We had the good fortune of connecting with Cantor Debbi Ballard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cantor Debbi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
After spending many years in the world of Jewish engagement, synagogue administration and my own Interfaith marriage to a Christian, I could see many reasons for disillusionment of families, and continuously played a thought in my mind….”If I could do things my own way, I would….” and I had so many ideas of how I could be warmer, more welcoming, more supportive, more flexible, more personable to families, and how serving the “self directed” Jewish community would potentially change the entire landscape of the way people connected to faith, 20 years later, this model is growing exponentially and I am about to launch the first ever combined Seminary with Business Incubator and Accelerator, to support a future of independent spiritual leaders and educators to serve the greater faith based community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
ALL OF THE ABOVE! I am a business, a practice, an artist, a creative, a leader, an employee, a director, and many other facets of business.

My work is an absolute THRILL! I am rewarded daily by seeing the impact I have on families, especially children, wedding couples, and the families trying to find the “sweet spot” of balancing multiple faiths in their lives.

Once I decided to become “My Personal Cantor”, I simply began speaking my passion into the world. My Mom (of blessed memory), was so worried about me, thinking I was crazy for leaving a well paying 9-5 job, with benefits, and 2 children soon to become college students. Of course, she was right to worry – but I DECLARED with absolute faith that I was going to be “Cantor Debbi Ballard” and my future success was undeniable!

As I spoke my beliefs of inclusivity, flexibility, and passion around Jewish engagement, families listened and began to hire me almost immediately. From destination weddings around the world, to “do it yourself” Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, to a diverse variety of lifecycle events and community services, my career flourished. Today, I am one of the most sought out independent officiants/spiritual leaders around the world, and am now planning many exciting projects to support the growth of this initiative in the future.

My most important lessons I’ve learned have been my main source of empowerment.

* Enjoy the downtime and don’t worry about lack of revenue – keep doing what you’re doing and have faith the events will come!

*Meditate daily – being grounded in my OWN intuition is my main best lesson – I listen less to the thoughts of others and live truthfully aligned to my own inner truth teller.

* Speak passionately about your purpose, don’t SELL! When the right people hear you telling THEIR story, they will hire you. Your story is not for everyone, so don’t push it like everyone needs it – only the right ones need it and they will be your best clients for life.

*Have faith – in whatever divine or higher power you feel comfortable with – knowing that there is a power beyond what I can see has helped me so much. I’m no longer fearful of what I can’t see – I lean into it and trust it and it never misguides me.

*DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE HATERS! They don’t matter! Many people call me out because I do things “differently” and it conflicts with their belief in what faith should look like. I remain true to my purpose, to the thousands of families who hire me, and NEVER let myself get brought down by those who disagree with what I’m doing.

My brand is my story, my beliefs, my passion, my purpose, but I’m always ready to evolve. I always keep my eye on the future, the trends, the new paradigms I must embrace, because I want to be ahead of the curve of innovation, not behind it.

Lastly, I’ll say that while the last 20 years was magically EASY for ME – it was the hardest thing ever, as well. Because I put all my positive beliefs into action, it flowed magically, but it a LOT of blood, sweat and tears to get there.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in multiple places, so that’s a hard one!

I’m not an active local – when I’m home, or at a home base, I like home cooked food, quiet spaces, peaceful or upbeat music, and I like to feed and nurture my spirit, because I travel so much that I get my fill of nightlife and excitement on the road.

But – if a friend were coming to South Florida, I’d take them to some of my favorite restaurants like Billy’s Stone Crabs, Rustic Inn, Southport Raw Bar, and Poke Ramen for an amazing sushi burrito! We’d hang out at Fort Lauderdale beach, rent a cabana, and eat/drink/sunbathe for hours! By the late evening, we’d be finishing the night with a quiet glass of wine, talking about things that connect us, and enjoying the peaceful interaction!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are MANY who helped me reach this milestone in my life. My parents, for fostering a true love of Jewish connection, my ex-husband who showed me the way to turn the shame we were shown for our marriage, into a positive, faith-inclusive family, respecting each of our religious values, to Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, the beloved Rabbi who inspired me to a life of “modern Jewish leadership”. I applaud my best friend, Alison, for doubting the possibility that I could actually pull this idea off, and inspired me to prove her wrong (and she swears she didn’t mean it that way!), and ultimately, to the thousands of families who have chosen me along the past 20 years, turning my radical idea into the most rewarding, inspiring and life changing career I could have ever hoped for.

Website: www.mypersonalcantor.com

Instagram: mypersonalcantor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cantordebbiballard/

Twitter: @jewishweddings

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyPersonalCantor/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cantorballard

Image Credits
Toni Jade Photography Roger Edelman Photography Wendy J Photography

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