I ❤️ 1st Gen Entrepreneurs • Learn more at 1stGen.biz 👊

I'm an IT guy turned Entrepreneur who loves the art of building and growing successful businesses.

I started my first business (Skye Technologies) in 2006, grew it organically for 15+ years, then sold it in 2021. 

After that, I began offering business coaching/consulting under the banner 1st Gen Entrepreneurs. As the first person in my family to start a business, I know what it's like to learn everything the hard way. My goal with 1st Gen is to help others in the same situation to build healthy, sustainable businesses without as much headache & heartache.

Most recently, I became the CEO of a new venture called Skye Equipment Rentals. As a proud, independent, locally owned business, we are looking to become the #1 source for contractors in Oldham County and surrounding areas for all their construction equipment needs.

Thanks for taking a look at my profile and feel free to hit me up...  I love to talk business ☕️

Andrew McIntosh

🎙️ Public Speaking & Communication Coach ❌ TEDx organizer 💡 Leadership storytelling for entrepreneurs & executives

At the heart of all my work is the journey you are on, and how to tell that story and make it matter to others.


1) I am a public speaking coach who specializes in getting you a TEDx talk. I have been a TEDx organizer and coach for over a decade. Videos of speakers I've coached have been viewed over 2.5million times on YouTube.  I know what makes a great speech, I know what organizers are looking for and I can help you build a talk that matters. Is a TED talk on your bucket list? let's chat. 

2) I'm a pitch coach. At the heart of successful investment is getting someone else to care enough about your journey to want to join you on it. I work with founders to build a compelling pitch that investors can't ignore. 

3) I'm a Summer Camp director. The greatest gift you can give to your kid is a few weeks without technology, in the woods, surrounded by their peers and for 3 months of the year I get to make that happen for hundreds of kids. Making their own choices, defining their day and experiencing the world in nature and in community. The best part of that work is taking kids on multi day trips into the mountains, because learning how awesome you are and that you can do hard things is an incredible gift, and the earlier you learn it, the better off you'll be. 

4) I spent 2 years living on a sailboat with my family in the Caribbean. The Turas Project is where I talk about the journey I've been on and how to make the next big step that will make your crazy dream come true. I've been lucky enough to live a life of multitudes, and I'd love to talk to you about yours.  



If you have questions, thoughts or just a desire to talk about life, your stories and how to share them, I'd love to chat.

Tessa Rawson

There is little in life that can't be made better with googly eyes. 

Fight me if you will.


Also- I very much aspire to be someone who plans their posts a week in advance. I really do. 

But, seeing as I am not that person (yet)-  my thoughtfully considered, deeply meaningful content about TEDx will have to wait for a morning when:

- it is not my kiddo's Birthday (12 going on 22)
- It is not World Book Day (Last minute Pinnochio costume for the win)
- I'm not about to fly to the US for the American Camp Association Tri-State conference and having an existential crisis about the world. 

So, in brief: if doing a TEDx is on your vision board- call me. 

And go buy yourself a bag of googly eyes and just stick them on random stuff. You'll feel better about the world I promise.

Ask me how to get a TEDx talk | TEDx & pitch coach | Summer Camp Director | Former boat dweller & lifelong storyteller

We saw your video and made a thumbnail we think you’ll LOVE!


Your eyes are closed and your mouth is open. You look like you haven’t slept in a month and the vibe is a surprising mix of aggression and boredom. What do you think?


So help me content savvy friends- 

Surely there is an AI tool out there that can look through my zoom recording and automatically find a still of me smiling?

Any suggestions?

***
It was so amazing to see 47 🎉 of you at my TEDx masterclass on Monday - it was a deep dive into everything you need to know about getting on the TEDx stage. I can't wait to see all your amazing talks appear over the next year or two!

If you missed it and would like the recording, let me know and I’ll send it your way- you get it free for another 48 hours!

“There are no new ideas”

I’ve heard that so many times - and I call BS.


You haven't applied to TEDx because you think you don’t have anything new to say. 

You don’t have a cutting-edge piece of technology and you're not out there solving world hunger. 

So?

It doesn't mean you don't have an idea worthy of that stage. 


TEDx is not just about ideas that are radically new. 

There are 250,000 TED and TEDx talks out there, not because 1/4 million people have discovered something new, but because we are still looking for answers. 


There are so many problems in the world. And there are endless potential solutions.

- Maybe we haven’t thought of the right solution yet.
- Maybe we haven’t applied an existing solution to the right problem
- Maybe we haven’t put the right people or the right resources behind a known path. 
- Maybe we just haven't heard the solution articulated in the right way
- Maybe, the solution that didn’t work in 1996 is actually ideal for 2026. Of the one that worked in 1996 is no longer relevant.


