Launch Your Ideas
into Action

Pitch the Pros® lets entrepreneurs pitch innovative ideas to industry leaders and investors. At our latest event in Greenville, SC, startups and pros connected, buzzing with excitement as entrepreneurs showcased solutions, gained feedback, and built ties. It showcased the synergy of talent and expertise.

We’re excited to build on this momentum at our upcoming event, details of which will be announced soon, where Pitch the Pros® will continue to connect visionary entrepreneurs with the pros!

Pitch the Pros® 2025 – A Resounding Success

The 2025 Pitch the Pros® event proved to be an incredible success, bringing together some of the brightest minds in innovation for two days of pitching, networking, and meaningful connections.

Held across two exciting days, the event provided inventors a unique platform to present their products and build valuable relationships with industry professionals, and fellow entrepreneurs. The networking events were a standout highlight, sparking new partnerships and opening doors to future opportunities.

We want to extend a huge congratulations to all the inventors who pitched. Your dedication, creativity, and hard work were truly inspiring, and it was clear just how much passion went into developing each product.

A special congratulations goes to our 2025 Pitch the Pros® winners, Frank and Nick DiBartolo, whose innovative product, Identify Switch captured the attention of judges and attendees. As a father–son team, their emotional win resonated with many and stood out as a powerful moment in this year’s event.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Pitch the Pros® 2025 such a success. We can’t wait to see what comes next!

Press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2025

Pitch the Pros 2-Day Spectacular Wraps with Instant Awards, National Media Attention, and a Spotlight on Innovation.

Greenville, SC, The Pitch the Pros 2-Day Spectacular has officially wrapped, delivering an electrifying celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community impact. With a mission to support the inventor community and help shape lives, the event drew a dynamic crowd and left a lasting impression on attendees, judges, and media alike.

The event featured live pitches from up and coming inventors, hands-on mentoring, immediate award distribution with no red tape or empty promises and the kind of high energy support typically reserved for seasoned entrepreneurs.

“The feedback has been nothing short of phenomenal,” organizers said. “We set out to create an environment where real innovation meets real opportunity, and judging by the reactions of our inventors, guests, and viewers, we did just that.”

As an added bonus, the top three winners will now be featured on PIX11 in New York City, where their products will be showcased live in an exclusive TV segment, gaining even more exposure for their groundbreaking ideas wuth The Modern Inventor

A Collective Effort with Unmatched Execution, the success of the event was made possible thanks to a wide network of support:

The dedicated hosts who brought energy and insight to the stage. The outstanding Performing Arts Center team who helped provide a world-class venue. The Modern-Inventor team and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The networks and media partners who recognized the importance of spotlighting inventors at the local and national level

A special acknowledgment goes to Brandi Lombardo, President of the organization and the driving force behind the event’s flawless execution. From personally speaking with each inventor ahead of the event, to helping refine their pitches, organizing media appearances, ensuring all deliverables were fulfilled, and leading a walking tour through beautiful Greenville, Brandi's hands on leadership and tireless dedication were felt at every level.

“She does it all,” one team member noted. “She’s not just running the show, she’s elevating every person and idea she touches.”

What’s Next?
With the momentum from Pitch the Pros still going strong, and national media coverage underway, this event is just the beginning. The organizers are already fielding requests for future collaborations and are committed to scaling this platform to reach even more innovators.

“The energy, the vision, the execution, this was more than an event. It was a movement.”

Thank You to everyone involed in making this event such a success. Often copied BUT never duplicated!

Amplify Your Concepts

Embark on an exhilarating journey with Modern Inventor as we invite visionaries to pitch their groundbreaking ideas. Our platform is your stage to spotlight innovations that can redefine industries. If you have a concept that merges creativity with practicality, we're here to amplify it.

IMG_FrankandNickDibartolo_PTP2025_Stage_2

Your Pathway to Pitching Perfection

Presenting your brainchild to the pros is a thrilling opportunity. Start by filling out our submission form with details about your invention. Attach any prototypes or documents that will aid in illustrating your concept's potential. Our team will review your submission and contact you to discuss the next steps.

Craft a Compelling Pitch

Preparation is key to a successful pitch. Ensure your idea is clearly defined, marketable, and technically feasible. Gather evidence of concept validation, such as market research or prototypes, and be ready to discuss your vision with passion and clarity.

Ready to Change the World?

Don't miss the chance to showcase your invention to a team that can bring it to life. Submit your pitch now and take the first step towards making a lasting impact.

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THE PROS LINE UP FOR June 2025

Your Idea. Their Experience. One Powerful Team.

These pros offer more than advice—they bring the knowledge, experience, and network to help shape what’s next.

Christopher Guerrera

Read about Christopher

Mr. Guerrera's career is truly impressive, spanning decades of expertise in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and leadership. His extensive experience in Lean 6 Sigma methodologies highlights his dedication to efficiency and quality in manufacturing processes. Leading teams through new product launches demonstrates his ability to innovate and drive success in competitive markets.

His national media exposure, including appearances on Shark Tank, Good Morning America and hosting product segments on CBS & Fox including his new TV Show “What’s That Big Idea”, showcases his ability to communicate and share his knowledge with a broad audience. Collaborating with influential figures like Daymond John and participating in prestigious Pitch the Pros ® National product pitching competitions further solidify his reputation as a leader in the industry.

His contributions to notable projects, such as the BMW Z3 and X5 vehicle launches, and his involvement in pioneering advancements like the on-board fuel vapor recovery system for the Ford Taurus, underscore his impact on automotive engineering and manufacturing.

Furthermore, his role as Vice President of the United Inventors Association and involvement in initiatives like his National Modern Inventor “Pitch the Pros" demonstrate his commitment to fostering innovation and supporting aspiring inventors.

Overall, Mr. Guerrera's career highlights his exceptional skills in engineering, manufacturing, and leadership, making him a significant figure in the industry with a lasting impact on innovation and quality.

Rudy Mawer

Investor, Speaker, and Entrepreneur.

Read about Rudy

Rudy Mawer is a renowned entrepreneur, investor, and marketing expert known for his remarkable success in building multi-million-dollar businesses. Born in Leicester, England, to parents who were Olympic athletes—his mother a gold medalist in triathlon and his father a triathlon team manager—Rudy grew up surrounded by a culture of high performance and determination. From a young age, he displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, playing strategic games like Monopoly with a competitive edge and dreaming of financial success.

Rudy’s career began modestly as a personal trainer while still in college, where he also promoted club events and managed two rental properties, generating recurring revenue uncommon for a student. After earning a degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition from the University of Nottingham and a master’s from the University of Tampa, he moved to the United States on an O-1 visa for extraordinary talent. There, he honed his skills in digital marketing, particularly mastering Facebook ads, which he used to launch a bestselling online fitness program that became his first seven-figure business by age 26.

Since then, Rudy has built and scaled multiple multi-million-dollar companies, establishing himself as a global leader in ads, funnels, and marketing strategy. He has spoken on over 200 stages worldwide and is the CEO of Mawer Capital, a leading direct-response marketing agency. Partnering with notable figures like Kevin Harrington, an original "Shark Tank" investor, Rudy has helped over 50,000 small businesses grow. His work extends to consulting for billion-dollar brands and A-list celebrities, including Floyd Mayweather, Olympians, NFL Super Bowl champions, and Hollywood stars. His agency has generated over $250 million in revenue for clients.

Beyond business, Rudy hosts the top-10 entrepreneurial podcast "Living The Red Life" and has appeared on major media outlets like Forbes, Entrepreneur, NBC, and ABC. A serial investor, he has also collaborated with Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr at Retail Ecommerce Ventures to revive struggling U.S. brands like Pier 1 and DressBarn. Recognized with awards like inclusion in the Inc 5000, Rudy’s journey reflects his relentless drive, innovative mindset, and commitment to helping others succeed. Now based in Clearwater, Florida, he continues to inspire entrepreneurs globally while balancing a family life with his wife, whom he credits as a key support in his rise from humble beginnings to living the American Dream.

Roy Costner III

Chairman – SC Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame. State Government Representative – US Wounded Warrior Program and a Business Development Manager at Spectrum Reach.

Read about Roy

Roy has worked for 30 years in Radio and TV.

