Free Business Topics in Chicago

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Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.

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  Off High Alert: Practical Nervous System Tools for High-Pressure Work Environments

  Ron Martin, Principal, Founder, Executive Coach, Ocean Park Strategic Advisors

  Many capable, high-performing professionals experience stress in their body even when things are going well at work.

  - A tight chest before meetings.
  - A jolt when emails come in.
  - A constant background sense of being “on edge.” MORE >

  This free talk introduces Off High Alert, a practical, body-first approach to understanding and reducing work-related stress that doesn’t rely on mindset shifts, positive thinking, or therapy.

  Participants will learn why the nervous system often stays on high alert in modern work environments and why “just relaxing” rarely works, even for highly competent, prepared professionals.

  This session is especially relevant for people who:

  - Feel physically reactive to emails, meetings, or work interactions before their brain has time to catch up
  - Stay functional and productive while feeling tense or exhausted underneath
  - Don’t want therapy, oversharing, or long emotional processing
  - Want practical tools that can be used during the workday, discreetly and effectively

  During this talk, attendees will:

  - Understand how and why stress shows up physically at work
  - Learn simple, in-the-moment nervous system regulation tools
  - Reframe stress responses without self-blame or pathologizing
  - Leave with a clear, repeatable way to help their body stand down in high-pressure situations

  This is a grounded, practical, work-safe talk designed to meet professionals where they are, without asking them to lower their standards, change who they are, or step away from their careers.

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  From Talent to Income: Turning Creativity into a Business

  Valeria Gershanova, Music Label Manager, MEGAO Inc.

  Creativity is powerful — but talent alone does not build wealth. In this dynamic and practical session, I break down how to transform skills, passion, and artistic ability into sustainable income streams. This presentation explores the shift from thinking like a creator to operating like a CEO. I share real-world strategies on branding, positioning, monetization models, audience building, and execution. Attendees will learn how to package their expertise, create multiple revenue streams, avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes, and move from hobby mindset to business strategy. MORE >

  This talk is designed for creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and aspiring founders who are ready to stop waiting for opportunities — and start building their own.

  Participants will leave with:
  • A clear framework for monetizing their talent
  • Practical strategies to build a personal brand
  • Action steps to launch or scale a creative business
  • A mindset shift from “creative” to “creative entrepreneur”

  This is not just inspiration — it’s a blueprint.

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  Read the Room: Frameworks for Multigenerational Communication

  Gabby Rosely, Consultant, Gabby Rosely LLC

  The US workforce is the most age-diverse it's ever been, with Gen Z now outnumbering Boomers for the first time. Yet most teams are still struggling with the same old generational friction.
  I'm gonna be real with you: generational cohorts are just the starting point. MORE >

  You're not actually going to walk around asking coworkers their age so you can put them in a box. That would be weird. If you know someone’s age but still make assumptions about them, the point is totally missed.

  The POINT is: learning about how worldviews & values are shaped, how to ask the right questions, read the room, and connect with people who think completely differently than you do. This keynote / workshop gives you the tools to do that - with your team, with strangers, with prospective clients - so you stop second-guessing yourself and start building actual trust.

  “Staying in Your Own Lane DOESN’T work in Business” moves beyond tired stereotypes to unlock what actually motivates Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.

  What You'll Experience:
  - Understand the real values and communication preferences driving each generation
  - Interactive exercises that build empathy and reveal hidden strengths
  - Practice the conversations you've been avoiding, like, giving feedback, addressing conflict, motivating people who seem checked out
  - Leave with a personalized strategy to connect authentically with every team member

  The real result? You stop tiptoeing. Your team stops living on islands. You build the kind of trust that makes people actually want to work together. Generational differences become your greatest advantage.

  Why me? I'm a Gen Z leader who managed teams across all four major generations at age 21. I also totally face-planted at first, thinking I could "stay in my lane," do things my way, and it'd all work out. Spoiler: it didn't. I had to learn this stuff the hard way, in the face of everyone doubting me because of my age. (Trained by Gallup-certified Strength Advisors & MetaPerformance Institute, but honestly, the real credential is that I've lived both sides.).

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  Emerging Trends in Fraud Prevention Technology

  Jiaqi Chen, Business Intelligence Analyst

  An insightful analysis of technological innovations transforming the fraud prevention landscape. Through comprehensive trend analysis and industry insights, this presentation examines how emerging technologies are reshaping fraud detection strategies and what organizations need to know to stay ahead of evolving threats.

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  Civility in the Workplace During Turbulent Times

  Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions

  While a discussion on workplace manners and courtesy may seem like overkill, the reality is: rudeness is an epidemic costing industry millions a year. Indeed, what society seems to be gaining in terms of both knowledge and technological advancement, it’s losing out on basic social values that directly impact the bottom line. MORE >

  This discussion introduces the concept of civility, its importance to an organization, as well as its typical causes and effects. Audience leaves with skills needed to effectively practice civil behavior, as well knowledge of different ways organizations can systematize civility in the workplace.

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  Non-Profit Business Strategies

  Lea Ann Skogsberg, Founder, Dollars and Sense

  With 30 years experience, Lea Ann offers customized talks on using social media, blogging, endowment, creating access for middle income donors, fundraising, new business models, grantwriting and trends across sectors.

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  Where’s the Cash?

  John Y. Lafferty, Founder, CFO-Pro

  Helps business owners understand why profits and cash flow differ and how to manage the business more efficiently using this knowledge.

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  Power of Stories for Business

  Valerie Fuson, Author & Certified Speaking Coach, Empowered Speaking

  Whether you are a CEO, entrepreneur, sales professional or business expert, your story is the deciding factor of why people will do business with you. Valerie’s talk shows how to bring your stories to life to attract the ideal client and increase profits.

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  Millennials Are Uniquely Designed for Innovation. Now If I Could Just Understand Them!

  Pamela Bozeman-Evans, Founder & Senior Consultant, ProPlanProject

  Our 21st century problems are very complex and require our best and brightest to solve them. Millennials are uniquely prepared for the challenge. Their parents have positioned them for success and they will boldly transform our world. MORE >

  While this should be exciting news for the corporate and nonprofit community, today's multi-generational workplace struggles to find the sweet spot between Gen X experience and Gen Y exploration. Pamela Bozeman-Evans describes the myths and realities of multi-generational workplaces, and offers best management practices for the "new norm".

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  5 Secrets of Businesses That Actually Thrive (Not Just Survive)

  Amanda Wittenborn, Owner, Amanda Creation Inc.

  Why do some businesses seem to grow with ease while others constantly struggle to stay afloat?
  In this uplifting and practical keynote, Amanda Wittenborn, founder of a multi-million-dollar creative brand, reveals the five hidden factors that separate thriving entrepreneurs from the ones just trying to get by. MORE >

  After losing her business twice—and rebuilding stronger each time—Amanda discovered that lasting success isn’t about luck, trends, or working harder. It’s about mastering five timeless principles that every thriving business has in common.

  With her signature blend of real-world honesty and contagious optimism, Amanda helps audiences uncover what’s really holding them back and shows them how to create momentum, confidence, and clarity in their business again.

  Attendees will learn how to:
  ✅ Identify and focus on the work that actually drives growth
  ✅ Harness mindset and energy as tools for strategic success
  ✅ Build simple systems that support (not suffocate) creativity
  ✅ Stay grounded and resilient when plans fall apart
  ✅ Lead with purpose, authenticity, and joy

  Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or leader in transition, this talk will inspire you to stop surviving—and start truly thriving.

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