John and Mark X. Cronin are the father-son team that created John’s Crazy Socks, a social enterprise with a mission to spread happiness. They bootstrapped their business into the world’s largest sock store. John is not only a business owner, but he has Down syndrome. Every day, John and Mark show what people with differing abilities can do – more than half their colleagues have a differing ability. And they show their gratitude through their Giving Back program that has raised nearly $750,000 for their charity partners. Most of all, they are spreading happiness one pair of socks at a time.

Ben Thomas is the founder and CEO of Gatby, a groundbreaking energy choice platform that uses reverse auctions to help consumers access lower, fixed-rate electricity plans. A former private equity investor with Morgan Stanley and a co-founder of Nutiliti, Ben brings Wall Street savvy to Main Street problems — and is on a mission to create more transparency, fairness, and savings in a confusing utility marketplace.

With Gatby now live across Texas and helping thousands of renters and homeowners save money on energy, Ben is ready to share how he’s combining data, empathy, and disruption to bring power back to the people — literally.

Brandon Allen is a North Carolina native with a working-class background and an entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled his journey across multiple industries. He got his start working on farms and in tobacco warehouses before earning his PharmD from the University of South Carolina in 2012. After relocating to Fort Worth, Texas, he took on various roles in pharmacy before purchasing a community retail pharmacy in 2016.

Business ownership brought both challenges and growth. By 2021, Brandon was on the verge of bankruptcy—but through perseverance, mentorship, and faith, he turned things around and made the business profitable again. Along the way, he realized his true passion lay elsewhere. In 2023, he sold the pharmacy and went all-in on Masterpiece Construction—a remodeling company committed to breaking industry stereotypes. The company quickly gained traction, generating over $1.1 million in revenue in its first full calendar year and continuing to grow. His story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and boldly pursuing purpose through each new chapter.

Before stepping into the world of solopreneurship, Evan Kuterbach spent over a decade in sales and marketing, working across industries like tech, martech, SaaS, and e-commerce. He honed his skills in sales strategy, building connections, and helping businesses grow—starting with his first job out of college with the Phoenix Suns.

In early 2023, Evan hit a turning point. Burnout pushed him to rethink his career, and he decided to take a leap into entrepreneurship. That’s when he launched Gibson Voicebox, a copywriting business that blends storytelling and strategy to help brands connect with their audiences authentically.

Later in 2023 and into early 2024, he co-founded Canyon Pickleball, combining his passion for the outdoors with community and sustainability. Through every paddle sold, the company gives back to national parks and inspires people to explore more. Today, he’s focused on building businesses with purpose, staying honest about the process, and helping others take their own ideas from dream to reality.

Jenny Fielding is one of the most active global pre-seed investors, having invested in 300+ companies as the first money in. As the cofounder and Managing Partner of Everywhere Ventures, Jenny has built a thriving community of 500+ founders and operators who help source, diligence, and invest in the next generation of startups across 3 core verticals: money, health, and work.

Prior to launching her own fund, Jenny spent 7.5 years as the Managing Director of Techstars where she invested in a portfolio of companies with a current market cap over $10B. Jenny is a 2x founder, a lawyer by training, and an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Cornell Tech.

David is the co-founder of Royal Restrooms Nationwide and Director of Nationwide Franchise Sales. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1997 with a degree in Political Science and minors in International Business and African History. After his professional golf career was cut short by an automobile accident injury, he went on to be a banking vice president and commercial lender before his entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Royal Restrooms in 2004.

David and Christy have five children and live in Savannah, Georgia. They attend Blessed Sacrament Church, enjoy boating the coastal waterways, and patronize local restaurants.

Liz leads the Jones Realty Group, a real estate team based in Temecula, CA. Licensed in 2013, she began pursuing her passion for investing, buying, and selling residential and commercial properties. Liz quickly excelled, ranking in the top 1% of agents in a competitive market.

She serves on several community boards and committees, including the Southwest Healthcare Governing Board, the Voices for Children Advisory and Marketing Committees, and Murrieta’s Measure-T Oversight Committee. Liz is also a Rotary Club member and a mentor with PWR.

She was awarded the Murrieta Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year in 2023 and was nominated for Citizen of the Year. In 2024, Jones Realty Group was nominated for Small Business of the Year.

Liz hosts a podcast called Local Living and has been a panelist speaker in her industry. She enjoys serving in her church community, playing pickleball, gardening, traveling with her husband, Mark, and spending time with her seven grandchildren.