He has served as Chairman of Pickens County Council, President of the South Carolina Association of Counties and on the boards for Upstate Alliance, Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG), Ten at the Top, United Christian Ministries, The Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas, Alliance Pickens, Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM), Greenville County Crimestoppers, Foothills Playhouse of Easley, and GPATS.

At Spectrum Reach, Roy created their sales enablement process called Proactively Building Partnerships to train sales leaders and their teams. This sales process has been adopted in all Spectrum Reach U.S. markets across the enterprise.

As an entrepreneur, Roy has owned several successful companies.

Key Animation – A broadcast-quality 3D Computer Animation Studio

Costner’s Grill and Entertainment – A sports bar and grill

Costner’s Seasoning – A hand-crafted seasoning company

Roy just completed the book “Intensify Your Marketing” as an addendum to his latest endeavor to consult with businesses and government on a marketing approach to intensifying business and sales.

He was given the first “Key to the City” in his hometown of Liberty, SC for his work and development of Liberty Idol. He is also credited with creating the Michelin North American Invention Convention for Greenville County, and Pickens County’s Got Talent for the School District of Pickens County. Roy also wrote and directed the musical theatrical production of “Fried Apple Pies” (an Easter Story) the movie “Christmas Possibilities,” and most recently the Casey Kasem Top 40 Countdown Experience.

A graduate of Clemson University in 1986, Roy has lived in Liberty SC for 35 years. He is married to his wife Angie, and they have two children (Roy IV and Tori) and five grandchildren (Ellie, Rory, Ollie, Archie, and Ronni).

Roy’s passions are music, writing, acting in theatrical productions, spending time with his family, and serving the great people where he lives. Which is why his favorite quote is:

“Do all you can, with what you have, in the time you have and the place you are” – Nkosi Johnson

Tasha Terra Dennis

Financial Empowerment Leader. Founder of H.O.P.E: Helping Our People Emerge.

Read about Tasha

Tasha Terria is a seasoned Professional Consultant working directly under the leadership of Daymond John, famously known as “The People’s Shark.” She serves as the Philanthropic Coordinator for The FUBU Foundation and is currently launching a Children’s Financial Literacy Book—featuring a foreword by Daymond John—aimed at teaching young students the fundamentals of credit.

Tasha is also the founder of the nonprofit organization H.O.P.E. "Helping Our People Emerge” a cause deeply close to her heart, where she supports low-income youth entrepreneurs in achieving their business goals.

With over 25 years of experience, Tasha is a renowned Credit Specialist, having worked with numerous celebrities and executives to improve their personal and business credit profiles. She is the author of The Ultimate Credit Tracker, a widely available guide featured on platforms such as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Amazon, and more. The book provides actionable strategies for improving, tracking, and disputing personal credit scores.

Tasha’s exceptional ability to remove negative accounts from credit reports earned her the nickname “The Credit Ninja,” given by ABC TV star Daymond John.

Passionate about financial education, Tasha is committed to empowering individuals across the country. She envisions launching a nationwide Financial Empowerment Tour, offering comprehensive training programs focused on financial literacy and youth entrepreneurship in communities across the U.S.

Justin Ray Williams

"I'M A CREATOR IN MY SOUL, A DIRECTOR AT HEART, AND A MIND THAT NEVER SLEEPS" JUSTIN RAY WILLIAMS

Read about Justin

Justin Ray Williams serves as the CEO of Justin Ray Williams, LLC; Executive Director of the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame; Senior Director of Special Event Government Operations for the Wounded Warrior Program USA (Military); and Partner of Lucille’s Entertainment & Dining at Bridgeway Station.

Justin has created, directed, produced live shows, events, festivals, produced record albums, TV Channel, TV Shows and films over 20 years.

Concerts, Festivals & Events: Pickens County Performing Arts Center, Rock The Red USA Event, Rock The Red Florida, Rock The Rose Concert, Red Rose Festival, Country Folks Will Survive concert, Watermelon Crawl Festival, Casey Kasem Top 40 Countdown Tribute to the hits, Honky-Tonk Christmas show, Rhythm On The Rails-Clinton, SC , Pickens Azalea Festival and The "Fame" Country Music Concert.

Justin is a CMA Member "Country Music Association".

Here's a few of what he has produced in Radio, Film, TV & Music: Fame Radio Network(iHeartRadio), Wounded Warrior Single(song), One Voice Album EP, Its Just BB, WHITS END BAND, LUKE SMITH MUSIC , “Labs for Dyslexia Event” (Written Off) a Documentary Film, Hall of Famer Country Band Dixiana, Country Rocker Leah Seawright Band, The Farmhand Movie, The Roku TV Movie "CHRISTMAS Possibilities", American Warriors TV Network Roku, ISSA MUSIC Roku CHANNEL, & Guitar 101 Roku Channel.

Devron "Doc" Dennis

Dr. Dennis brings over 30 years of dedicated service to his community, serving as CEO of Mastery Beyond Boundaries, LLC. With a Ph.D. in Holistic Life Counseling, he delves into the root causes of trauma and offers practical solutions.

Read about Doc

Dr. Dennis has over 30 years as a community servant and liaison. He is the CEO of Mastery Beyond Boundaries, LLC., a published author of two books, and has a Ph.D. in Holistic Life Counseling, where he tackles the root causes of trauma and provides tangible solutions for clients. Dr. Dennis is a Conscious Business Ethics practitioner, where he guides business leaders back into personable relationships with employees, stakeholders and community. He is the Vice President of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Emerge), and the VP of Operations for B.E.G.I. Most importantly he is a father, friend, Brother and mentor.

Sonia Hounsell

Made a splash on Shark Tank, impressing the Sharks and securing a deal with Robert Herjavec! A trailblazing leader in entrepreneurship and brand marketing.

Read about Sonia

Sonia Hounsell has deep professional experience in Brand Marketing & Entrepreneurship including C-suite leadership roles in Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Healthcare, McKinsey & Co., and Venture Capital. For her Sonia has been recognized and awarded with a Gold Effie for the Stride® Gum Launch Advertising Campaign, named Advertising Age “Marketing 50” and was a Media Post (OMMA) Online Media, Marketing & Advertising) Winner for Advertising Creativity. Sonia is currently the CEO & Co-Founder of FunkkOFF!® Inc., lifestyle brand company that is disrupting the personal and oral care category with innovation. In July 2021, FunkkOFF! launched their flagship product FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers® the 1st and only two-in-one toothbrush and toothpaste that’s reusable to keep your teeth white and fresh on-the-go. In February 2023, Sonia appeared on Shark Tank and received a deal from Robert Herjavec. FunkkOFF! has won a number of awards including the International Grand Prix Du Design Award for Consumer Products, a Gold Stevie® Award for Women in Business Start-up of the Year and a Silver Stevie® Award for International for Start-up of the Year. The brand has also been recognized for its unique innovation by leading press including NBC News, Travel &
Leisure, Los Angeles Times, SHAPE, Real Simple and Essence, among others.
Sonia’s education includes:
• Harvard Business School, Executive Education program concentrating in Private Equity and
Venture Capital
• University of Virginia Darden Graduate School of Business, MBA
• Boston College, Carroll School of Management, BS in Finance

Sonia is currently on the Board of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) which supports Women Entrepreneurs. She is also on the Alumni Board of UVA Darden Business School. She supports her community on the Board of the Rye Arts Center in Rye, NY where she lives with her husband, 20-year old twins and 8-year old Black Lab.

Sean Murphy

Entrepreneur, Invention Industry Expert & Communication Specialist.

Read about Sean

Sean is a graduate of the esteemed McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin. He is a true believer in capitalism and the American dream.

For the past 37 years, Sean has thrived within the financial industry and has spoken coast to coast to well over 300,000 people with crowds ranging from an intimate few to well over 10,000. His venues have included the Waldorf Astoria in New York city as well as the Smithsonian in DC.

He has been voted a 5 Star Wealth Manager four times by the Kansas City populace.

He also served for 4 years as the CEO of the Inventors Center of Kansas City (ICKC) widely regarded as one of the nation’s most successful inventor organizations. He remains on the Advisory Board to this day. ICKC’s mission is to assist inventors and entrepreneurs in bringing their products successfully to market.

While serving as CEO of ICKC he was one of the principals involved in creating and launching the invention-based TV program now known as Make48.