TEDx talks highlight fresh approaches to enduring problems. 

TEDx speakers share ideas that energetically redefine the human experience. 


If you're struggling with what makes your idea new - think of a problem you would love to solve.

What's your perspective? How is it different from what's already being done? What tools would you use? What isn't being said? Why is your approach different or necessary?  What would the impact be if a hundred, a thousand, a million people thought this way or adopted your idea? 

That's your TEDx talk right there. 

Maybe it's not radically new, it doesn't mean your idea can't have a radical impact. 



***
Hi, I'm Tessa. I've been a TEDx organizer and coach since 2013. If you'd love to be on that stage but not sure what you'd say- I'd love to help https://lnkd.in/ep-T-zzG 

Also, this is an actual button my dad got my 9yr old for Christmas 🤔

Public speaking is not a team sport. 

Right?


It’s about YOU on the stage- getting the audience to see you, feel you, hear your insights and want to be part of your journey for just a minute.

At most events, you walk off (to a standing ovation of course), you’ll probably get a hug from the organizer, maybe a pat on the back from the speaker coming up next and that’s about it. Everyone goes on their own way hopefully confident that they made an impact.  


TEDx has something that is very rare at a big event- camaraderie.  

It is one stage where every single person in the room is rooting for you unconditionally.

The audience wants to have an amazing experience and hear great talks. 

And the other speakers?  They’re rooting for you too.  

You’ve been a cohort for months, and depending on the event you may have had workshops and rehearsals together.  You probably even had dinner together the night before. 

Other TEDx speakers get it. 

They know how much time, effort, stress & soul searching that has gone into those 10 minutes. 

For the last month there is probably no other resting thought in your brain than your talk. You go to bed repeating lines in your head and wake up worrying about the transition from your intro to you first story, or how long you should pause for after the big reveal, or what your face should be while you soak up the applause at the end. 

It's a massive release once you're through, and it can be deeply emotional- no other speaking event can compare. 

Thank goodness for your fellow speakers!


Lindsey Lerner and Julia Myers having just been through this- what was your experience with your fellow speakers? How much time did you spend as a cohort?


***
Curious about the whole TEDx thing? Come and join me for a TEDx Masterclass - How to get your TEDx talk on Monday Feb 16th. https://lnkd.in/ejMn5k-p

There's no easy way to the TEDx stage. 

That doesn't mean there isn't a clear path. 

These are the four steps that will keep you ahead of the game, and if you want more detail and even clearer directions, there's only 2 days left to listen to my  TEDx Masterclass- How to get Your TEDx talk.

Register here to get the recording: https://lnkd.in/et9Sgnw6 


***
Hi, I'm Tessa! I've been a TEDx organizer and coach since 2013- I've prepped over 100 speakers for the TEDx stage. I know what makes a great talk and why good ideas get overlooked. Any questions about TEDx- just ask :)

How to get a TEDx talk in 4 steps

Are you a woman who owns a business?

Well... you should probably join me at the event I'm probably most excited about this year:

The incredible Laura Brunton's Ignited Women Event https://lnkd.in/eRUdTiBj 

It's not just another networking event, there's obviously incredible speakers on the day, but your ticket also gives you access to a virtual extravaganza that takes place over the entire month before the big event. 

Your next collaborator, mentor, business bestie and probably even ideal client are all going to be there. 

Grab your tickets now £222 or 4 x £55 (price increased 23rd Feb)

The Ignited Woman Event 
📅 Thursday, 14th May 2026
🕐 10am-6pm
📍30 Euston Square, London
 
I'll see you there!!

There will always be three versions of your talk-


- The talk you plan 
- The talk you give
- The talk you wish you had given


It’s rare that you’ll ever come off stage without wondering what you could have done differently, better. 

Even if you smash it- there will always be something that you think, oooh next time I’ll do that or say this.


Because no matter how much you practice, and how well rehearsed you are, being on the stage is just… different.

The joke (that you know is a good one) doesn’t land. The transition you thought was perfect is actually a little clunky, and the story you thought was best at the beginning you now KNOW will be the closer next time. 

And the real big one - the emotional impact.  

You’ll tell the same story 73 times in rehearsal without so much as sniffle. But on stage? All of a sudden your voice cracks and you get teary. You need to take a moment as you and the audience take in what you’ve just said. 

Telling your story and sharing words that matter in front of an audience is powerful. 

And the unexpected hit of emotion is incredible- but it can totally ruin your flow! 


