Speaking and consulting
Real stories from four decades in business, practical ideas your audience can use right away, and more than a few laughs along the way.
Ted speaks on entrepreneurship, business growth, and building communities where entrepreneurs thrive. He's done all three himself: as an employee, a founder, a franchise owner, an incubator CEO, and a university instructor.
Signature talks
Every talk can be shaped around your audience, your theme, and your time slot.
Keynote
Why one intentional connection does more than a hundred networking events. Ted shares the conversations that changed the course of his own businesses and leaves your audience with a simple practice for building relationships that matter.
A good fit for conferences, chambers of commerce, and member events.
Keynote or fireside chat
A lighthearted, practical look at working across generations. What a baby boomer's experience and a millennial's mindset can teach each other about change, purpose, and why collaboration beats hierarchy.
A good fit for leadership teams, associations, multigenerational workplaces, and university audiences.
Workshop
Lessons from more than fifteen years leading the Innovation Connector and supporting over 1,000 entrepreneurs. What incubators, economic developers, and community leaders can do to grow businesses where they live.
A good fit for incubators, accelerators, economic development groups, and community leaders.
Keynote or workshop
Starting before you feel ready, making the leap from employee to owner, growing with systems and people, and planning for what comes after the sale. The practical side of the book, drawn from a manufacturing company, four franchise locations, and a lot of lessons learned.
A good fit for business owners, founder programs, and students.
Consulting
Beyond the stage, Ted advises founders, business owners, and the organizations that support them.
Audiences
In person across the Midwest and beyond, or by video anywhere.
Ted's optimism, warmth, and competence make people feel welcome and ready to do the hard work of entrepreneurship.
Karl R. LaPan
Inquiries
Send Ted a note with a few details and he'll get back to you. Ordering books for attendees? Mention that too.
Launch news, where Ted is speaking next, and the occasional story worth passing along.