Shelly St John
GAME CHANGER, LIVE, ON-STAGE CROWDFUNDER, FUNDRAISING AUCTIONEER, FUNDRAISING EXPERT
Shelly has been a successful Live On-Stage Crowdfunder and Fundraising Auctioneer for 18 years, leveraging her early career in marketing at her agency, Primary Objective. Her expertise spans collaborations with corporations, musicians, sports teams, personalities, and top nonprofit organizations.
Shelly understands that effective crowdfunding and auctioneering go beyond fast talk—it's about empathizing with event guests and connecting with them on a personal level.With a deep understanding of audience demographics, Shelly excels in crafting engaging stories and delivering compelling messages. She combines intellectual insights, emotional intuition, and an understanding of the psychology of charitable giving to inspire guests to donate generously. Her approach ensures that every organization she supports achieves its fundraising goals effectively.
Results, What are Those?
Shelly is driven to empower every school or nonprofit to raise the funds they need. She combines her extensive fundraising experience, event planning skills, public speaking prowess, and even her stand-up comedy routine to deliver high-energy benefit auctioneer performances.
Her approach consistently achieves record-breaking fundraising results nationwide, ensuring organizations exceed their financial goals with enthusiasm and success.
The Early Years
Shelly's journey began with success as a runway model in Minneapolis, Chicago, and LA before transitioning into the hospitality industry, specializing in marketing, public relations, catering, and conference services. With experience planning special events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale affairs hosting up to 10,000 guests, she possesses comprehensive expertise in every aspect of planning and executing successful live auctions and fundraising galas. Her diverse background uniquely equips her to deliver exceptional results in event management and fundraising initiatives.
Shelly during the early years
OK, maybe not so early . . .
Shelly excelled in front of a crowd as a runway model in Minneapolis, Chicago and LA. She then transitioned into the hospitality industry in marketing/public relations, catering
It's always been about the shoes!
and conference services. Planning special events from 10 – 10,000 guests, she knows her way around every aspect of planning and executing a successful live auction or fundraising gala.
The Personal Side
As a survivor of bullying in childhood and a brain tumor as an adult, Shelly believes she has found her true calling. "In all seriousness, this is the career I have waited for all my life, and I have immense gratitude for the opportunity to help tens of thousands of people annually as a benefit auctioneer," Shelly explained.
"Because of what I've experienced in my life, I've learned that everyone, regardless of educational background or socioeconomic status, needs help at some point. It could be a baby needing a heart transplant before their first birthday, a scholarship for a child with a reading disability, support with bills during breast cancer treatment, assistance with an aging parent living far away, or even saving the life of a beloved pet facing euthanasia. We all need help now and then," Shelly emphasized.
Professional Development and Education
Sales, marketing, and public relations have been the cornerstone of Shelly's career. She dedicated twenty years to her own marketing firm, Primary Objective, LLC, serving both for-profit and non-profit organizations. In 2007, Shelly ventured into auctioneering with Sheldon Good and Company, Real Estate Auctioneers, specializing initially in real estate auctions. It was during this time that she was invited to conduct a few benefit auctions and quickly realized she had discovered her true calling in fundraising and benefit auctioneering.
Masters — Heroic Public Speaking, Port Authority
Licensed Fundraiser, Colorado
Licensed Auctioneer in Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Washington DC and Florida and 22 other states . . .
Colonel — Worldwide College of Auctioneering
Real Estate License — VanEd Real Estate School
Associates Degree — Lowthian College
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Live Event Fundraising Experts