2025 SBOC Events
Call for Speakers

The SBOC is on the hunt for the most engaging and compelling speakers to serve our community of solopreneurs and service-based small business owners. Using this form, you may submit your application to be considered for our 2025 events. If you’re a speaker that wants to build your portfolio, make an impact, and share stages with awesome colleagues, this is an opportunity for you. Past speakers include: Mel Robbins, Jesse Cole, Mike Michalowicz, Marcus Lemonis, Precious L. Williams, and many more. 

In 2025 we will host virtual meet-ups, our annual Virtual Summit in April, and our main event:
the 5th Annual Small Business Owners Community Conference presented by Horicon Bank in the fall. 

What we’re seeking: Knowledgeable, helpful speakers that want to share their expertise with our community of entrepreneurs that are working together to solve problems, capture opportunities, and get more done.
Topics that work: small business strategy, AI/Technology, sales, mindset, marketing, productivity, money, public speaking, positioning, HR topics, inspiration, planning, systems, etc. If you don’t see your topic on the list - that’s OK!
Pitch us why your topic is a MUST HEAR event for our community.

What we’re NOT seeking: A sales pitch, book launch, or podcast plug disguised as a talk - we don’t allow selling on our stages. Also, please do not share that you can “talk on anything we need.” We will go through hundreds of applicants and we need to know what you have to share so we can properly consider you as a speaker.

Format: We're looking for talks and workshops. Our community is hungry for education and installation - if you can teach a concept and lead us through a workshop to install it, I’m all ears. We also strongly encourage our speakers to take Q&A after their talks when available. Sometimes a few questions and role playing can help your message make a bigger impact.

Opportunities: We have virtual and in-person opportunities with time slots ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. The April 29 Virtual Summit is going to be huge - our biggest-name keynote guest yet will soon be announced. The Fall conference is now confirmed.

Compensation: Some of our stages are paid, some are not. Our Virtual Summit in April has two speaking slots available. These slots are 30 minutes with Q&A and unpaid. While I would like to pay every speaker, we’re still growing the community and our budget is not what I’d like it to eventually be. If that’s a problem, I understand, and perhaps we can get you on our stage in the future. We do have a speaker budget for the fall conference, please let me know what you require. Independent of cash compensation, I offer speakers at our fall conference an ad in the conference program and admission to the event. We also tape our Fall Conference and you’ll receive the video for your use.  

What to Expect: To be considered, please complete the form below by 3/2/25. I will not review speaker applications sent via email or direct message. Once the application period closes, we will review our applicants and reach out to those we’d like to speak. 

Thank you for your interest in the Small Business Owners Community. We are building something special to serve solopreneurs and small business owners. With your expertise and education - anything is possible!