Charles J. Read is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), U.S. Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP), Vietnam veteran, and former member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC). He’s also the founder of GetPayroll, a full-service payroll and payroll tax company serving businesses nationwide since 1991.

With over 50 years of financial leadership experience across multiple industries, Charles is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, and author of four books. His latest, The Payroll Book: A Guide for Small Businesses and Startups, is currently ranked in the top 25 in Amazon’s Small Business Books category.

Ann is a top business growth expert, marketing and sales strategist, and the CEO of A. Carden Inc. and the Expert In You Attraction Marketing & Media Agency. With over forty-three years of experience and thirty-four as an entrepreneur, she has built seven successful businesses—selling five—and currently owns two. For the past fourteen years, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of small business owners, consultants, coaches, and professional entrepreneurs across more than eighty industries.

She is a three-time published author in business, marketing, and success, with her latest book, Expert In You, becoming a #1 International Bestseller. Ann is also a sought-after speaker, host of the Expert In You podcast, and publisher of Expert In You magazine.

Alesia Galati is a podcast strategist and the founder of Galati Media, a full-service podcast management agency. Driven by her passion for audio storytelling, Alesia has helped numerous coaches, thought leaders, and businesses launch and grow their podcasts. She believes everyone has a story to tell and is dedicated to empowering others to share their voices with the world.

With years of experience in the podcasting industry, Alesia has immersed herself in every aspect of the process, from creating and launching her own shows to strategizing and managing podcasts for clients. Her expertise spans all areas of podcast production, including content strategy, editing, marketing, and community building.

When she’s not working with clients, Alesia enjoys exploring North Carolina with her husband and two sons. An avid reader and podcast enthusiast, she’s always seeking out new stories and voices that inspire and connect.

Danny Nathan is the founder and driving force behind Apollo 21, an innovative firm that blends management consulting, product design, and venture incubation to help organizations achieve transformational growth. By specializing in new venture creation, product development, and internal venture-building, Apollo 21 enables businesses to unlock new revenue streams, embrace entrepreneurial thinking, and foster a culture of continuous innovation. With a strategic yet hands-on approach, Danny and his team guide companies through the complexities of market disruption, ensuring they stay ahead in an ever-evolving business landscape.

With a deep passion for entrepreneurship and innovation, Danny has dedicated his career to helping organizations navigate change, identify untapped opportunities, and build scalable solutions. His expertise lies in bridging the gap between vision and execution—whether through customer-centric product design, high-impact strategy development, or the creation of agile innovation ecosystems. Under his leadership, Apollo 21 has become a trusted partner for companies seeking to reimagine their potential, drive sustained growth, and turn bold ideas into reality.

Morgan Q. Anderson, EA, is the CEO and Founder of Golden Lion Tax Solutions and the author of "Tax Debt Rule #1: There's ALWAYS a Solution!" Over the last 25+ years, Morgan has successfully resolved thousands of client cases before the IRS and state tax agencies by identifying the best solution option given each client’s unique financial condition and relentlessly pursuing its acceptance. During her career, she has mastered the complex labyrinth of the IRS and state tax systems, even successfully negotiating solutions for her clients with the National Taxpayer Advocate and the Director of Collection Appeals.

Morgan's career has been continuously inspired by the thousands of clients she has helped. She knows that her clients are going through the worst financial situation they will likely ever experience and deserve a compassionate yet relentless advocate to bring their much-deserved resolution to fruition.

Thomas Gucciardo is an entrepreneurial leader serving as the CEO of Savvy Seats, a prominent ticketing company, and Blue Blaze Marketing. With a diverse background in business operations and strategic growth, Thomas has successfully navigated various industries, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in changing market conditions. He is also the host of the Mindset Unleashed Podcast, where he shares insights on personal and professional development.

Known for his innovative approach to problem-solving and keen eye for market trends, Thomas has positioned his ventures for long-term success. Throughout his career, he has emphasized building strong relationships with team members and clients. Beyond his professional achievements, Thomas is a proud father of two amazing daughters, balancing his business endeavors with his role as a dedicated parent.

From entertainment and hospitality to insurance and media production, R. Scott Edwards has had his fair share of diverse jobs and interesting experiences. At just 17, he launched his first business, and by 24, he had founded Laughs Unlimited, one of the earliest full-time comedy clubs in the U.S. His comedy venues in Northern California became a launching pad for legendary comedians like Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, and Garry Shandling, cementing his reputation as a pioneer in the stand-up industry.