Today he serves on the Advisory Board for The United Inventors Association. In 2022 he received the honor of ‘Inspire Top 100: Entrepreneur & Invention Industry Expert’

Sean also invests his time as a mentor at the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) within the Bloch School of Business E-Scholars program. Students that are accepted to the program are challenged to create an actual business within 9 months that can scale to $5 Million in 5 years.

In 2016 he ventured off into a totally new field, IT development. The end result was a tool now used nationwide in the financial industry, BDollarSmart.

On a personal note, he is in the final stages of completing his book; Points 2 Ponder: 50 shorts of Insight and Inspiration.

Sean’s specialties include sales training, time management and communications.

He splits his time between Kansas City and Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

Mike Watts

Serial Entrepreneur & CEO of LoveHandle

Read about Mike

Mike Watts is an experienced entrepreneur who has 6 startup companies under his belt including founding three consecutive multi-million dollar companies in the last 10 years. Mike has successful exits from three companies including one for over $6 million and he even struck a deal with Daymond John from Shark Tank. Mike currently serves as CEO of LoveHandle, a fast-growing American manufacturer of patented custom smartphone grips and accessories where he leads a team of 35 full-time employees proudly manufacturing exclusively in the USA. Mike is a regular keynote speaker for entrepreneur and inventor groups as well a guest professor at Texas A&M University's entrepreneur program in College Station. Mike is a 3-time winner of the Aggie 100 Award for fastest growing companies and has been listed on the Fortune 5000 multiple times.

Michael Altshuler

Transformational Leader & Youth Empowerment Advocate.

Read about Michael

Michael’s entrepreneurial journey began early. At just 21, after getting fired from his first professional sales job, he founded a copier company from his small apartment, growing it into a multi-million-dollar enterprise that was eventually acquired by a Fortune 500 company. His experiences as a successful entrepreneur taught him invaluable lessons about going for your dreams, hard work, leadership, and overcoming setbacks—principles that now serve as cornerstones of the Young Achievers Mastermind program.

Michael has been featured in many news outlets such as, NBC, CBS, New York Times, as well as in the best selling book, “We Got Fired and it’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us” alongside such notables as, Michael Bloomberg, Muhammad Ali, Donald Trump, Larry King and other world-class leaders. He has also received the following notable Awards and Recognition, such as: New Jersey State Governor’s Cup for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Atlantic City Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Salvation Army’s Community Builder award to name a few.

As a speaker and coach, Michael has inspired audiences around the world with his unique ability to connect deeply and deliver actionable, life-changing strategies. He has worked with individuals (including youth), businesses, and organizations, to clearly identify goals, overcome obstacles, and achieve extraordinary results. Michael’s personal journey includes both major successes and some profound setbacks, giving him a deep understanding of the importance of living by a core set of values, as well as being persistent and resilient and never giving up.

Michael’s commitment to empowering youth is fueled by his steadfast belief that with the right guidance and a proven roadmap, coupled with continuous accountability, you can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Through the Young Achievers Mastermind, he provides a safe, fun and empowering environment where teens learn critical life skills such as financial literacy, leadership, emotional resilience, and decision-making. His proven mentorship helps participants build confidence, break limiting beliefs, and create purpose-driven lives. With decades of demonstrated experience as a coach, entrepreneur and volunteer for Junior Achievement and the Business Education Cooperative, Michael has positively impacted tens of thousands of individuals with his wisdom, authenticity, and a results-driven approach to his work.

He is also passionate about giving back as illustrated by his "Christmas for the Kids" initiative, which brought joy to thousands of children in need, and, by competing on the hit TV Show American Gladiators where he raised awareness of the Homeless to over 6 million viewers and pledged all his prize winnings to a local Homeless Shelter in need. Through the Young Achievers Mastermind, Michael continues to live his calling, helping at-risk teens unlock their true potential and live the life of their dreams.

Michael Altshuler is so much more than a coach—he is a champion for transformation. His work through the Young Achievers Mastermind is shaping the next generation of leaders, ensuring they enter adulthood with resilience, purpose, and the tools they need to succeed in every area of life. It’s Michael’s passion and purpose!

Kris Drey

Kristopher Drey – Founder & CEO of The Byrd Golf

Read about Kris

Kristopher Drey is a seasoned product management executive, innovator, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience building digital products for industry leaders such as CNET, Groupon, and Slalom. As the Founder & CEO of The Byrd Golf, Kris turned his passion for golf and his meticulous approach to organization into a creative brand designed to help golfers focus on their game—not their gear.

His career spans a decade in PropTech (property technology), where he specialized in AI
chatbots, recommendation engines, and digital solutions for the built world. Among his many achievements, Kris has:

● Conceived and launched the first-ever Internet Speed Test at CNET, driving an
incremental $50K/month in revenue.
● Developed an AI-powered multifamily recommendation engine, increasing lead-to-lease
conversion by 12%.
● Launched a real-time apartment self-scheduling tour platform, boosting conversions by
32%.
● Designed an AI chatbot decision wizard, improving lead conversion by 16%.
● Optimized sales processes, reducing the sales cycle from 68 days to 11 days and
lowering acquisition costs from $800 to $200 per sale.

The Byrd Golf – From Frustration to Innovation

Like many golf enthusiasts, Kris found himself hooked on the game during the pandemic when outdoor activities were among the few safe options. But as someone who thrives on efficiency and organization, he was frustrated by the chaos of golf essentials—a pocketful of tees, divot tools, ball markers, and more that made every round feel like an unnecessary scavenger hunt.

Recognizing that golfers—especially female players with limited pocket space—needed a better way to carry and access their gear, Kris set out to solve the problem. The result? A line of innovative utility apparel and accessories that keeps golfers organized, eliminating distractions and improving their focus on the game.

Invention & Impact

As an inspired product developer, Kris has launched AI-driven solutions, machine
learning-powered search algorithms, and digital platforms that have transformed user
experiences across multiple industries. His startup experience includes founding an online OVP comparison engine, and a retail shopping mobile app, Grab’d Local.

At The Byrd Golf, Kris continues to push boundaries—blending his expertise in product
innovation, design, and customer experience to create gear that makes golf more convenient, organized, and enjoyable. Whether it’s developing new apparel, accessories, or smart storage solutions, he is committed to helping golfers play better by eliminating distractions.

Patents & Intellectual Property

A three-time patent holder, Kris has consistently been at the forefront of product innovation, driving both technological advancements and business growth.

● System and Method for Providing Automatic Shipping Returns (U.S. 15/296,860,
10/2016)
● System and Method for Providing a Video Media Toolbar (U.S. 20090049122, 2/2009)
● Accessory Device and System Compact Golf Accessory Holder (U.S. 18/982,199,
1/2024)

Connect with Kris & The Byrd Golf:
Website: The Byrd Golf
LinkedIn: Kristopher Drey
Facebook: The Byrd LLC
Instagram, TikTok, X: @bethebyrd

Kathyrn Vatt

Global IP Expert & Champion of Innovation.

Read about Kathryn

Kathryn Vatt is a globally recognized intellectual property strategist, former United States Patent Examiner, and founder of VATT IP Management. With over 25 years of experience in intellectual property—15 of those as a USPTO Patent Examiner—she has reviewed thousands of patent applications, gaining an insider’s perspective on what makes innovations succeed or fail. Now, she leverages that expertise to help inventors, startups, and businesses protect, strengthen, and monetize their intellectual property. A mother of seven, Kathryn knows firsthand the power of perseverance, creativity, and problem-solving—qualities she brings not only to raising a family but also to shaping the future of innovation. A dedicated advocate for women inventors and underrepresented innovators, Kathryn is also deeply committed to mentorship, education, and humanitarian efforts. Her storytelling-driven approach on LinkedIn has inspired tens of thousands, proving that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people behind it, the visionaries who dare to create, and the lasting impact their ideas have on industries, economies, and lives around the world.

Joe Huss

Global Entrepreneur, Transformation Leader & President of Supply Chain BEST

Read about Joe

Joe Huss is a proven executive and global entrepreneur with a track record of delivering transformational results across industries and continents. With over 25 years of executive experience, Joe has built, scaled, and restructured businesses ranging from early-stage ventures to mature global enterprises, consistently driving growth, operational excellence, and innovation.

