Carolyn Strauss is a sales and persuasion expert who spent 18 years on-camera on the Home Shopping Network, during which time she personally sold over $160 million of her clothing line ‘The Carolyn Strauss Collection’. During that time, she developed her “Dollars Per Minute™” sales and relationship-management strategy to train salespeople and executive teams across all industries.
Through years of continuous practice, study and learning, Carolyn brings unmatched expertise to serve her clients. Her passion to create workplaces that support team members, the executive suite, and the goals of the business is evident. She also communicates her hard earned knowledge to each of her clients with a keen sense of humor and an engaging delivery.
Carolyn has studied and worked with some of the foremost experts in the world on business strategy, gender communication, transacting in the marketplace and voice dialogue. She has appeared on PBS, CNN, ABC, NBC, Food Network, and Lifetime Television Network and is an active member of the Screen Actors Guild, the author of five books, and believes that a good day includes chocolate.
Through a lifetime of entrepreneurial ventures, a successful modeling career, years of retail experience and a television career, Carolyn has a varied background where she has been exposed to nearly every type of enterprise. This unique set of experiences has honed her ability to work successfully with almost any type of business.
Today, Carolyn works with associations and executive teams across all industries. She trains “Wicked Smart People” how to communicate effectively and present powerfully. She is a certified Working Genius™ facilitator and a certified Exactly What to Say™ guide.
What you may not know about Carolyn:
- Carolyn is the host of the successful podcast, “Another Day Above Ground”. Listen at www.anotherdayaboveground.com.
- She co-created THE program to run successful blended meetings. Go to www.brilliant100.com.
- Graduated, B.F.A. from Emerson College in Boston (with a short stint at the University of Madrid!)
- Is a member of SAG/AFTRA.
- Enjoyed a highly successful 20-year career as a top plus-size fashion model with the Ford Modeling Agency, while living in NYC.
- Became the most requested Women’s Fashion Show Commentator in the US, working with every major department store for 20 years.
- In 1997 Carolyn launched The Carolyn Strauss Collection, a multi-million dollar apparel company that sold over $160 Million over an 18 year period, exclusively available on the Home Shopping Network.
- Carolyn is a top rated Vistage speaker.
- Carolyn was a judge for the Miss America pageant.
- Carolyn is the author of 5 books.
- Carolyn grew up in Marblehead, MA
- Carolyn has spent time in all 50 states in the U.S.
- Carolyn loves hot yoga.
- Carolyn believes that a good day contains chocolate.
For over a dozen years now, Carolyn Strauss is a go-to resource for my work as a Peer Group Facilitator…When we need an outside resource speaker to bring fresh ideas and content, she always delivers…From in person workshops with CEO group members to weekend retreats with members and spouses, Carolyn engages everyone in the room effectively. In 2020 she executed one of the ‘great pivots’ as a speaker and presenter…she immediately ‘buckled down’ and figured out how to be super-effective as a virtual speaker in a variety of environments and for various audiences. She has presented multiple times to our CEO groups, getting rave reviews and requests for more…Looking forward to another session with her in July 2021!
– Ben Griffin, CEO, CEOiQ
Your live performance was outstanding! Everybody should see you on stage. Your knowledge and advice are priceless. Well done.
– Lahat Tzvi, One of the Top #100 World Sales Experts
Carolyn did a fantastic job presenting virtually. Her content was spot on, with very useful exercises and take-away tools. She handled the virtual presentation very well: great studio to present from, good mic, she combined use of screen sharing with gallery view in Zoom instead of only using screen sharing, good exercises and discussion to engage everyone. I highly recommend Carolyn.
– Greg Behm, Chair, Vistage
Carolyn was thoughtful, insightful and her message really resonated amongst our group. If you want to take your organization to the next level, and enhance sales, Carolyn is a fantastic resource and definitely worth engaging!
– Perry Kiefer, Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP
I had the pleasure of hiring Carolyn to present educational breakout sessions at 3 trade shows in 2019. She was a dream to work with – extremely professional, responsive to emails and calls, and an excellent presenter! These comments from 3 of her attendees say it best: ‘She was very engaging and informative, with fantastic ideas mixing logic and creativity.’ ‘We both enjoyed the presenter very much. She was interactive, had a well-organized approach and a passion for her topic.’ ‘Carolyn is wonderful. Engaging and encouraging, and very informative!’
– Kerry Boderman, Education Director, ASI Show
Carolyn was a terrific speaker for our CEO group recently. She was lively, articulate, and most of all informative and interesting. Significantly takeaway value included information on gender relations, how to manage and lead others, as well as idea for better self management. I recommend her as a person of worth, authentic, and interesting!
– Phillip C. Thomas, Chair (Boston, MA), Vistage
Carolyn had a captivated audience from start to finish….even the people who are ‘critics by nature’ were moved by Carolyn’s words and presentation. This is the first business presentation I’ve organized where the attendees did not want to leave – they truly appreciated the insightful information shared by Carolyn, and planned to use this in both their business and personal life. Thank you Carolyn — come back to Canada soon!
– Linda Langelier, CEO, Executive Network (Regina, Saskatchewan)
Your presentation was more than impressive and impactful! Not only did participants benefit from your humorous information they were entertained as well. You are an amazing entertainer and trainer, a beautiful combination indeed. NCCR is looking forward to more collaborations with you in the future.
– Porcia Chen Silverberg, Founder, National Center for Community Relations
Thank you, Carolyn! You got such positive feedback. You are a pleasure to work with – thank you for all you do!
– Katharine Putegnat, Director of Client Services, BX Worldwide
You did a great job imparting your passion to “create an upward spiral” between the sexes in every aspect of society, including the business world. Personally, it was very revealing and so pertinent – and I’ve worked with men every day and have been married to the same man for 35+ years!
– Carmela Wadding, Payroll Manager, Centerpoint Energy