The best way to close the gap between the talk you plan and the talk you wish you’d given is practice. Practice in front of real life people, not just your mirror. 

And remember, you’ll never close the gap completely, and that’s ok! You’re a human and the real joy of a speech is in the human connection with the audience not the perfection of the performance. 


***
Photo courtesy of the wonderful Adventures in Marketing and Vicki Watson Photography where I appear to be mainly hair. But very happy as talking to my now IRL friend and wonder coach Joy Borman, The Smiling Coach

Why would you follow a dream when there's no guarantee the dream will come true?


Why would you sell your home, quit your job, take your kids out of school when there’s so much risk that it might not work out?

We didn’t decide to live on a sail boat because we knew what would happen. 

We bought a boat and tried a new life because of the possibilities. Because of what MIGHT happen.  Because of the chance to offer our kids something incredible, not necessarily because we could guarantee it. 


In reality, the closer you try to get to a dream, the greater the chance of failure. The greater the weight of your choices. 

We all just saw this in close up with the Olympics.  It’s easy for us to sit at home, critiquing triple Axels, but really, we’re a long way from that dream. 

We have a much greater chance (in our minds) of winning without ever setting foot on the ice. Once you lace up the skates, reality hits you. It’s extremely unlikely that you will wear a gold medal around your neck. 

But you’ll never know if you never try. 

So you have to take a risk on the dream. 

Knowing it might, or even probably, won't work out, is baked into the equation.

Ask any Olympian- even those who came home with broken legs and broken dreams- do wish you had never tried?

I doubt any of them would say yes. 


Boat life was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve experienced parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. But deep in my bones I know I took a chance on a glorious dream. It was hardest thing I've ever done, but it was also the best. 

I have given my kids this wonderful window to the world that hopefully they will step through themselves one day.

There will always be hurdles. And there are always compromises. But to pursue a dream, you MUST take a risk.

Nobody wakes up being an incredible public speaker.


It takes time, it takes practice, and I'm afraid it takes a good number of talks to be pretty average.

But each one you do will be better than the last. 

Look up old speeches by your favorite speakers- Brené Brown, Michelle Obama, Tony Robbins- whoever, they sound nothing like they do today. 

They may be naturally enigmatic, have fascinating things to say, but I guarantee you that the first speech they ever did was mediocre at best.

It takes time for your style to evolve, and you won’t know who you really want to be on stage until you get up there.

And this is critical- 

confidence, really has very little to do with it! 

A confident speaker can bomb just as easily as a nervous one. But the opposite is also true- a nervous speaker, who dreads the stage, has just as much chance of having a huge impact as the one who is desperate for the limelight. 


If you want to make speaking a part of your business, and if you want to be a really compelling, engaging speaker in the future- get out there and be an average speaker today!

"I would love to do a TEDx one day. I just need to figure out what I want to say."


I'd be mega bucks rich if Linkedin paid me everytime someone commented that on my posts.

And you're right- finding, knowing and deeply believing in your idea is the absolute key to getting on the TEDx stage. And the hardest part. (I know, I'm trying to do it for myself right now!)


Of the hundred or so people I've helped put on the red dot I can assure you they will all say - it's much easier to have someone help you figure it out than try to do it alone. 


So if you aren't sure what you want to say,  but know you really want to be on that stage, I can help. 

How?

I call it TED therapy. It's either the first session of my TEDx Pathway coaching program, or a one off we can do to help you figure out your idea. 

We go down all the rabbit holes, talk about everything you COULD say. And then we figure out the one you WANT to say.

That one thing, that gift- that given ten minutes, you know would make a difference.

What you're missing most is not the ideas- you're full of them- it's the confidence to choose one, and back it fully with the application that gets you on the stage. 

Working together will give you that confidence, and the confidence then guides your direction. 

Every day you don't get to grips with your idea, the further away that TEDx dream is. 

So, if you're ready to find your TEDx idea- let's chat https://lnkd.in/ep-T-zzG

Why doesn't success feel like enough? 

It's a question we come up against throughout our lives- at work, in relationships, in big moves and high holidays- in the moments that people celebrate the most, that look incredible on camera, but leave us just a little hollow. 

And, I am so ridiculously pumped (and proud!) to share Lindsey Lerner's talk from TEDxPrinceton a few weeks ago which answers why.

https://lnkd.in/e_eQy4UN


***
Finding your idea for the stage is an incredibly hard thing to do. It is the very epitome of soul searching.

If you had 10 minutes in front of a potential audience of millions- what would you say?

It feels like a weighty responsibility- to do justice to your ideas, to everything you are and that you believe. But it's also a privilege. 