As President of Supply Chain BEST, Joe leads a high-impact supply chain services firm that partners with companies to optimize operations, from sourcing and manufacturing to global trade, warehousing, and market expansion. Under his leadership, Supply Chain BEST has become a trusted resource for organizations navigating complexity and aiming to build resilient, future-ready supply networks.

Joe’s career has spanned four continents and taken him deep into the business landscapes of dozens of countries, giving him a uniquely hands-on, real world understanding of global markets and cross border operations. He thrives in high pressure, fast-paced environments and is known for developing smart, scalable strategies that boost efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock growth.

Whether driving global sourcing initiatives, leading major transformation programs, or serving as a strategic advisor, Joe brings a sharp operational mindset and a deep commitment to helping businesses compete, and win, on the world stage.

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PJ Benoit

Co-Host and Executive Producer of the wildly popular Braving Business Podcast.

Read about PJ

PJ Benoit is the Co-Host and Executive Producer of the wildly popular Braving Business Podcast, a top 0.5% podcast globally. The show focuses on entrepreneurs and their journeys, but rather focusing on the view from the top, we talk about the hard climb up to get there. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we all launch companies with the dreams to be successful, but not all of us get to enjoy meeting that goal. However, all entrepreneurs face challenges and hurdles on our journey. We talk with very successful people who have faced incredible hardship and learn from them their tales of resiliency and the grit it took for them to eventually make their dreams a reality.

Garrett Huffman

A country music singer who has achieved an impressive number of career milestones since teaching himself how to play the guitar during the pandemic of 2020.

Read about Garrett

Garrett Huffman has quickly made a name for himself in the country music industry and has achieved an impressive number of career milestones since teaching himself how to play the guitar during the pandemic of 2020. Since his debut performance in 2021, Garrett has achieved remarkable success, earning endorsements with Willow Creek Guitars, S.I.T. Strings Co., and an official partnership with Pepsi. His original music has captivated audiences across the United States, and on January 20, 2024, he was awarded the prestigious “2023 Carolina CMA Entertainer of the Year” award. In addition to his performances, Garrett is a skilled songwriter; having written numerous original songs that have led to his nominations for both 2023 and 2024 CCMA Songwriter of the Year. He has performed extensively throughout the Eastern United States, opening for notable acts such as Josh Turner, Marcus King, Drake White, and Tommy DeCarlo of Boston. Garrett’s original music has been featured on multiple radio stations, including 96.9 The Kat, Kicks 103.3, and iHeart Radio. Additionally, Garrett has been spotlighted on local Charlotte TV stations as an emerging country music talent. With an EP set to release this year, Garrett Huffman has quickly proven himself as a force within the country music industry.

Duke Kroll

Serial Entrepreneur | Founder of SellerSlice

Read about Duke

I don’t just build businesses—I build legacies. As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve spent my career scaling brands, driving revenue growth, and leading high-performance teams in the e-commerce and digital marketing space. My journey started with a deep-rooted passion for business, inspired by my grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit and my unwavering belief that I was never meant to have a boss.

When I launched SellerSlice, I left behind a high-paying job, took a 50% pay cut, and had just one client and 30 days to double revenue—so I did. Since then, I’ve helped dozens of brands scale from zero to nine figures in under two years, proving that aggression, strategy, and execution drive real success.

At SellerSlice, we’re more than an agency—we’re partners in the trenches, providing transparent, aggressive, and battle-tested strategies to help brands win on Amazon.

But beyond the numbers, what drives me is simple: my family, my fitness, and my obsession with winning. My personal philosophy? Do hard shit every day. Don’t be a little bitch. If you invest in my companies, you’re investing in me—and I always succeed.

I’m here to build companies that truly help people and create generational wealth. If you're looking for a leader who plays to win, let’s connect.

Brian Pearson

Executive Coach & Business Strategist

Read about Brian

Brian Pearson is the owner and CEO of Brian Pearson Enterprises LLC. He is a seasoned Executive Coach, Business Strategist, and Leadership Consultant with decades of experience guiding business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations toward sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and strategic success. With a background in corporate leadership and business transformation, Brian specializes in executive coaching, systems improvement, problem solving, business strategy, leadership development, and process improvement using LEAN tools and methodologies as a certified LSSGB.

As the founder of a premier executive coaching and business strategy firm. His client list is a who’s who of the elite in the business world. Brian works with business owners, CEOs, and leadership teams to refine their vision, optimize performance, and drive meaningful and measurable results. His expertise spans strategic planning, leadership retreats, problem-solving, change management, and financial decision-making, equipping clients with the insights and tools necessary for long-term success.

Brian's approach is practical, results-driven, and tailored to each client’s unique challenges. Whether coaching executives, facilitating high-impact leadership training, or consulting on organizational culture change, his commitment to empowering leaders and enhancing business performance is at the core of his work.

Beyond coaching, Brian is a highly sought-after speaker and trainer, known for his engaging, insightful sessions on negotiation strategies, operational management, and leadership excellence. He is a certified John Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, specializing in executive coaching, business strategy, and leadership development. He also serves in Maxwell Leadership as an Executive Director and serves on the prestigious Maxwell President’s Advisory Council serving over 60,000 coaches worldwide.

With decades of experience in corporate leadership, industrial engineering, continuous improvement and business transformation, Brian leverages John Maxwell’s proven leadership principles to help executives, business owners, and leadership teams maximize their potential and drive sustainable success. His dedication to professional growth, mentorship, and business innovation continues to inspire leaders to elevate their organizations and achieve their highest potential.

For more information or to connect with J. Brian Pearson, visit www.jbrianpearson.com or email brianpearson@rocketmail.com .

Morgan Uhl

The owner and Creator of Knobēz/ Cabinet hardware decorations.

Read about Morgan

Morgan Uhl is a native Floridian and a graduate of the University of South Florida. Morgan had a creative and entrepreneurial spirit from a very early age. After graduating from the College of Education at USF, she began her professional career as an Elementary Teacher in Tampa, Fl. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, Morgan had her first child and decided to put her professional career on hold to raise her children. Unsatisfied by the local school options for her children, Morgan began homeschooling her 2 children when they became school aged and soon became the Director of their local homeschooling co-op.

Realizing that she did not want to continue teaching her children in middle school, Morgan and her husband decided to send their children to a local private school and Morgan went back to the workforce as a Preschool Director for a local private school. Morgan managed a staff of 17 women, oversaw enrollment of over 70 students, led monthly meetings with the Board, chose age-appropriate curriculum, updated policies and procedures, and managed all marketing and daily operations for the school. Unfortunately, Covid affected the school's enrollment and operational budget for the following year and Morgan decided to return to the classroom at her children's school where she taught third grade for the next 2 years.

It was at the beginning of Morgan's second year of teaching at her children's school when her children requested to return to homeschooling. Morgan left the classroom and has been homeschooling her children with the help of local homeschooling co-ops for the last 2 years. It was in her last year of teaching that the idea of Knobēz came about, and she has been working diligently for the past 2 and a half years to fully launch Knobēz to the market. After a successful launch in the summer of 2023 with the Red Peppermint Knobēz Collection, Morgan added a Pumpkin Knobēz and Peppermint Stick Handles Collection for the 2023 holiday season. Morgan launched her first licensed Knobēz with Peeps this spring and she is now launching her products in boutiques nationwide and is entertaining retail opportunities. Morgan spends her days creating new Knobēz and Handles Collections, fulfilling orders, attending conventions, speaking to college classes, connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, creating social media content, and looking for opportunities to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Steven Greenberg

Known as the “Gadget Guy,” is an experienced reporter, producer, host, and product scout, dedicated to showcasing innovative products in various media formats.

Read about Steven

Steven Greenberg is a Reporter, Producer, Host, “Gadget Guy,” Product Scout— “Gadget Nation” author, contributor on NBC's “Today Show” and other TV stations around the US-- also the host of YouTube’s gadget game show “What The Heck Is That?” Check it out at: www.gadgetgameshow.com —I’m always searching for cool new gadgets & showcasing innovative products in print, online, and on television. Specialties: I have more than 15 years of experience as a television producer and on-camera talent. Though I have covered news, health, science, cooking, home repair, and home design, my area of expertise is innovative products/gadgets/technology. Check out www.gadgetnation.net and www.stevegreenberg.tv. On my YouTube channel @WHATTHEHECKISTHAT for great laughs as people guess the gadget.

Brian Pearson

Executive Coach & Business Strategist

Read about Brian

For more information or to connect with J. Brian Pearson, visit www.jbrianpearson.com or email brianpearson@rocketmail.com .

Jim DeBetta

Jim is a world-renowned invention and product strategist, best-selling author, and former VP of Commercialization for a Shark Tank investor.

Read about Jim

Jim is a world-renowned invention/product expert, award-winning business person, founder of multiple multi-million dollar companies, best-selling author, and a former Vice President of Commercialization for one of the Sharks from the hit reality show Shark Tank. His keen sales and marketing strategies and ability to build successful product based businesses has made him a highly influential and sought-after consultant and mentor.

Jim joined a start up consumer product company as VP of Sales that imported binoculars, telescopes, and optical products for children. His retail customers included a “who’s who” in retail such as Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy, Michael’s, Cabelas, Home Shopping Network, QVC, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon, Costco, and many others. Jim employed nearly 20 people inside and had dozens of sales reps all over the US, Canada, and Europe. Ultimately, Jim helped expand the company from virtually no significant revenue to a leading brand in the industry that has sold more than 100 million dollars of product since the early 2000’s. When Jim was ready for a new adventure, he left the company as President and Chief Operating Officer.

Jim decided he was ready for yet a bigger challenge and joined a leading premium incentive company as their National Key Accounts Manager. Jim represented major national brands for this $200 million a year premium incentive firm such as Apple, Toshiba, Hoover, Sony, Nikon, Movado and others. The products were used to create various incentive programs for fortune 1,000 companies around the world.

Jim has sold nearly a quarter of a billion dollars worth of products to the world’s leading retailers. After a recent stint as an investor on the CNBC reality show Make Me A Millionaire Inventor and the creation of some of the most followed social media groups in the world of inventing, he was the co-host of the popular Get Retail Ready podcast that produced nearly 100 episodes and was a top download on Apple and Google Play. He continues to help thousands of people who aspire to achieve massive success through coaching, writing, podcasting, and speaking at live events. Most recently, Jim was named as an Ambassador to the United Inventors Association - the leading non-profit inventor education and advocacy organization in the USA.

His enthusiastic and “real world” approach to business has allowed people to break free from the everyday restraints that hold so many hopeful entrepreneurs back!

Ginger King

A renowned cosmetic chemist and founder of Grace Kingdom Beauty, where she helps create and launch innovative beauty brands from concept to shelf.

Read about Ginger

Ginger King is an award-winning cosmetic chemist and the founder of Grace Kingdom Beauty a cosmetic product development firm in New Jersey specializing in creating beauty brands from concept to launch including formulation clients can own to maximize profitability.

Ginger holds multiple patents and awards in beauty and prides herself on being Allure magazine’s Beauty Judge for Breakthrough Products since 2017, Yahoo’s Diversity In Beauty Award Judge 2018, Beauty Packaging Award Judge 2019, and New Beauty Magazine Brain Trust since 2020, Iconic Fragrance Judge for Elle Magazine 2023, Iconic Skin Product Judge for Shape Magazine 2023 and NEXT Beauty Innovation Award Judge for Beauty Matter since 2023. In addition to consulting, Ginger’s latest venture is FanLoveBeauty a clean vegan beauty brand inspired by mentor Daymond John of Shark Tank to take care of entrepreneurs’ appearance so they can keep crushing on their goals.

She has been quoted by over 40 beauty magazines including Allure, Self, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar, Shape, Vogue, Oprah, WWD, and Women’s Health. She has been the keynote speaker for brand launches and has spoken at various trade conferences on product development and innovation. Ginger is also a regular TV beauty segment contributor on Good Day Sacramento. She's most recently named the Queen of Cosmetic Chemistry by Elle and appeared on Forbes , Inc, and Success magazine as well as becoming a certified 10X business coach partnering with business mogul Grant Cardone. Lastly, Ginger has been named Top 50 Women Of Influence 2024 by Success Magazine.

Vance Morris

Vance Morris, the former Disney leader behind Chef Mickey’s, now helps home service businesses deliver unforgettable customer experiences and boost profits using his “Return on Experience” system. As a top marketer, author, and speaker, Vance blends Disney magic with direct response strategies to attract high-end clients and build lifelong loyalty.

Read about Vance

Vance Morris — The Experience Engineer
Vance Morris has one of the most unconventional résumés in entrepreneurship. His journey reads like a business fairy tale written by Quentin Tarantino: Birth Control Factory Security Guard → Disney World Leader → Bankrupt Executive → Carpet Cleaner → Multi-Business Owner → International Speaker. Oh, and somewhere in there, he helped design and launch Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s flagship character dining experience.

Vance spent a decade as a leader at Walt Disney World, managing operations at iconic resorts like the Yacht & Beach Club and revitalizing the Contemporary Resort. After leaving Disney (yes, people actually do leave), he became a fixer for major corporations and government agencies—including Tyson, NASA, Legal Seafoods, and even The Executive Office of the President.

Eventually, the suits and spreadsheets lost their appeal, so he bought a carpet cleaning franchise and applied every ounce of Disney magic and direct response marketing he knew. The result? He created a wildly successful local business that attracted affluent clients, crushed his competition, and became a model for small business success.

Now, Vance is the founder of Deliver Service Now!, the only business on earth combining Disney-inspired XPerience Systems with no-fluff, profit-driven direct response marketing. He’s coached everyone from pest control pros to plastic surgeons, spoken alongside legends like Dan Kennedy, Lou Ferrigno, and Daymond John, and held the title of Longest Reigning Marketer of the Year from 2015–2019.

If you’re looking for a speaker who will entertain your audience, challenge their thinking, and give them a proven plan to out-serve, out-market, and out-price their competitors—Vance Morris is your guy.
Vance@DeliverProfitsNow.com | DeliverServiceNow.com

SOME OF THE PREVIOUS PROS

Beyond funding, entrepreneurs gain access to mentorship, industry connections, and strategic advice from their investor "PROS."

Daymond John

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his business operation into its basement.

Read about Daymond

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his business operation into its basement. John is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales world-wide. Former President Barack Obama appointed Daymond John a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) to harness his energy, ideas, and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs both at home and abroad.

John is an award-winning entrepreneur and has received 100s of awards including the Brand Week Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was named #2 on LinkedIn’s Top 20 Voices, a list of the top influencers, who are using their voice to help us analyze today’s changing world of work, navigate our industries, and find balance. Most recently, Real Leaders Magazine named Daymond John one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World in 2022, a list of “real teachers — people who speak from experience.”

His marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands has made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker today. His marketing firm The Shark Group offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world’s top celebrities for everything from endorsements to product extensions.

John is also an author of 5 best-selling books including his New York Times best-selling books, The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). In 2020, John released his fifth book, Powershift, that walks through his tried-and-true process of how to transform any situation, close any deal and achieve any outcome. John’s most recent book is his first for kids. Little Daymond Learns to Earn (March 2023) illustrates the process of starting a business and provides a glossary of financial literacy terms for kids 4-8 years old.

Finally, John is celebrating his 14th season on ABC TV’s critically acclaimed business reality show Shark Tank by renowned producer Mark Burnett, which has reinvigorated entrepreneurship around the world. Shark Tank has now gone on to win five Emmy® in the US and millions of weekly viewers world-wide tune into the show as John demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

Aaron Krause

Aaron Krause, an accomplished entrepreneur and inventor, has made a significant impact with his invention Scrub Daddy, achieving widespread retail success and recognition on Shark Tank.

Read about Aaron

Aron Krause is an accomplished entrepreneur and inventor with more than 20 years of experience in patenting and manufacturing innovative products. With patented products in major big-box retailers by such industry giants as 3M Company, Krause prides himself on hard work, dedication and imagination.

Krause received national attention when he appeared on the ABC show Shark Tank with his invention Scrub Daddy. After successfully pitching the sharks Krause received a capital infusion from inventor and celebrity mogul Lori Greiner. Since then, Krause and Greiner have sold millions of “the smiling sponges” to well-known retailers including QVC, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wal-Mart, ShopRite, and Buy Buy Baby. Scrub Daddy has exceeded $15 million in retail sales and continues to gain recognition as a household brand.

