Niels is a Navy veteran and the CEO & Founder of KontactIntelligence, MedCV, VetCV, & VeritasHealthCare. His passion for helping others is obvious from the first conversation. He’s a serial entrepreneur and is using his success to pay it forward in the veteran community with VetCV.

He has over 35 years in enterprise tech development focused on the business of healthcare for commercial and government health systems, physicians, advanced practice providers, and other allied health professionals. He’s an industry writer and public speaker in tech entrepreneurship and healthcare with published articles in New England Journal of Medicine’s Recruiting Physicians Today, CHEST, Association of Staff Physician Recruiters publications, and others.

His most recent tech launches were MedCV and VetCV. MedCV is a Private Credentialing Vault and Practice Resources App enabling physicians and healthcare professionals control and manage their licenses, certifications, CME, and many other critical components needed to maintain their careers and practices.

VetCV puts Veterans in control again. VetCV is a Web App created by Veterans, for Veterans, providing Active Military, Veterans, and their families with a secure, safe, online Vault to help deliver “Life” tools and resources we can all use as we move through life’s next adventures.

As the co-founder and CEO, Pepper Wooten is a seasoned spiritual guide with over 20 years of experience in the world of soul-level healing. She’s your go-to guru for wisdom and whole-being transformation, and she’s all about helping you navigate your unique life journey.

Pepper’s teachings are the real deal, no fluff or nonsense. She offers a straightforward path to liberation and self-empowerment. Her methods are fresh, drawing from ancient wisdom and tailored for today’s world. So, whether you’re battling challenges, searching for your purpose, or just craving a big positive change, Pepper’s got your back.  

With a deep understanding of nervous system regulation, she provides holistic healing and guidance that goes beyond the ordinary.  Join her on the exciting journey of the Worrier to Warrior Program, and get ready to embrace healing, empowerment, and a world of endless possibilities. It’s #PeppTalkTime, and you won’t want to miss it! 🌟💪

CHRISSANNE LONG

We are Maximize Digital Media, a digital marketing company specializing in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs with online marketing strategies. We are known for our coaching skills in the fields of Website Design, Internet Marketing, Social Media, and Search Engine Optimization.

Creating beautiful, obtainable websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs is our passion. Providing those same businesses with the marketing strategies to propel them forward is the work that we’re proud of. And empowering others to learn and master the tools and techniques that will drive their continued success is our ultimate goal.

Our team is filled with people who live and breathe marketing strategy, who hold a brand’s website in the same regard as a piece of artwork, and who make it their personal mission to see a client succeed. We believe in telling a client’s story, painting a masterpiece with it, and marketing it with heart.

We are committed to making a meaningful difference in our community. Chrissanne and Craig are the creators of Lakeland Business Leaders, a local business network that connects local solutions to customers in real-time. Maximize, together with BRIDGE Local, stands behind small businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-ups.

LARRY SCHULER
CEO/Founder
Schu’s Hospitality Group, LLC

Larry “Schu” Schuler is currently the CEO/Founder of Schu’s Hospitality Group, LLC, a hospitality management and consultancy company formed in 2010. Larry has an eye toward becoming the premier provider of guest services in Central Florida through Superior Guest Insight™ and the delivery of Surprising Hospitality™ – his passion in a world that has, sadly, left guest insight and remarkable hospitality by the wayside. A leading achievement of Schu’s Hospitality Group was providing management and strategic development of the food operations and staff to prestigious Dearborn, MI client The Henry Ford’s $16M dining experiences. His role helped propel The Henry Ford to the forefront of Detroit’s food movement prior to his relocation to Tampa.

Schu is a fourth-generation restaurateur who began his hospitality career early and who has extensive experience and a proven track record in the restaurant/hospitality business. Encouraged by his grandfather, Win Schuler, and father, Hans, Schu vigorously pursued a broad, well-rounded work experience in hospitality management which led to employment with the Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa, CA in 1982, and the Westin Hotel Galleria in Dallas, TX. Schu returned to his Michigan roots in 1986 and became Vice President and General Manager of the family’s well-known Schuler’s Restaurant and Pub in Marshall, MI.  No respectable Midwest home would have been without Win Schuler’s Bar Scheeze in the refrigerator in the 80’s and 90’s – yes, that Win Schuler’s Bar Scheeze!. Larry is also former owner of the popular Schu’s Grill and Bar in St. Joseph, MI, which opened in 1990 and still operates today, as well as Schu’s on Silver Beach.

For the past four years, Larry “Schu” Schuler has been an executive team member of 23 Restaurant Services, LLC, and the Ford’s Garage chain, building the company’s total units from four to twenty-one. Larry served as Vice President of Supply Chain Management, responsible for procurement of all foods, beverage, supply, furniture, equipment and materials, and for managing contracts and agreements for all units. Concepts include Ford’s Garage Prime Burger and Craft Brews, Yeoman’s Cask and Lion Pubs, Tiki Docks Riverview Bar and Grill, Tiki Docks Skyway Bar and Grill, and Capone’s Coal Fired Pizzeria. Additionally, he functioned as the corporate conduit for franchise communication and brand equity. Schu later served as President of 23 Restaurants, opening two Tiki Docks concepts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PATRICIA (TRISH) MURPHY
OWNER, MARKETING SMARTY PANTS

Trish Murphy is owner of Marketing Smarty Pants, an online marketing company with an emphasis on content marketing.  Content Marketing is the secret weapon to making your business stand out in the crowd. Trish helps businesses create and promote valuable content that connects with customers and builds brand equity.
As a content marketer she’s been applauded for her fun and informative marketing presentations, and providing simple content marketing solutions that fit any sized business.

When she’s not being a Marketing Smarty Pants, you can find her with her horse, curled up with a good book, or being silly with her kiddos. Trish is a Florida native, born right here in Orlando.  She is an Air Force Veteran and has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management.  She is on Chairman of the Orlando Chapter of the Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses.