Our Story - Here at Training With a Twist!

Facebook message posted on facebook.com/trainingwithatwist ... It has been one of my greatest joys developing curriculum for and training countless numbers of incredible employees from diverse businesses, industries, and associations; and speaking at numerous conferences and meetings! Thank you for selecting our company for your training needs. We look forward to your repeat business as we continue to offer innovative, interactive classes and presentations - with a twist! - Rebecca Christeson

NOTE:  I continue to live the American dream!  People often ask me how I started my business; Christeson & Associates - Training With a Twist.  The story is it evolved after having founded my first company Med-Assist Consulting many years ago out west.  Med-Assist was geared toward assisting physicians and their office staff improve their business policies and procedures.  We earned a sound reputation for quality work as a result of saving physician's thousands of dollars due to precise medical billing practices, and enhanced patient relations.  Working in doctors offices I came to realize that they are taught to perform medicine but lack business skills needed to operate their practices; so I found a niche market I could fill by training their employees in everything from more effective scheduling, communication skills, insurance billing, collection practices, medical ethics, etc.   

A medical-dental career college then contacted me asking me if I would be interested in writing, developing and teaching a new series for students who desired to work in the administrative healthcare field.  With extensive experience under my belt in having worked for five doctors of different specialties; and recognizing their need for highly trained employees (hence the birth of Med-Assist Consulting) I excitedly undertook this new challenge of developing mufti-faceted, accredited curriculum which I then taught to eager students.  I have always been fearless with regard to taking on new, unfamiliar challenges.  Research, writing, and development are core talents I discovered I possessed and had a distinct interest in.  I thoroughly enjoyed preparing individuals for the job market; I was blazing new trails once again, enjoying fascinating challenges and working with the incredible founding team of the institute.  This would be my future entrance, though I didn’t realize it at the time, to learning how to write and develop curriculum focusing on diverse topics.  Although my focus as it related to this goal encompassed the healthcare field I was able to later apply my skills to the field of business overall.  Another caveat was that I was able to take care of all of my research and development at home, libraries, etc.  Keep in mind the Internet was not yet invented.  It was around this time that my ability in the realm of public speaking grew stronger as well.  

While my classes were well under way, a professor at Brigham Young University was introduced to me, wherein, I was asked if I could adapt my curriculum in some manner to meet the needs of Veterinary Technician students.  Once again, with great enthusiasm, and a can-do attitude, I was eager to take on this new, exciting challenge.  I developed a new series of classes for the Veterinary Science department; an industry I was unfamiliar with in the beginning.  I taught my course fall semesters, until our family relocated to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in order for my husband, Jon, to assume  a new position in his company United States Steel Corp.  This move opened many doors of diverse opportunities for me as well as our entire family spiritually, socially, educationally, and with regard to business, leadership, and service.  

My primary goal and greatest achievement has been loving and nurturing a remarkable family!  We have been very blessed to enjoy an exceedingly happy, thriving marriage and together have reared two incredible, talented, intelligent, independent children!  Because being a stay at home mother was my chosen primary focus I was able to thoroughly enjoy our kids many educational pursuits and school activities.  I have also been involved in delightful leadership and teaching roles in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My five years of service as a stake Relief Society president overseeing leadership needs, tied to home and family (temporal and spiritual) for  the numbers of women residing within the physical boundaries of our stake (congregation) taught me many beneficial skills.  It was during this time that I planned extensive women's conferences and taught an array of leadership skills.  Later I was called to serve in the stake once again as the Activities Director which compelled me to plan and implement educational, entertaining and/or just for fun activities and events for all adults and children who lived in our stake.  These opportunities combined with being called to teach specific classes at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah along with my church service in many different capacities whereever we have lived has blessed my life greatly!  In addition to these experiences tied to home, family, and church I extended my talents part-time on occasion teaching evening business classes at a local college and later oversaw the recruitment program for another medical training school.  I also pursued opportunities to speak to college students and teens in many forums allowing me to reach hundreds of young adults who I have enjoyed interacting with!  Each opportunity further enhanced my skills in public speaking, teaching, curriculum development, and leadership ... All of this combined helped prepare me for what was ahead.

Fast forward to 1999 wanting to remain a stay at home mom with our precious children ages 9 and 14 my creative gene once again kicked into overdrive!  With both of our kids in school all day I laid the foundation for what became Training With a Twist, professional development classes, workshops, seminars, presentations, key-notes, and business coaching.  My goal was to build this business based on pursuing clients on a part-time basis only so that I would always be able to be involved in my kids active after school activities, lessons, etc.  I’ve been able to successfully do this for the past 15 years though our kids are now adults with college degrees under their belts in international business and elementary education and pursuing their own life path and goals.  Our daughter is also very happily married and we now have an adorable grandson to spoil (in the best sense of the word; with love and attention)!  Our son is becoming a super star in his field of finance and entrepreneurial pursuits; each of our kids enjoy creating, risking, and following their passions just like their mom!

Early on this sound business plan allowed me to extend my talents working from home on research and development, while my kids were in school.  I then sought out and accepted contracts with diverse businesses and industries which I knew patterned well with my home and family life. Professional development training is an industry that can eat you alive with constant travel, endless research and development, and back to back training if you allow it to or desire that frantic pace of life.  I did not.  I wanted to create a business that adhered to my lifestyle and would succeed without me abandoning what was most important to me - my family.

Success, to me, has never been equated with earning an enormous pay check, although I have been able to earn a handsome income and there is absolutely nothing wrong with people being compensated well for their talent, skill and hard work.  My goal has always been to seek to impact lives for good while teaching distinct business theory and application relating to the curriculum I write and facilitate.  Some of the topics I focus on include:  Human behavior & interpersonal skills, communication skills, personal and team motivation, leadership skills, conflict resolution, customer service, team building, business ethics, etc.  (Please view my websites for further details www.trainingwithatwist.com    facebook.com/trainingwithatwist    twitter.com/rebeccachris      

 

My mission, if you will, has focused on helping people develop stronger self-esteem, unwavering integrity, creative thinking, problem solving and decision making abilities.  Also, learning to take greater risks in life so as to experience, grow, and achieve.  I am a proactive, creative, driven individual and literally through divine guidance from God have been guided every step of the way in learning how to structure a business of this scope.  My classes and presentations are fun, upbeat, interactive and filled with humor; and what I teach "works" if people implement what they learned.  But it is also my spirituality and sincere love of people that individuals come to know and respect which impacts their learning experience.  It has been rewarding to have successfully exceeded my initial vision for my company.  God's plan is always better than our own! 

With this company, Training With a Twist, I wanted total control over my product!  No stale, boring, prepackaged, memorized material that many of the large training firms rely on.  My goal was, and continues to be, to excite people!  I wanted individuals to enjoy a classroom experience based on fresh, ever changing theory and application.  I wanted to incorporate zany, interesting hands-on activities that taught serious business principles in a fun yet meaningful manner so people would enjoy learning and then apply what they learned.  I wanted this company, just as my first (Med-Assist), to be founded on a reputation of integrity, sound business principles, and quality customer care. 

High energy, interactive classes and presentations are woven with a myriad of ever changing techniques, activities, and discussions geared toward enhancing the learning process.  It's amazing what can be achieved when you leave your ego at the door and rely completely on the Lord to help guide your direction and creative thinking process!  I have always said that God has opened many doors of opportunity for me because I have had the courage to walk through those doors; and also speak of Him and of His love and influence regarding all of his children on earth. 

I will say, however, that I wish I had, had a mentor to teach me the ropes early on because it has been very challenging to figure out everything from sales, contract negotiations, writing and development, etc., on my own.  Or it would have been very helpful had I known of an organization which coached women business leaders, such as myself, in how to write a business plan and design a career path of this scope and magnitude.  All of these years later there are so many more resources available to help entrepreneurs launch a new business but in my case I worked hard at finding the answers and solutions I needed! 

Whether my training takes place on-site at an employer’s place of business, in a hotel conference room, or on a college campus people can expect to receive a quality experience.  I don't care if I teach you one-on-one in a closet or in a packed auditorium filled with hundreds of people - I simply want to teach you!  Teach you what I can that will help to enhance both your personal and professional life.  In addition to teaching employees directly through my company I have also been a faculty member at a local community college, and an independent contractor (for training) at another college; each sought me out as a trainer asking me to facilitate my programs for their clients and college faculty and staff.  All people who attend any of my classes or presentations receive an outstanding training experience!  Notice I did not say “perfect” experience because that is not attainable for any trainer due to differing student attitudes, interest, participation, desire to learn and apply, etc.

I have a PASSION for what I do and my tag line is "I am going to set your people on fire with such passion others will want to come and watch them burn!"  Once again, what I seek to do is far more extensive than focusing solely on the business skills, concepts and techniques that people are seeking.  I have an unwavering desire to help people from all walks of life and work levels because I have a genuine love and respect for all people and have been so richly blessed in my own life; this is how I give back in return.  This is the magic that people experience through their association with me.  People are not .just a number to me; I have a sincere interest in them and in their ability to succeed and to truly lead happy lives!  We are all children of God so, therefore, we are all brothers and sisters on this earth - is it not our responsibility to help and nurture one another, I ask you?

May I say that I also have a remarkable husband who loves me deeply and supports all of my goals and dreams; and a family, now grown, who pursue similar passions in life.  We've always worked as a team helping one another in our diverse pursuits and they are associates in my business.  Because of my husbands own level of integrity, strong work ethic, loving parenting skills and ability to provide a strong foundation for all of us I have been able to focus and experience all that my mind has been able to envision!  Our combined efforts and sacrifices has helped to sustain Training With a Twist.  

This business isn't easy, it's actually very complicated. It has required laser focus because this time around I did not choose to hire any employees.  I enjoy conducting needs assessment meetings with potential clients, negotiating fees and contracts, guiding people toward the classes I feel are best suited for their needs and customizing them in order to help resolve their problems and concerns and reach their goals.  Training With a Twist is a real hands-on, one-on-one focus for my clients.

To succeed in this industry one must be bold without being overly aggressive.  Have an unwavering work ethic and literal love for creating engaging curriculum.  One must also have a wealth of experience under ones belt in having worked in the trenches, so to speak, learning firsthand the various issues businesses have and figuring out how to solve those issues.  In order to train CEO's and company presidents down to the most recent high school graduate who is a new hire one must be knowledgeable and prepared with a quality product - you just can't fake your way through a business like this!  In addition, it is so much more, as I have attempted to describe, than simply walking into a classroom or onto a stage and entertaining people.  An engaging, charismatic personality is a great asset obviously; and an ability to connect one on one with people even when teaching/speaking to countless numbers of people is paramount; but being succinctly knowledgeable about the subject(s) or topic(s), and having had many true life experiences and solutions to offer is what builds trust and brings repeat business.  Being an avid reader, as well, and having a love for studying and continual learning is necessary in order to offer a wealth of perspectives and workable techniques  You have to be able to PROVE you can do what you say you can do.  I attempt to make what I do look effortless and seamless when training as clients needn't concern themselves with the nuts and bolts of the business; it's their goal to be challenged and to learn.      

I am simply pointing out that becoming an effective, successful business owner and trainer requires far more than a base focus on theory.  I possess hands-on, trial and error, life experience, and an ability to create and facilitate.  I feel very blessed to have been able to have achieved this.  We all possess differing strengths and limitations, talents and interests; the secret is to figure out where your passion lies and then follow that path.   With all of this said - this is how Training With a Twist came to be and continues to rock & roll!

Recently I completed co-authoring a book titled ‘Inspire’ which encompasses the collective work of many contributing authors.  Inspire will be published in June and can be purchased on Amazon and in Barnes and Noble book stores.  With this new goal having been achieved – that of becoming a published author – I now plan to complete my manuscripts "Training With a Twist" for businesses and another version geared toward parenting; along with other writing projects I have long desired to complete and publish.  We'll see where this leads, but one thing for sure is seriously focusing on my writing will be another fascinating, joyful adventure.

Perhaps my years as a trainer will inspire others to follow in my entrepreneurial footsteps!  The hills and valleys have been enormous; I've experienced failure and road blocks but always responded to setbacks with the attitude of “Bring it on" because that is how I've been able to perfect my methods and materials.  It has been extremely challenging and equally rewarding - I have been greatly blessed to come to know incredible people throughout the years and literally see lives change as individuals take heed of all that I attempt to teach them through my example and words.

So what is in our future?  We continue looking forward to leaving our mark throughout the country as an expert training source.  Also, with our anticipated relocation to the south west I look forward to pursuing a new dimension of my business utilizing both of our children’s talents on occasion.  They are each equally adept at writing and public speaking, so I hope to involve them in interactive seminars that rely on our combined talents!  I would like to see us continue to inspire, empower, and educate with a special focus on families, teenagers, women’s groups, etc. providing a different twist on our presentations.

So here's to The American Dream - You CAN become the person you desire to be and you CAN create something exciting and of great worth, impacting lives for good if you are willing to take that wild ride that so many people lack the courage, initiative, or are unwilling to experience.  Remember, life begins at the end of your comfort zone folks!

 Thanks for 15 extraordinary years - and here's to more to come!  "Passionately INHALE life and EXHALE gratefulness" - with a twist! ©     - Rebecca Christeson

 

A small representation of the hundreds of people I have

trained or spoken to  at conferences and meetings