Prior to Scrub Daddy’s success, Krause developed and patented a double-sided buffing pad that solved many problems he encountered in the car detailing business. Krause then refined the pad and developed more car detailing products. Knowing he was onto something, Krause’s mantra summarized what he was most dedicated to: solving problems through innovation. In September 2008, after Krause engaged in discussions with the industry leader in his category, 3M agreed to acquire his inventions.

Krause is currently starting up four other companies, his inventions have earned the attention of several media outlets and have been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as on high-profile TV shows like Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360, New York Live and ABC’s Shark Tank. A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Psychology, Krause plays and coaches ice hockey in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. Although his managerial duties often take him around the globe, he makes time to mentor budding entrepreneurs, and enjoys spending time and traveling with his devoted wife Stephanie, and 8-year-old twins Bryce and Sophie.

Christopher Guerrera

Read about Mr. Guerrera

Mr. Guerrera is an accomplished executive with over 35 years’ experience as a Mechanical Engineer who is a Lean 6 Sigma Manufacturing expert that has successfully led multiple teams through new Product Launch and is known as the "King of Manufacturing". He has enjoyed National Media exposure recently featured on the Shark Tank Season 12 Finale. He is the host of a weekly podcast "Made in America" and is the Vice President of the United Inventors Association. He has been featured on Good Morning America, Shark Tank, and was the Emcee of the Shark Tank panel for the MAKE48 competition hosted by the Smithsonian Lemelson Center in Washington DC. His "Made in America" manufacturing plant is Walmart Certified and his products are displayed alongside such household name products as Scrub Daddy®, Squatty Potty®, Paint Brush Cover®, Drop Stop®, and ReadeRest®, all products that have achieved mass distribution & sales after their appearance on the reality TV series ‘Shark Tank’.

Judy Edwards

Judy Edwards, along with her son Bobby and husband Bill, are the innovative minds behind Squatty Potty® toilet stools, aiming to offer a natural solution for colon health issues.

Read about Judy

Judy Edwards along with son Bobby and husband Bill are the designers and creators of Squatty Potty® toilet stools and the owners of Squatty Potty LLC. Judy is also the Mother of 7 children and 33 grandchildren 7 of which are great grandchildren. Bill and Judy have been married for almost 52 years. Started Squatty Potty at the early age of 60.

We have always been a very health conscious family, but after a lifetime of colon issues Judy was searching for an alternative solution to her problems instead of laxatives. Judy was seeking a natural and inexpensive solution that would help correct and heal the problems she was experiencing. That's when we found a wonderful and simple solution... "Squatting!"

The simple knowledge of getting our knees up while going to the bathroom made a remarkable difference. We searched and searched but we could not find a good solution for putting us into a squatting position while using our toilet. After trying different stools, books and buckets - not to mention stubbing our toes many times (especially in the middle of the night) we decided to take matters into our own hands. That's when we came up with the Squatty Potty® toilet stool.

Squatty Potty wraps perfectly around your existing toilet and easily stores out of the way when not in use. We designed, created, tried and tested and then did it again and again. We thought of everything to make your bathroom experience better and more enjoyable. Squatty Potty is the perfect height, shape and design to work with any toilet. It's comfortable, ergonomic, easy to use, attractive and affordable.

Aaron Cordovez

After a successful career in computer science and software engineering, Aaron Cordovez transitioned to online sales, leveraging his expertise to create significant success on data-heavy marketplaces.

Read about Aaron

Aaron Cordovez - After having great success in the computer science and software engineering world, I moved on to online sales on marketplaces that are heavy on Data. I created overwhelming success rapidly using my previous experience writing for non-profit magazines, high-visibility ghost writer blogs, and understanding of computers and algorithms.

I now provide select Amazon consulting to brands and companies that I believe in, as well as provide software (currently many features are in beta) for E-commerce businesses to thrive. Naturally, this was the route I would go to systematize what could be systematized and help good employees do their jobs more quickly and efficiently.

Rudy Mawer

Investor, Speaker, and Entrepreneur.

Read about Rudy

Rudy Mawer is a successful serial entrepreneur, investor, and CEO with a proven track record of building and scaling multiple businesses across diverse industries. With a background in digital marketing, he has a deep understanding of business growth strategies and has helped both startups and established companies achieve significant success.

As the CEO of several brands, Rudy oversees a team of over 70 professionals, driving innovation and operational excellence. He is well known for his role in co-founding a Marketing Capital group alongside Kevin Harrington, the original "Shark" from Shark Tank. This partnership has enabled him to work with over 50,000 small businesses worldwide, providing them with cutting-edge marketing solutions, strategic advice, and tools for expansion.

Rudy’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by his ability to navigate complex business challenges and identify profitable opportunities. He has become a respected figure in the business community, recognized for his expertise in digital marketing, e-commerce, and business development. Additionally, Rudy is passionate about empowering other entrepreneurs, sharing his insights through various platforms, speaking engagements, and mentorship opportunities.

Known for his forward-thinking approach and innovative mindset, Rudy Mawer continues to inspire business owners globally, helping them scale their operations, increase revenue, and achieve lasting success.

Dara Trujillo

Dara Trujilllo is a seasoned retail executive with over 30 years of experience, bringing innovative strategies to brick and mortar and Disney theme park merchandise, with a focus on maximizing revenue and customer engagement.

Read about Dara

Dara Trujillo is a retail executive with more than 30 years of experience in brick-and-mortar and Disney theme park merchandise with a new focus on television retail. Experienced in brand management, developing signature events and private label lines to grow gross profit, customer perception and awareness. Ability to determine and develop business strategies producing growth opportunities, identify white space and generate points of differential retail to maximize revenue. Negotiation skills partnerships and responsibility are key traits to success. Leader, mentor, excellent presentation skills- concept developer, brand builder, experienced in all aspects of retail development and management. Excellent executive references and current keynote speaker and creator of an entrepreneur business segment for HSN.

Carmine Denisco

A successful Entrepreneur, Inventor, Author, Podcaster, Investor, Carmine Denisco is dedicated to helping inventors navigate the invention and manufacturing process.

Read about Carmine

Carmine Denisco is a successful Entrepreneur, Inventor, Author, Podcaster, Investor, Patent and Trademark Holder. He has designed, developed and manufactured many products sold in retail Stores, TV shopping channels, online and infomercials some have gone on to be licensed by major chain stores. Denisco is dedicated to helping inventors correctly navigate the invention and manufacturing process, giving each inventor their best shot at success. Earmark Sourcing www.earmarksourcing.com is a privately held product development and manufacturing company with one of the largest and fastest growing inventor networks in the world. As leaders in the industry, it is our goal to disrupt the invention industry by re-imagining the development process into the fastest and most cost-effective way to monetize an invention.

Bob Circosta

TV's original home shopping host, has been a monumental figure in creating the multi-billion dollar TV home shopping industry, known for his extensive experience and heartfelt approach to sales.

Read about Bob

TV's ORIGINAL Home Shopping HOST | SPEAKER | AUTHOR and one of the individuals who helped create the multi-billion dollar TV home shopping industry.

Over the past 42 years, Bob has logged over 25,000 hours of LIVE selling on television... made over 75,000 separate product presentations... and has, individually, sold BILLIONS of dollars in merchandise - earning him the title "TV's BILLION DOLLAR MAN."

As a SPEAKER, Bob authentically connects with an audience through his stories of success and challenges, by way of his own personal experiences and by virtue of his beliefs that sales should be about service to others.

Bob received the first-ever "HSN LEGEND AWARD" for his contributions and lifetime achievements in the electronic retailing industry. For more details on this award, visit www.bobcircosta.com

Bob's breakthrough strategies have been proven in the real world and featured on NBC's Dateline, ABC's Good Morning America, The Today Show, 20/20 and in USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.

Today... Bob is the on-air spokesperson for various products on TV, searches for products to market via TV shopping channels and travels the world helping entrepreneurs. He places products on TV shopping channels worldwide and hosts "WHAT A GREAT IDEA with Bob and Chad" on the live shopping channel seen in Canada (tsc).

