Small Business & Startup Summit 2025 Sessions

(People, Culture, Vision Track) Discover practical strategies to build a high-performing workplace culture. This session explores leading with core values, fostering growth through feedback, and developing authentic leadership. Attendees will leave with three actionable tools they can immediately apply in their organizations.

(Marketing & Sales Track) Examine your marketing through the eyes of your customer in this interactive workshop. Attendees will explore the seven stages of the customer journey, asking key questions to uncover expectations, evaluate current efforts, and identify areas for improvement. Walk away with a clearer path to move customers forward with confidence.

(Resilience and Growth in Small Business Track) Explore how to align Artificial Intelligence with your people, culture, and vision for lasting impact. This session provides a practical framework for building an AI strategy that empowers employees, strengthens collaboration, and reinforces organizational purpose. Walk away with actionable insights to create an AI roadmap that is innovative, ethical, and sustainable for your business.

(Finance/HR Track) Simplify your business finances with practical accounting strategies designed for busy owners. This session highlights common pitfalls, simple fixes, and easy systems to keep your books clear and reliable. Walk away with the confidence to make smarter financial decisions and keep your business on track for growth.

(People, Culture, Vision Track) Tackle the accountability gap that challenges so many organizations today. This session explores why accountability is essential yet often missing, and offers practical steps to strengthen it at every level. Walk away with strategies to build a culture of ownership, responsibility, and results.

(Marketing & Sales Track) Harness the power of AI to transform your marketing and business growth. This session explores practical tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to streamline workflows, cut costs, and boost ROI. Walk away with hands-on strategies and the confidence to integrate AI into your business in meaningful ways.

(Resilience and Growth in Small Business Track) Gain real-world insight into the hidden challenges of small business ownership. Matthew Carroll shares lessons from his journey growing and leading service-based businesses, tackling financial pressures, labor shortages, policy shifts, and the mental hurdles of leadership. Walk away with practical decision-making frameworks, tools to navigate uncertainty, and a renewed sense of grit to keep pushing forward.

(Finance/HR Track) Explore the unique financial challenges and opportunities of business ownership. This session covers strategies to build value, minimize risk, and prepare for continuity or exit, with practical insights on tax reduction, team development, and asset protection. Walk away with a clearer roadmap to secure both your business and personal financial future.

(People, Culture, Vision Track) Take a step back and evaluate your impact, mindset, and daily choices at work. This high-energy session challenges individuals and leaders alike to own their careers, relationships, and workplace contributions while prioritizing well-being. Walk away with fresh motivation and practical steps to become your best self at work.

(Marketing & Sales Track) Learn how to market smarter—not harder—with creative strategies that don’t require a big budget. This idea-packed session shares free and low-cost tools, simple local tactics, and content strategies that build visibility and growth. Walk away with ready-to-use steps to get noticed, stay consistent, and drive results in your business.

(Resilience and Growth in Small Business Track) Change is inevitable, but navigating it with confidence makes all the difference. This session equips you with tools to adapt to uncertainty, strengthen team resilience, and maintain reliability in evolving environments. Walk away with strategies to transform change into opportunity and foster a culture ready for what’s next.

(Resilience and Growth in Small Business Track) Bridge generational divides and strengthen workplace connections across all ages. This uplifting session highlights the strengths of each generation, explores perceptions and misunderstandings, and builds human-centered communication skills. Walk away with practical ways to foster inclusivity, deepen relationships, and create a culture where everyone can thrive.

(People, Culture, Vision Track) Turn your passion into a purposeful business with insights from Beautiful Strength’s journey. This session explores the mindset shifts, risks, and steps needed to transform an idea into impact while staying true to your values. Walk away inspired and equipped with practical tools to move your dream from concept to action.

(Marketing & Sales Track) Transform networking from a challenge into a powerful growth tool. This session covers why networking matters, how to thrive at events, and what to do afterward to build lasting connections. Walk away with practical skills to grow your influence, strengthen relationships, and drive business success.

(Resilience and Growth in Small Business Track) Reflect on your leadership motivations and values to better serve those you lead. This session explores the concept of “leadership capital,” balancing personal well-being with the demands of guiding others, and creating environments of ownership and resilience. Walk away with tools to strengthen your leadership impact and be who your team needs you to be.