public speaking

Stephen Mackey is an award-winning entrepreneur, producer, director, creative designer and reality television star delivering dynamic, entertaining and inspirational experiences to engage, motivate and move your audience.

Dynamic. Entertaining. Inspiring.

These are just a few of the terms clients have used to describe Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery co-founder Stephen Mackey. Whether you are seeking a motivational, educational or entertaining experience, Stephen's passionate and authentic style resonates with all audiences. From senior executives and managerial staff, to students and non-profit members, his ability to craft a focused message specific to your needs always delivers.

Partial client list includes:

• WVU Integrate Marketing Conference

• Shenandoah University Small Business Conference

• Northern Virginia Media Services "40 Under 40" Award Ceremony Keynote

• Canadian Young Farmers Forum Annual Conference

• AmaWaterways European River Cruises, “Melodies of the Danube” and “Taste of Bordeaux”

• Brookings Institute

• "Ignite Talks" Series, Loudoun / Fairfax

• FCi Federal

• Neustar

• Deloitte

• Qiagen

• National Baker's Association

• Forum for Rural Innovation

• Lord Fairfax Community College - Entrepreneurism

• Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce

• Breakfast with the Entrepreneurs

• ExeConnect Series

• Virginia Department of Soil and Water Conservation

• University of South Carolina School of Music

• College of William & Mary

• Virginia Tech "Geography of Wine" course

About Stephen

With successful careers in digital marketing, professional audio, digital media, video production, online market research winemaking and brewing, Stephen's entrepreneurial journey has seen him deliver world-class results across multiple industries. Having traveled to 42 countries on six continents, as well as all 50 states, his style of delivering focused inspirational messages enhanced by entertaining real-life anecdotes ensures your audience will enjoy an unforgettable experience. Author of the memoir "Dream. Build. Believe." on the founding of Notaviva Vineyards (published by Mascot Books) Stephen's ability to interweave seemingly disparate events into fascinating story threads leaves audiences spellbound.

In 2018, Stephen released his first feature-length documentary, “This Business of Autism” about employment opportunities for adults with autism.  This critically-acclaimed film has been selected for a number of film festivals across the country and features the legendary Dr. Temple Grandin.

Named Loudoun County, Virginia's "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2012, winner of International gold medals for his Notaviva Vineyards wines, and winner of a Silver Telly Award for his Mesh Omnimedia "Valor" video production, he is continually striving for higher degrees of personal and professional excellence. From touring the world with musical artists such as Bon Jovi, Matchbox20, Julio Iglesias, and Amy Grant (to name just a few) to overseeing the launch of a market research software development division in New Delhi, India to co-starring in the reality television series "Dream House" on HGTV, to founding Notaviva Vineyards, a Virginia farm winery and Mesh Omnimedia, a creative agency all while raising a family with wife and business partner Shannon, Stephen's drive and tenacity in overcoming seemingly impossible odds are inspiring. Described as accessible, down to earth and grounded, his style instantly puts audiences at ease and captures their imaginations. His vision and courage in creating the world's first winery that pairs wine with music has created an entirely new concept in an industry thousands of years old. Articulating the challenges along the way as well as the lessons learned have proven to captivate, motivate and move audiences from all walks of life.

Topics

Facing Your Fears (Keynote)

Fear of failure, embarrassment, being proven wrong, or losing your investment can prevent you from starting or growing your business. Understanding the difference between real fear and anxiety, worry or concern can help you take control of your situation, assess real versus imagined risk, and move your initiatives forward. By exploring the decision making process, Stephen will help your audience understand how their own mental barriers are preventing them from making sound business decisions. Using stories from the founding of his two businesses, he illustrates how he continually overcomes fear and self-doubt to find clarity and establish new directions in both his business and personal life.

Overcoming Adversity (Keynote)

After simultaneously launching two small businesses and starting a family at the outset of the great recession, Stephen and his wife Shannon have endured and overcome tremendous adversity in both their business and personal lives. Yet no matter how great the odds, nor how improbable success may have seemed, they pushed forward with an unyielding commitment to their entrepreneurial vision. This life-altering presentation will help your audience understand how facing adversity and overcoming failure build confidence, inspire growth, and create new opportunities. Illustrating the value of persistence and tenacity, the role of perspective, and the need for passion, Stephen takes your audience on a journey from the brink of disaster to the height of success.

The Journey (Keynote)

Learn about the leaps of faith taken and the challenges faced in leaving a small town in Virginia for the bright lights of the professional audio and entertainment industries, and how those risks ultimately culminated in the purchase of an abandoned cattle farm on a romantic whim to found a Virginia farm winery. Learn how entrepreneurial vision, focused dedication, and unstoppable belief in one's self can alter the course of your life and your business.

Technological Innovations for Rural Enterprises (Educational)

By leveraging social media and emerging technologies, rural and small business owners can level the playing field and compete at a whole new level. As both the CEO of Notaviva Vineyards and the Creative Director for Mesh Omnimedia, Stephen's ability to assimilate new technologies enables him to help small businesses improve marketing presence and operational efficiencies.

Wine Paired With Music (Entertainment)

A unique experience invented by Stephen in 2009, your audience will conduct blind wine tastings while listening to various music playlists in an effort to decide as a group which music track is best suited for the wine being tasted. Complete with an overview of the underlying neurological processes that create these sensory perceptions as well as a few hilarious "roadie stories" this exercise will leave your audience with a new respect for the impact of music on human emotion as well as its impact on enological sensory perception.

Design a Winery Brand (Teambuilding)

A teambuilding exercise conducted around a brand-building challenge, this interactive contest has proven to be both a highly entertaining as well as educational business experience. As host and judge of the contest, Stephen's ability to challenge your team - as well as create a little friendly competitive tension - will provide a wonderful bonding opportunity for your group.

National Media Appearances

• Co-starring role in the "Dream House" reality television series, HGTV / DIY Network

• "Wine Paired With Music" interview on WTOP FM news radio Living section

• "The Sipping Point" interview on WBAL AM radio

• Categories

• Inspirational speaker

• Motivational speaker

• Business speaker

• Corporate speaker

• Keynote speaker

• Moderator

• Master of Ceremonies