Fran Capo is a remarkable individual with a diverse range of talents and achievements. As a 10-time World Record holder, including the Guinness Book of World Records’ Fastest Talking Woman title, she has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. With 30 years of experience as a comedienne, Fran brings humor and wit to her performances, captivating audiences with her comedic timing and sharp delivery.
In addition to her comedic talents, Fran is also an accomplished actress, author, ordained minister, and motivational speaker. Her channeled book, “Hopeville, the City of Light,” reached number 11 on Amazon, showcasing her ability to inspire and uplift through her writing. As a humor columnist for a local paper, Fran continues to share her unique perspective on life with her readers.
Fran’s adventurous spirit has taken her to extraordinary heights, from diving with sharks to ziplining into an active volcano. Her willingness to push boundaries and embrace new challenges has made her a sought-after guest on television and radio shows, including appearances on Larry King Live, The Talk, and Access Hollywood.
As a podcast host, Fran shares her insights and experiences with listeners, exploring topics ranging from adventure to personal growth. Her Tedx talk, “How a World Record Mindset can Help You Accomplish Anything,” exemplifies her ability to inspire others to reach their full potential.
Fran’s contributions have been recognized with induction into the National Comedy Hall of Fame, and she continues to attract audiences with her one-woman show, “Love, Laughter, and Light.” With her upcoming trek into the Vietnam jungle, Fran demonstrates her ongoing commitment to adventure and exploration.
For more information about Fran Capo and to view videos of her performances, visit FranCapo.com or follow her on Facebook and TikTok.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Fran Capo:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
My name is Fran Capo, but a lot of people call me Frannie or Capo. My nickname in middle school was Crusher Capo, but I’ve also been called the Tsunami of Talk.
The three things I love most in life are to make people laugh, to motivate them, and to see all of God’s great planet by doing and inspiring others to do unique adventures, from climbing Kilimanjaro to hang gliding to trekking into the Vietnam Jungle to sleeping in the world’s largest cave. (I love to keep people guessing as to what crazy thing I will do next—in a good way, of course.) One friend, Michele, described it as I spread, “Motivational fairy dust on people, and they just want to go out and live life.” That is the greatest compliment. I believe my mission here on earth is to make people understand how they can live a life of happiness.”
I love to operate in the present moment and think of the flow of events that will happen because of something I will do. Every action you take is a choice, and you should always own up to all your actions, good or bad. Never ever play the victim role, because once you do, you give your power up to other people. Also, never do anything you wouldn’t want to appear in the headlines of a newspaper.
I dislike when people say, “Someday we/I should do…” To me, I want to know, “What day? Tomorrow? A month from now?” Stop talking about your dreams and take action to achieve them. My motto is: Live every day as if it’s your last, and one day you’ll be right, and on that last day, you don’t want to be doing the laundry.
I like to find the good in people, I like to find out what their fears are and show them that they don’t need to carry around that fear luggage all their lives. I was lucky that my mom taught me, nothing is impossible, and my dad taught me to always find humor in life. So, if I do something and it works out, it becomes part of my motivational speaking, and if it doesn’t, it becomes part of my stand-up comedy. So, it’s a win-win either way.
On both the stage and in “real” life, I am the same person, high energy, New York blunt, but always with a smile, That’s how I get away with a lot when I joke with my audiences.
I love to look at visuals; if someone is saying something but their arms are crossed, you know they are not telling the truth. I like to study their body language because it tells me what they are truly feeling. As a comic and observer of life, you have to look at everything, not just the words that come out of people’s mouths.
I am spiritual, I believe in having an attitude of gratitude every day, for my health, my family, my home, and the list goes on. I also believe in putting out to the universe what you want back. You want kindness, give kindness. You want understanding, give understanding. If you want money, then give some away.
The three people I love most in this world are my son, Spencer, my husband, Steve; and my grandson, Preston. (Yes, I just became a FranMa.) But I am so lucky to have great friends, the type that will get up at 2 a.m. if you need them, and being a comic, most of them are up at 2 am anyway.