In addition, Bob helps entrepreneurs launch and market their products, services and ideas via video on various social media platforms.

Over the years, Bob has taught thousands of people how to effectively communicate what they have to others - how to MASTER THEIR MESSAGE. No matter if it's looking through a TV camera... on the telephone... face-to-face...or if you are doing a video, Bob can help you sell more of what you have!

Mike Watts

Mike Watts is an experienced entrepreneur with a track record of founding and exiting multiple successful companies, including striking a deal with Daymond John from Shark Tank.

Read about Mike

Mike Watts is an experienced entrepreneur who has 6 startup companies under his belt including founding three consecutive multi-million dollar companies in the last 10 years. Mike has successful exits from three companies including one for over $6 million and he even struck a deal with Daymond John from Shark Tank. Mike currently serves as CEO of LoveHandle, a fast-growing American manufacturer of patented custom smartphone grips and accessories where he leads a team of 35 full-time employees proudly manufacturing exclusively in the USA. Mike is a regular keynote speaker for entrepreneur and inventor groups as well a guest professor at Texas A&M University's entrepreneur program in College Station. Mike is a 3-time winner of the Aggie 100 Award for fastest growing companies and has been listed on the Fortune 5000 multiple times.

Joe Farco

Joe Farco is an Intellectual Property attorney with extensive experience in all aspects of patent work, from litigation to prosecution, ensuring inventors and businesses protect and leverage their innovations.

Read about Joe

I am an Intellectual Property attorney experienced in trade secret, copyright, and patent litigation (district court, ITC, and USPTO IPR/PTAB proceedings), patent prosecution (writing patent applications and drawings for inventions), patent opinion work (whether your invention is new, and whether your patent is valid and/or enforceable and/or infringed) and licensing/valuation of your IP.

I am experienced in all aspects of patent work: strategic discussions of when and what to file for patent protection, prosecuting patents before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and strengthening a patent after it issues.

If you have a patent or a patent concerning you or your business, I can assist in bringing/defending a lawsuit related to the patent from beginning to end, including trial in district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and in inter parties review proceedings (IPR) in the USPTO. I have been peer reviewed by Super Lawyers and named among New York's Rising Stars in Intellectual Property Litigation for 2012-2019 and was named a Super Lawyer in Intellectual Property Litigation in 2020.

Technology experience areas: Consumer products (toys, product packaging and manufacturing methods, tools and hardware), drugs and cosmetics, biomechanical devices (medical instruments, prosthetics, artificial limbs, etc.); automated mechanical and electronic devices such as generators, turbines, automotive parts, digital cameras, wireless devices, cell phones and web-based media applications.

Chris Landano

Chris Landano, with a rich background in emergency services and invention, is dedicated to protecting inventors through education and advocacy.

Read about Chris

Mr. Landano was born and raised in Queens, New York and is a Patented Inventor & Retired FDNY Firefighter. His passion for helping others began at the age of 12 and in his late teens he began training as an EMT. A few years later, he was promoted to firefighter and served over 20 years with the FDNY, including 9/11. Mr. Landano retired in 2021 to launch his own invention and follow his passion for protecting inventors through education. He is the co-host for the NYC Inventors & Entrepreneurs Club and an Ambassador for the United Inventors Association (UIA). Mr. Landano plays a key role in advocating for inventors and can be found attending tradeshows and industry events nationwide.

Jeff Shavitz

Jeff transitioned from a high-intensity corporate job to entrepreneurship, launching "Spectoculars" and securing a major NFL license.

Read about jeff

Although working 80-100 hours, I didn’t feel vested in the deals and this wasn’t what I wanted in my professional life. I deferred business school and decided to leave my fast-paced, well-paying position to start up a 1-person business; friends would say “what are you thinking?” From my tiny New York apartment while still working on Wall Street, I created “Spectoculars”, a paper folding binocular; in 1991, I received a NFL license and sold 250,000 pairs that were distributed at Super Bowl XXX. Welcome to entrepreneurship!

Several years later, I co-founded Charge Card Systems Inc., a national credit card processing company that helped merchants with their processing requirements including the acceptance of Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

The company grew to over 500 sales agents with 3 regional offices. In 2012, our business was sold to Card Connect, their largest acquisition at that time; in 2017, the company was acquired by First Data for $750 MM.

In the past 20 years, I have started several payments companies working with CEOs and CFOs. I work with them to explain the hidden fees of credit card processing, the 600+ various interchange rates, new regulatory fees, and share new technologies entering our marketplace.

In the past 30 years, I have started 4 companies and served on the advisory board of many start-ups, philanthropic organizations and more established companies.

Regardless of the industry type or size, I enjoy the process of working with business leaders and management teams in helping them achieve their goals (candidly and humbly, we don’t always get there, but we definitely try). I hope that my insights, empathy and my real-life business stories will act as your coach and confidant as you embark on your own journey in the world of business.

Tasha Terria Dennis

Tasha Terria is a highly experienced Credit Specialist and Consultant, boasting over 25 years of expertise in assisting both celebrities and executives with their personal and business credit matters. She is the author of "The Ultimate Credit Tracker,".....

Read about Tasha

Tasha Terria is a seasoned Credit Specialist and Consultant with over 25 years of experience, catering to both celebrities and executives, assisting them with their personal and business credit needs. She's renowned for her expertise, having hosted her own radio show, "Credit Champions," in Lakeland, FL, and authored "The Ultimate Credit Tracker," available at major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Walmart, and Amazon. Tasha's book offers invaluable techniques for increasing, tracking, and disputing credit scores.

Her prowess in the field has earned her the moniker "The Credit Ninja" from ABC's TV Star Daymond John, thanks to her remarkable ability to swiftly remove negative accounts from her clients' credit reports. Tasha's achievements speak volumes, having successfully eliminated over $1 million dollars of bad debt from credit reports.

Driven by a passion for financial education, Tasha aims to empower as many individuals as possible. She envisions establishing a Financial Empowerment Center within her community, offering various training programs on financial literacy and entrepreneurship for the youth.

For more information, visit Tashaterria.com.

Devron "Doc" Dennis

Read about Dennis

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy, a believer in capitalism and the American dream, has thrived within the financial industry for over 34 years, sharing his insights with over 200,000 people.

Read about Sean

Sean Murphy is a graduate of the esteemed McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin. He is a true believer in capitalism and the American dream. For the past 34 years, Sean has thrived within the financial industry and has spoken coast to coast to well over 200,000 people. He has been voted a 5 Star Wealth Manager four times by the Kansas City populace. Currently, he is in the final stages of completing his book; Success Doesn’t Care How You Feel! Sean served for 4 years as the CEO of the Inventors Center of Kansas City (ICKC) widely regarded as one of the nation’s most successful inventor organizations. He remains on the Advisory Board. ICKC’s mission is to assist inventors and entrepreneurs in bringing their products successfully to market. While serving as CEO of ICKC he was one of the principals involved in creating and launching the invention-based TV program now known as Make48. The show is in its 5th season and featured on PBS. Sean has served as both MC and as a presentation coach for contestants on the show. Sean serves as a mentor at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) within the Bloch School of Business E-Scholars program. Students that are accepted to the program are challenged to create an actual business within 9 months that can scale to $5 Million in 5 years.

Sean’s specialties include sales training, time management, and communication.

Trish Dowling

Trish Dowling is an innovative merchant with a strong track record in brand and business building across multiple industries, specializing in direct response, social media, and retail.

Read about Trish

Trish Dowling is an accomplished, innovative merchant with a strong track record of brand and business building in multiple industries. Focus on short form direct response, social media and retail. Excels at creating winning products, brands and promotions, increasing sales and growth to the bottom line. Specializes in entrepreneurial environments and launching, building, and creating businesses in highly competitive marketplaces.

Austin Maxwell

An engineer turned entrepreneur, Austin Maxwell is passionate about startups, culture, and customer service, with a notable appearance on ABC's Shark Tank.

Read about Austin

Austin Maxwell is an engineer turned entrepreneur with a passion for PEOPLE, startups, culture and customer service!

ABC's Shark Tank Season 10, Episode 18

Things I'm pretty OK at:
1. TikTok marketing
2. Event execution & logistics (B2B and DTC trade shows, promotional events, & travel planning)
3. Public speaking with an emphasis on inspiring others to just go for it

December 2017 graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. Wasn't a fan of engineering but it sure helped with problem solving skills, so now we're here!

