Alison Deyette of Sherman Oaks on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alison Deyette. Check out our conversation below.

Alison, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Thankfully, I surround myself with good friends who keep the laughter coming—usually over shared obsessions with puppy, baby goat, and otter videos, along with pranks between partners and co-workers.

As for feeling proud, those career moments happen when I hear from clients after the big moment. I’ve had clients call me the second they walk off stage, leave a media interview, or finish a pitch to say, “You were in my head the whole time!” Not in a creepy way, but in the voice they needed to stay grounded, strategic, and clear.

The messages that really hit me are the ones where people say, “I didn’t think I could do this—but now I know I can.” That’s what makes me proud.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I help people speak with power—and actually enjoy doing it. Through my company, Alison Deyette Media, I provide media training, on-camera coaching, public speaking prep, pitch refinement, interview strategy, and brand storytelling that doesn’t sound like a corporate press release. Whether it’s an NBA rookie talking to the press after a game, a CEO prepping for a high-stakes investor call, or an actor preparing for a press junket, I tailor the training to the moment and the mission.

My clients include athletes, executives, actors, entrepreneurs, musicians, and thought leaders—essentially, anyone whose job (or next big break) hinges on knowing what to say, how to say it, and how to own the room while doing it. I work one-on-one and with teams, both in person and virtually, and every session is curated to fit the client’s needs, not just a one-size-fits-all checklist.

What sets me apart? I bring decades of experience in front of the camera and behind the scenes. I’ve been the expert being interviewed, the host of the show, the speaker on stage talking to a hundred people or several thousand and the person behind the scenes deciding the theme, cast, script and what makes it to air. So I know how to shape a story, but more importantly, I know how to make it stick. My approach is honest, strategic, and direct—with just enough humor to make even the toughest prep feel like something you might look forward to.

Some clients include rising stars from the NBA and NFL, Planned Parenthood Federation, the Virgil Abloh Foundation, Meta, and LAAMP Music Academy. What I’m most proud of is the transformation—watching someone go from unsure or unpolished to magnetic, grounded, and confident. My job isn’t to change someone’s personality; it’s to bring it into sharper focus.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
It started with my mom. She had her own career, managed our home life, and after my parents divorced, she became the person who taught me how to work hard and be smart with money. She showed me what independence looked like—how to handle your business, advocate for yourself, and never rely on someone else to chart your future. Her example stayed with me.

Later, it was a series of incredible female bosses—editors and producers—who noticed my drive and gave me real opportunity. They saw that I worked fast, asked the right questions, and was ready for more. And rather than gatekeep, they opened the door. That encouragement, paired with the pressure of proving myself, helped me grow not just as a professional but as a leader. It taught me how important it is to be the person who gives the green light—and how powerful it can be to say, “I see what you can do. Go do it.”

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I’m lucky enough to say it isn’t just a single moment. My husband and a handful of close friends really get me. Not the polished-on-camera version. Not the to-do-list-crushing version. Just… me. The full spectrum.

My husband has this kind, generous way of listening that makes me feel seen and cared for even when I’m not saying much. Whether I’m thinking out loud about a new client, spiraling over details only I care about, or trying to solve something I haven’t even fully named yet—he’s present. He doesn’t jump in to fix it. He lets me talk it through, and that’s often all I need.

And my tight group of friends? They show up for the mundane and the ridiculous. They remember what matters to me. They check in. That kind of listening—the real, intentional kind—is rare. And when you find it, you hold on.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Loyalty, trust, kindness, and good humor.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Stop work and spend most of those 10 years exploring the world with my husband and hope friends would join us along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alisondeyettemedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisondeyette/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisondeyette/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/alisondeyette