Public speaking is an art, much like writing, singing, and painting. My journey to becoming a public speaker started in a Chicago Public School classroom as a high school history teacher. If you can keep 30 inner-city students engaged while talking about United States history or Medieval Times, you have the makings of a public speaker.
After leaving secondary education, I became a corporate trainer. Unlike students who were required to stay in class, I had to be engaging, or my clients could walk out. I taught computer software in a way that my adult students wanted to learn the material and come back for another class.
My corporate training led me to teach at several colleges, where I received glowing student evaluations and even the occasional email like this one from a student named Courtney,
“Thanks for making the class so interesting while setting me straight. Things are not always what they seem to be, and your class is an excellent example of that.”
After buying the business, it took a while, but with time, I was given opportunities to speak to large and small groups and appear on local and national television. Sometimes, I talked to peers, while other times, I represented my company as an industry leader and expert. The one thing each presentation had in common was that I had to engage a group and provide meaningful, actionable information. I would relate real examples that people could learn from and apply to their professional or personal lives.
I might not have the looks of a Hollywood celebrity, and my wife will tell you that I am not necessarily funny, though she thinks I have become funnier since my bone marrow transplant. What I do have is the ability to engage a group of people and share my knowledge so they feel that the information I share positively impacts their lives.
When presenting to a group, I like discussing topics I have first-hand experience with, including business development and how to network. My experience as a small business owner gives me a unique perspective of what other small business owners and individuals in the service industries encounter daily. My years of running our retail store saw my staff and I win awards for our outstanding customer service, which has led me to write a book on the topic.
I am also a Google Certified Digital Marketer, so I can use my knowledge and understanding to explain some of the more complex search engine optimization ideas to my clients and others interested in learning how to climb to the top of the search results page.
Lastly, I can speak to groups on the topic of perseverance. I tell the story of my journey of receiving a bone marrow transplant. The topic is “Miracles, Heroes, and Second Chances”. Though my story did not have the ending I wanted, I am alive and ready to conquer whatever my next challenge is.
If you are looking for an engaging speaker who can captivate an audience, I am available to speak on the following topics:
Ready for your group to be engaged? Let’s start a conversation to take your next training or event to the next level. I am available to speak to your organization or group via videoconferencing or in person in the Jerusalem area. My experiences and expertise will help your organization, team, or group grow.
Understanding the Basics of SEO
January 2025
Lean and Continuous Improvement
Fall 2015/Spring 2017
Financial Challenges in the Retail Industry
June 2013
July 2008
July 2010
July 2012
July 2014
July 2016
July 2012
July 2014
July 2016
May 2012
November 2015
Summer 2012
David Levine is a results-driven entrepreneur who purchased and transformed a drab brick-and-mortar store turning it into a national brand featured on Chicago radio and local News stations, FOX Business Small Business Spotlight, TLC’s “Four Weddings”, and Discovery Channel’s, “How it is Made”. After almost two decades he sold the store and moved with his family to Israel. After surviving a bone marrow transplant he started his new endeavor at I am Your Virtual Professional, where he is taking the skills he honed, working in information technology as a consultant and then as a project director during the internet boom, to running his own business Illinois Nut & Candy.
Utilizing his skills, he kept his company in the public eye using traditional and non-traditional methods, which included wrapping the company van, having the store painted to resemble Candy Land, public speaking on various topics, and appearing dressed as Willy Wonka. For almost two decades, his store ranked consistently on page 1 of Google, he had raving customer reviews on various social media platforms, and the crown jewel was when his customers and the community voted to make his business the Skokie Business of the Year.
Now, he has transitioned to helping small business owners grow their businesses. David comprehends the challenges and difficulties faced by small business owners. Helping entrepreneurs and solopreneurs level the digital landscape is now his passion, leveraging his expertise in digital marketing and business development. His offerings include WordPress web design and maintenance, content creation following best SEO practices, business development, and expertise in improving a company’s branding and customer experience.
David holds a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois in Chicago, an M.Ed. from Loyola University Chicago, and a Project Management Certificate from DePaul University. Following the lifelong learner philosophy, he has recently obtained a Google Digital Marketing Certificate and several HubSpot certifications. He is in the process of finishing his book about delivering exceptional customer service.
