Meet Expert in Residence Nausheen I. Chen

How did you get started in entrepreneurship?

I wanted to help people speak with more impact and I wanted to build my business on my terms.

What makes you tick?

Thought-provoking conversations, helping my clients amplify the way they communicate, and following through on big ideas.

What does an average day in your entrepreneurial life look like?

There’s no average day! This week:

• I led a Speaking with Confidence workshop in Rotterdam
• Coached my 1:1 clients (one of whom told me how they just got promoted at Google thanks to the work we’ve been doing together)
• Planned the launch for my upcoming cohort
• Looked up photographers in my city for a new photoshoot
• Did a podcast with an amazing LinkedIn creator

What are you looking forward to most in your residence with the SPI Pro community? How specifically do you want to help entrepreneurs?

I’d love to help entrepreneurs speak with more impact online and in person — ace every podcast, webinar, and course with confidence, clarity, and ease.

Why did you join the Entrepreneur in Residence program? What is it about Pro that makes it a special place/community for entrepreneurs?

I’ve always loved building and engaging with communities. I’ve been a director at Startup Grind in China, and a cofounder for the first improv community in my hometown. I joined the EIR program to be able to help entrepreneurs speak with more impact – because once you know how to communicate your ideas well, you become unstoppable.

What is your biggest professional challenge to date, and how did you overcome it?

Starting over in a new country and continent and building a business from scratch – twice! I launched my first business in China (as a filmmaker). Totally new country, language and culture. I had to quickly figure out how to build my network by speaking at events, hosting workshops and posting in online groups. Second time round in France- I had to figure out how to build a business online for the first time. I did it by becoming obsessed with LinkedIn and building an audience there.

What is your biggest professional win to date and what did you do to make it happen?

Figuring out my calling in life. I’ve been a Fortune 50 manager, a filmmaker, an improv artist, a stand up comedian and a PR director. But I never identified with any of those roles and titles. At 39, I realized that the one thing I’d been doing my entire life for passion and fun was speaking in public. But I’d never pursued it as a profession. Turning my passion into my work was my biggest win.