Inspiring Others Through the Beat of the Drum

Natalie Spiro, President/Owner Drum Cafe West Coast/Midwest

 

Shift and change energy on this planet by one or by many

 

 

Warren Lieberman started the Drum Cafe in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1996. It originated in an actual cafe where drumming was used in a relaxed environment to break down barriers, inspire and bring people together. Moved by the experience of communal drumming in Africa, and the passion to unite different groups of people together in South Africa’s post apartheid era, Warren took the concept of communal drumming and developed a global team building and entertainment program using Africa’s top drummers.

 

I had the good fortune to partner with Natalie Spiro and the Drum Cafe West Coast three years ago at a leadership meeting for one of my clients. After witnessing and participating in this inspirational and moving program, I was curious about the woman who ran this operation and how she ended up in this unique field. She was gracious enough to share her story, fraught with detours on the way to success. It’s worthy of telling from the perspective of “the road less traveled”.

 

I was born in Tel Aviv, Israel to an Egyptian mother and a South African father. My dad came to Israel on a volunteer program for the Israeli Paratroopers where he met my mother. At four years old, we returned to his home in South Africa. I spent the next 30 years growing up in this country, immersed in the exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and a culture that recognizes 11 official languages. I was influenced by mentors like the honorable Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Zulu teachings of Ubuntu whose belief is, “There is no you and me, only we”. I was fortunate to have witnessed the struggle that ended apartheid.

Native South Africans are passionate about music, often using song, drum and dance
to express social and political ideas. This musical influence would impact me throughout my life. I met classmate and future Drum Cafe founder Warren Lieberman in grade school. We became friends and, while we eventually went our separate ways, we never lost touch. His path would lead him to the Drum Cafe, mine to leave my beloved South Africa.

 

After earning a masters degree in Industrial Psychology and an MBA both from the University of the Witwatersrand, I went to work in my field within Cooper and Lybrand (now PWC) and Investec Bank. It didn’t take me long to discover, however, that I am an entrepreneur at heart and the confines of a corporate environment in South Africa felt too structured and restrictive. Tapping into my creative nature, I started a jewelry design business and was thrilled when I landed a contract with Nordstrom in the United States. At the age of 35 my husband and I emigrated to the U.S. Things did not go well. Shortly upon arriving in San Diego I realized that the business of jewelry design was extremely competitive. Soon I was out of a venture that had been successful in South Africa, my marriage ended, and I basically found myself broke, alone and on the doorstep of my only friend in San Diego.

 

I knew things had to change. Right around that time I discovered Debbie Ford and her Institute, recognized for helping individuals transform their lives allowing them to develop authentic, abundant joyful and fully integrated lives. Seeking direction in my own life, I enrolled in the program; little knowing how much it would impact and change me. Founder Debbie Ford became a lifelong friend and mentor.

 

During one of the first workshops we were asked to visualize our life’s purpose by closing our eyes and imagining ourselves walking down a road. While others envisioned themselves walking down a scenic country road, I found myself on a moving sidewalk like the ones you ride in airports. I reached the end and found myself facing a giant gray boulder and hearing the voice of a magician saying, “You are the wizard and you are here to Shift and change energy on this planet by one or by many.” I had no idea what that message would mean to me and how it would define my life.

 

I returned home from the weekend retreat and there was a package from Warren containing a promotional video for the Drum Cafe interactive show. Warren was interested in expanding his company from South Africa into the United States. With that thought in mind, a couple of weeks later I attended a party and met a Senior Vice President of Motorola. She asked me, “What do you do?” Remembering the video from Warren I explained the power of “our” drumming program. She was intrigued.   “Wow!” she said, “I have a meeting coming up in Las Vegas with 100 regional managers and I am not going to hire a keynote – I WANT YOU!”

Shift and change energy on this planet by one or by many

 

I was beginning to understand the message.

