James Koutoulas – CEO of Typhon Capital Management I think I’m a pretty nice guy, but for whatever reason I attract some bad actors. All these experiences are why I’m so passionate about litigation finance… you don’t get pro bono lawyers come along very much, let alone ones who could beat the biggest, baddest banks in the world. James L. Koutoulas, Esq. is the CEO of Typhon Capital Management which he founded in 2008. Typhon is a deconstructed multi-strategy trading firm, where managers can focus only on trading under an umbrella of unified operations, compliance, and risk management. Clients can access these modular exposures a la carte or via custom portfolios in Cayman or U.S. funds, or managed accounts. James is also the CEO of JurisTrade, the first secondary marketplace for litigation assets, built as a joint venture with hus multi-strategy hedge fund Typhon Capital and several major family offices. Institutional investors and family offices can use JurisTrade to directly invest in mass torts, personal injury, IP, and single case litigations. They can also get access via our Cerus Litigation Fund which barbells a diversified LitFin portfolio with activist appraisal rights and distressed strategies. Mr. Koutoulas helped force the full return of $6.7B in customer assets in the MF Global bankruptcy as lead customer counsel. His co-PM Andy Barroway ran the second largest US class action firm, settled Tyco for $3.4B, and invented appraisal rights arbitrage and managed $1.2B in it at Merion Capital. Mr. Koutoulas has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, and CNN, as well as being featured in major national print publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, and Reuters. Mr. Koutoulas testified on improving customer protections before the United States House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee. Mr. Koutoulas earned a J.D. from The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, which gave him its 2016 Emerging Leader Award. He is a member of the Illinois Bar, holds a Series 3, and is registered with U.K. FCA as a CF1 and CF30. He serves as a consulting expert to the Northwestern Investor Protection Clinic and is a member of its Advisory Board. Mr. Koutoulas has a degree in Finance from the University of Florida, where he was a National Merit Scholar, AP National Scholar, and Angelo Langadas Classics Scholar. He was named one of the “Top Crypto Rockstars on Wall Street” by Business Insider, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Goodman Institute for Public Policy.Bill Combs – Author of The Quantum Gate The biggest challenge to being an author is you can have the best book on the planet. It’s just getting the right people to see it. Bill Combs is an international, award-winning author whose work explores the intersection of adventure, spirituality, and quantum mystery. He is best known for The Quantum Gate, a metaphysical thriller that blends ancient knowledge, cutting-edge science, and fast-paced storytelling to challenge readers’ sense of what is possible. Based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Bill draws inspiration from a lifelong fascination with quantum theory, secret societies, and humanity’s search for deeper meaning. His writing expands far beyond fiction, through works like The God Particle Within, he delves into the idea of “Quanticism,” a framework that connects science, consciousness, and the spiritual forces that shape human experience. Whether crafting page-turning adventure or exploring the philosophical nature of reality, Bill Combs invites readers to step beyond the surface of the world and into the realms of wonder, self-discovery, and possibility.Dr. Kate Lund – Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Athletic Performance Coach & Author of  Step Away: The Keys to Resilient Parenting The perfection that’s put out there is just simply not real, and we have to be really careful in terms of how we’re allowing that to make us feel. Dr. Kate Lund is a licensed clinica

Gino Barbaro – 1,800 Multifamily Units Owner That’s the beauty of real estate. It’s not this, get rich quick. It’s get rich slow. But if you commit to buying a good deal, being able to operate it, having some patience and being able to actually operate the property, run the property, and give yourself some time, you can get extremely wealthy with real Gino Barbaro is a multifamily real-estate investor, educator, and author who built his success from humble beginnings in the restaurant business. After managing his family’s Italian restaurant for more than two decades, the loss of his father in 2007 pushed him to rethink his financial future and pursue a path that would create freedom and generational wealth. In 2009 he partnered with Jake Stenziano, forming the now-well-known Jake & Gino brand, and after 18 months of deal hunting they closed their first multifamily property in 2011. Over the following years, Gino scaled his portfolio to more than 1,800 units and over $350 million in assets by applying his simple but powerful framework—Buy Right, Manage Right, and Finance Right. Known for his people-focused approach to property management and his emphasis on systems, values, and long-term stewardship, Gino has become a respected voice in multifamily education. He is also the author of Happy Money · Happy Family · Happy Legacy, where he teaches families how to heal their money story and build lasting prosperity. Through his newest venture, Barbaro360, he now helps individuals and families align wealth, purpose, and legacy while continuing to grow his real-estate footprint. Gino lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with his wife Julia and their six children.Stacy Sherman – Keynote Speaker, Author & Advisor on Doing Customer eXperience Right™ In The AI Era AI is a fabulous way to enable humans to save them time and be able to develop deeper relationships with customers, with each other, with their colleagues. Stacy Sherman brings more than two decades of experience in customer experience, service leadership and employee-engagement to her role as founder of Doing CX Right®. After leading multiple corporate teams and earning an MBA in marketing, she turned her focus to helping organizations intentionally design and deliver exceptional experiences across every touchpoint. Her proven framework emphasises that retaining loyal customers, generating referrals and building a distinguished brand reputation are not accidental, they happen when every team (HR, IT, Marketing, Sales, Legal) shares accountability for how a brand is experienced. Recognised globally as a Top 30 CX Guru and an ICMI Top 25 CX Leader, Stacy brings practical, high-impact strategies through her bestselling books, LinkedIn Learning courses, immersive workshops and her award-winning podcast. Her mission is clear: bridge the gap between what leaders believe and what people actually experience, especially as businesses navigate the rapid acceleration of technology and AI. When she isn’t championing better business experiences, Stacy enjoys long walks with her husband of 30 years, playing pickleball, and celebrating the small wins that build great cultures.

