Laughter is the best motivator

Carol Ann Small is having the last laugh. The former court reporter turned motivational humorist recently won over the ultimate tough crowd: 600 Catholic school teachers at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester. This self-described "20-year overnight success" is now a motivational speaker, stress-management consultant, and the CEO of Laughter With a Lesson, based in Melrose.

In her corporate seminars, Small offers audiences an enlightening message: Humor heals. "My goal is to boost employee morale, banish burnout, and create a happier workforce," Small says. Dunkin' Donuts, Bank of America, and Harvard University have all benefited from her comedic wisdom. Up next for Small is a conference in Quincy with RE/MAX realtors, who'll discover that even a comatose housing market is no match for this unstoppable blonde.

Small's best advice for the perpetually stressed? "Life is short. Buy the shoes."

Carol Ann can be reached at www.laughterwithalesson.com.