In every event I do, in every book I write, and in every trip I plan, I am very organized and detail oriented. There are charts for charts and a label on my label maker. (Okay, my husband put that on and claimed I did it.) I believe the more you are prepared, the easier it is to navigate through life, yet at the same time, I feel that if an opportunity arises, walk through that door and be spontaneous. No, that’s not a contraction, it’s saying if you can prepare, do it. But don’t let an opportunity pass just because you need to plan. Some doors that open, close immediately and permanently… be open to giving yourself that chance to brave new horizons.
I also follow my gut, on everything. Even if on paper it looks good, I will ask others what they think, I will write the pros and cons on paper, and then I will just sit quietly, digest it all, and go with my gut.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
Hard work, following all leads, learning and reading about others in my field and knowing how they did it, and following my 7 world record mindsets that I talked about during my TedX Talk entitled: How a World Record Mindset can help you accomplish anything.
- Just say yes and figure it out later.
- There is no such word as “can’t”.
- Nothing is impossible.
- Be your own best cheerleader.
- Don’t take yourself so seriously.
- Fear nothing, but if you do, do it anyway.
- Never be afraid to ask for what you want in life.
Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
My website, Francapo.com, lists in detail all the services I do. Here are just a few:
– World’s Fastest Talking Woman has been a spokesperson for companies and commercials whose products include speed of service and fast turn around times, as well as for companies that want a memorable commercial spot.
- stand-up comic for clubs, events, and fundraisers.
- Humorous Motivational Speaker
- Teach courses on The Ultimate Guide to Getting yourself on Radio, TV and in Print (from my book of the same name.)
- Spokesperson for many companies in the past who are rebranding: Auntie Annies, Papa johns, Expedia.ca, Perdue Short Cuts, complete list on my website.
- Consulting for marketing ideas, publicity, how to do public speaking.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture?
When I hire comics for the shows I produce, the main element is that they are funny for a certain group. You have to know your audience and what comics will fit each venue. Are they a retirement community? A biker bar? A millionaire yacht club event?
All entertainers have to arrive early, respect the venue’s protocols, etc.
For myself, I look up the company hiring me in advance and ask a ton of questions so I and the audience are a match.
When consulting with people about how to get them more press, we talk about their products and why a customer would want their company over another company that is selling the same thing.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
You always have to be creative, innovative, and think outside the box to stay relevant to your audience. Know your customers. Don’t be a lemming and follow something because it’s in, look what happened to Budweiser!
Stay true to your brand, but expand all the time to what your base likes. Keep what is tried and true because people like to be loyal to a brand or performer, but at the same time, think of cool ways to present the same thing. In the past, I’ve always had a love for helping animals, so I did a “STAND-UP for Animals” event. Another time I had Mayor Koch declare comedy day in NYC.
I did a “Put a Comedian in Space” event and marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in DC and had all the media outlets cover it. The list of creative ideas is endless, and for me, everything I do has to have a humor element to it. People remember things better when they laugh—think Superbowl commercials!
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
Each individual has to pull their own weight in my business. But a show with many performers has to all be strong.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
- Study other leaders in your field.
- Don’t be a control jerk.
- Be willing to adjust your style of leadership if it doesn’t work.
- Treat others as you would want to be treated.
- Do not create an atmosphere of fear, but one of mutual respect.
- Make people accountable for their work, be on time, and give the job 100%. If they can’t, they are not right for your company.
- Celebrate your wins, learn from your losses.
- Don’t have negative people around you, they poison the well.
- Allow an open door of ideas so people feel they are valued.
- Give people credit if they go above and beyond their job.
- Always say thank you, please, good morning and good night.
In closing if you enjoy my journey and want to laugh follow me on Facebook and TikTok and check out my website, www.francapo.com and my podcasts “Fran’s World” and “Legends, Lies and Lunatics” on Itunes, buzzsprout and Spotify.