Tony D’Urso – Talk Show Host of The Tony DUrso Show Everybody can make it, but it just takes so long. But if you havea mentor or a coach or a consultant, it can speed you up. Tony D’Urso is the host of The Tony D’Urso Show, one of the top entrepreneurial talk shows in America with more than 50 million downloads and listeners across radio, podcast platforms, Roku, and streaming TV. Known for interviewing high-achieving entrepreneurs, CEOs, changemakers and thought leaders, Tony has built a global following by spotlighting the stories, strategies and lessons of people who have been through the school of hard knocks and reached the top of their fields. Born in Sicily and raised in Chicago, Tony learned hard work early. After years in corporate sales and marketing, he launched his own show and quickly became a respected voice in entrepreneurship and business inspiration. In addition to broadcasting, Tony is a multiple-time bestselling author and a recording artist, producing original motivational music that reflects his passion for personal development and positive messaging. Tony is also the co-founder of the Southgate Foundation, a charitable organization serving orphans, widows, underserved families and the elderly. Through the Foundation’s Breakfast With Our Neighbors program and other initiatives, he has helped deliver more than 126,000 meals across Southern California. Today Tony lives among the redwoods of Northern California, continues to produce one of the most downloaded entrepreneur shows in the world and remains committed to helping people achieve success through vision, purpose and action.Ben Mohr – Founder at Ben Mohr LLC & Life Advisor Solution and Retirement Planning Expert If she passes in a year, you get the 500,000… if she was to pass away exactly when those doctors think she will, then essentially your APR on that is about 25%. Ben Mohr is a trusted leader in retirement and income planning, with a strong focus on alternative investments and life settlements. As founder and CEO of Ben Mohr LLC, he leads one of the top firms specializing in life settlement solutions, offering expert guidance for navigating complex financial decisions. Ben works closely with clients to uncover hidden value in their financial portfolios – often helping them turn unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies into powerful retirement assets. · Investing Like the UltraWealthy – Even in a Bad Market · “Betting on Death” – The Truth About Life Settlements · The Dirty Secrets Your Stockbroker & Annuity Salesman Don’t Want You to Know · Ditch the Cookie-Cutter Retirement Plan · The Hidden Investment Strategy of the Wealthy With No Stock Market Risk an exceptional guest · What do wealthy investors do differently when the market is down, and can regular people use those same ideas for retirement? · What is alternative investing, and why should someone nearing retirement consider it? You mention life settlements, what are they, and how are the wealthy using them to make money without the stock market? · Are these alternative strategies actually safer than traditional investments like stocks or annuities? · What are some things most financial advisors don’t tell people about retirement investing? · If someone feels stuck in a basic retirement plan, what’s one smart move they can make to improve their results? Driven by his passion for empowering professionals in the field, Ben launched Life Advisor Solution – a cutting edge platform providing mentorship, marketing tools, and business development strategies for agents. This initiative empowers advisors to achieve unparalleled success in their careers. Ben also plays a key role as part of the RMO Insurance & Retirement team, where he continues to help clients secure financial stability through personalized strategies and in-depth knowledge of life settlements. Ben’s goal is to help individuals approaching retirement make confident, well-informed financial decisions wi

Bryan Eisenberg – Persuasion Architect | 25+ Years Helping Brands with the Stories They Sell (Google, Disney, GE, Chase, HP) | Keynote Speaker, Customer Experience and Transformation. NY Times Bestselling Author AI is only going to accelerate the inevitable, and it cannot fix a broken story. Bryan Eisenberg is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestselling books “Call to Action”, “Waiting For Your Cat to Bark?”, “Always Be Testing” and “Buyer Legends: The Executive Storytellers Guide”. He has been the keynote speaker for Shop.org, the Direct Marketing Association, Microsoft, the Canadian Marketing Association and hundreds of other events across the globe. He is also the co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Web Analytics Association. Bryan serves as an advisory board member of several venture capital backed startup companies (Bazaarvoice, Monetate, UserTesting.com, BoostMedia, Sightly, & Runa) and is a recognized authority in improving online customer experiences and conversion rates. He was recognized as one of the top 10 User Experience Gurus, a winner of the Marketing Edge’s Rising Stars Awards and a member of the inaugural iMedia Top 25 Marketers. He was quoted by Advertising Age, CNN, Forrester Research, Jupiter Research, Miami Herald, Publish, Internet Advertising Report (IAR), Chicago Business Tribune, Inc Magazine, and Entrepreneur.Lauren Horn – Creator of This is Not a Sketchbook I googled my way through starting this business, and yeah, I’ve done it all myself. Lauren Horn is an art teacher based out of Fort Worth, Texas. Lauren is passionate about making art accessible to everyone. After her public high school art students went viral on Tiktok in 2021, she turned her curriculum into a workbook style sketchbook, complete with pre-printed QR codes that lead to video lessons which teach you how to do each page. Her students incredible before and afters showcase that drawing is a skill, not a talent, and if you want to learn, you can! Lauren has 3 boys (ages 8, 5, and 2) with her husband, Dillon. In her free time, she enjoys making her own art, visiting her family in Colorado, and haunting all the coffee shops in her historic neighborhood.

Stuart Draper – On a mission to create 1000+ millionaires   There’s got to be a better way… Aha moments that a lot of founders haveled to this idea of creating an up to date textbook and a simulation that wouldgive students a hands on learning experience. Stuart Draper is the host of Startups with Stu, a podcast designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn what it takes to launch their startup to the moon. Before age 40, Stu’s businesses that he started had been on the Inc 5000 list a total of 10x. He is the founder of Stukent.com, an edtech company that has now helped over 1,000,000 educators and students in over 80 countries. Stukent is a 7x Inc. 5000 honoree in Inc. Magazine. Prior to that, he successfully bootstrapped GetFoundFirst.com (acquired December 2015), and it was on the Inc 5000 list 3x. He is the co-author of Digital Marketing Essentials, the bestselling text in higher education of its kind. He has experience doing digital marketing for companies that range from mom and pop shops to Fortune 500 companies. Stu’s work has taken him all over the globe to speak to audiences ranging from ten to north of 1500 people about entrepreneurship and digital marketing.Susan B. Inches – Author of Advocating for the Environment: How to Gather Your Power and Take Action People love their place… they’re going to do anything to protect it. Susan B. Inches, author of Advocating for the Environment: How to Gather Your Power and Take Action, since childhood, has envisioned a world that is compassionate, inclusive and environmentally aware. This vision guided her throughout her schooling and a 25-year career in public policy. As Deputy Director of the Maine State Planning Office she managed a portfolio of environmental policy issues on behalf of the Governor. Prior to this Sue worked with the fishing industries as a Director at the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Signature policy issues she’s worked on include fisheries, land use planning, smart growth, building and energy codes, renewable energy, energy efficiency, working waterfront access, community finance, and rural broadband. In 2018, Sue developed a unique college course on environmental advocacy, which she now teaches at Colby and Bates colleges. Few schools offer courses in advocacy skills, and students are eager to learn them. Demand for her course led her to write this book. Sue now works as a speaker, educator, and advocate with a focus on the environment and climate change. She helps people find their power, and provides them with the tools and guidance to address current environmental issues. Sue is currently working as a board member of Defend Our Health, and on the steering committee member of the Pine Tree Coalition, which seeks to establish the citizen rights to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment in the Maine Constitution. She also serves on the policy committee of Our Power, a coalition seeking to establish a consumer owned utility in Maine. She holds a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic, and MBA from the University of New Hampshire.

