Speaking with Impact – creating ‘great presenters’

by Gene Powell, staff writer

Mother-daughter duo Denise and Nia Harrington own their communication training business Speaking With Impact, launching services in Reston this month. Photo contributed by SWI

“Speaking with Impact,” opening a location in Reston, is more than a company that

improves speaking skills – much more, said co-owners Denise Harrington and daughter

Nia Harrington.

The company’s tag line identifies its goals, the pair said. “We take great people and turn

them into great presenters,” Denise said. “We are hands-on and we guarantee

transformation … something you can apply today” Nia said.

Denise started working a with communications consulting firm in 1991 in the San

Francisco Bay area. “Most of my clients at that time were … executives from the top tier

Silicon Valley companies,”

“Speaking with Impact” services include development of leadership speaking skills,

effective change management, crisis communication training, and the effective

showcasing of products and services. The range of communications training runs from

skills for in-person remarks in small corporate groups to speaking at convention “main

stage” events.

“What sets us apart and has allowed us to last more than 30 years, is we do more than

training and coaching … we’re able to see the holistic version of people and provide

them with their direct needs,” Nia said. “We’re not looking to create cookie cutters …

What we bring to the table is an ability to see the person and help them begin to utilize

their skills,” Denise said.

Training can include body language, posture, eye contact and learning to use a “pause”

while speaking. “If they have a shaky voice … a good pause can help,” Nia said.

The idea for the stand-alone company was prompted by Denise’s desire to have a

family, and a move to Portland, Ore., where Denise became an independent contractor.

Nia was born as initial clients came on board. Shortly after relocating, Denise said she

gave a speech titled “Speaking with Impact” – which became the company’s name.

Among her first clients was Nike, “which remains with me today.”

“Speaking with Impact” has grown to include clients in Texas, Detroit, and New York.

“And now, a lot of our clients are growing in Reston, which is becoming the (regional)

tech area,” Nia said. “We never completely focused on Washington DC … but in 2020

we decided it would be nice not to have to travel so much,” having relocated their home

to the Middleburg area about 15 years ago. “And the good news is there are so many

clients in the Reston area who have their home offices in Silicon Valley, and who are

people we’re used to working with.”

The company held a Reston launch party in early February, in partnership with Carr

Workplaces on Library Street at Town Center, to explain their work as well as how to use the

Carr space. The open house featured a session on “practical strategies from

communication experts for being more effective in the boardroom, followed by time to

connect with others.”

“Speaking with Impact” also is offering a two-day, in-person course Mar. 25-26. “Bring a

friend, bring five friends, bring your whole team,” Nia said. The program will cover

“virtual platforms, hybrid platforms, and face-to-face interactions when presenting,

talking to customers, conducting team meetings, and “All Hands” sessions.”

The Reston Letter readers, using the code Impact15, are offered a discount from the

standard $2,550 cost. To register, visit their website, speakingwithimpact.com/, and click “Register Now.”