Laurie Smale
Inspirational Speaker & Author—Communicate with Confidence, Overcoming Fear, Finding Your Self Worth
Laurie Smale is a speaker, author, and reinvention mentor who proves it’s never too late to thrive. After leaving school at 13 and facing decades of self-doubt, he transformed his life through courage, learning, and connection. At 79, Laurie is a digital content creator, coach, and the voice behind Magic Minutes, his YouTube series offering bite-sized inspiration for purpose-driven living.
His professional path is anything but conventional. Laurie worked across industries—from factory labour to tour guiding, engraving, sales, and education—before earning a university degree in his 40s. Each transition was fueled by his fierce commitment to lifelong learning and a refusal to be defined by early setbacks.
Laurie’s story is a masterclass in late-life growth. He overcame a debilitating fear of maths, embraced digital tools in his late 70s, and launched a new chapter using AI, video, and online platforms to coach others in confident communication. His mission is clear: help older professionals reclaim relevance by valuing their lived experience, embracing technology, and speaking with authenticity.
Mentorship has played a vital role in Laurie’s evolution—from early guidance in a junkyard to later collaboration with digital strategist Sue Ellson. He now mentors others on public speaking, communication confidence, and late-life entrepreneurship. His books—Finding Me, Finding You, How to Be a Conversational Success, and How to Take the Panic Out of Public Speaking—offer practical, empathetic strategies rooted in real experience.
Laurie’s journey, as featured on the Wisepreneurs Podcast, speaks directly to older entrepreneurs seeking purpose, reinvention, and digital fluency. He’s living proof that relevance isn’t about youth—it’s about energy, intention, and staying curious.