Dustin Howes – Affiliate Management Expert, Founder of Coalition Marketing and Performance Marketing Manager Affiliate programs are built to be a slow burn… if you’re doing everything right… you can safely expect to have a 20% boost in revenue coming from this channel. Dustin Howes is a seasoned affiliate marketing expert with more than 15 years of experience helping companies build successful performance partnerships. He has held key roles across the industry, including positions in fraud prevention at Commission Junction, compliance at Impact Radius, business development at The Search Monitor, and performance marketing management at WP Engine. As the founder of Coalition Marketing, Dustin focuses on affiliate manager training and partner recruitment, supported by his custom tool Affistash. His approach is shaped by a unique background that includes military life during his childhood and competing as a professional poker player, giving him a strategic and disciplined perspective on business. Dustin lives in Placerville, California with his wife and two children and enjoys hiking, pickleball, WordPress tinkering, and cheering for the San Francisco Giants.Melissa Fors Shackelford – Author of Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection  If you really think it through when you’re at the early stages with your company, you really think about what are we doing, what do we stand for, and how are we going to do more than sell products and services, then you know what your North Star is. Melissa Fors Shackelford is a distinguished marketing strategist, advisor and author whose mission is to help purpose-driven leaders and organizations clarify their voice, connect meaningfully with their audiences and grow with integrity. With more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of healthcare, brand strategy and mission-focused marketing, she has led national campaigns, guided high-growth startups and supported Fortune 100 brands in building connection and trust in complex systems. She is the author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book Harnessing Purpose: A Marketer’s Guide to Inspiring Connection, in which she draws on over 25 years of executive marketing experience to show how aligning personal and organizational purpose can transform brands, teams and outcomes. Melissa holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas and a BA from the University of Minnesota. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, their spirited Shih Tzu and three step-daughters, and she continues to study Japanese, a passion born from her time living abroad.

Brett Rounsaville – Founder & CEO of Yes, More & Co. 99.9% of people are genuinely good when you want on one, it like just renewed my faith and humanity to the nth degree. Brett Rounsaville is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Yes, More & Co., a modern-commerce brand that brings high-quality, globally sourced products directly to consumers via mobile drop-experiences. Under his leadership, Yes, More & Co. has re-imagined the retail experience by combining surprise, simplicity and delight—delivering curated products with one text, one “YES” and one purchase step. Prior to founding Yes, More & Co., Brett built his career at the intersection of design, user experience and storytelling, most notably working as a theme-park designer and experience architect for Disney and other immersive environments. His diverse background in game-design thinking and behavioral strategy now shapes how his retail business crafts “impulse buy” moments into memorable micro-experiences. Brett is also a strategic investor and advisor at Zero Shot Fund, where he supports early-stage founders focused on innovation and culture-driven business models. Fueled by a lifelong curiosity and a personal (and public) commitment to pushing boundaries, Brett has taken unconventional paths from designing destination experiences to launching a mobile-first commerce brand. He holds a B.A. from University of California, Davis Dan Varroney – Author of Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Businesses Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy  What I learned was it was small businesses, the fact that there are33 million of them, the fact that they they are the economy.They’re not a piece of the economy. Dan Varroney is the President and CEO of Potomac Core, a strategic consulting firm that specializes in association transformation and industry focused strategic partnerships. He has built a successful career as an association executive, leading organizations with diverse focus, from manufacturing to high tech to finance and advocacy. His deep understanding of policy and regulatory influence on industries has shaped his approach to industry strategic partnerships. Through his own executive experience—and over a decade advising association clients—Dan has applied his data-driven strategic process to the industry and market challenges of trade associations and the domestic and multinational companies they represent. A prolific blog author, he launched and facilitates a group for leading association CEOs with a focus on industry strategic partnerships. His unique strategic planning methodology has surfaced the key elements of successful strategic partnerships in multiple industries. He is also a sought-after expert on economic performance with appearances and articles on Mornings With Maria, (workforce, industry strategic partnerships, and building strategic partnerships in the energy industry), Fox Business, FOX News, LIVE NOW FOX, CNBC, NBC Bay Area, Fox 5 DC, FOX 26 Houston, MarketWatch, Fortune and Forbes. Dan was a keynote speaker at the Leading Entrepreneurs of the World Conference on Strategic Partnership Strategies with Dan Varroney—small business and economic policy expert, keynote speaker, and founder and CEO of Potomac Core. Dan has built a successful career as an association executive, leading organizations spanning manufacturing, high tech, finance, and advocacy. With over a decade of experience advising association clients, his deep understanding of policy and regulatory influence on industries has shaped his approach to industry strategic partnerships.

Kevin Roy – CEO/Co-Founder of GreenBananaSEO I don’t think SEO is dead… Most of our clients have seen about an 80% –I’m sorry, a 20% drop in organic traffic, but we have seen a significantuptick in people going to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, Perplexity…and they’re getting that information right in the LLM search result.” Kevin Roy is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the digital marketing and search-engine optimization agency GreenBananaSEO, based in Beverly, Massachusetts. Under his leadership the firm has grown into a recognized industry leader serving 1000+ clients across 30+ verticals and has been listed on the Inc. 5000 three years in a row.  Kevin built his career around driving profitable growth, new market entry and innovative digital-marketing services for technology, finance, manufacturing, non-profit and defense clients. Early in his career he was working in web and startup marketing, where he leveraged his technical and strategic skills to transition into SEO, SEM and full-scale digital advertising. One of Kevin’s signature contributions to the market was pioneering the “pay-for-performance” SEO model, where clients only pay when defined ranking goals are achieved—shifting risk away from the client and demonstrating the agency’s confidence in its methods. At GreenBananaSEO, Kevin drives a culture of results, transparency and innovation. His agency offers a full arsenal of digital services, SEO, answer-engine optimization (AEO), Google Ads, geo-fencing, programmatic display and web-development, ensuring clients are equipped for the evolving landscape of search and AI-powered discovery. Kevin is committed to advancing the profession of digital marketing, frequently appearing as a guest on podcasts and industry panels exploring topics such as AI in marketing, the 80/20 rule (Pareto principle) in SEO, and the changing nature of search in the era of large-language models. Based in the greater Boston area, Kevin holds the view that success in digital marketing is less about chasing the latest tactic and more about building partnerships, clear value propositions and measurable outcomes. He remains focused on helping ambitious clients scale smarter, faster and more sustainably.Rhett Power – Best-Selling Author of The Entrepreneur’s Book of Actions: Essential Daily Exercises and Habits for Becoming Wealthier, Smarter, and More Successful, Speaker and Executive Coach Leadership sports in your head, that every entrepreneur you know facesdoubt, fear, imposter syndrome, and head of mentals teaches leaders howto manage the conversation in their own heads before it manages them,because your mindset sets the tone for your team and your business. Rhett Power co-founded Wild Creations, now Funology, in 2007 and quickly built the startup toy company into the 2010 Fastest Growing Business in South Carolina. Wild Creations was awarded a Blue Ribbon Top 75 US Company by the US Chamber of Commerce and named as one of Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing US Companies two years in a row. He and his team have won over 40 national awards for their innovative toys. He was a finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011 and was nominated again in 2012. He was recently named as one of the world’s top 100 business bloggers in 2015. A member of the United States Department of State’s International Speakers Program, he travels the globe speaking about entrepreneurship, leadership, and management alongside the likes of Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann, AOL Founder Steve Case, and President Barack Obama. He has written for the Huffington Post, Time, and The Wall Street Journal and is a regular columnist for Inc., Success Magazine, and Business Insider. Prior to founding Wild Creations, Rhett worked as an economic and small business development consultant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), serving 7 years in the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia. Pri

