mary_cantando

Mary Cantando engages women business owners with her insight and creativity. An entrepreneurial executive since 1989, Mary is a recognized authority on women’s business initiatives and is a respected sales and marketing expert who has helped countless women develop new revenue streams for their enterprises. Mary has published three books and an audio CD. She has been interviewed by countless publications and she serves on national boards of several women’s organizations

Mary fulfills all the “standard” expectations of meeting planners: researching her audiences, customizing her speeches, communicating throughout the process, and delivering world-class presentations. Beyond this, each of Mary’s speeches is unique and is driven, in real time, by the topic and story selections of the audience. Mary’s interactive approach encourages lively, thought-provoking conversation and literally has audience members on their feet!

Mary also offers several “sidebar” sessions, such as her VIP sessions, Backstage Pass sessions, and “Interview the Audience” sessions, which allow her to impact your attendees not just during her presentation, but throughout your event.

Areas of Expertise:

Mary Shines in front of:
Women CEOs and Business Owners
Women Entrepreneurs
Organizations that Want to Understand Women Business Owners

Mary is nationally recognized and her credibility is A+ with her audiences. She focuses exclusively on helping entrepreneurial women grow their businesses.

Mary understands what it takes to sell; as a recognized authority in sales and marketing, she has personally closed deals valued up to $50MM.

Mary is passionate and fun. She inspires her audiences, gets them laughing, and provides insightful information they can use immediately.

The Woman’s Advantage Audience members direct the session on the fly. Participants request segments they want to hear from a “clothesline” of art, each representing a Multimillion-dollar woman. Mary then tells that story and explains the accompanying lesson; thus, the audience selection drives the presentation.

Expand Your Comfort Zone: A Sales Workshop for Women Many women dread sales calls. Mary teaches them how to overcome this fear so that they can glide into their appointments stress-free and confident. Using a three-step process, she shows participants how to prove that they can make a difference in a prospect’s business and close the deal.

Increase Corporate Contracts: What is Certification and is it Right for Your Woman-Owned Business? For women struggling to gain Fortune accounts, certification as a woman-owned business can provide a competitive edge. Mary explains, in real world language, how to capitalize on diversity procurement, cut through red tape and become a preferred vendor.

“…besides the accolades they lay at your doorstep, they are demanding to know when we will bring you back! I think we just need to sign you up for the next decade, because without you on the program our members would probably just walk out in protest! In fact, the most repeated comment we heard about your session was, “Make it longer.” Penny Pompei, National Women’s Business Center

“Comments I heard from attendees included ‘entertaining and informative,’ ‘energetic, even at 8PM,’ and ‘powerful.’ Everyone in the audience was impressed by your insight, wisdom, and creativity. And several women commented on your innovation in presenting an interactive keynote that allowed women to select the stories they wanted to hear.” Jan Davies McDermott, Women Presidents’ Organization

“Comments we received included:
• ‘She raised ideas I will immediately put into practice.’
• ‘Solid information in an entertaining format.’
• ‘Love her energy!’
Suzanne Burns, VP, Eaton Corporation

“Your knowledge and lively presentation style inspired our members and left them with concepts they could implement in their businesses and their lives.” Brooke Billingsley, Network of Women in Business

“You presented solid information in an energetic and entertaining format. Your interactive approach that allowed the audience to ‘drive’ the presentation was innovative and fun!” Ellen Davis, NJ Association of Women Business Owners