The power of the TEDx stage abides because it is so simple- a platform to share ideas that matter. That's it. No ROI, no transaction, no fee- just ideas that others get to hear. 

So, as you try to figure out what you want to say on that stage, think of your idea not as your magnum opus, but as a small gift.

Something carefully selected, thoughtfuly wrapped and generously given.  

That gift is the one thing that you know that could change someone else's life for the better- even just a little bit.

Open video: Why Doesn't Success Feel Like Enough? | Lindsey Lerner | TEDxPrinceton on youtu.be

Why Doesn't Success Feel Like Enough? | Lindsey Lerner | TEDxPrinceton

I was asked last week how I help neuro-diverse speakers prepare for a talk?

And I'm ashamed to say I don't have a good answer.


There is no one size fits all way for ANYONE to prep for a speach. However, that's also no excuse, as I'm clearly many tools short of a full tool kit.

So- I would LOVE your help. 


I'm working with an accelerator program over the next two months supporting founders prep their investment pitches, and this is something I really want to be able to bring to the table.

Whether it comes to clarifying your ideas, how you use props and slides, memorization or confidence - what do I need to know to better prepare neuro-diverse speakers?

And would you be up for a call?  

I would love to help you with your upcoming talk or pitch in return :) 


Thank you so much lovely friends. 


***
Photo of me navigating uncharted waters... too on the nose? (Also, waters actually very much charted)

When we lived on a sailboat I was the navigator.


I liked to figure out where we were going and how we would get there, and then my husband executed the plan.

I read the charts, checked the forecasts, cross referenced the cruising guides, perused the forums, and asked around. 

Then I trusted myself to make the right plan.


And what was right for us wasn’t necessarily right for everyone else. 

We had to take into consideration our boat size and abilities, our own skills & comfort, weather conditions, tides, time and also the fact that we had three kids on board (a precious cargo... with opinions.) 

Just because we were going in the same direction as someone else, didn't mean we would get there the same way. 

A navigator ensures you get where you want to go - when you want to get there.


And it turns out that’s what I do for you when you're trying to get on the TEDx stage or building your next talk.

You’re the captain.  These are your ideas, your goals and you’ll have to execute the plan. 

I just help you build the plan in the first place:

- What do you want to achieve? 
- Who do you want to speak to?
- What do you want to say to them?
- What’s the best way for YOU to do that?
- What are your unique strengths as a communicator? How do we maximize those?
- What are your concerns or challenges on the stage? How do we mitigate them?
- What are the stories that make your ideas stand out?
- What's the best structure for your talk to achieve your goal?



If you want to get on the TEDx stage, or need help building your next signature talk, let's talk about how I can be your navigator: https://lnkd.in/ep-T-zzG

Super excited to join MICHELLE B GRIFFIN this afternoon to talk all things TEDx. 

If you dream of doing a TEDx talk one day- this chat will give you the answers to lots of your questions! 

I hope you can join us :)

Founder, She’s Visible™ • PR-Powered Personal Brand & AI Visibility for Women Experts • Elevate Your Visibility & Credibility Across LinkedIn, Media & AI Search • TEDx & Keynote Speaker • 2x Author

📌 REPLAY IS BELOW...A good idea won’t get you a TEDx talk.
And neither will being highly accomplished.

It’s about having the right idea, framed the right way, at the right time for the right TEDx stage.

Today at 12:30 PM CT, I’m going live with longtime TEDx organizer Tessa Rawson to talk about what actually gets someone selected.

→ What organizers are really listening for
→ Why experts still get passed over
→ The mistakes most applicants don’t even realize they’re making
→ And how to know if you’re truly ready

If a TEDx stage is on your radar, this conversation will save you time and guesswork.

📌 REPLAY HERE

LinkedIn Live replay: https://lnkd.in/e8zsM-jP and also 

YouTube https://lnkd.in/eEiGDS4G

📅 Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 
⏰ 1:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM CT | 6:30 PM GMT 
📍 Streaming on LInkedIn Live and YouTube

Sponsored by She’s Visible, my women’s leadership initiative focused on closing The Recognition Gap because we need more women speaking on stages, featured on pages and earning better wages.

_____

If you lead a women’s ERG or leadership group and want to equip your members with personal branding and LinkedIn presence this season, She’s Visible workshops are designed for exactly that.

#OwnYourLane 
#ShesVisible

Finding TEDx events to apply to is SUCH A PAIN.


Imagine if there was a list of 59 TEDx events that were accepting applications RIGHT NOW?

And there was a link directly to each and every application form? 