Anthony Franco – Co-Host of How to Founder Podcast You can’t expect AI to operate like code. With AI, it’s more about telling the system what not to do – that’s what guardrails are. Anthony Franco is a serial entrepreneur, operator, and strategist who has launched, scaled, and sold six companies and now dedicates his time to helping other founders do the same. As co-host of the How to Founder podcast, he brings an unfiltered, experience-driven perspective to the realities of entrepreneurship, sharing both the wins and the war stories that come with building and exiting businesses. Known for his straightforward and practical approach, Anthony dives deep into the real challenges founders face growth struggles, leadership pivots, and the emotional toll of startup life offering advice that comes from doing, not just talking. Whether he’s discussing strategy with guests or reflecting on lessons learned from his own ventures, Anthony’s focus remains the same: giving entrepreneurs the tools, clarity, and confidence to build something that truly works.Debbi Dachinger – Radio Host, On Air Talent, Media Personality and International Bestselling Author Conversely, if I charge $33 and I get 50 people or 100 people, it’sactually wonderful money for me showing up. It’s very easy for themto pay so it works both ways, whether it’s a high number, and maybethere’s less people, or there’s a low number, and there’s a lot morepeople, just a little entrepreneur secret that we can use now and thento get more people in to know us, like us, trust us, and really respectour work and continue working with us. Debbi Dachinger is a dynamic media personality known for her work as a radio host, on-air talent, media visibility strategist, and international bestselling author. With a career built at the intersection of broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and authorship, she brings a bold, motivational energy to every project she undertakes. As the host of the syndicated talk radio show Dare to Dream, which airs on dozens of stations and across multiple platforms, Debbi elevates conversations about success, mindset, and media influence. Her work centers on helping individuals sharpen their message, position themselves authentically in the public sphere, and leverage media appearances to build visibility. In addition to her broadcasting credentials, Debbi is the author of several international bestselling books and serves as a coach, consultant, and keynote speaker. She works with authors, entrepreneurs, and media professionals to craft powerful narratives, host compelling shows, and launch books that reach bestseller status globally. Her services include guiding clients through media training (such as “how to be interviewed” and “how to host your own show”) and executing full-service book launch campaigns. Debbi’s unique background also incorporates elements of intuition and alternative media – she’s been featured in documentary film work and speaks on topics ranging from media mastery to shamanism and extraterrestrial research. Recognized for her achievements in broadcasting and media, she has received multiple awards and honors including industry-recognition for her lifetime achievement in broadcasting.  Whether she’s interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, leading a panel of experts, or sharing behind-the-scenes wisdom with aspiring authors and hosts, Debbi Dachinger stands out for blending sharp media strategy with high-energy inspiration—and for helping others turn their visibility into real results.

Fred Joyal – Co-Founder of 800-Dentist and Author of  Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days Bold people realize that the unexpected happens when you step out ofyour comfort zone, so they start to expect the unexpected. Fred Joyal is an entrepreneur, speaker, busin ess advisor, and #1 Amazon Bestselling author. He co-founded the most successful dentist referral service in the country, 1-800-DENTIST, which, in his 30 years as CEO, generated over $1 billion in revenue. Along with this achievement, he has also been awarded the Conrad Hilton Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by Loyola Marymount University. He has written two bestselling books for his industry, and also written and appeared in over 200 television and radio commercials. Fred started as an extremely shy person, too timid even to make a phone call, and transformed himself into someone who has done stand-up and improv comedy, spoken to audiences of 5,000 or more, met dozens of celebrities, and, just by being bold, found love, joy, passion, and success. He has an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island, perhaps because of his generous donations. He once beat Sir Richard Branson in chess and was also a question on Jeopardy! He is an avid cyclist, a below-average tennis player, and an even worse golfer.LaVaisha Davis – Wealth Strategist & Managing Partner of Ell Wess Advisors Two things can be true. You can be chasing your dream, but you alsohave to prioritize the ones you love, and what better way to do that thanto remember what you’re doing it for and put that on the board everyday and work backwards to fulfill it. LaVaisha Davis is a seasoned wealth strategist and Managing Partner of Ell Wess Advisors, where she helps high-income earners and entrepreneurs convert their income into enduring, multi-generational wealth. Based on her own entrepreneurial journey, LaVaisha understands the complexities of building wealth rather than inheriting it. After growing up in Dayton, Ohio, as the youngest of four children and witnessing her mother’s hard work to support the family, she developed a deep determination to create a different financial future. She attended The Ohio State University before stepping away during her junior year to build several businesses with her husband, gaining firsthand experience in both the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Those experiences exposed a major gap in traditional wealth management—advice that often overlooks first-generation wealth creators. To address that need, LaVaisha founded Ell Wess Advisors, a firm designed to bring the structure and benefits of a family office to clients who are still in the process of building wealth. Through Ell Wess Advisors, LaVaisha guides clients in streamlining and centralizing their financial strategies, sealing “wealth leaks” through tax optimization and asset protection, and adopting the mindset and systems of ultra-high-net-worth families. She collaborates closely with accountants, attorneys, and other advisors to ensure her clients’ financial plans are cohesive and aligned with their long-term goals. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: true wealth isn’t just about what you earn, but how effectively you direct your income to secure your future and create a lasting legacy. As a wife and mother of four daughters, LaVaisha’s work is deeply personal, she’s not just advising on wealth; she’s living her own mission to build and preserve it. Her passion lies in helping others stop leaving money on the table, stop feeling fragmented in their financial lives, and start thinking like a family office, long before they’ve “arrived.”

