Brooks Powell is the CEO and founder of Cheers. Brooks is a graduate of Princeton University, where he first started Cheers, and later won the University’s inaugural Tiger Entrepreneur Award. While at Princeton, Brooks presented at TEDxPrincetonU on “Taming Alcohol’s Dark Side,” which discussed the intersection of alcohol ethics and…
Where most people see problems, Alexander De Ridder sees potential. From startups to Fortune 100 businesses, he has designed dozens of technologies, ranging from artificial intelligence to application development and marketing technology. He is the co-founder, CTO, and creator of the world’s first AI-powered content performance editor, INK. Prior to…
Kevin Naderi was born and raised in Houston, Texas and opened his first restaurant, Roost, at the age of 25. His culinary roots are planted deep within the Bayou City. Naderi cut his teeth working at Picholine, Madrona Manor, and Houston favorites Brennan’s, Soma, Haven and Saint Genevieve. Roost is…
Margaret Chamblee is a licensed pharmacist, experienced marketing and sales professional, and an accomplished executive recognized for the development and growth of three successful companies over the last two decades. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, where she served…
Adam Lyons is the Founder of The S.M.A.R.T. Blueprint and a renowned, world-class speaker on the subject of business and marketing. Adam’s helped navigate hundreds of companies to increased profits through audience monetization and directing business leaders through crisis media management and public relations. Lyons is a serial entrepreneur that…
Danny Gavin is the Chief Strategist and Founder of Optidge Internet Marketing Agency. Based in Houston Texas, this small boutique agency has helped hundreds of companies of all sizes grow their online presence. When Danny’s not working on an Optidge campaign, he can be found working as Vice-President Director of…
Thomas Nguyen is a co-founder of Peli Peli, a South African full-service concept currently one of the best-reviewed restaurants in Houston on Google, TripAdvisor and Yelp, and Peli Peli Kitchen, a South African fast casual concept that was named Eater Houston’s Fast Casual Concept of 2017. Thomas was featured on…
Alex Kurkowski is the founder of a greeting card startup called Tellinga. He was born and raised in Houston, TX. After completing his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, he started a career in the alcohol industry. After three years of drinking for a living, he decided to transition his…
It’s okay to change. Whatever product you have, whatever idea you have; I think there’s always time to change and to make it better. If it doesn’t get better, you can always redo it. It’s never too late to start over. Jodi Latson grew up in Denver, Colorado. In…
Focus on your core and try to please that one guest you have in mind. This creates the quality in what you do while serving the needs of your target market. Pedro “Pete” Mora is the passionate founder and owner of Fajita Pete’s, the Houston, Texas-based fajita delivery chain….
Set continuous goals, work to meet them strategically & quickly, and measure completion of those goals to determine in a tangible way if they helped your business grow and move forward. Adjust & modify future goals, then repeat! Shayna Pond believes that good professional development trainings should be actionable…