 

I couldn’t wait to call Warren to tell him I’d sold our first U.S. gig. There was one big problem: I didn’t know how to drum! I booked a flight to South Africa where I met with Warren’s drummers who gave me a crash course on playing these drums. I went to a local farmer’s market, bought 100 authentic African drums, shipped them to California and stored them in my garage. As the universe continued to guide me to this new adventure, I attended the opening of an African Museum of Art and met four Djembe drummers from West Africa. I hired them on the spot. My amazing new life had started.   In 2003 I became an owner/partner and Drum Cafe West Coast was born. I’ve never looked back.

 

Drumming unites people.

 

It transcends barriers imposed by culture, language and status. It leverages the stunning power of rhythm to engage people quickly and emotionally. Imagine sitting in a room with a hundred or more people, each holding a drum between their legs. As the door to the meeting room bursts open a group of African drummers, beating their drums loudly in syncopated rhythm, enters and marches to the stage. The rhythm and deep soul-stirring drumming instantly draw in the members of the audience. The show has begun.

 

With a quick and decisive hand movement from the lead drummer, all drumming stops. She then looks out at the audience and, without saying a word, starts pointing to certain parts of the group giving a quick burst of taps, pointing to a section of the audience to do the same. She then silences that part of the room, crosses to the other and gives them another pattern of taps to perform. Eventually this master facilitator has the entire room drumming in unison, and much like a symphony, the drum rhythms complement one other.   It’s powerful and touches the very core of individuals who participate.

 

As an entrepreneur bringing this program to others, it allows me to fulfill my inner passion of making a difference in this world. I strive to impact people’s lives. If they go home happier and choose to be kinder, if only for a moment, I’ve done my job.

 

My road less traveled has had many detours and many mistakes have been made but each mistake is a lesson learned and greater wisdom gained. I’ve been down rabbit holes I’d rather forget. I’ve been broke and lonely but somehow always found the strength within me to overcome my circumstances. I’ve read hundreds of self-help books, been to many seminars and met some fabulous people who have given great advice along the way. Cheryl Checchetto of Sequoia Productions is one of these people. As a producer of star studded events like the Oscars and the Emmys, she gave me the following pearl of wisdom: “Every Friday is my sacred creative day. It becomes my creative muse. I immerse myself in doing something different and something that stretches me. I visit art galleries, parks and participate in activities to spark my imagination.” I took her advice and it has served me well.

 

As I ponder the number of stairs I had to climb to reach this level of success, I realize it’s time for me to take the next step. Where will it take me?   I don’t know, but I do know I need to be proactive as I step into a much bigger space. It’s time to return to my people mover and my boulder…

 

Shift and change energy on this planet by one or by many

 

I will draw upon the lessons of my past as I move forward. I will remember the first time I stepped onto a stage alone and moved a crowd of 2000 from fear to courage. I will dig deep to find the strength I discovered when leaving my beloved South Africa and moved to a country where I knew no one. I will use the memories of being broke and the devastation of my divorce to understand the depths from which I rose. I will recall the kindness shown to me by friends. Most importantly, I will remember that following the courage of my own convictions has brought rewards beyond my wildest dreams. Remembering these lessons will keep me brave as I continue down the road less traveled.

 

 

• Find a great mentor, someone who is successful in your field, and ask them for advice.
• Surround yourself with the right people.
• Be willing to take risks and learn from your mistakes.
• Don’t be so attached to the outcome that you miss the lessons along the way.
• Take care of yourself and be in community as much as you can.
• Stay focused. Be present and mindful.
• Enjoy the ride; life’s too short. When you stop enjoying it, change the ride.
• The secret to starting a journey is take the first step, then the next…
• Remember blood, sweat and tears are part of the journey…embrace them.

 

 

It has been my pleasure to describe Natalie’s journey on the Road Less Traveled. Join us for our next featured success story – the journey to VP in the male dominated construction industry. Please join me on my FB: Lorraine Grubbs Team Building Expert to read more stories on Inspiring Women Taking the Road Less Traveled and Making a Difference.

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If you know any women in your life that could benefit from Natalie’s journey, please share with them.  Contact us for any women who would share their stories of their own “Road Less Traveled”.