Manny Skevofilax – Principal at PORTAL CFO Consulting I want people to feel that it’s not hopeless when a downturn hits. There are ways. Here is exactly how you should behave. You don’t need to go down into your hole if a downturn hits – here’s the actions you can take. Manny Skevofilax is a consultant, speaker, and author that helps business owners maximize profits and overcome growth challenges. An expert in strategic planning, financial statement analysis, business operations, and organizational development, he’s been achieving extraordinary outcomes for his clients since 2003. A Baltimore, Maryland native, Manny earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Master of Science in Finance from the Merrick School of Business at The University of Baltimore. Prior to starting his career as a consultant, Manny’s background includes formal bank credit training and service as a Vice President with Comerica Bank, a U.S.-based commercial lending institution. He has corporate lending experience in the U.S. and continental European markets, with specialties in commercial business finance, real estate finance, and large corporate syndicated lending for mergers and acquisitions. Manny grew up in the restaurant business and made a career change to corporate banking at age 29. When he’s not helping business owners, Manny can be found exploring the ancient ruins on the island of Karpathos where his parents were born. Dr. Barbara Hales – Medical Professional, Medical Speaker and Health Information Author It’s not a question of whether they are a better doctor. It’s a question of how they’re marketing themselves. Because if they are a better marketer and their website is better and their social media is better, then people see them as better, whether they’re better or not. Dr. Barbara Hales is a physician-turned-business consultant, best-selling author and keynote speaker who specializes in helping healthcare professionals build authoritative brands and grow their practices. Having begun her career as a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist, she successfully grew her own clinic from an empty office to more than 10,000 active patients, gaining direct hands-on experience of what works and what doesn’t in medical practice growth. Leveraging this background, she founded and leads the consultancy and content-marketing agency The Medical Strategist, where she helps physicians and other health professionals enhance their visibility online, improve SEO rankings, strengthen brand positioning and attract more of the patients they want. As an author, Dr. Hales is a four-time best-selling author and has been inducted into the National Academy of Best‑Selling Authors™, recognized for her contributions to business and marketing literature targeted at medical professionals. Her speaking engagements span national and international audiences; she brings a unique combination of clinical credibility and marketing acumen to her presentations, helping audiences translate complex medical practice issues into powerful stories and effective growth strategies. With a clear focus on content strategy, Dr. Hales emphasizes that for healthcare providers today, visibility + authority = growth. She helps clients craft compelling, audience-focused messaging and leverage digital platforms to scale their impact.

Joshua Wilson – Podcast Host, Executive Producer & Institutional Investor Never underestimate your strengths, because I think God creates us uniquely, each one of us, and I think that the strengths, if we focus in on our strengths, I think we could do a lot more than if we were to try to spend our life trying to sure up our weaknesses. Joshua Wilson is a Podcast Host, Executive Producer, and Institutional Investor who brings clarity and connection to the world of capital markets. As host of The Investor Relations Podcast, Joshua draws on his background as a registered investment banking representative (Series 79 & 63) and licensed real-estate broker to bring a relational, strategic lens to the intricate worlds of SPACs, IPOs, M&A and private placements. With over 20 podcast and YouTube brands launched—several ranking in the top 3–10 % globally in their verticals—Joshua has built his reputation as a connector among founders, family offices and investment platforms. His mission: spotlight the people and deals reshaping capital markets, and help listeners sharpen their investor-relations, compliance and growth strategies. Whether you’re an IR professional navigating a road-show, a corporate executive preparing for a capital raise, or a registered advisor seeking actionable insights, Joshua’s work bridges storytelling and strategy to empower decision-makers in the fast-moving financial ecosystem.Michael Houlihan – Co-Founder of Barefoot Wine, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Business Strategist It wasn’t that we were so brilliant, because we made a lot of mistakes. So what we did right we had to synthesize out of everything that we did. Michael Houlihan is a highly sought-after business strategist, keynote speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer. His presentations are often with Bonnie Harvey, his Co-founder of Barefoot (now the #1 wine brand in the world), providing decades of real-world, practical business experience. Using out-of-the-box thinking, pay-for-performance, positive culture, channel distribution management, and “Worthy Cause Marketing,” they help start-ups, entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 corporations increase their sales, profitability and brand equity. For the first time, their secrets to success are available in an exclusive online series. He, along with Bonnie, bootstrapped Barefoot (a novelty wine brand) into a national mega-brand, selling 600,000 cases per year in 50 states and 28 countries. They’ve keynoted at many prestigious conferences, symposiums, universities and forums. He and Bonnie’s articles on business philosophy have been reprinted in TIME, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Entrepreneurs’ Organization and numerous other business magazines and trade journals. He and Bonnie have a new project called Business Audio Theatre. When books are read in this theatre, instead of a narrator reading a business book to you, people get a “full color, audio cinematography” of scenes performed by real Hollywood actors with music, sound effects, and more.

Bronson Hill – CEO/Founder of Bronson Equity & Author of Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income with Passive Income in 3 Years or Less  If you can’t 10x your current strategy, like, if you can’t go from three rental houses to 30 houses, you’re not actually doing using a scalable strategy. Bronson Hill, Founder and CEO of Bronson Equity – a firm dedicated to helping high-earning entrepreneurs move beyond simply “saving money” and instead build predictable, passive wealth through alternative investments. Bronson began his career in medical-device sales, working with surgeons and healthcare practices. Although financially successful, he realised that his income was tethered to his time and he yearned for true freedom. In 2006 he purchased his first rental home, earning about $400/month in cash flow after refinancing and the experience sparked his interest in real estate. His next move came when a family member, already active in multifamily real-estate syndications, challenged him to “do multifamily” instead of accumulating dozens of single houses. That shift in mindset led Bronson to launch a local meetup in the Los Angeles area and ultimately craft the model he uses today: forming investor networks, vetting operators, and giving busy entrepreneurs access to institutional-quality deals. Under Bronson’s leadership, Bronson Equity has raised tens of millions in alternative-investment capital, serves more than 300 business-owner investors (each with $2 M+ net worth), and controls a growing real-estate portfolio valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. He knows firsthand the frustration of being treated like “just another client” by traditional wealth managers and built his company to treat investors as partners, giving them peer-feedback, education, and deal access tailored to entrepreneurs. On top of running the firm, Bronson hosts the podcast Mailbox Money Show, where he interviews thought-leaders and investment professionals to explore lesser-known asset classes, tax-efficient structures, and strategies for building passive income streams. Beyond business, Bronson is a passionate traveller (over 48 countries visited), a singer-songwriter (over 100 songs composed), a fitness enthusiast and an advocate for ending modern-day human trafficking through his work with the Dressember Foundation. His guiding belief: building wealth isn’t just about accumulating money, but creating freedom so people can fulfil their purpose.Denise Gosnell – Co-Author of Tech Confidential: The Insider’s Playbook for Daring Entrepreneurs Burnout is one of the most common things that you’re going to experience in the Silicon Valley. It’s almost, it’s regretfully, just like a badge of honor. I don’t know how we change that, but I would love to change that. Denise Koessler Gosnell, Ph.D., is a seasoned technology executive, author, and educator whose mission is to guide daring entrepreneurs through the unfiltered realities of the tech world. Her latest book, Tech Confidential: The Insider’s Playbook for Daring Entrepreneurs, co-written with Kathryn Erickson, draws on decades of professional experience to deliver battle-tested insights on leadership, product strategy, graph analytics, and the human side of innovation. Dr. Gosnell earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science as a National Science Foundation Fellow at University of Tennessee, where she pioneered the concept of “social fingerprinting” by applying graph algorithms to social media behavior. Her career has spanned leadership roles including chief data officer and global graph practice lead at major technology companies, where she built scalable data platforms, patented innovations, and championed teams to deliver complex machine-learning and currently based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Gosnell now leads her own AI-education venture and uses her platform to help tech professionals survive and thrive with integrity and impact. Through speaking engagements, mentoring, and writing