I also have an insane passion for traveling and creating travel content. My wife and I started social media accounts called @themaxwellstravel which have gained over 750,000 followers across platforms in 2023.

Amy Jo Brogan-Wagner

From a young age, Amy Jo Brogan-Wagner has pursued a successful career in the entertainment industry, transitioning into a resourceful leader in the Product Licensing industry.

Read about Amy Jo

Amy Jo Brogan-Wagner has always had the desire to be a successful career woman. Beginning her career in the entertainment industry as young as age 13, she became a model and actress. By age 15 she earned her SAG card (Screen Actors Guild) by booking a Barbie commercial for Mattel, and by 16 she graduated early so she could work as an adult on set. In this space, these experiences helped her to learn early in life how business is conducted and what contracts are all about, along with many other lessons working in a creative field.

When she hit her early 20’s she wanted to get more involved in business practices focused on sales and marketing. This is when inventing fell into her lap, literally!

Through all the hustle, Amy Jo always had her coffee on-the-go and would spill it either in her truck or on herself almost everyday! She decided to create a spill-resistant coffee tumbler lid that she wanted to bring to market but had absolutely NO CLUE how to do so. After a lot of research and talks with manufacturers, she discovered the path of licensing.

For over ten years, Amy Jo has had the goal to be a credible, helpful leader and resource for those in the Product Licensing industry. Up to date, she has licensed two products of her own, one in the kitchenware industry and the other in the beauty industry.

She has also been working as a Senior Coach for over seven years, helping hundreds of independent inventors learn how to execute the process of licensing successfully. You may know her from her former YouTube channel, Straight 2 Licensing with Amy Jo. You can now find her on her new channel, Products2Market with Amy Jo!

Amy Jo believes you always need to tackle your dreams. Whenever you feel like you have failed, you should view it as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to succeed!

Chris Annoual

Chris Annoual is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in Brand Strategy, Marketing, and Product Innovation, known for his successful ventures including the innovative Pump Pal product.

Read about Chris

Chris Annoual is a serial entrepreneur from Miami, Florida who founded C1 Aerospace – a jet engine sales business that built and sold JT8D jet engines around the world. After realizing his passion wasn’t in aviation he started solving problems in the world with products.

He currently has founded three 7 figure businesses and is building another 2 in public.

Chris most recently founded Pump Pal® a silicone gas glove that protects people's hands from coming into contact with filthy gas pump handles while offering an eco-friendly and sustainable solution. Pump Pal was designed to reduce the spread of bacteria prevalent on gas pump handles while being a safe alternative to disposable plastic gloves offered at gas stations. Within the first year Pump Pal has sold over 100,000 units around the world and has grown to a 7-figure brand.

Pump Pal was invited to an Emmys celebrity gifting event and was featured in Allure magazine with Viola Davis as her favorite holiday gift.

Pump Pal has become a brand trusted by hundreds of thousands of people and continues to create sustainable products.

Chris continues to solve real world problems by building products that people need. He also dedicates his time to helping and mentoring other entrepreneurs and inventors.

Shirah Benarde

Shirah Benarde, the inventor of NightCap, was motivated by a desire to combat drink spiking, creating a practical and comfortable solution for safety in social settings.

Read about Shirah

NightCap was invented by then 16-year-old Shirah Benarde from West Palm Beach, Florida. The idea came to her in a dream after hearing about the horrors of drink spiking from friends who experienced it after going off to college. Fortunately, her friends were okay, but Shirah was determined to come up with a pragmatic solution to this problem that could protect her and her friends when they went off to college. She also wanted to make sure that the product would be something that girls would feel comfortable using. The next morning, she went to her mother’s closet, grabbed a pair of pantyhose, cut them up, and attached them to a scrunchie to create the first prototype. To learn more about NightCap, visit NightCapit.com.

Steven Greenberg

Steven Greenberg, known as the “Gadget Guy,” is an experienced reporter, producer, host, and product scout, dedicated to showcasing innovative products in various media formats.

Read about Steven

Morgan Uhl

Morgan Uhl is the owner and Creator of Knobēz/ Cabinet hardware decorations.

Read about Morgan

Vance Morris

Customer Experience & Customer Service Authority | Keynote Speaker | Coach | Best Selling Author | Vance helps businesses create Customer Experiences that Drive Extraordinary Customer Referrals & Profits.

Read about Vance

My client Ben Settle says it best:
"Vance is by far the single best resource for learning how to merge customer service with direct response marketing to exponentially ratchet up sales I’ve ever heard."

"I hereby declare him the best there is at intelligently & practically discussing merging customer service with direct response marketing — potentially turning your current customers & leads into the bigger, more stable, and more enjoyable business experience, for both you and them"
Bring the magic and profitability of the Disney Experience to your business or practice.

I conduct intensive, behind the scenes and interactive 3 day boot camps for masterminds, member events, businesses and professional practices. These boot camps reveal the secrets the the Disney company uses every day to create magical experiences for their guests and profits for their shareholders.

Attendees will get the exact model (strategies, tactics & workbooks) that I used to design and manage some of Disney's iconic resorts and attractions that delivered world class service and profitability.

Not ready for a boot camp at Disney? I can bring the magic of the Disney experience to your next event as a keynote speaker or conduct seminars.

If your profession deals with interacting with people and providing a service, then there is a lot to be gained from modeling Disney.

As a Public Speaker, I have had the opportunity to speak at events for some great companies: Ben Glass and Great Legal Marketing, GKIC, Dustin Burleson and Burleson Seminars, Joe Polish & Piranha Marketing, Infusionsoft, Dr. Jeff Anzalone & Dental Insiders Circle, Chem-Dry Carpet Franchises, and of course Walt Disney World. I have also been featured on some great podcasts (Outlier, Franchise Connect, Entrepreneur On Fire) as well as NBC, CBS, FOX. For more visit: http://www.VanceMorris.com

I am not your run of the mill customer experience consultant or Disney Way strategist. I still own a Service Company on the Eastern Shore of Maryland where I test my service and marketing strategies. I actually implement my strategies in my own small business before I teach them to others.

Request more information by faxing 410-697-6072 or emailing vance@DeliverProfitsNow.com

David Fedewa

David Fedewa, a negotiations coach and licensing specialist, has successfully coached over 180 students to license their products, combining business acumen with psychological insights to achieve win-win scenarios.

Read about David

David Fedewa, negotiations coach and licensing specialist, has coached over 180 students to successfully license their own products. He has been featured in Inc. and Entrepreneur’s online publications on licensing and negotiation strategy. He has licensed five of his own products, with one being featured on Time magazine, CHIVE, and CNET Father’s Day Product of the Year list. David and his team built the world’s largest actively managed database of companies that license new innovative products. His strengths lie where business and psychology meet. While coaching students through multi-million dollar negotiations, he not only looks at the present deal at hand but teaches strategies that can be used in constructing deals with a win-win scenario throughout life.

Brian Wholehan

Brian Wholeman the inventor of EZ-Shade

Read about Brian

Robert Bruza

Robert Bruza is a business development and retail marketing
professional with over 15 years of experience helping startups
and D2Cs bring new and innovative products to retail.

Read about Robert

Robert's retail background includes retail buying for 27 stores at
Neiman Marcus, retail store merchandise planning with the
Taubman company, and e-commerce product marketing for
clients like Disney, Unilever, Pottery Barn, and Adidas.

Currently, Robert is working with Retailbound, a retail consulting
agency helping startups and D2Cs diversify and grow product
sales by expanding into offline channels like stores, catalog
companies, home shopping, and premium incentive.

Beyond retail, Robert has also been a successful entrepreneur.
He has founded four startups, raised over $15 million in
investment capital, and had 3 successful exits. Robert uses his
startup experience to help product development-heavy
startups assess market fit, define value propositions, and
cultivate their marketing narrative.

Because Robert combines both retail and startup experience he
is uniquely suited to help emerging consumer product
companies better understand and prepare for the challenges of
launch and initial market traction. As a result, Robert is actively
engaged with accelerators and CPG startup communities,
helping them define their business value proposition and
successfully pitch investors.

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