Presented by Tom White
Innovation is the lifeblood of any industry, and the business world is no exception. These 8 entrepreneurs, leaders and visionaries have achieved great success in their careers and serve as role models for those who aspire to make a difference in the world. They showed that with determination, creativity and a willingness to take risks, anything is possible.
An icon of graceful reinvention, Max Panych is a former professional athlete turned entrepreneur whose success is rooted in his no-nonsense, data-driven approach. With his background in mixed martial arts, Max knows a thing or two about discipline and determination. He built a successful six figure PR and SEO agency called Akita Digital and helped grow several brands to seven and eight figures in revenue by increasing online traffic through digital PR and link building.
He left Google at 24 and by 26 was already running a successful business. Max believes that for aspiring business owners, cultivating a mentoring connection is crucial. A mentor provides valuable knowledge and experience to help you grow—both professionally and personally—and can guide you in setting goals and staying accountable.
Given that Web3 is in its infancy, it takes a visionary to truly create a productive landscape of the entire space. Guy Sheetrit, is one of those visionaries. He is a rising star in SEO and cryptocurrency and was named one of the top five SEO authorities in the world by Inc.
Over the past five years, Sheetrit, the creator and CEO of Over The Top SEO (OTT), has generated over $1 billion for his companies using unique marketing techniques. Sheetrit made a name for itself in the crypto sector as an early investment in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. With 37 projects launched and 14 sold in 2022 alone, Sheetrit is a renowned authority on cutting-edge digital platforms such as Metaverse, blockchain and NFT, representing well-known businesses such as TedX, SkyScanner.com, FindUSNow.com, CryptoExchange.com and Hot. com.
No other platform knows top innovators better than KOL. KOL, or Key Opinion Leader, is the company that is changing the way we think about and measure influence. This team uses data science to identify the level of influence of millions of people on specific concepts.
Backed by strong science and a drive for trends, KOL is shaking things up in every industry with its cutting-edge technology. Their team of ex-Google engineers has taken on the monumental task of producing objective influencer data for millions of individuals, and it’s paying off. Think of KOLs as the Google of experts and influencers. Just like Google ranks web pages, KOLs rank people—and they’re changing the game for brands and businesses everywhere. The company is also working on physician-driven health guides.
Innovation in the health sector is undoubtedly one of the most impactful projects. Umesh Srivastava has dedicated 15 years of his professional career to value-driven healthcare through technology innovation, data enablement, business intelligence, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Umesh is the CTO and Digital Innovation Officer at Clever Care Health Plan, leading everything in technology, data, analytics and digital enablement. He was previously CTO at P3 Health Partners. He also led innovation and business transformation for Optum Care California and consulted for enterprises such as Kaiser Permanente, Toyota and Verizon. Umesh holds a BA in Electronics and Communications Engineering, MS in Engineering Management, and numerous executive certifications in Management, AI, Finance, and Entrepreneurship.
It takes a true innovator to discover another, and Brian D. Evans has built his career on this intuition. Brian is the ultimate entrepreneur and risk taker. He is always looking for the next big thing and his track record speaks for itself. From blockchain and crypto to advertising and marketing, Brian has a passion for many industries and is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Brian is the founder of Affinity.xyz, a global web3 collective.
He is a true visionary, always thinking one step ahead of the game. With his finger on the pulse of the latest trends, he is able to identify opportunities where others cannot and turn them into successful businesses. He is a master networker and has built a vast network of connections that he uses to help others succeed. With his intuition for finding and nurturing early opportunities, Brian is a force to be reckoned with in the business world.
Dave Carroll is a good example of reinvention, turning challenges into victories. After serving time in prison, Dave pursued a better life as a business owner and vowed to make a positive impact on people. After he was released, he started a window cleaning company and built it into a seven-figure business before retiring completely after six years.
He then founded DOPE Marketing, a company that helps small businesses send automated direct mail with no minimum order. In just two years, DOPE Marketing has grown to $5 million in revenue and has over 50 employees.
Dave’s mission is to change the way small businesses look at direct mail and help them build relationships with new customers through personalized and automated strategies. With a fifth child on the way and a desire to help others, Dave is on a mission to improve himself and help many companies shake up the print industry and make direct mail work for everyone.
Isabella Acosta
Fashion is a space that celebrates innovation and refreshing risks. Isabella Acosta-Reina is a master at this. As the founder and designer of On9thst Inc., Isabella exhibits an incredible work ethic and takes a no-nonsense approach. She sacrificed a lot to get where she is today, including leaving her old life behind and driving across the country to attend fashion school.
But her work paid off, and she’s now created collections for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Guns & Roses, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Nike. Armed with talent and grit, Isabella is on track to become the largest clothing manufacturing company in the US.
Coach Sonia is among the top business and life coaches in North America. She is an international speaker, entrepreneur and a powerhouse when it comes to helping others unlock their minds and potential. Sonia’s coaching method is her own and involves a 360 approach to life; from mindset, to body, relationships, business and personal branding.
Coach Sonia is on the rise with great success in Canada and the United States and has taken European and other international markets by storm.
These groundbreaking stories serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of personal growth and the impact it can have on the world. These individuals have shown that by constantly pushing boundaries, rethinking the status quo, and investing in themselves, anyone can have success within their reach. Their stories are an inspiration for everyone to prioritize personal growth and strive to make a positive impact on the world.