Cosmin Ene – CEO of Supertab & Co-founder of Cyberhuman.ai …I realized that the internet was built for discovery, not for commitment… Cosmin Ene, a Swiss serial entrepreneur who originally came to Europe as an immigrant from Romania. He now splits his time between Zurich and the U.S., somewhere inside what he calls the Bermuda Triangle of New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Before founding Supertab, Cosmin co-founded Deluxe Music Television (think VH1 for Europe) bringing music back to audiences after MTV pivoted to reality shows. Today he’s building payment solutions for both humans and machines, making it as easy for people to buy as it is for AI to transact. He believes especially online, businesses need to radically center around the user. Cosmin is a seasoned entrepreneur who’s built multiple ventures around one core idea: empowering people to access and pay for content on their own terms. After founding LaterPay, one of Europe’s first scalable micropayment platforms, Cosmin is now leading Supertab, a flexible, frictionless payment layer that’s rethinking how creators, publishers and even AI bots monetize content without subscriptions or ads. He has been called the forefather of online micropayments. What makes Cosmin a great fit for your audience is his founder story, bootstrapping innovation in a complex space, learning from global expansion and now applying those insights to launch a lean, user-centric solution in Supertab that truly is one of the first of its kind. He brings a clear-eyed view of what it takes to build resilient, purpose-driven startups in the digital economy.Mike Irving – Founder of Advanced Business Abilities The people that have a really clear intent to help their prospects solve problems, they tend to make way more money. Mike Irving is the founder of Advanced Business Abilities, a coaching company designed for established business owners who know they’re capable of more but haven’t yet found a support system that truly meets them where they are. With over two decades of leadership experience, from launching his first business at 21 to managing a national sales force of over 300, Mike understands the highs of entrepreneurial success and the hidden costs that often come with it: burnout, disconnection, and stalled progress. Frustrated by one-size-fits-all coaching programs that glossed over individual nuance, Mike set out to build something different. The result was Advanced Business Abilities: a coaching platform that combines deeply personal insight with practical, strategic execution. One of the unique aspects of ABA’s methodology is the Success Predictor Profile, a proprietary tool backed by 50+ years of scientific research, that helps easily and efficiently identify a person’s strengths, weaknesses, and blindspots and allows ABA to give business owners a custom blueprint for growth, performance, and alignment. Today, Mike works with owners leading teams of 5 or more, who are not just chasing revenue but want to lead with integrity, improve decision-making, and grow without sacrificing their health or values. His approach resonates with founders who are practical, values-driven, and actively investing in their long-term success. Whether he’s coaching in a boardroom or speaking on a podcast, Mike brings a refreshingly honest, grounded voice to the leadership conversation—always focused on helping others do the work that actually works.

Ben Swire – Co-Founder of Make Believe Works and the Author of Safe Danger: An Unexpected Method for Sparking Connection, Finding Purpose, and Inspiring Innovation The crack is how the light gets in. It’s the damage that makes us us and makes us unique, and so I think a big thread through this is, you know, when people can learn to value rather than hide or apologize for the parts that others looked at strangely – that’s where I think you get your real insight Ben is an award-winning designer and writer, and former Design Lead at the legendary innovation firm, IDEO. The thread that runs through his varied background in design thinking, philosophy, quantum theory, cinema, psychoanalytic theory, and literature is an exceptional curiosity about the hidden factors that influence our lives when we’re not looking. While at IDEO Ben created Make Believe Time as a bi-weekly creative play date for the IDEO community. People from all levels in the studio came to the sessions to learn, create, play, laugh, and, most importantly, meaningfully connect with their colleagues and themselves. Participants walked away refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle challenges in new and creative ways. When interest spread beyond the walls of IDEO, Make Believe Works was born and now helps organizations ranging from Fortune 500 stalwarts to first-year start-ups to build the creative and emotional muscle memory that leads to a healthy, innovative, collaborative work culture.Cas Holman – Founder of Heroes Will Rise Release judgment is the first one embrace possibilities is the second one.So say, like, I’m not quite sure what’s going to come of this, but I’m interestedin it, so I’m going to be curious. And the third one is reframing success. Cas Holman is the founder and chief designer of the toy company Heroes Will Rise and a former Professor of Industrial Design at RISD. Cas travels the globe speaking about early education, the design process, and the value of play in all aspects of life. She has shared her perspective in workshops and seminars with teams at Google, Nike, LEGO Foundation, Disney Imagineering, and more. Some of her designs include toys like Rigamajig and structures at the Highline and the Liberty Science center. Cas lives in New York City and designs from her studio in BrooklynDr. Nicholas Wright – Author of Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain Fear is useful, right? If you lose the part of the brain which is involved in feeling fear or responding appropriately to fear… people who lose that part of the brain, they don’t become fearless criminals, instead, they become victims of crime. We need fear, and yet fear can drive us towards conflict. Dr Nicholas Wright, MRCP, PhD is a neuroscientist who researches the brain, technology and security at University College London, Georgetown University, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, where he also advises the Pentagon Joint Staff. He works with governments and the private sector. He worked as a neurology doctor in London and Oxford, and has published numerous academic papers, which have been covered by the BBC and New York Times. He has appeared on CNN and the BBC, and regularly contributes to outlets like Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic, and Slate.

