How I built this event Speakers & schedule
Wed. March 18, 2026 - Leslie Bryant
One Truck, One Woman, One Hell of a Vision: Building a Legacy on Grit and Integrity
It was 2008. The economy was tanking. And Leslie Bryant made a decision that most people would call crazy: she invested her life savings into an auction-bought truck and launched a paving company in an industry she knew nothing about.
No construction background. No safety net. Just her, her dog Lucy, and an unshakable belief that she could build something real.
For the first 12 years, Lucy was her 24/7 support system—riding shotgun through long days, early mornings, and the kind of uncertainty that comes with starting from zero in a male-dominated industry. Today, it's her wife Jennifer who holds down the homefront, giving Leslie the foundation to lead Bryant Paving—a 20-person, NH DOT-prequalified operation that's become one of the most trusted names in Central New Hampshire.
But here's what sets Leslie apart: she didn't just build a business—she built a reputation. In an industry where corners get cut and promises get broken, Bryant Paving does the opposite. Quality work. Direct communication. Professional results. Every time.
In this raw and inspiring session, Leslie shares what it took to go from one truck to a thriving team, how she earned respect in an industry that didn't expect her, and why doing things right is the only competitive advantage that matters. From managing growth to building loyalty, creating systems that scale, and leading with integrity when it would be easier not to—she'll give you the real story behind the asphalt.
Expect honest talk, hard-won lessons, and a reminder that sometimes the best business strategy is simply refusing to compromise.
If you've ever felt like the outsider trying to break in—this one's for you.
Wed. April 8, 2026 - Terry Clayton
The Chemistry of Building Things That Matter
Most people think chemistry is boring. Lab coats, beakers, incomprehensible formulas scribbled on whiteboards.
But what if chemistry is actually the secret language of making impossible things real?
Meet Terry Clayton—a PhD chemist who's spent his career turning molecular curiosity into products you didn't know changed your world. From designing brain-stimulating drugs that made the cover of medical journals to engineering the iconic color-changing mountains on Coors cans (yes, really), Terry's work proves that the best innovations happen when science meets scrappy problem-solving.
Over two decades, he's launched manufacturing plants from the Rocky Mountains to Warsaw, Poland. He's worked with global chemical giants and boutique labs alike. He's scaled startups, built QC systems from scratch, and wrapped it all up with executive leadership training at Harvard Business School.
Now based in the Lakes Region, Terry runs his own development laboratory—but he's still that kid from the Midwest who just loves figuring out how things work and how to make them better, faster, and scalable.
In this session, Terry pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to go from concept to creation. Whether you're launching a product, scaling operations, or sitting on an idea you're not sure how to bring to life, he'll share the frameworks, the failures, and the "aha" moments that turned chemistry into commercial success.
Expect zero jargon, real-world stories, and a fresh perspective on what "product development" actually means when you're building something that matters.
If you've ever thought, "I have this idea, but I don't know how to make it real," this is your session.
Mon. May 11, 2026 - Craig & Kristin Jordan
First Jobs, Fresh Starts, and the Power of Showing Up: Leadership Lessons from the Front Counter
What do you do when a teenager shows up for their first shift—nervous, eager, maybe a little awkward—and you realize you're not just their boss, you're shaping how they'll show up to work for the rest of their lives?
Meet Craig and Kristin Jordan, the husband-and-wife team who turned Jordan's Ice Creamery into a Lakes Region legend before making the bittersweet decision to invest in something new: The Village Store, a historic gem in the heart of Gilford Village.
But here's what makes their story different: they didn't just build businesses—they built people. For years, Craig and Kristin have been on the front lines of youth employment, navigating the beautiful chaos of first jobs, tentative confidence, and the growing pains that come with learning how to lead, communicate, and take ownership.
They know what it's like to watch a shy 16-year-old transform into a confident team leader. They've mastered the art of balancing high standards with grace, teaching work ethic without crushing spirit, and creating a culture where young people don't just clock in—they grow up.
In this heartfelt and practical session, Craig and Kristin share what they've learned about hiring, training, and leading young employees in a way that honors their potential while building a business that thrives. From managing the timidness to channeling the eagerness, they'll give you the tools to turn entry-level hires into your greatest success story.
Expect real talk, relatable struggles, and a fresh perspective on what it means to invest in the next generation—one shift at a time.
If you've ever thought, "How do I help young employees succeed without lowering my standards?"—this session is for you.
Wed. June 3, 2026 - Cole Glaude
The Obstacle Is the Opportunity: Building a Business on Creative Problem-Solving
Most entrepreneurs hit a wall and ask, "How do I get around this?"
Cole Glaude asks a different question: "What can I build with it?"
Cole is the kind of business owner who doesn't see problems—he sees raw material. Vendor can't deliver on time? Make it yourself. Waffle cones arriving broken? Perfect your own recipe. Line too long? Redesign the entire service model. Growth exposing cracks in your system? Rebuild the foundation.
