-term motivation
  • High engagement scores and strong audience outcomes visible in her profile
  • Energy and presence ideal for a conference kickoff

In one working session, Jared went from inbox overload to a confident booking. He avoided weeks of research, eliminated guesswork, and secured a keynote that set the tone for the entire event. For a CEO who sees the annual conference as a top membership deliverable, the efficiency saved both time and money while delivering maximum value to attendees.

With Talkadot Public Profiles, I had everything I needed in a super easy-to-digest format. This blew my mind.

Key Takeaways: Why This Works

  • Efficiency gained: six months of inbox noise reduced to six minutes of review
  • Story that resonates: entrepreneurial journey mirrored insurance producers’ path
  • Outcomes visible: high engagement scores demonstrated proven impact
  • Kickoff confidence: presence and energy fit a high-stakes opening session

Are You an Event Planner That Needs to Book Speakers?

When you tell Talkadot what you want, you get:

  • A shortlist of verified speakers, all in one place
  • Audience feedback and engagement data you can trust
  • Confidence in availability, style, and fit for your theme and budget

Plan your next event with clarity, not clutter.

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