Meet Lesley Sattin of Monkey Joe Speak in Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Sattin.

Lesley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I studied the sciences and never imagined being an entrepreneur. Having kids changed everything. My husband and I quickly realized that one of our careers would need to take a lesser role and since he, being an entrepreneur himself had the higher earning capability, I quit my job and studies to stay home with the kids. I needed a flexible job that would allow me to raise our family, be there when they needed me and also satisfy me intellectually and hopefully financially. There are not many employers that offer those benefits. We went to the Anaheim garden show in 2003 and there was a booth there offering a home based business opportunity selling promotional products. I didn’t even know what they were but I was transfixed. A week later I was on my way to Idaho falls for training and Monkey Joe Speak was born. The business started on the school playground selling t shirts to PTA mommies. I learned how to silkscreen and pad print, how to manipulate artwork and how to sell. It was immediately apparent that the learning curve was huge and my studies and competence in my previous career had not prepared me for this one. Fortunately, I had the luxury of time, afforded by my breadwinning husband, to learn. I joined a networking group and figured out that this selling thing was more about relationships and less about how much you knew. I loved it! The kids got older and there was more time and the business grew. I took classes on how to sell, and hired a business coach and my customer base expanded. Now here I am 14 years later, the kids are grown and Monkey Joe is thriving.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think my biggest struggle has been my feeling of inadequacy. I wanted to be an expert and trusted partner and not be viewed as a part time mommy making a bit of extra cash. Educating myself and hiring that coach helped me overcome that. The best advice was to figure out was I was really good at, competent at and really bad at, and then delegate!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Monkey Joe Speak – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My tagline is “your logo on stuff” but it’s so much more than that. I work with marketing managers and small businesses to help them accomplish a goal using branded items. That could be increasing employee satisfaction or brand recognition. It might be drawing in prospects at a trade show or thanking existing clients or encouraging referrals or maybe it’s camp tee shirts. I think what sets me apart is that I don’t just take orders, I ask questions. It’s all very well to sell you the 500 mugs you asked for, but if they are still in the company storeroom a year later, you are certainly not going to order more if there was no goal or way to measure your return on your investment.

I am very proud of how that part time Mommy earning extra cash has evolved into the business woman I have become. I am a partner to my clients and do everything possible to ensure their product meets or exceeds all their expectations and is delivered on time to accomplish their goals.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The sky is the limit in sales. I can sell 1000 mugs in the same time as 144, the trick is figuring out the best use of your time because that is the limit we all have. I would like to increase my sales force in the next year; I think another part time Mommy that would like to follow my path. If you want anything done fast and well, ask a busy Mom. There is no one better at multitasking.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2646 Dupont Dr Suite 60 #271 Irvine, CA 92612
• Website: www.monkeyjoespeak.com
• Phone: 7145492155
• Email: INFO@MONKEYJOESPEAK.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkeyjoespeak/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/MonkeyJoeSpeak/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/monkeyjoespeak
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/monkey-joe-speak-irvine
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monkeyjoespeak

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.