Steve Griggs – Luxury Landscape Designer  A guy took a chance on me. I just got out of college, and he gave me a shot. That’s all you need. You just need one shot and don’t blow it. Steve Griggs is a creatively candid craftsmen who enjoys a good cigar and the media loves him. He’s a two-time recipient of the INC 5000 Award. He’s appeared on Bravo’s Backyard Envy, Good Morning LaLa Land, and Grant Cordone’s Power Players. Forbes, Huffington Post, and The Wall Street Journal have all featured him in their publication. That’s a long way from his humble beginning with nothing more than a wheelbarrow and hard work. Steve is highly regarding in New York and surrounding states, but he’s spreading his wings to take on clients in other parts of the world. What keeps him in demand is that after damn near 40 years in the industry, he’s still creative and innovative. He knows that his clients deserve a space that suits their lifestyle. It’s no wonder he’s trusted and accepts the challenge to design for multi-million dollar home owners.Jim Bramlett – Chairman of Vistage Worldwide & Author of Stop the Hassle: Simplify, Satisfy, and Succeed Everybody plays the guitar, and I don’t want to be everybody. I want to be distinct and different. Jim Bramlett, “The No Hassle King,” is a distinguished business executive, author, and dynamic speaker. His books, “Stop The Hassle” and “The Unconventional Thinking of Dominant Companies,” explore market leadership strategies. Bramlett’s presentations, rooted in these principles, offer a unique and engaging approach to business success. Known for his interactive and energetic speaking style, Bramlett combines humor with relevant, industry-specific examples to create memorable experiences for his audience. While his expertise lies in logistics and transportation, the universal appeal of his content makes him an ideal speaker for diverse business audiences. Bramlett’s unconventional approach and compelling subject matter position him as an effective keynote or motivational speaker, capable of inspiring and educating professionals across various sectors. Jim’s vision is to empower these leaders with the unconventional thinking and strategies outlined in his books, “Stop The Hassle” and “The Unconventional Thinking of Dominant Companies.” Through engaging speaking engagements and personalized mentorship, Bramlett guides CEOs in scaling their businesses exponentially.By fostering this elite group of business leaders, Bramlett aims to create a ripple effect of positive change. His vision extends beyond individual company success to encompass broader societal impact, believing that well-scaled, ethically-led businesses can be powerful forces for global improvement. Bramlett’s unique approach combines business acumen with a passion for making the world a better place, one CEO at a time.

Sabari Raja – founder of JFFVentures So we’re sort of the one of the early stage funds that really focus on the worker and what they need, especially in this age of AI, how do we build bridges instead of barriers? Sabari Raja is Managing Partner at JFFVentures, where she helps shape the fund’s investment strategy, leads key deals, and supports early-stage companies at the intersection of education, workforce and human potential. Prior to JFFVentures, Sabari co-founded and served as CEO of Nepris (now Pathful Inc.), an ed-tech company built to connect industry with education and prepare students for the future of work. The company was acquired in 2021 and she remains on its board. Her investment focus at JFFVentures is on technologies that advance economic mobility for middle- and low-wage workers – supporting tools that help with skill development, access to quality jobs, and wrap-around supports like transportation, childcare and credit. Sabari holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Bharathiar University (India), an M.S. in Computer Science from Louisiana State University, and an Executive MBA from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. She brings a rare blend of operator-investor experience, having built a company, led it to exit, and now shifted into venture capital. Her work is driven by her commitment to not just financial returns – but to impact and equity in the future of work.Chris Ducker – Founder/CEO of Youpreneurs  & Author of The Long-Haul Leader: Ten Strategies to Work Smarter, Live Better, and Achieve Lasting Success Hustle, in and amongst itself, is not a bad thing, but I’m a big believer that it’s only utilized for a short period of time. It’s three months to complete this project or to do this launch, and then you’ve got to rest and recharge and recalibrate. Hustle is a season – it’s not a lifestyle. Chris Ducker is a serial entrepreneur, international business mentor, angel investor, keynote speaker and author of two bestselling books – Virtual Freedom & Rise of the Youpreneur. Over the past two decades Chris has started, grown, bought and sold a number of multi-million pound businesses, hired thousands of team members, worked with clients from every corner of the globe and continues to own and operate several businesses, while mentoring industry leaders to scale in a sustainable manner, as part of his Round Table Mastermind. However, it’s not all been profits and unicorns for Chris! In 2010 he battled burnout – a result of building his first multi-7-figure business. In 2012 he had invasive spine surgery and in 2021, conquered adrenal fatigue and depression. Chris is a family man, bonsai enthusiast, passionate birder, watercolour artist and wildlife photographer. On occasion, he enjoys a fine scotch. Nowadays he’s committed to leading by example while inspiring others to embrace a ealthy, happy and profitable entrepreneurial lifestyle… for the long-haul.

Jack Clark – Founder of 180 Water You know, it’s that chip on the shoulder is really what I look for… I don’tcare if it’s Sunday afternoon, I’m going to answer my phone. I’m goingto get this. This is my business, and I’m going to make it successful. Jack Clark grew up in the small, 1800 person town of Choteau, Montana. His family owned a small ranch and several small businesses throughout his childhood.After high school, then college, and a lot of push back from the industry, Jack started his own water well drilling company. He started Western Water Wells with a single drill rig that barely ran. After working long hours into the night on countless days, he was slowly able to improve the equipment. It took a lot of hiring, and some firing, but he finally started to acquire employees who had a similar mindset as him; move the industry forward. The water well industry has been stagnant and afraid of change for decades. After realizing that the learning curve for drilling was too steep to go nationwide, he decided to franchise water well pump servicing. And so 180 Water was born. Jack hopes to grow the company to 1,000 franchise locations nationwide. Entrepreneur Jack Clark grew up in the small, 1800-person town of Choteau, Montana. His family owned a small ranch and several small businesses throughout his childhood. He and his family live in Helena, MT, not far from where he grew up cattle ranching. He started Western Water Wells in 2014 and his desire to help others find success in the water well industry has only grown. Jack’s life has followed a theme of accomplishing impossible tasks with unique solutions. Utilizing Jack’s heart for service and the talents of his growing team, he has built 180 Water. Jack’s goal is to empower a new generation in providing for their families, communities, and breaking the scarcity mindset. After college, and a lot of pushback from the industry, Jack started his own water well drilling company, Western Water Wells, with a single drill rig that barely ran. After working long hours and countless days, he was slowly able to improve the equipment. It took a lot of hiring and some firing, but he finally started to acquire employees who had a similar mindset as him; move the industry forward.  The water well industry has been stagnant and afraid of change for decades. After realizing that the learning curve for drilling was too steep to go nationwide, he decided to franchise water well pump servicing. And so 180 Water was born. Jack hopes to grow the company to 1,000 franchise locations nationwide.George E. Danis – CEO of Plastic Molding Manufacturing Don’t just get up and go to work. Think, how can you be your own boss? Business freedom is our future… Get your friends, your schoolmates, your co-workers, work together, build your own business. It’s very simple – more than we think it is. George E. Danis is a successful businessman, organizer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born into poverty in rural Greece, George entered the U.S. as an illegal immigrant, yet decades later was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors and promotion of democracy. Highly active in politics for four decades, George was a fundraiser, advocate, and advisor to governors, senators, and presidential candidates. Today he divides his time between Boston, Massachusetts, and his childhood town of Karystos, Greece. He is married to his wife, Karen, has four children, and nine grandchildren.