Beyond comedy, Scott has owned and operated a wide array of businesses, including restaurants, art galleries, a submarine, and even a beach shack in Hawaii, showcasing his adaptability and keen eye for opportunity. Currently, Scott runs a Farmers Insurance Brokerage while pursuing his passion for podcasting. He hosts a comedy podcast and has launched the internationally recognized children's podcast, Aawks Amazing Adventures.

Christian Espinosa is the founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber, specializing in medical device cybersecurity to enhance patient safety and data integrity. A seasoned entrepreneur, he previously built and sold a cybersecurity business, learning firsthand how to scale and structure a company for acquisition without venture capital. Once driven by the need to be the “smartest in the room,” he transformed his leadership approach to embrace collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning, a journey he shares in his books The Smartest Person in the Room and The In-Between: Life in the Micro.

A natural risk-taker, Christian thrives in high-pressure environments, whether securing medical devices against cyber threats or pushing his limits as a certified skydiver, PADI divemaster, and Ironman triathlete. He emphasizes strategic networking, industry engagement, and building a strong support system as key to entrepreneurial success. Beyond cybersecurity, he enjoys extreme sports, heavy metal music, and spicy foods, always embracing new challenges with resilience and determination.

Amy Shippy is a highly accomplished and multifaceted business professional with a proven track record across a variety of industries. She is the founder of Lady BizWiz, co-founder of Marché de Macarons, and owner of Blue Poppy Designs and Lottiebelle’s. Raised on Hilton Head Island, Amy moved to Savannah, Georgia, in the 1990s to study Graphic Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and started her first business at the age of 21.

In 2019, her innovative business idea won top honors at BizPitch Hilton Head. A proud mother of three, Amy values instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in her family. In 2024, she debuted the Lady BizWiz Business Plan Masterclass, a program designed to help aspiring business owners build strong foundations and achieve their goals. Amy is deeply passionate about empowering others to succeed and thrive in their professional journeys.

Colby Wegter is an accomplished entrepreneur dedicated to helping agency owners build profitable, sustainable businesses while reclaiming their time and well-being. With a diverse background spanning tech, marketing, and education, Colby’s career includes roles like BrandYourself’s 12th employee, where he contributed to the company’s Shark Tank recognition, and co-founding a Global Top 1000 digital marketing agency.

After overcoming severe burnout in 2022, Colby transformed his approach to business, reducing his workweek from 60+ hours to just 7 without sacrificing revenue, clients, or team stability. He now empowers agency owners to achieve "time ownership" by retaining clients longer, attracting ideal prospects, and building self-sufficient systems.

Colby’s mission is to help as many people as possible that drives his business decisions.

Anne Laffin is a problem solver, strategist, and content creator who helps entrepreneurs and founders grow and amplify the inspiring work they bring to the world. With over 20 years of marketing experience, Anne has worked across industries including market research, tech, financial services, and animal health, developing a proven track record of success.

Her true passion emerged when she joined a Series A-funded fintech startup as employee #6. There, Anne built, ran, and scaled the company’s marketing department from the ground up. Inspired by the energy and innovation of the startup world, she founded Fin Marketing—a consultancy dedicated to supporting early-stage startups. The name “Fin” is a nod to both her last name and her love of water.

Since launching Fin Marketing, Anne has worked with dozens of startups from pre-seed to Series A. She brings a unique mix of strategic insight and hands-on execution to each client, helping ambitious founders achieve their marketing goals. Anne holds a B.A. in Communication from Villanova University (Go Cats!) and an M.S. in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University, which laid the foundation for her results-driven, creative approach to marketing.

A highly-sought after speaker, trainer and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Dr. Danny Brassell has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 17 books, including his latest, Leadership Begins with Motivation. He helps entrepreneurs, executives and business owners boost their income, freedom and impact by improving their communication skills. The co-founder of the world’s top reading engagement program, Danny is on a mission to bring JOY back into education and the workplace.

Dr. Danny Brassell is also the co-founder of the WellCrafted Workshop, helping entrepreneurs and professionals elevate their communication skills to grow their businesses. With over 3,500 dynamic presentations worldwide, Danny’s practical strategies inspire action and results. Whether you want to connect emotionally with your audience or refine your message for maximum impact, Danny is your go-to expert.

Laura Lynn Morrissey has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing the unique challenges of aging individuals as they transition into new stages of life. With professional experience in financial services, healthcare, fintech, and client support, Morrissey has worked with various companies to rebuild their structures and find outside-the-box solutions to take their businesses to the next level. Both in her work and personal life, she has found a significant gap in resources and support designed specifically for the nuanced needs of mature adults, leading her to develop the concept of SilverSavvy.