Whitney Barkley Guides Speakers on How to Stand Out in the Crowd

Interview by Steph Greegor

Name: Whitney L. Barkley
Age: 27
Job Title and Company: Owner, Speakerazzi
Neighborhood: Downtown
One-word description: Curious
Quote: “If you have a gift, you should always give back to others.”
Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Whitney Barkley found her professional niche through her interactions while working in the media as a digital content producer at Fox 19.

“I started to do work with speakers. I had a knack for helping them stand out,” said the 27-year-old CEO of her company, Speakerazzi, in business for almost two years. “I like to help people. They come to me when they want to brand themselves and I help them stand out in the crowd.”

Speakerazzi is real-time social media marketing and videographer firm that helps Barkley’s clients maximize their online visibility and get booked for speaking gigs.

“I help them visually depict their mission and message,” said the Columbus native who now lives downtown in a house that she lived in briefly as a child.

“I really love the people in my neighborhood,” she said. “I really connect with most everyone who lives here.”

In her free time, Barkley is a seasoned traveler who is also the host of a self-help podcast called Pink Lemonade.

“It helps others live their best lives,” said the Mifflin High School graduate, who earned her college degree from Wilberforce University. “I also participate in the Women With Voices Toastmasters as the club’s VP of Public Relations.”

Barkley also is a co-founder of the Pink Tank, a half-day session to help women and girls go after their dreams.

“With the skills I’ve acquired throughout my career, I love teaching social media etiquette to girls and why they should or should not do certain activities online,” she said. “That’s what I love to do. Help them with that confidence factor.”

Oh, and did we mention she’s a Glee fan? “I love to watch reruns of Glee on Netflix,” she laughed.

But when she does get out of the house, she’s hitting up her favorite restaurant, J. Alexander’s because of their “amazing steak rolls.” You can also find her at Easton.

“Easton is the staple of my life,” she laughed. “I grew up when Easton was coming up; I always go to Easton for everything.”

Whitney was named to our annual list of 52 Young Professionals You Should Know in Columbus – one for every week in the year!
Meet the entire “Class of 2018” »