Paul and Sarah Edwards

Keynote Speakers: Paul and Sarah Edwards

Copreneurs Paul and Sarah Edwards are award-winning authors of 17 books with over two million copies in print. Sarah,  a licensed clinical social worker with a Ph.D. in ecopsychology and Paul, a JD and public affairs specialist, are recognized as pioneers in the working from home field. They have hosted television and radio shows on this topic for 20 years. With the emergence of a global economy that challenges the environment, our personal, family, and community well-being, they are focusing their efforts on finding pathways to transition to a sustainable Elm Street economy. They describe an Elm Street Economy as one which provides jobs that last, services one can depend on, and a secure future in a strong community and a healthy environment where people come first. Together the Edwards co-direct Let’s Live Local, a non-profit Transition Initiative in Pine Mountain Club, CA, formed in 2005. Their most recent book is Middle Class Life Boat, Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy. The Edwards’ principal web site is www.PathwaystoTransition.com.

Brett and Leila Johnson

Opening and Closing Sessions: Brett and Leila Johnson

Brett and Leila Johnson co-founded the National Copreneur Society in 2007 to celebrate and support entrepreneurial couples (copreneurs). After working together since 2003 and meeting other entrepreneurial couples, they realized that, well, there’s just something “different” about being a couple AND being entrepreneurs. The joys and the challenges really aren’t discussed in other business or couple networking groups.

Brett serves as Board Chair and Leila serves as Executive Director of the Society. Together, they also own and manage Data-Scribe®, a full-service, boutique Web solutions firm based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA. Brett and Leila’s websites are www.copreneursociety.org and www.datascribe.biz.

Jean Charles

Jean Charles is a business, coach, a licensed healthcare professional, and an entrepreneur. Over the past twenty years, she has built several successful small businesses, both on her own, and in partnership with her husband, Tom. Their most successful company – launched with a $250 investment – ultimately sold for millions at a buying price valued at ten times the company’s earnings. Jean Charles’ website is www.couplepreneurs.com.

Henry Chow and Marissa Carlos

Henry Chow and Marissa Carlos are partners, both in life and business, and are based in Australia.

Marissa Carlos is a business and personal success coach and speaker, specialising in small business development. She is the founder of Maximum Coaching Company Pty Ltd, and co-founder of Success Uncovered Club (www.SuccessUncoveredClub.com), a portal to online coaching and mentoring programs for partners in business.

Henry Chow is a speaker and a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) who advises a range of individuals, businesses and small corporate on their tax and business matters. He is the founder of Tax Liaison, a firm specialising in accounting, business services for small business owners, property investors and individuals. Henry is also the co-founder of Success Uncovered Club and a director of Maximum Coaching Company Pty Ltd.

Jill Helmle

Jill Helmle is a doctoral candidate in communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as an instructor of interpersonal communication at Santa Barbara City College.  She studies copreneurs and work-family balance, and has a background in management consulting.  Jill is also the mother of two young sons and has been married to her husband, Chad, for 12 years. Jill Helmle’s website is www.JillHelmle.com.

Patty Newbold

Patty Newbold, President of Enjoy Being Married, LLC, gets a kick out of sharing her message of hope for marriages through in-person events as well as her teleclasses, podcasts, and eBooks. Patty Newbold’s websites are www.EnjoyBeingMarried.com and www.AssumeLove.com.

Joanne Pratt

Joanne Pratt has been called “exceptionally interesting and talented. Her work is innovative, leading edge, and intriguing. And she is making a significant impact in a number of different arenas.”

Her work and interests are focused on what will happen next in our rapidly changing environment. Therefore her title is Joanne Pratt, futurist. And she is the Founder and President of Joanne H. Pratt Associates.

With degrees from Oberlin College and Harvard University, and as an internationally known consultant, researcher, and speaker on business trends—she is widely cited in scholarly and trade publications. Early in her career, when laid off from the oil industry with a consulting contract, she became a home-based business. A status that was not very fashionable at the time—but one that would lead to her current career path and to the international reputation that she now enjoys. Joanne Pratt’s website is www.joannepratt.com.  She has also been quoted in a recent USA Today article link.

Kerri Salls

Kerri Salls, Business Advisor to Solo-preneurs and Consultants, founded Breakthrough Enterprise LLC in 1999 to build a business foundation for overwhelmed, besieged solo-preneurs and consultants to turn their business dreams into prosperous businesses. Kerri works exclusively with sole proprietors who want to build dynamic streamlined businesses that give them more time for fun, family and freedom. Kerri Salls’ websites are www.breakthroughenterprise.com, www.breakthrough-enterprise.com, and www.solo-success.com

Becky Stewart-Gross, Ph.D

Becky Stewart-Gross, Ph.D., and Mike Gross, Ed.D. have been business partners and life partners since their marriage 16 years ago.

As business partners Becky conducts leadership and sales seminars while Mike handles the business, marketing, and publication activities for their company, Building Bridges. Becky is the founder and President of the company, which serves small family businesses as well as Fortune 500 companies. Mike supported Becky’s business part-time during his career as a school administrator and upon retiring in 2001 joined Becky’s business full-time.

Becky and Mike recently published their second book titled, Sleeping With Your Business Partner: A Communication Toolkit for Couples in Business Together. Becky and Mike’s website is www.sleepingwithyourbusinesspartner.com.