Inspiring Conversations with Eleni Kelakos of The Eleni Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eleni Kelakos.

Hi Eleni, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bitten by the performing bug at 12, when I sang a song (Froggy Went A ‘Courtin) all by myself in a talent show at sleepaway camp, I knew I’d be on stage one way or another throughout my life. Through middle school, high school, and college, I was fortunate to get roles in musicals and plays, and solos in choirs. At Brown University, where I double majored in Theater and Semiotics, I fronted a band called Windy Mountain (Southern rock and roll) where I learned how to manage audiences of all kinds (mostly rowdy, tipsy, and enthusiastic). Upon college graduation, I started my career as a professional actress and singer in NYC and Los Angeles. I was cast by some visionary directors in some really interesting and creative new works Off and off-off Broadway that combined theater and music. It was incredibly exciting, and I loved working with uber-creative, out-of-the box thinkers.

That said, I also struggled to be cast because of my height (I’m six feet tall). Over time, my frustration in getting “close, but no cigar” to too many roles due to factors like my height that were out of my control led me to making a shift to writing songs and then sharing those songs in listening rooms and festivals across the country as well as recording them (I have produced four well-received CD’s of my original songs). I literally found my voice when I began writing songs (well, the songs really wrote me– it was like a dam breaking, I couldn’t hold back the torrent of songs that rushed out)! My work as a singer-songwriter attracted the attention of folks in healing arts communities, and I began to be asked to do concerts and workshops (on finding and sharing your voice) at retreats.

One of my most popular songs, The Tallest Poppy—about a little poppy who defies the law of the Poppy Land by growing past the Limit Sign and maximizing her potential, encouraging other baby poppies to do the same—evolved into a one-woman show and workshop for girls in middle school. It was my effort to help girls embrace their uniqueness and not play small at a time when peer pressure to do the reverse rules. That show evolved into my first signature keynote for adults, Touch the Sky! which became a brand (the little reaching woman in my company logo) and rallying cry for me (“You can choose to play small; or you can choose to Touch the Sky).

At around the time I was performing The Tallest Poppy show in various schools, I had moved to Ann Arbor, MI to be with Jim Fleming, my now husband. As a new step-mom, I thought I ought to find a way to be on the road less and potentially bring more money into my household. That’s when I made real an idea that had been germinating for some time: Starting a coaching company to help business executives learn how to bring themselves more fully, authentically, and fearlessly to high-stakes spotlight moments (like pitches, presentations, media events, keynote speeches). Having been trained by master-level teachers to do just that in relationship to auditions and performances on stages large and small, I felt perfectly equipped to do this.

If you build it, they will come: My business has happily been in existence since 2003. I morphed further into doing corporate group training and workshops in presentation skills and storytelling skills; and I developed further keynotes (Perform At Your Peak, Claim the Stage, Charismatic Presence) to deliver at conferences and association events across the country (sometimes while wielding my guitar and singing my original songs). To expand my reach, I have, in the past decade, written three books (Touch the Sky: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Truth, Make Your Mark; Claim The Stage: A Woman’s Guide To Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Taking Leadership, and Charismatic Presence: 5 Principles For Magnetic Presentations.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? Ha!

Choosing to commit to theater and performing in general was a challenge to begin with, because so many people I cared about said things like “You’re so talented, but isn’t that world just SO HARD???”

Staying the course in my quest to being a professional actor was exceedingly challenging every single day, and especially every time I heard the word “no” in relationship to an audition for a role I really wanted and had fought hard for. Still, it taught me to do everything in my power to be prepared in body, voice, and spirit; to keep moving towards mastery in my abilities as a performer and business owner; and to take my dream seriously enough to dust myself off every morning and keep trying.

I struggled mightily every time I heard the words “You’re too tall” in relationship to a role I didn’t get. It was hard not to hate myself for one of the very things that made me stand out. I had to learn to embrace what made me different, and how to reframe any limiting beliefs. Shifting from believing “I’m too tall to be cast as a professional actor” to “I love my height– it’s perfect for roles that require presence and authority like attorneys, queens and Starship commanders!” was a big turning point for me.

Choosing to steer away from acting and turning my attention fully on being a singer and songwriter was a struggle as well. I had to trust in the power of the songs I was writing and the deep knowledge that they would propel me toward what was next for me on my path. But I did, and it was life-changing for me. Not only did embracing the music in me allow me to create and share a body of work I am immensely proud of, it steered me to a music conference where I met my husband, and moved me to Michigan where I’ve built my current business,

I have experienced many such crossroads in my life and career, steered to those exact moments by what I call “The Cosmic Clues”– what you love, what you’re good at, and what feels right and brings you to aliveness when you’re near it or engage in it. I always trust that I will move through what I call the Murky Middle of Discomfort and wind up even more clear and focused for having experienced it.

Letting go of the need to constantly tour and make music in favor of starting my coaching, training, and speaking business was another such struggle. But I just knew in my soul it was the right move, and went for it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I use performance tools learned through 20-plus years as a professional actress and touring singer and songwriter to help business professionals (typically C-suite and managerial team leaders) be more real, relatable, and confident when they pitch or present. I consider my chosen work a reflection of what I call my Soul Role or deep life purpose: I am an “elevator,” here to help others honor their worth and achieve their potential.

I do this work through one-one-one coaching (presentation skills, interview skills, high-level keynote creation, executive presence– or as I call it, Charismatic Presence), as well as in-house group training (presentation skills, communication skills, storytelling, impromptu speaking skills). I also love to do high-level keynote presentations at conferences and large events, where my inner performer gets to come out and play.

Over the years, I would say I’ve specialized in helping people overcome their fear of public speaking and embrace the kind of courage, commitment, and confidence that has transformed their speaking and their leadership.

My ability to model the kind of presence I teach is one of the things that sets me apart. My empathetic and intuitive abilities allow me to pinpoint the essential challenges that my clients need to overcome, as well as to be able to quickly synthesize the essential elements that need to be woven together to create an impactful message or presentation. Someone I deeply respect once told me that there are three reasons I stand out in the work that I do: 1. My belief in the underdog 2. My conviction in making someone great and 3. My heart in meeting this moment. I think those reasons are right on the money.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Get up in the morning and metaphorically make the donuts, whether you feel like it or not. Because nobody is going to care about–or nurture–your dream as deeply as you.

Do whatever you need to do to build the skillsets, systems, positive mindsets, and social networks (family and friends who truly see and support you) to help you move forward with purpose and consistency in spite of the inevitable challenges that will come along.

And always follow the cosmic clues!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theelenigroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleni.kelakos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleni.kelakos/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenikelakos/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elenikelakos