Matt Beaudreau – Co-Founder of Apogee Strong Schools We want our kids to be able to work, to start businesses, to be able toget into apprenticeships early on. Matt Beaudreau is a seasoned educator, entrepreneur, and speaker whose career has been defined by a commitment to rethinking how young people learn and lead. Having begun his professional journey in the public-school system as a teacher and administrator, Matt grew increasingly dissatisfied with traditional schooling’s focus on compliance and rote metrics. He shifted direction in 2017 by founding Acton Academy Placer (and its sister campus in Sacramento), where he implemented self-directed learning, Socratic methods, and character-based education. In January 2021, Matt co-founded Apogee Strong alongside Tim Kennedy. The organization is built around mentorship, leadership training, and alternative educational models designed specifically to empower young men (and increasingly families) to become strong providers, protectors, and leaders. His role at Apogee Strong involves guiding its mission, developing programs, and speaking extensively to global audiences about education, character development, and personal transformation. Matt is also host of the podcast The Essential 11, where he interviews leaders across business, media, sports, and entertainment in search of insights around growth, leadership, and building strong character. He has delivered TEDx talks, served as a corporate trainer (with clients such as the United States Air Force, Lockheed Martin and Honeywell), and has spoken to more than 250,000 people worldwide. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matt identifies first and foremost as a husband and father. His work is deeply rooted in his own family values and his belief that education should prepare individuals for real life, freedom, and purpose.Amber Gaige – Chief Marketing Advisor of Far Beyond Marketing People have to interact with you no less than 11 times beforethey make a single buying decision or click a single button. Amber Gaige is a seasoned marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and recognized authority in helping businesses simplify their marketing so they can grow with clarity and confidence. She serves as Chief Marketing Advisor at Far Beyond Marketing, a full-service marketing agency that partners with business owners to build stronger brands, attract the ideal customers, and increase sales while eliminating the confusion and overwhelm often associated with growth efforts. Amber comes from a deep entrepreneurial lineage – she is a third-generation business operator who grew up immersed in her family’s trades and service-business ventures, which instilled in her a strong work ethic, a hands-on marketing mindset, and an instinct for operational growth. After earning her degree from Baylor University, she led marketing functions across multiple organizations, founded her own lead-generation company, and achieved a major early milestone when she scaled that business rapidly and sold it to private equity. Leveraging more than 20 years of experience across industries such as home services, manufacturing, construction, software and franchising, Amber developed what she calls the “Four C’s of Effective Marketing” – Clear Copy, Consistent Branding, Customer Demographics and Channel Management – which serve as the foundational framework for her clients’ strategic marketing plans. At Far Beyond Marketing, Amber combines a story-brand orientation – she is a certified StoryBrand Guide – with data-driven systems and vendor-agnostic vendor-management to deliver turnkey and scalable marketing solutions for entrepreneurs who want to own their market rather than be at its mercy. As a thought leader, speaker and best-selling author (including *The Far Beyond Marketing Guidebook), Amber frequently shares insights about how to avoid wasted marketing spend, how to align marketing with operations, and how to build sustainable growth without feeling o

Joseph Haecker – Editor-In-Chief at OF Insider Magazine • Business Strategist • +16,000 followers • Tech Founder • 26 Books Published on Amazon • Podcast Host/Guest  I like to say that some people are entrepreneurs. Some people are serial entrepreneurs. And then there’s this special class of weirdos like me that are addicted to startups. Since 2012, Joseph Haecker has built a reputation as a dynamic and unconventional leader across the worlds of design, entrepreneurship, and media. Along the way, he has found himself in unforgettable rooms – from late-night conversations with Julian Lennon to collaborating with high-profile entrepreneurs, celebrities, and innovators. Throughout his career, he has launched several startups, raised just under $4.5 million in capital, successfully exited three businesses, and even designed two of the world’s largest chandeliers. He continues to expand his impact through podcasting, events, publishing, and strategic advisory work. Each week, Haecker meets with three to five startups, offering mentorship and marketing guidance to help founders refine their concepts and accelerate growth. He is a serial entrepreneur, Fractional CMO, podcast host, and author, driven by the intersection of design, technology, storytelling, and business strategy. With more than two decades of experience in the lighting and interior design industries, he has developed a unique ability to bridge creative vision with scalable commercial solutions. His career includes founding multiple ventures such as Designwal, a social media platform built specifically for the interior design community, and Join inCrowd, which grew organically to 1.7 million members without a marketing budget. As a Fractional CMO, he helps both startups and established multimillion-dollar companies develop tailored strategies aligned with their growth goals. Through his podcasting and published work, he explores emerging opportunities within design and tech, offering entrepreneurs practical insights into innovation, branding, and community-driven growth.Andi Shaughnessy and Danielle Carter – Owners of ExpressIt Delivery and Unlikely Bosses If we can inspire one person you know, to not give up, to work through the challenges that they’re going through, however heavy they feel at the time, that was worth it. In 2011, Andi Shaughnessy and Danielle Carter’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. At the time, Danielle was a full-time mother of three young children while helping with the family business when she could, and Andi was pursuing a career in sports television. As their father’s health declined in the spring of 2012, they faced a pivotal decision about the future of ExpressIt, the company he had built. Following his passing that summer, the business entered a period of uncertainty, and the sisters made the commitment to step in and lead. When they assumed responsibility, ExpressIt was a small operation with just 13 drivers, two operations managers, and a limited number of accounts across Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. With no formal business background, Andi and Danielle relied on their work ethic, resilience, and a steadfast belief in people-first leadership. Over the years, they have grown ExpressIt into a thriving organization with more than 200 drivers and a 14-person management team, now serving customers throughout the Northeast. Their journey into entrepreneurship was unconventional, but it has shaped their philosophy: sustainable success is built on trust, meaningful relationships, and consistently delivering on every promise made.