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, Ox 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.

Greg is an author, co-founder, and CEO of ScreenSteps, a software platform for transferring knowledge faster. He attended both Berklee and Harvard, but Harvard was the name of his junior high school, and Berklee was the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Greg is the co-author of the book, Find & Follow: Reduce Supervisor Burnout & Improve Employee Performance by Transferring Knowledge Faster. The Find & Follow Framework helps businesses improve employee engagement by reducing their reliance on tribal knowledge.

Lauren Gaggioli is a digital entrepreneur who loves building online businesses and supporting her fellow solopreneurs as they share their gifts with the world.

A big believer in intentional living, Lauren created her online course about purpose “Big Why Life” to help folks from all walks of life create their personal mission statement and support healthy habits to support living a life of purpose.

Lauren is an organic content marketing expert, having leveraged SEO and organic marketing to grow and sell her first business - Higher Scores Test Prep - an online ACT & SAT prep company. She now supports her fellow online entrepreneurs with organic strategy consulting services, the Organic Marketing Ecosystem course, and through her virtual mastermind for online entrepreneurs.

When she's not working, you can find her training for her next run Disney half marathon or channeling serious Molly Weasley vibes knitting up a new sweater, puttering in her garden, homebrewing beer with her husband, or making a delicious mess of the kitchen with her kids in their home just outside Seattle.

Gian Marco is the President of CASCO Safety Group and Café Las Flores, Nicaragua's leading specialty coffee brand, recognized as the nation's top café and restaurant chain by Estrategias & Negocios Magazine. He is also active in commercial real estate with projects like Centro Norte and Entheos Centro Corporativo. Over the past 15 years, he has promoted responsible business practices through his involvement with uniRSE, Fundación Cocibolca, and Paso Pacífico. He is a CALI Fellow from the Aspen Institute, a BMW Foundation Latin American Young Leaders Forum member, and a sought-after speaker on leadership and legacy. A graduate of Georgia Tech, he has completed numerous executive programs, authored "LEGACY: How Leaders Transcend the Past, Balance the Present and Serve for Generations," and is a certified ExO consultant. Gian Marco actively coaches entrepreneurs through his LEGACY Coaching program and resides in Managua with his family.

Seasoned live event professional, Morgan Katz knew there was a way to combine the fan experience while still achieving revenue goals. Ticketnology works to provide a more customer friendly approach, while changing the way businesses engage with the world of sports and entertainment.

Roger Martin has built a 30-year career in sales, marketing, and C-level leadership. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of two national franchise brands, RockBox Fitness and beem® Light Sauna, as well as various other businesses. Roger has led teams as large as 500 people, and knows the importance of clear and high impact communication. He has extensively studied human behavior and persuasion and influence throughout his career, and has trained thousands of people on how to communicate more effectively and inspirationally. He is the host of the ThriveMore with Roger Martin podcast and recently launched his book, "An Insider's Guide to Business: Secrets from An Entrepreneur's Playbook."

Madhu Dasa was born into a family of yogis, but spirituality didn’t resonate with him until, at sixteen, his father offered him $100 to read the Bhagavad Gita. Hoping to make some money, Madhu accepted, but the profound impact of the text moved him so deeply that he refused the payment. With a newfound passion for spiritual wisdom, he became a monk at eighteen, spending five years in monasteries across the U.S. and India, studying under renowned teachers. After leaving the monastery, Madhu traveled extensively, struggling to turn his teachings into a sustainable career, often overworking himself and sacrificing time with his wife. However, with the guidance of expert coaches, he learned to integrate his purpose into a business model, launching Madhu Life, where he now helps clients balance their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lives. Deeply committed to teaching the Vedic arts and sciences while preserving their authenticity, Madhu believes that the true qualification of a teacher lies in remaining an avid student.

Alex Sanfilippo is an entrepreneur and the founder of PodPros, a software company specifically focused on independent podcast hosts and their guests to elevate their voices through podcasting and be heard. Alex and the team at PodPros have developed popular podcasting software services such as PodMatch, PodcastSOP and PodLottery. In addition, Alex is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Podcasting Made Simple, and is one of the most sought-after educators and public speakers in the podcasting industry.

Anne Beiler began twisting pretzels in 1987 and grew a single farmer's market stand into Auntie Anne's®, the world's largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise. Her professional success, however, was forged after years of darkness, depression, and despair brought on by the death of her nineteen-month-old daughter. Anne's personal story and entrepreneurial insights are featured on many television shows, including ABC's Secret Millionaire and Good Morning America. In addition, she has been highlighted in numerous publications such as Fortune Magazine and Inc Magazine. In 2005, Anne sold Auntie Anne's® and has authored three books: Twist of Faith, The Secret Lies Within, and Overcome and Lead. Today, Anne speaks to audiences worldwide, inspiring people with her authentic stories and life experiences.

Service industry work develops the “soft skills” recruiters talk about on LinkedIn—discipline, promptness, the ability to absorb criticism, and most importantly, how to read people like a book. Strong connections with customers, peers, and employees are at the heart of every successful company and the “secret sauce” employed by every great bartender.

John Rock Foster is the President and founder of Middle School MBA, a curriculum program designed to teach middle schoolers the concepts of economics and business in an approachable, digestible way. John earned his BS in Chemical Engineering and MBA from LSU. Over a thirty-three-year career in the industrial sector, he worked with notable companies like Freeport-McMoRan, Stauffer Chemical, Rhone-Poulenc, and Innophos, Inc., holding diverse roles in process engineering, plant operations, business management, M&A, and corporate strategy. John eventually exited the engineering world to pursue entrepreneurship.

Barry LaBov, is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, a nationally recognized, respected author, podcast guest, and brand strategist. He is the Founder and CEO of LABOV Marketing, Communications, and Training—a full-service agency that specializes in helping clients discover and celebrate their brand differentiation. LABOV’s clients include national and international brands in automotive, recreational products, premium spirits, motorcycles, PE firms, and more. He has an upcoming book entitled, “The Power of Differentiation, Win Hearts, Minds and Market Share.”

Rebekah Scott is the Owner and Designer of The Encourager Podcast, Rebekah Scott Designs, and 1948 Leather. With over 15 years of experience, she expertly balances her roles as a Christian wife and mother of four while pursuing her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Through The Encourager Podcast, Rebekah shares insights gained from her journey, offering practical advice and heartfelt encouragement to help listeners harmonize their family and business lives. She explores strategies for success with a focus on authenticity and balance, aiming to empower others to navigate their own unique challenges effectively.

Stay connected with updates and newsletters from The Encourager Podcast at encouragerpodcast.com. For comprehensive support in achieving personal and professional growth, consider enrolling in Encourager Academy, where Rebekah guides participants toward thriving in every aspect of life. Discover more and enroll today at encourageracademy.com!

Mike Kaeding is the CEO of Norhart, a multifamily developer dedicated to addressing housing affordability. As a visionary leader with a focus on accelerated growth, Mike is on a mission to revolutionize the multifamily industry by delivering unmatched construction cost-to-value. Known for his innovative thinking, data analysis, and creative ideas, Mike consistently pushes the boundaries to achieve excellence in his field.