From his graphic design days in New York City to launching Sunday's Scoops and Treats in Concord to opening Social Club Creamery right here in Lakeport, Cole has proven that the best entrepreneurs aren't the ones who avoid obstacles—they're the ones who turn constraints into competitive advantages.
Whether it's crafting ice cream flavors that push boundaries, engineering a business model that scales without breaking, or pivoting fast when something isn't working, Cole's approach is equal parts creative and scrappy. He doesn't wait for perfect conditions—he makes things work with what he's got, and when that's not enough, he builds what's missing.
In this energizing session, Cole pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to stay agile in business. From recognizing when obstacles are actually opportunities in disguise to building systems that give you control instead of chaos, creating a brand that stands out in a crowded market, and having the guts to pivot when growth demands it—he'll share the mindset and moves that turned ice cream into a masterclass in adaptive entrepreneurship.
Expect real stories, creative strategies, and a fresh perspective on what it means to build something from scratch when "scratch" keeps changing.
If you've ever felt like every step forward brings three new problems—this is your session.
Wed. August 19, 2026 - Mary Leddy
From the Back Seat to 500 Strong: Building a Business That Shares the Wealth
Her father started with nothing but a dream and the back seat of his car.
Today, Mary Leddy leads a company that employs over 500 people across multiple brands—and she just made a move that most business owners never consider: she gave her employees ownership.
In 2022, Leddy Group implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), a bold decision that wasn't just about business strategy—it was about legacy, loyalty, and creating generational wealth for the people who built the company alongside her.
This isn't your typical staffing story. Mary didn't just inherit a business and keep it running—she evolved it, expanded it, and made a radical choice to share success with the team that makes it all possible. From the Leddy Group to Masiello Employment and Moore Staffing, she's built an ecosystem rooted in one core belief: put the right people in the right places, and extraordinary things happen.
In this powerful session, Mary shares what it takes to scale a family business without losing your soul, how to lead with values when growth gets complicated, and why giving employees a stake in the outcome might be the smartest (and most human) business decision you'll ever make.
Expect honest insight on succession, the messy middle of scaling, and what it really means to build something that lasts beyond you.
If you've ever wondered how to grow with your people instead of just because of them—this one's a must.
Wed. September 9, 2026 - Wes Kogelman
The Connector Effect: How to Build Businesses People Actually Want to Support
Some people just have it—that rare ability to walk into a room and instantly make things happen. Ideas flow. Opportunities surface. People lean in.
Meet Wes Kogelman, a serial entrepreneur whose superpower isn't just building profitable businesses (though he's done that multiple times)—it's his ability to connect, engage, and move people to action.
Wes saw the future of the internet in 2000 when most people were still figuring out email. While finishing his degree at University of Tampa, he launched BuyaTimeshare.com—and turned it profitable in two months. By year two, the company was generating over $1 million annually. By 2010 and 2011, it landed on Inc. Magazine's prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies.
But Wes didn't stop there. He brought that same entrepreneurial vision to the Lakes Region with MI-BOX, making moving and storage easier for families and businesses across Central and Western New Hampshire. Along the way, he's built a reputation as a community leader whose energy and authenticity create opportunities wherever he goes.
In this high-energy session, Wes shares what it really takes to build businesses that don't just succeed on paper—they thrive because people believe in them. From spotting opportunities early to building teams that care, creating customer experiences that stick, and showing up as a leader people want to follow, Wes will break down the mindset and strategies that have fueled his success across multiple industries.
Expect straight talk, infectious energy, and actionable insight on what it means to be the kind of entrepreneur who doesn't just build companies—you build community.
If you've ever wondered how some people just seem to make business look easy, this is your chance to learn their playbook.
Wed. October 21, 2026 - Keith McBey & Barry Salta
Building People, Not Just Projects: The Mentorship Model That Solves Retention
Everyone's complaining about the same thing: "We can't find good people. We can't keep them. Nobody wants to work anymore."
Keith McBey and Barry Salta aren't having that conversation. And they haven't since day one.
As the leaders of BPS Construction Management, they've built something rare in the construction industry—a company where people don't just show up for a paycheck, they stay for a career. Where loyalty isn't demanded, it's earned. Where the team isn't just coworkers—they're family. And where the next generation of leadership isn't recruited from the outside—it's grown from within.
While other companies scramble to fill positions and fight turnover, BPS has quietly mastered what most businesses struggle with: creating a culture where people want to build their future, not just their resume.
How? Through a mentorship philosophy that prioritizes individual growth, career pathing, and a leadership transition model that empowers people to step up and lead—not because they have to, but because they're ready.
In this powerful session, Keith and Barry pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a team that sticks. From hiring with potential in mind to developing people beyond their job descriptions, creating pathways for growth, and passing the torch to the leaders you've built—they'll share the systems, mindset, and heart behind a business model that makes retention problems disappear.
Expect real strategies, honest insight, and a fresh take on what leadership actually looks like when you're building something meant to last generations.
If you've ever thought, "How do I get my team to care as much as I do?"—this is the session that answers it.