Oh wait… there is!! 

Right here: https://lnkd.in/eBESK_PP 


For $47 you can get access to my TEDx application kit which includes a monthly updated spreadsheet of every TEDx event currently accepting applications in the US, UK, Australia, Canada & Ireland (and a few select others)

I spent over 12 hours this month finding TEDx events for you to apply to, so you don’t have to. 

(Luckily I had the Olympics to keep me company and am now an expert in, among other things: the technical specifications of the skeleton bob; the exact amplitude x progression x execution x complete lack of self preservation required for medals in the snowboard half pipe; curling terminology; and every screw, bolt and titanium plate in Lindsey Vonn’s legs).


***
Also, if you would like the answers to all your burning TEDx questions,  this is your last chance to register for my Masterclass- How to get your TEDx talk: TODAY Monday Feb 16th 12noon ET/ 5pm GMT https://lnkd.in/ejMn5k-p

Did you miss my TEDx Masterclass on Monday? 

Fret not, I'm chatting to MICHELLE B GRIFFIN on Tuesday if you want to find out what it takes to get on the TEDx stage.

Can't wait to get into the details and help answer all your TEDx questions.

Positioning Women Experts into Recognized Authorities • PR-Powered Personal Brand Strategist & Speaker • Elevate Your Visibility on LinkedIn, Media, Stages, Podcasts and in AI Search • TEDx Speaker • 2x Author

📌 REPLAY IS BELOW...
So you want to land a TEDx talk? But what does it actually take to get on the red dot?

Join host MICHELLE B GRIFFIN for this month’s Own Your Lane LIVE as I sit down with a longtime TEDx organizer and coach Tessa Rawson to talk about what really happens behind the scenes.

We’ll unpack:

• What makes an idea compelling enough for the TEDx stage
• What organizers pay attention to that applicants miss
• Why strong experts still get rejected
• The biggest application mistakes
• How to know if you’re truly ready

Tessa has been a TEDx organizer and coach in Europe and the US since 2013. She’s reviewed hundreds of applications and knows what makes a great talk and why good ideas get overlooked.
 
📅 Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 ⏰ 1:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM CT | 6:30 PM GMT 

📌 WATCH HERE:
LinkedIn Live replay: https://lnkd.in/e8zsM-jP and also 
YouTube https://lnkd.in/eEiGDS4G

Get the insider tips and steps to get a TEDx Talk. Join us. 
We can't wait to see you there.

#OwnYourLane #ShesVisible

How to Land a TEDx Talk: Insider Tips From a TEDx Organizer

I often hear people say things like  “TED is so prescriptive,” “TED limits what you can say,” "TED censors your talk"


Well, yes - TED does have guidelines on what you can and can't say, and to be honest, I’m pretty OK with them.


1) No selling from the stage. 

This is not an industry conference, it’s not your book tour and the audience are not potential clients. 

The audience in the room are there to hear ideas not to be sold to and the online TED audience is a massive cross section of society, from ALL over the world, only a tiny fraction of whom fit your ICP. 

Doing a TEDx has a natural, incredible down stream positive impact on your business- it brings you credibility, visibility and invaluable experience for future keynotes or pitches. 

If your idea really is worth sharing, your business will benefit anyway- you don't need to sell anything on the day. 


2) Only good science

The general rule of thumb is that your ideas must be based in science that is widely accept and peer reviewed.  You can’t promote pseudo science, and if your idea hinges on anecdotal evidence, you MUST say so. It also needs to be your own research and your own perspective. Again, if your idea relies on someone else’s research- say so.


3) No proselytizing

TED is not your platform and it’s not a soap box either. It's a stage for ideas, and whilst TED wants big radical thinking and new perspectives that change the human experience, you can't try to prove correctness of one belief system over another.


4) No political agenda

Now I believe that pretty much everything is political. Our view on the world is influenced by our politics, and politics and policy are a key part of global conversation. TED doesn't shy away from ideas that have a political implication, but you can't be partisan, extremist or inflammatory from the stage. 


This doesn't mean tone it back and make it safe. Share ideas that provoke a reaction, make the audience think and challenge what we've always assumed. 

Just remember that your talk has a potential global audience- keeping these guidelines in mind will ensure your idea has the biggest impact. 

The danger of breaking them is that your talk won't be published and that would be a massive loss to you and to those who need to hear your idea. 

So if you're not sure, ask.  We need to hear your big idea!

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Andrew McIntosh

Tessa Rawson

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taplio

The Battle

Andrew McIntosh

Tessa Rawson

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Tessa Rawson's LinkedIn Performance

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