Meet Carolyn "CiCi" Higgins

   CiCi has enjoyed a diverse 30-year background in cultural and corporate environments, including holding such titles as President, Vice President, Corporations Manager, Staff Coordinator, and Marketing Consultant in small businesses, major corporations and a television station.   Her past talents, in entertainment and successfully producing and directing several plays, translate to the stage in her ability to engage audiences.  She has been an entrepreneur since 1994 and even owned and operated an apartment complex.  Be Encouraged, a speaking engagement company, and Higgins Communication & Training Alliance are the present vehicles for CiCi’s collaboration with clients.  The multiple first-place speech award winner with Toastmasters encourages her audiences:  “Let’s make a difference together!”

   She attended five colleges and universities, earning an A average at each.  CiCi graduated summa cum laude from Athens State University where she earned a B.S. degree in Management of Technology.  Her current program of study is an MBA with a concentration in Marketing.

Professional Philosophy Statement

   As an encourager and motivational speaker, CiCi believes:  “People are capable of being better and doing better.  I feel it is my role to provide a catalyst to wake up their desire for learning, for self-discovery, for personal responsibility and for taking action. I am convinced that it is my God-given mission to encourage others to reach the awesome potential that lies inherent in them.  I believe that most people are not satisfied where they are and they are willing to be guided to a better way.  This is why I must be a great salesman so they can buy into the ideals that are presented.  By remaining an honest, God-fearing, caring, courteous, non-hypocritical and well-researched life-learner, I will be able to present with passion and integrity.  I resolve to educate, encourage and entertain in such a way to limit fear, increase courage, impart knowledge, and inspire personal conviction and growth.”

Speaking Background

   CiCi's love for speaking and music began at an early age when she was drafted to introduce the band at the fourth grade musical concert. Well, the music and speaking bugs bit and led to years of all-state band and orchestra awards, representing her church at youth conferences, being a youth leader in college and then defending her childhood community in court against rezoning. At the latter event, an attorney suggested she join Toastmasters. At 21 years old, she had never heard of Toastmasters, and it was a few decades and hundreds of speeches later before she would become a member. By that time, CiCi had made her mark in several states speaking for politicians, colleges, corporations, and special events. As a former member of the National Speakers Association, she further developed her craft and is available to address the needs of organizations nationwide. 

Community Service

   CiCi is passionate about community service.  She is a member of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society and a former Fellow of the Annenberg Foundation’s Rural School and Community Trust.  CiCi has served as director on the boards of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Northwest Alabama 13-County Better Business Bureau, as a Trustee for the United Way, and in advisory capacities for university and high school organizations.  Several community organizations have benefited from workshops that she has developed and presented.  She compels individuals to unleash the power of their potential through self-awareness, accountability and action.

   In her efforts to encourage and inspire a diverse northwestern Alabama audience (approx. 300,000, including parts of Mississippi), CiCi developed and produced a community talk and entertainment show called “Be Encouraged.”  Community pride and increased involvement were some of the benefits received and eventually led to CiCi’s role as marketing consultant for the television station.  She also became a journalist for two community newspapers and was often featured as a subject matter expert in other newspapers, on radio talk shows and in a woman’s magazine.

Professional Activity

   CiCi has provided technical leadership, delivery excellence and career mentoring to various consulting customers.  She coached a former Kraft Foods executive in her career change, an orthopedic surgeon for her speech to peers at an international conference, and a department chair of a local university in her life skills development and book publishing efforts. 

   Key engagements have included presenting Self-Awareness and Style to Atlanta Center for Disease Control; Fire It Up! – the Power of Leadership to Burger King Corporation (Midsouth Division); Delivering the Extraordinary Customer Service Experience to Montgomery, AL Transit System leaders and staff; teaching a series on communication, leadership and interpersonal skills to area businesses including Pilgrim’s Pride (formerly Gold Kist) for the University of North Alabama’s Continuing Education Division; motivating educators and students with Smash the Box for the STEM Conference; rallying member organizations with Believe! at the United Way Kick-off Meeting; and challenging scholars to higher achievement with Through Knowledge, Power at Athens State University’s honors dinner.

   Present demand and passion continues for speaking as a result of her book of true stories of triumph and motivational articles, entitled Stories Worth Retelling; Articles Worth Sharing.  “My life is dedicated,” she says, “to making a difference in the lives of people.”